Banbury Town Council announces budget for new financial year

Wildflower meadows are to be established in areas such as Spiceball Country Park

An authority is increasing council tax by 2% per household as part of its new budget.

Banbury Town Council's 2024/25 plans also include a 5% boost towards litter picking in parks and play areas.

The council will spend £120,000 on children's play spaces, including on the development and improvement of equipment throughout the town.

Council leader Kieron Mallon said the improvements would "benefit the town for years to come".

Other announcements include:

• Spending £18,000 on increasing biodiversity through the creation of wildflower meadows, including at Spiceball Country Park

• Putting £27,000 towards a cricket pitch and square at Hanwell Fields, where roof repairs and security upgrades will be carried out

• Spending £4,000 towards the refurbishment of Horton Views ladies showers, due to the rising interest in women's football

• Refurbishing Princess Diana Park in Ruscote and Moorfields in Grimsbury

• Introducing municipal compost bays at Spital Farm to improve soil in 130 public spaces in Banbury

Mr Mallon said: "This is achieved by looking after the pennies and not spending what we haven't got.

"We are a debt-free council and we will strive to remain a low-cost council delivering high value.

"When you see what we are offering with below inflation council tax, I think we provide value for money."