WEST Oxfordshire district councillors voted unanimously for a 4.9 per cent council tax increase – the same as last year.

The rise, set at yesterday’s annual budget setting meeting, was just below the Government’s five per cent maximum guideline before it caps councils.

From April, the average Band D taxpayer in West Oxfordshire will pay £78.57 for the district services.

As in other parts of Oxfordshire, tax bills are made up of county, district and town/parish levies, as well as Thames Valley Police Authority.

This year’s portion levied by West Oxfordshire District Council is £78.57, compared to £74.88 last year.

Towns and parishes have also set their 2009/10 precepts.

In Witney, taxpayers will be paying an average £92.60.

In Carterton the band D levy amounts to £61.41, while at Chipping Norton it is £52.51.

Source: Witney Gazette