Council needs to save another £4.4m

OLDHAM Council expects to find a total of £29.4 million of savings in its 2016/17 budget — an increase of £4.4 million on original estimates.

The extra has come from costs outside the council’s control, including changes in pension legislation which will cost an extra £2.4 million.

The latest figures mean Oldham Council will have cut a staggering £205.4 million from its services since 2009, when the government reduced funding to local authorities.

Cabinet member Councillor Abdul Jabbar has admitted balancing the budget is getting “harder and harder”.

“These latest predicted savings are part of an ongoing reduction by the Government.

“Finding savings will only get more difficult; people will increasingly see the real impact of those decisions on services.

“We are working extremely hard to raise more money to fund council services by building new homes and attracting new businesses to invest in the borough.

The council is currently working on proposals for £29.4 million of savings to deliver in 2016/17 and wants to hear your views.

To join in the conversation visit www.oldham.gov.uk/letstalkbudget or tweet @OldhamCouncil using the hashtag #letstalkbudget