OFFICERS at West Oxfordshire District Council are delighted to be retaining the second lowest tax in the country.

The council says that ‘sound investment’ and ‘efficient operation’ has allowed it to retain its prized position.

WODC has set a three per cent increase from April meaning the average Band D household will pay £94.38, just £2.75 higher than last year. That compares to a 5.1 per cent average increase nationally.

Only Breckland District Council in Norfolk will pay a lower rate out of 201 authorities, according to newly released Government statistics.

Chief finance officer Jenny Poole said: “We are delighted to retain our position as the second lowest charging district authority for council tax.

“It shows that we are a highly efficient authority dedicated to providing first class services to residents while also producing value for money.”

When the council’s budget was set last month, it was revealed its financial position had improved by £447,000. Rises in investment income, additional funding from the Rural Services Delivery Grant and an increase in the Council’s retained share of business rates had contributed to this.

Sharing services with other councils is also saving around £2m a year with a further £1.5m worth of efficiencies predicted following the establishment of the local authority owned company Publica in 2017.