Oxford City Council in Oxfordshire approved a new budget on 23 February 2026 that will bring back free collections for large household items and hire more wardens to stop illegal dumping. The plan aims to make it easier for people to get rid of old furniture or appliances while also increasing the number of times grass verges are cut throughout the year.
Starting in April 2026, residents will no longer have to pay for bulky waste to be picked up from their homes, a service funded by an annual investment of £102,000. The council also plans to spend £390,000 every year on a new team of community wardens who will patrol the city to tackle illegal dumping and anti-social behaviour.
Local maintenance will also see a boost as grass verges across the city will now be cut four times a year instead of three. These improvements are made possible by a £3.1 million increase in funding from the UK Government following a change in how money is shared among local authorities to help areas with higher needs.
The city council’s portion of council tax will increase by 2.99 per cent for the 2026/27 financial year, meaning a Band D household will pay £367.38 for city services. These changes come as Oxfordshire prepares to move to a single council system, which will see the city council close on 1 April 2028.
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