Oxford invests in graffiti removal, grass cutting, new community centers, housing, and addresses council tax.
The four-year graffiti program will cost £310,000. Graffiti will be removed when people report it. Ed Turner said they heard the public’s concerns and that people want basic services done well first. He said removing unsightly graffiti is a reasonable expectation. They also support groups helping vulnerable people.
The budget includes two new community centers in East Oxford and Blackbird Leys. A new splash park will be built for Hinksey, and outdoor gym equipment will get £100,000 in replacements. Pavement and bike lane gritting will get an extra £157,000.
The Cowley Branch Line receives £2.5 million, and the Covered Market redevelopment gets £1 million toward its £8 million total cost. Housing is a big priority for the city, and the council plans to build 1,275 new homes. They will also buy 283 more council houses.
The council hopes to have over 9,500 council homes. Safety and compliance work gets £49 million, while property improvements such as new bathrooms and kitchens get £84 million. Energy efficiency gets £30 million, which makes homes warmer and more efficient.
Socialist Party campaigners protested the housing plans because they think the council should build more homes and implement rent control. These campaigners also want more support for elderly residents during winter.
Council tax for Band D properties will rise by £10.36 per year, bringing the total to £356.72. People with low incomes still get a full council tax discount. No one party has a majority in the city council, which is run by a Labour minority government.
The Labour group changed its budget plan and used some ideas from the Liberal Democrats, adding funding to improve city walkability. A city center playground will get £60,000 over two years, but they must find a suitable location first.
The Liberal Democrats removed their own changes, and proposals from other groups largely failed. However, one Green group change passed, which increased garden waste bin charges by £4. The money restores ward member grants to £1,500, after they were initially cut.
The final budget passed with 30 votes for it, one person voted against it, and sixteen people abstained from voting.