Householders in Oxfordshire hoping for some love on Valentine's Day have instead been hit with the highest possible rise in council tax.

The almost five per cent rise – the maximum allowed by law – approved by a full meeting of Oxfordshire County Council comes in the midst of a cost of living crisis, with householders hit with soaring energy bills and increased food prices.

The Labour, Liberal-Democrat and Labour-led council justified the rise in order to help fund an £8.9 million investment in social care.

But it also comes as it commits to spending millions of pounds on divisive traffic measures, including costly repairs to low traffic neighbourhood barriers in Oxford and a controversial 'traffic filter' scheme which will see motorists prevented from driving across the city at key times.

READ MORE: Oxford LTNs criticised by Florence Pugh dad and bar owner

The council's budget plans have revealed council tax will be raised by 4.99 per cent, which is two per cent more than the original proposal.

This council tax rise will add £82.42 to bills for Band D properties, which is an extra £1.59 per week.

In a report for the 2023/24 budget, council leader Liz Leffman attempted to justify the rise on the grounds that it will raise the necessary money to afford an £8.9 million investment in social care.

The council plans to set aside £2.3 million to provide council tax relief for people on low incomes.

Conservative councillor Liam Walker and shadow cabinet member for highways has accused the council of squandering money on 'pet projects' for Oxford and penalising motorists, at the expense of the rest of the county.

He said: "I think residents of Oxfordshire will not be pleased about another council tax hike by the Lib-Dem-led coalition to the highest legal amount allowed for a second year running.

"Residents expect our local councils to be focused on improving frontline services rather than spending taxpayers money on pet projects particularly for Oxford city at the detriment to our rural communities.

"In this current difficult economic climate, I don't think it is fair to be hammering residents with another council tax hike of 4.99 per cent – something myself and Conservative colleagues won't be supporting."

Ms Leffman said inflation had created real challenges for setting the budget but the council remains committed to its vision for a greener, fairer and healthier county.

She said: "We appreciate that any increase at this tough time for households will be hard. At the same time, we know that not funding vital services would have a huge negative impact on some of our most vulnerable residents.

"We therefore proposed to accept the government's recommendation while investing to make sure we protect the lowest income households from the impact of this increase. We have set aside £2.3m to provide council tax relief and officers are working closely with districts and the city to design this approach.

"We have listened carefully to the feedback from our extensive public engagement and consultation on the budget and the views of Oxfordshire residents are reflected in our proposals."