Council needs your money-saving ideas

CREATIVE Oldhamers have been suggesting ways the council can plug a £60 million cutback by 2017 — £2,232 less per household.

The council asked residents to suggest ways savings could be made. Ideas so far include paperless bills for council tax, closing district town halls, less money allocated for floral displays and less frequent road-sweeping.

Pay cuts for council staff on the highest salaries, fortnightly rather than weekly garden and food waste collections in winter, increased recycling to save on landfill costs and a reduction in business rates to boost town-centre trade have also been proposed.

Council leader Jim McMahon said: “We have to have an honest conversation between the council and residents about the serious financial challenges we face. Half our budget has gone and there are no easy answers.”