County's council tax bills among England's highest

People living in Oxfordshire have some of the highest council tax bills in England, according to new figures.

Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) has the highest average Band D council tax rate amongst authorities covering a whole county, with a levy of £1,911.40 per year for 2025/26.

The authority voted to increase council tax by the maximum 4.99% at its annual budget meeting in February.

A spokesperson for the council said over the past 15 years its expenditure had increased whilst its funding from central government had decreased.

The council's Labour group leader Liz Brighouse said the "big problem" was "how we provide and fund services at a level that's affordable".

"Oxfordshire is a very wealthy authority, but we have major issues funding major services," she continued.

"People just do not see that they are getting anything for that high level of tax."

The latest figures comparing council tax rates were released by Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

Unlike most local authorities, OCC manages the county's fire and rescue service - with council tax contributing to its funding.

Oxfordshire residents also pay council tax to their district council.

Those additional levies stand at £362 a year in Oxford, £279 in South Oxfordshire, £269 in Cherwell, £262 in Vale of White Horse and £249 in West Oxfordshire.

Eddie Reeves, leader of the Conservative group, said the authority's Liberal Democrat leadership had "misspent millions on grandiose council schemes" that were now beginning to "bite financially".

"This is creating a financial ratchet that can only ever mean that Oxfordshire will top the council tax league table," he added.

A spokesperson for the county council said: "Over the last 15 years the council's expenditure has increased but the amount of general grant and business rates funding that the council receives from central government has fallen.

"To be able to manage pressures, including inflationary increases in the cost of services as well as increases in demand for services, and also set a balanced budget, the council has increased council tax in line with these [government imposed] limits."

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