WEST Oxfordshire District Council’s share of council tax is set to increase by £2.75 a year for the average householder.

The district council’s cabinet have recommended a three per cent increase from April which will see an average Band D household paying £94.38, instead of £91.63 in the current financial year.

Councillors were originally recommended to back a £5 a year rise - the maximum allowable without a referendum.

Cllr Toby Morris, cabinet member for resources, said when fine detail had been included in the 2018/19 budget, the council had improved its position by £447,000. Rises in investment income from the Rural Services Delivery Grant had contributed to this.

He also highlighted how sharing services with Cotswold and Forest of Dean District Councils was saving £1m a year with a further £1.5m worth of efficiencies predicted following the establishment of the local authority owned company Publica in 2017.

Cllr Morris added: “A combination of improved income and efficient operation has meant residents will see a lower increase this year which has to be good news.

“We were already charging the second lowest council tax rate of any district council in the country and I am delighted to say that is expected to remain the case.”

The final decision on council tax will be made at the full council meeting on Wednesday February 28.