Local authorities have set their budgets (From Witney Gazette)

Local authorities have set their budgets

2:34pm Tuesday 8th January 2008 in Witney By David Horne

TOWN and parish councils in West Oxfordshire are set to levy more than £2m from council taxpayers next year - an average increase of 5.4 per cent.

All 83 of the smallest of the local authorities who figure in next April's tax bills have now set their budgets for 2008-9.

In the main town, Witney, residents will be paying just over £90 for an average Band D property, an increase of 3.48 per cent on this year.

The town council's principal job is to maintain parks, recreation grounds, public halls, and the town cemetery.

There are wide variations in the demands among the parishes. A new project, like village hall repairs, can cause a large jump in local precepts, because the cost falls on fewer people. In Stanton Harcourt next year, the parish element jumps from an average £2.68 to £26.36.

In the other main population centres the parish taxes are (this year followed by next year's): Burford (£52.19) £58.74: Carterton (£57.75) £59.44; Chipping Norton (£51.02) £52.52; Charlbury (£62.38) £56.51; Eynsham (£47.60) £47.69: Woodstock (£40.30) £44.13.

The other elements of tax bills, provided by county and district councils and Thames Valley Police, have yet to be set.

West Oxfordshire District Council's cabinet meets on Wednesday to consider a preliminary budget, which would lead to a 4.9 per cent increase from this year's Band D £71.36 to £74.88.