England · district councils · 2024-25
Cherwell Council budget and spending
Cherwell Council had net current service expenditure of £37.5m in 2024-25, about £218 for each of its 172,178 residents. By total budget it is 6th highest of 164 district councils.
- Net service spending, 2024-25
- £37.5m
- Spend per resident
- £218
- 13th of 164 district councils
- Population (mid-2025)
- 172,178
- ONS mid-year estimate
- Rank by total budget
- 6th
- of 164 district councils
This is the council budget only (net current service expenditure). NHS, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest are not included. In two-tier counties, education and social care sit with the county, not the district.
Where Cherwell Council spends its money
- Environment£11.0m
29.4% of the budget
- Housing£8.4m
22.3% of the budget
- Central and other£8.2m
21.7% of the budget
- Planning£6.5m
17.2% of the budget
- Culture£3.5m
9.2% of the budget
- Highways and transport£47,000
0.1% of the budget
District councils run bins, planning, housing and leisure. Social care and education sit with the county council, so district budgets are far smaller and are only compared with other districts.
Benefits spending in Cherwell
Across six benefits, £246.2m was paid out in Cherwell in the 12 months to March 2026, about £1,430 per resident. That is 255th highest of 315 areas per person and 182nd by total pounds, and 33.2% below the England and Wales figure of £2,142.
- Universal Credit£151.0m
- Personal Independence Payment£54.8m
- Disability Living Allowance£20.4m
- Housing Benefit£17.1m
- Employment and Support Allowance£8.9m
- Carer's Allowance£7.2m
Covers six benefits only: Universal Credit, PIP, Housing Benefit, DLA, Carer's Allowance and ESA. Excludes the State Pension, the largest welfare line. Compiled by the TaxPayers' Alliance from DWP Stat-Xplore, not a DWP borough publication. England and Wales, £133.1 billion in the 12 months to March 2026. Do not add this to the council budget: Housing Benefit is in both.
Councils with similar spend per resident
Cherwell Council: common questions
How much does Cherwell Council spend?
Cherwell Council had net current service expenditure of £37.5m in 2024-25. This is the council budget only: it excludes NHS spending, pensions, Universal Credit and debt interest.
How much does Cherwell Council spend per resident?
About £218 per resident, from a 2024-25 budget of £37.5m and an ONS population estimate of 172,178. That is 13th highest of 164 district councils.
What does Cherwell Council spend most on?
Environment is the largest service line at £11.0m, 29.4% of the 2024-25 budget.
How much is spent on benefits in Cherwell?
£246.2m was paid out in the 12 months to March 2026 on six benefits (Universal Credit, PIP, Housing Benefit, DLA, Carer's Allowance and ESA), about £1,430 per resident. That ranks 255th of 315 areas per person. It excludes the State Pension and is not part of the council budget.