COUNCIL tax is set to fall for the third year running in South Oxfordshire.

South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC) said it plans to reduce its council tax by 2.5 per cent when it sets its budget in February for 2014/15.

The council is the only one in the county planning to lower its rate, with Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford City Council aiming to raise its precept by 1.99 per cent each, and Vale of White Horse, Cherwell and West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC) both planning a freeze.

With SODC tax currently the fourteenth lowest district council tax in England, the move would drop the council into the bottom ten nationally.

However, WODC is the second lowest in the country. Currently, SODC charges £117.62 for a band D property, which, combined with contributions to Thames Valley Police, county and town councils, brings a total bill of £1,533.44 per year. With the 2.5 per cent SODC reduction this would be £1,530.50.

South Oxfordshire's leader, Ann Ducker, said: “Our mantra here is the best possible services at the lowest possible cost.”