Council tax to be frozen

OLDHAM Council is proposing a freeze in council tax.

Though the council has already made £118 million in savings in the last five years, with £23 million more to come for 2014-15, council leader Councillor Jim McMahon said: “We understand the harsh financial realities facing residents and we simply can’t ignore them.

“Stagnating wages plus soaring costs in energy, fuel, food and others are all making the weekly household budget a struggle for many people. Oldham Council has its own financial challenges, but we must try to help out however we possibly can.”

Final budget proposals for 2014-5 will be discussed on January 23. After a special Cabinet meeting on February 24 they will be up for approval at the annual full council budget meeting on March 5.