A Careful Budget Brings New Investments in Bicester

Bicester Town councillors are pleased to report that despite inflation and rises in National Insurance, they have been able to produce a balanced budget that keeps costs for council tax payers to a minimum whilst maintaining a strong programme of investment and renewal.

Finance chair, Councillor Alisa Russell (Bicester South), pictured, said “Officers have worked extremely hard to create a transparent budget that maintains strong investment, whilst minimising council tax increases.  The annual impact on taxpayers will be £3.18 for band D homes”.

Policy chair, Councillor Paul Wheatley (Bicester North) said “Our careful budget delivers the council’s normal plan and robust investment. Residents consistently tell us litter is an issue, so we are increasing provision for new bins by 100%. In 2025/26, residents will also see delivery of new play parks including over £400,000 on a ‘Destination Park’ for Garth Park. We are embarking on a programme of renewal by investing in new CCTV equipment to improve safety and security as well as renovating the Garth Park band stand. Our commitment to net zero continues. We will replace a life-expired diesel vehicle with an electric equivalent reducing costs.  Thanks to a new contract signed by officers, residents will also see an improvement in green space maintenance”. 

Environment chair, Councillor Rachel Mallows (Bicester North) commented “I would like to thank our officers for their diligence and I am excited to see us shift to a plan of replacing individual pieces of playground equipment rather than entire parks.  This will allow us to spread investment to more play parks meaning all see a benefit, faster.  While there are other projects we'd like to pursue, the cost-of-living crisis means we must be realistic to avoid burdening residents with excessive tax increases.”

In response to the Conservatives so called ‘alternative budget’, Councillor Russell said “There is no ‘opposition’ in a parish council and all councillors have the ability to contribute equally. Conservatives have been involved in the budget process throughout.  It disappoints me they propose a 0.2% difference at the last minute.  They do not explain how they manage to generate 44% more interest income. It smacks of political desperation and I dismiss it as a hoax”.

Councillor Mallows added “Conservatives do not have a good record of financial management. Their historical oversight of finances has been poor.  They increased the council’s income, whilst spending very little.  For example, they failed to carry out a single play park renovation for three years. As a result, we now face a backlog of repair. Their decisions came close to bankrupting Cherwell District Council and last year they complained when council tax fell, saying it should have risen. I call upon them to engage constructively as residents elected them to”.