Have a say on Oldham budget

OLDHAM residents still have time to help to shape the council’s spending priorities.

More than 250 people have logged on to the council’s online budget simulator to give their opinion on where spending should be increased and areas where they think it should be reduced.

After making their choices people can see the potential impact both on services and on the council tax.

Almost 700 people have also taken part in a Mori poll on spending and around 70 more have either written, emailed or telephoned the council with their views.

Preliminary results from the public consultation will be considered at the council’s meeting on December 10 and the final results will help spending decisions when the budget is set in February next year.

Oldham Council is aiming to close a budget gap of £17.3 million and has so far identified potential savings of about £10 million.

Councillor Lynne Thompson, Cabinet member for finance and resources, said: “The advice we have had from the public so far has been invaluable. Some of the feedback has confirmed that we are on the right lines and some has challenged us to delve further.”

The budget simulator is at www.oldham.gov.uk. Residents can also email budgetchallenge@oldham.gov.uk, or write to Oldham Council, Room 441, Budget Challenge Team, Civic Centre, Oldham OL1 1UG, or by calling 0161-770 5445.