Council tax 'to go up'

2 February 2010, 16:33 | Updated: 3 February 2010, 07:14

Average yearly council tax bills in Oxfordshire are set to go up more than £30.

The County Council are planning to increase their share, so a Band D home's bill's more than £1,160.  The actual amount we pay will be higher than this, because of the amount that goes to your local district or city council and the police and fire services.

The County Council are also planning to make cuts on the amount they spend on services of more than £100m, because of an expected drop in the amount they get from the government.

Councillor Keith Mitchell, the Leader of Oxfordshire County Council, said: "I do understand that people are seeing their pay frozen, some people are actually taking a pay cut because of the economy.  I promise people this is the lowest we can manage in Oxfordshire without seriously damaging the services we offer."

Oxfordshire County Council is the local education authority, and money raised through council tax helps fund state schools.  The Council have already put £1m aside to deal with potholes springing up following January's freezing weather.

A final decision on the amount of council tax people in Oxfordshire will pay for 2010/11 will be decided on 9 February.