Your budget ideas vital, says council

OLDHAMERS are being asked to give their opinion on the best way for the council to slash another £31million from its budget.

The Chronicle revealed last week that Oldham Council must make the savings over the next two years, after being hit by severe cuts from central government.

Residents are asked to contribute their ideas on how the money can be saved at a series of events over the coming months.

A council spokesman said: “There are no easy answers. We need your help on setting budget priorities, understanding how tough decisions might affect our communities — and because we don’t have a monopoly on good ideas.”

A Budget Roadshow will be at Spindles shopping centre on October 15 before moving to other locations. The main event — the “Big Budget Conversation” — will be at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on October 22.

Locals can also have their say via Oldham Council’s website at www.oldham.gov.uk,

Councillor Jim McMahon, Oldham Council leader, said: “We cannot shy away from the fact that it will mean tough decisions and challenges for local families and communities.

“We need to accept that we will now have to deliver less for significantly less money — and that is precisely why we need to involve residents in making these difficult decisions.”

Full details of all the consultation events and activities can be found online at www.oldham.gov.uk/budget.

Feedback from the public will be used to shape the final budget proposals, which will go before full council in February.


Our website carries only a small number of heavily-edited stories from tonight’s print and eChron editions
Follow us on Twitter @oldhamchronicle