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West Oxfordshire Council Asks Residents Where to Spend Its Budget

West Oxfordshire District Council's budget consultation for 2027/28 is open to residents in Chipping Norton, Burford, Charlbury and beyond until Friday 11 December.

By Alex Harrington 1 min read Places: Burford, Charlbury, Chipping Norton, Woodstock
West Oxfordshire District Council offices at Woodgreen, Witney
West Oxfordshire District Council offices, Witney. Photo: Steve Daniels, CC BY-SA 2.0

People in Chipping Norton, Burford, Charlbury, Woodstock and the rest of West Oxfordshire have until Friday 11 December to tell the district council where it should spend its money in 2027/28.

West Oxfordshire District Council has opened its budget consultation, asking which services and improvements should be a priority as it sets next year’s budget. The council runs more than 50 services, including bin collections, planning, housing support and leisure, but says only around 10p of every £1 residents pay in council tax goes to it.

Like other councils, it says it faces financial pressure after more than a decade of reduced government funding and rising costs. It points to income it has brought in, including the Marriotts Walk shopping centre in Witney, where it says visitor numbers have risen by nearly 29% and which is expected to contribute around £464,000, and its trade waste service, expected to bring in around £200,000 in 2026/27.

Cllr Alaric Smith, the council’s executive member for finance, said: “We want to build on that success, protecting the services people rely on while continuing to invest in our communities. Your feedback will help us understand what matters most to you and make sure we are focusing our funding where it can make the biggest difference.”

How to take part

The short survey is online at westoxon.gov.uk/budget until Friday 11 December, and paper copies are available at the council’s offices in Welch Way and Woodgreen in Witney. The council’s executive will consider the final budget on 10 February 2027, before it goes to full council on 24 February.

More from the area: Chipping Norton, Burford, Charlbury and Woodstock.

Details checked on 15 November 2026 using West Oxfordshire District Council’s announcement of 2 November 2026.

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Alex Harrington

Alex Harrington runs What's up, Cotswolds? with Lydia Mee, alongside What's up, Stratford? and What's up, Warwick?: independent guides to what's on, local news and the practical things.