Pull together to claw back ‘devastating’ budget cuts - McMahon

ANSWERING questions: council leader Jim McMahon addresses last night’s meeting

COUNCIL leader Jim McMahon has the whole of Oldham to help claw back “devastating” budget cuts.

Councillor McMahon’s annual report to the full council pleaded with residents to recycle, buy from local businesses, stop fly-tipping and do all they can to help soften the blow of cuts that will mean the council has £2,232 less per household to spend each year.

The £60 million-worth of new cuts will follow the £141million lost from the local budget over the past five years - effectively halving what Oldham could once spend.

Councillor McMahon said: “We simply can’t do this alone. Small changes you can make as an individual in your daily lives can add up to making a huge difference.

“Recycle more and recycle right — that alone could save us up to £5 million a year. If nobody fly-tipped or littered we would save £1 million a year.

“And support your local economy. Use your local shops and facilities to keep them viable and help them grow.”

Councillor McMahon said the council will be focusing on “getting the basics right” - rubbish collections and clearance, maintaining the borough’s adult and children’s services, tackling dementia, education and investing in local business.

Top of his list is continuing to maintain roads: “It’s residents’ number one priority. It causes the most telephone calls, tweets, letters, emails and doorstep exchanges. It always has.” He spoke of “major improvements” to road repairs in recent times.