Tax rise to offset Government cuts

OLDHAMERS could face a council tax rise to boost the police service coffers following heavy Government cuts.

Greater Manchester’s Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd is proposing to increase the police element of the council tax by £5 per year for average B and D group households.

This would bring the annual cost for this element of council tax to £149.33 per year — £2.87 a week — and is one of the lowest police precepts in the country.

Mr Lloyd said: “Greater Manchester Police has already made considerable savings as it strives to meet the £134 million hole in its budget by 2015, resulting in almost 1,000 fewer police staff posts and the loss of 1,138 police officers from our streets.

“I now face tough decisions in the face of disproportionate cuts, combined with the uncertainty of what future Government budget decisions will mean for the communities of Greater Manchester.”

The proposed budget for 2013-14, which includes savings of around £12.5 million, will help build on neighbourhood policing across Greater Manchester. It will also improve joint working with local authorities, the NHS and other public partners to address drug and alcohol problems and mental-health issues.”