Oldham Council Tax Set to Rise Alongside Service Charge Increases

Oldham got £5 million more from the government, which is better than they expected. Still, they need to find £14 million for this year and must cut over £8 million to balance the budget.

The council will increase council tax a lot, the maximum increase allowed: 4.99 percent. Lowest band bills will rise £77 yearly, then cost £1,628 each year, while highest band bills will increase £232 yearly, then cost £4,883 each year.

Shaw and Saddleworth residents could pay even more if their parish councils raise rates. Oldham won’t raise waste collection service fees, but you might need to pay to replace recycling bins, unlike other areas nearby.

The council plans to raise most service charges too, with the average increase at 4.5 percent including wedding and funeral costs. They plan to manage town car parks. They also want to turn off lights at Radclyffe Athletics Centre which would save £100,000 each year, as the old lights are unsafe they would need replacing with efficient models.

They might change social care, wanting to cut £1.6 million from wraparound services and save £1.4 million from MioCare contracts; MioCare is a council-owned care provider.

Oldham has high needs, and they need to prioritize those who need help most. Despite extra money, savings are still needed.