A summary of how Greater Manchester councils’ budget decisions will affect residents through council tax, bins and charges.
Each council will debate and pass budgets soon. Committees studied the plans closely, and we checked them too. We focused on key issues for people, such as council tax hikes, bin collection changes, and new charges.
Most people will see council tax rise nearly five percent, with one area potentially increasing it even more. Some areas plan to charge for green bins. Let’s break down each area’s financial plans.
Manchester plans a 4.99 percent council tax increase, which is the legal limit without a vote. Bin charges are not yet confirmed, but bulky item fees are still the same. The council offers free kitchen caddies.
New charges are coming to close a gap. Littering fines rise to £180, with early payment now at £120. Fly-tipping fines jump to £700, and allotment fees rise 50 percent to 45p per square meter.
Trafford is in a tough financial spot. They asked the government for support, which approved a 7.49 percent council tax increase. They plan a £45 annual green bin charge to close a £12m gap.
Rochdale’s council tax will likely rise 4.99 percent. This increase will help make £5.5m in cuts. They might charge £30 for replacement bins, if they have already replaced that bin recently.
This bin charge could generate £17,000 yearly. In addition, they started a public consultation and may change Middleton Crematorium usage. They also may cut bowling green funding.
Tameside is also raising council tax by 4.99 percent. This means an extra £1.17 weekly for lowest band homes. Unlike other councils, Tameside invests in bin services.
A £1.8m plan will improve collections by buying new bin wagons and hiring more staff. This addresses issues from increased demand. They will also tax second homes more, and empty homes face full tax.
Salford’s council tax rises by 4.99 percent, which is about £97 more for Band D homes. Bins are unchanged for now, but car park enforcement efforts should make £170,000 extra.
Social housing costs also rise. These charges depend on the property type, but no one will pay over £20 extra monthly.
Stockport properties will pay about £100 more in tax due to the planned council tax increase of 4.99 percent. A new £59 annual charge is planned for the weekly green bin collection.
Drivers will pay at half of free car parks, with fees ranging from 50p to £2.40. This was approved last year. The changes begin as planned in 2025. Social housing costs will also change, potentially costing tenants £16 more monthly.
Oldham got £5m more from the government, which means their finances are better than expected. However, they still need to fill a £14m budget hole and must also make over £8m in cuts.
To address this, council tax will rise 4.99 percent, translating to £77 more yearly for the lowest band and £232 more each year for the highest band. Waste collection charges will stay the same, but recycling bin replacement fees could be introduced.
They also aim to raise other service fees, expecting around 4.5 percent on average. Marriage and funeral costs are also going up. They may take over local car park management, and lighting at an athletics center might be switched off.
Bolton’s council tax is up 4.99 percent, meaning a typical Band D home must pay £119 more, going from £2,141 to £2,260 per year. They are getting more money from the government, but financial challenges remain.
Service demand and inflation keep boosting prices. Bolton needs to save £7.8m to combat this. The increased funding stopped some cuts, allowing them to drop the garden waste bin fee and reverse grit bin cuts.
Bury is similar to Bolton financially, and the improved government funding will help. The town needs to use £5.8m from reserves. They will review parking fees, potentially costing £2 at free car parks. They will also dim streetlights.
Wigan’s council budget information wasn’t available at the time of writing.