Lib Dem run Bicester Town Council lowers Council Tax

Liberal Democrat Councillors at Bicester Town Council are pleased to announce that they have reduced their Council Tax share for 2024-25.  

The prior Conservative administration had raised the tax by a blanket 2% each year but thanks to greater efficiency and the number of homes in Bicester increasing, the burden on individual households has actually fallen by 0.7%. 

Overall, residents’ bills will still increase by around 4.5% with Cherwell District Council levying the largest percentage increase at 3.4% and a 5.1% increase by the Conservative led Police & Crime Commissioner.

Leader of the Liberal Democrat group, Councillor Paul Wheatley said “It has become clear in our first term leading this council that the previous administration over-taxed the residents of Bicester only to put the excess into bank accounts paying zero or near zero interest.  Having achieved a 0.7% reduction in the Town Council's component of Council Tax this year, we are determined to continue to correct this imbalance and get residents' money back into their pockets."

Councillor Rachel Mallows added “During the cost-of-living crisis, we know that many households are struggling so it is pleasing that we can reduce our share.  We know that many other councils across the country were ordered by Chancellor Hunt to raise their tax by the maximum permitted to prevent them financially failing, so we are glad to be in a much healthier position."

Councillor Nick Cotter said “The Town Council has been looking at how contracts are delivered. The new green spaces maintenance contract will reduce the cost to taxpayers whilst improving service delivery.  Officers have been working very hard to make this happen”.

Bicester Town Council is one of England’s largest parish councils.  It is primarily responsible for the town’s sports, green spaces and cemeteries.  In May 2023, the Liberal Democrats in an alliance with the Greens became the largest body.