What's not included and why

There are some things, that you might expect to see, that are not part of our budget simulator. 

Here, we explain why they’re not included.

• Councillor pay – County councillors are not paid a salary, but they are entitled to financial compensation called an allowance, and expenses. This makes sure that they are not left out of pocket by covering costs (such as travel to and from meetings) and recognises the time they spend on council business. The allowance amount is set by the council based on recommendations from the Independent Remuneration Panel for Oxfordshire. Read more about councillor allowances.
• Capital programme – Three per cent of your council tax is used to support the cost of borrowing towards our £1.5 billion capital programme. This includes investing in highway improvements and major infrastructure, new school buildings and pupil places and other service needs reflecting the council’s priorities. Most of the funding comes from government grants and can only be used for capital schemes – it can’t be used for day to day council spending.
• Parking fees (controlled parking zones and on street parking) – We have not included these because there are strict rules about what the money from these fees can be used for. We are not allowed to use them to fund other services, we can only use them to enforce, maintain or improve the parking facilities.
• Schools – As well as what we spend on education and schools, as described on the budget simulator sliders, the council is given money directly by government for Oxfordshire's maintained schools. This covers teachers and running costs and we pass this straight on to these schools.
• Business rates – This is a tax on non-domestic properties, like shops, offices or factories. Business rates aren’t included in the simulator because we can’t change them. The rates are set by the government and collected by your district or city council.
• Council tax bands – These are set by the Valuation Office Agency (a government department). It also decides which band a building is in.
• Hospitals, doctors, opticians and dentists – The NHS or private companies are responsible for these services, not us – Oxfordshire County Council.
• Policing – Thames Valley Police is responsible for policing Oxfordshire, not us.
• Speeding fines – Speeding is a crime, so it is dealt with by the police, not us.

These are some of the services run by your local city or district council:

• leisure facilities, like parks and swimming pools
• bin collections
• social housing
• planning permission and decisions about building new houses
• tackling homelessness
• applying for and receiving benefits.

So we can’t decide how they run or how much is spent on them. Find out more online about Oxfordshire’s city and district councils.

The following are some of the services run by local parish or town councils

• bus shelters
• public benches
• allotments
• playing fields
• burial grounds.

So we can’t decide how they run or how much is spent on them. All parts of the county (except certain parts of Oxford) are parished. Find out more online about Oxfordshire’s parish and town councils.

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