The increase comes after the government changed the funding formula it uses to calculate the grant awarded to councils.

This has hit authorities in the South-East, while councils in the Midlands and the North have done well.

It is difficult to balance the needs of the county against the level of council tax, but we hope we have got it about right Deputy Leader Councillor Margaret Godden

Oxfordshire County Council say the increase should protect school budgets and increase the money available for social services.

Council Leader Councillor Keith Mitchell said: "The South East has been battered this year by the government's financial settlement and the tax rises across the region will show it."

He said the authority consulted a panel of local residents over a possible 14.4% increase, which they thought was unacceptable.

"I am glad that we have been able to bring down the final increase due to some modest reductions in our plans for spending on technology."

The increase in money available for social services includes a boost for care workers' wages, intended to help recruit more people into the posts.

Old fridges

The council also said it has put some new money into the Youth Service and is funding an extension of library opening hours.

Deputy Leader Councillor Margaret Godden said: "Much of the increased spending this year is going on things we cannot avoid, like disposing of old fridges and preparing to pay the infamous bed blocking fines.

"But we have managed to include more positive things as well - introducing the first phase of a scheme to bring in fairer wages across the council and especially for low paid social care staff.

"It is difficult to balance the needs of the county against the level of council tax, but we hope we have got it about right."