Message from the Leader You can now apply, book and pay for Oxfordshire County Council Dear Resident a range of council services online: No one looks forward to the council tax bill, particularly in www.oxfordshire.gov.uk How we spend this time of austerity when most households are cutting Oxfordshire County Council general enquiries: Your Council Tax back. Councils are in the Tel: 01865 792422 Services Guide and Information for 2013/14 same position, as they play their part in reducing County Hall, New Road, Oxford OX1 1ND public spending. In Oxfordshire, we have taken some difficult decisions in setting our budget. Other contacts To protect vital services, we have increased Council You can contact your local district or city council Tax by 1.99% – well below the rate of inflation. for information about; council tax, housing, planning, I know any rise is unwelcome, but the alternative environmental health, waste collections and is cuts to vital services. A recent survey of residents recreation & leisure. showed most people felt the same way. We have balanced the need to protect the most needy and Cherwell District 01295 227001 vulnerable, with our ambition to see Oxfordshire Oxford City 01865 249811 continue to thrive through hard work and South Oxfordshire District 01491 823000 economic growth. Vale of White Horse District 01235 520202 The county council provides a wide range of West Oxfordshire District 01993 861000 services essential to Oxfordshire – from roads to subsidised rural transport, and children’s centres to care for older people. Our libraries are well used, Follow us on twitter @OxfordshireCC while Trading Standards keep the rip-off merchants at bay. And Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service do YourOxfordshire electronic newsletter so much more than put out fires, including keeping Get the latest from Oxfordshire County the county moving during floods and snow. Over Council direct to your inbox every month. this page you can find out more about the services To subscribe scan the QR code or visit we provide. I hope you feel you are getting value www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/youroxfordshire for money.

Cllr Ian Hudspeth Leader of Oxfordshire County Council Introduction What we spend on services (excludes schools) Adult & Education Highways and This leaflet explains the Children’s and Early Transport Social Care Intervention 11% Oxfordshire County Council budget 16% for this year and how your council tax is spent. Capital Fire & Rescue Public Health 6% Borrowing 5% and Community 5% Oxfordshire County Council provides 80% of 50% Costs Safety the local government services in the county, including children’s services, education, libraries, Waste 2% Libraries & museums, roads, social care, trading standards, 5% Management Cultural Services waste disposal and recycling.

Council tax is the local tax you pay towards How Oxfordshire County Council is funded local public services. Although collected by your 11% Income from Fees 11% Business district or city council your council tax bill is Central and Charges Rates Council made up of payments to Oxfordshire County Government Tax 31% Council, your district council, Police and Crime 47% Grants Commissioner for Thames Valley and your local Council Tax Band 2012/13 2013/14 Change town or parish council if applicable. A £774.47 £789.89 £15.42 B £903.55 £921.53 £17.98 C £1,032.63 £1,053.18 £20.55 Schools are funded by We need to spend D £1,161.71 £1,184.83 £23.12 E £1,419.87 £1,448.13 £28.26 a specific Government F £1,678.03 £1,711.42 £33.39 grant of G £1,936.18 £1,974.72 £38.54 £585.5m H £2,323.42 £2,369.66 £46.24 on services (excluding schools) Number of Band D equivalent properties in 2013/14 244,920 226,572 £310.2m Total Gross Expenditure Council Tax Requirement £972.9m (2012/13), £895.7m (2013/14) £284.5m £268.4m Oxfordshire County Council Key Services

Do it online You can now apply, book and pay for a range of council services on our website Family Information Directory Find childcare, early education, family support and activities near you. www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/familyinformation Business Children, Education and Blue Badge scheme www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/business Apply or renew on-street parking permits for Families • Report a problem with rogue traders. people with disabilities. www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/children • Information about a range of licences. www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/bluebadge • Family Information Service – information and • Funding or advice to improve your businesses. support for children, young people and families. www.supportfinder.oxfordshire.gov.uk Trading standards: 0845 051 08 45 • Apply for a school place online. Find local care and support providers. • Information to keep children safe. www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/supportfinder Licensing and Street works team: 0845 310 11 11 Family Information Service: 0845 226 26 36 Concessionary fares School Admissions: 01865 815175 Apply for bus passes online. www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/buspass Childrens Social Care: 0845 050 76 66

Community and Living Environment and Fire and Public Safety www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/community Planning www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/fire • Register a birth or death or make arrangements www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/environment • Complete your own fire risk check or book for a wedding or civil ceremony. a free home fire risk check. • Find out about the armed forces in Oxfordshire • Advice about waste and recycling centres. • Find out how to prevent crime and stay safe. and repatriations. • Ideas for countryside walks in Oxfordshire. • Road safety advice for motorists, pedestrians • Learn about our campaign for better broadband. • How to report dangerous, fallen or overhanging and cyclists. trees. Oxfordshire Registration Service: 0845 129 59 00 Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue service: 01865 842999 Waste Management: 0845 050 45 50 Emergency Planning Unit: 01865 323765 Countryside Service: 01865 810226 Road Safety Team: 01865 815704 Highways: 0845 310 11 11

Leisure and Culture Roads and Transport Social and Health Care www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/leisure www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/roads www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/social • Join, reserve and renew books from our libraries. • Locations, prices and information about Oxford’s • Support Finder – information for people needing • Find out more about the Oxford Music Service. Park & Ride scheme. care and support. • Explore our heritage and family history resources. • Apply online for bus passes and parking permits. • Advice on health, recovery and well-being. • Report faults and issues with paths and roads. • Adoption and fostering information. Libraries Customer Services: 01865 810240 Oxfordshire History Centre: 01865 398200 Oxfordshire Public transport: 01865 816519 Social Care team: 0845 050 76 66 Oxfordshire Parking Shop: 0845 634 44 66 Adoption team: 0800 7835724 Concessionary Fares: 0845 310 11 11 Carers Oxfordshire: 0845 050 76 66

To see a full list of our services, please visit www.oxfordshire.gov.uk