BICESTER taxpayers will see a reduction in the town council tax precept next year.

Town councillors have reduced their slice of the council tax “cake” by £1.92 per household to £95.40 for a Band D property.

Oxfordshire County Council, Cherwell District Council and the police authority all have yet to set their precepts. The town council has budgeted to spend almost £1m next year, but the majority will be used to maintain current services.

Councillors say they do not need to increase the precept because they have been prudent and made efficiency savings this year.

They also said they would continue to host a string of summer events, including jazz festival, carnival and the popular Christmas lights event.

Over the past few years, Bicester Town Council has seen income from bank interest drop from £75,000 in 2008 to £50,000 in 2009. This year it expects to get just £7,500.

Councillors have set aside £25,000 each for the Garth House redevelopment project and the council’s search for a new cemetery.

Town councillor Les Sibley said: “It’s great Bicester people will not see any increase, but we could have helped them even more.

“One of the issues people ask me is why is such a huge amount of money spent on consultants? I don’t think it’s right asking residents to pay for things like the cemetery and Garth House when there are sufficient sums of money in both pots.

“We could have reduced the burden even more for the Bicester taxpayer. It’s daylight robbery.”

However, mayor James Porter said: “We have been able to look at the budget closely over the last few months, and without losing value and maintaining services, we can deliver them at a lesser cost.

“It’s a good news story as far as the taxpayer is concerned.”

The town council has also increased its provision for the Christmas lights by £4,000 to £10,000 to cover any grant reduction by Cherwell District Council.