Oldham residents set for council tax hike

Date published: 22 February 2018


Oldham residents have been warned to expect higher council tax bills this year as the local authority attempts to balance their books amid further cuts in central Government funding.

At a meeting of Oldham Council’s cabinet, plans were put forward which would see their share of the tax increased by 3.99%.

It means the average Band D property would see it’s bill increase by around £60, not including the rises by police and fire service and the new charge being introduced by Greater Manchester's Mayor.

The increase won’t come as a surprise to many as Council’s up and down the country, including in Greater Manchester, putting up their share of the tax in order to try and counter the cuts in funding from Westminster, however in Oldham the rise doesn’t seem to be as high as in other parts of the region.

Final budgets for Rochdale and Tameside are yet to be voted on by full council, however Revolution News understands they’re expected to increase their precept rate by as much as 4.99%.

The rise will come as yet another blow to council tax payers and arrives hot on the heels of Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham’s announcement that he’s to introduce a Mayoral charge, which was said to be around £7 but has since been reduced, to help him tackle things like homelessness.

In addition to that the other two expenses which make up the council tax payment, from Greater Manchester Police and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, have also announced they’ll be putting up their precept.

In addition to the increase in council tax charges, Oldham Council have also announced plans to dip into their reserves to the tune of at least £7 million, in a bid to balance their books.

The full budget is due to go before Oldham’s full council on Wednesday, February 28, which is expected to rubber stamp the increase.