Warning of tough times ahead as council tax frozen

Oldham Council cabinet
OLDHAM is facing further years of “painful” budget cuts - with the biggest impact on householders still to be felt, says council leader Jim McMahon.

Setting the 2014-15 budget at last night’s cabinet meeting, councillors agreed council tax will be frozen for the next financial year. Band D properties will continue to pay £1,599.92 - though an increase of £5 has been requested by Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd to pay for additional policing in Greater Manchester, something expected to be confirmed before the budget proposals go before full council on March 5.

Councillor Abdul Jabbar, cabinet member for finance, said: “We know residents are struggling with a decline in weekly wages and the increasing cost of living. Despite the financial pressures currently facing the council, it would be very unfair to increase council tax.”

Savings of £23.004 million had to be taken from the budget, with proposed cuts to various sections included in the proposals, aiming to build on the work undertaken in previous financial years during challenging economic conditions.

Councillor McMahon said: “Residents at every level and right across Oldham are feeling the financial pressures. It is possible we are going to look back at this meeting next year and think those were the easy days. All the easy cuts have been done and residents have yet to feel the biggest impact.

“It may be that people are told “no” for services where they would have been given a yes in the past.

“The next two years are going to be painful but necessary.”