Thousands view options to axe £60m

MORE than 6,000 people have watched an Oldham Council video outlining ways to tackle a £60 million budget cut.

The council website video - ‘Let’s talk budget: Oldham’s £60 million challenge’ - aims to kickstart local debate about the borough’s financial issues.

The council must find £60 million over the next two financial years, having already cut £141 million from its budget since 2009. The amount available for services has dropped by £1,566 for each household. From 2015-2017, cuts will take the total to £2,232.

The three-minute animation breaks down complex financial issues, explaining how residents, partners and businesses can do their bit to help to find the savings.

The animation — which has attracted the attention of other local authorities — is part of the council’s wider budget consultation. Watch it at: www.oldham.gov.uk/letstalkbudget.

Viewers are invited to join the conversation, submit ideas and take part in the debate.

A series of events regarding the budget is also planned for Local Democracy Week (October 13-19).

Councillor Jim McMahon, Oldham Council leader, said: “We’re very serious about engaging with the public on these issues because finding £60 million in savings is a massive challenge —– we know we cannot do it alone.”

:: The animation cost the council £5,675 - about 6p per household.