Council tax increase: 3.5 per cent, but no taxpayers’ poll

OLDHAMERS have been questioning whether the proposed 3.5 per cent hike in council tax can be imposed without a referendum.

The Chronicle reported on Wednesday that the overall tax bill could go up by 3.5 per cent, which should mean a poll under 2011 Localism legislation.

But Oldham’s “basic” rate will not increase by more than two per cent.

The council’s demand doesn’t take into account levys for transport and waste or precepts on fire, police or parish councils - some of which haven’t yet been declared. But it is they that will push to rise over the two per cent limit.

Oldham Council bosses said the offer from the Government to freeze council tax for the year wasn’t an option, since the council needs to save another £38 million by 2015.