Public’s chance to balance the books

Budget simulator to flag up priorities
OLDHAMERS can have their say on the council’s budget plans by visiting an online simulator.

Special software can be downloaded to allow residents to suggest their priority areas and balance the books.

The focus of the 2010/11 budget plan is to prepare for the financial challenges over the next two years and putting Oldham in a good position to make the most of national economic recovery.

Councillor Lynne Thompson, cabinet member for finance and resources, said: “Last year, residents using the budget simulator told us that they wanted to maintain key services but keep their council tax down. That was achieved with an increase of 2.5 per cent — the lowest increase in Greater Manchester — but we also created a priority investment fund to then target an investment of £2.6m into the areas that people most often asked us to improve.

“Those included tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, improving the wider environment and frontline services, including roads, street cleaning and tackling fly-tipping.

”We are proposing that council tax should again rise by no more than 2.5 per cent in 2010/11 and are now asking residents to tell us which services they most want to see maintained and improved.

“This interactive software will show them the potential impacts and consequences of these choices, and the increased or reduced demands that could place on council tax.

“A number of saving proposals have already been put forward to set a balanced budget for the next financial year, but knowing if people think these are correct is vitally important — and it will be taken into account.

”After we have assessed residents’ feedback, we will unveil our final service spending plans in early February — plus outline plans for 2011/12 and 2012/3. These will go before full council on February 24.”

You can access the budget simulator either via the Oldham Council homepage at www.oldham. gov.uk or visit it direct at www.budgetsimulator.com/oldham/  

Alternatively, residents can send their comments via email to Budget.Ch allenge@oldham.gov.uk  or by writing to Budget Challenge, Oldham Council, Civic Centre, West Street, Oldham, OL1 1UG.