Budget to be debated in Oldham as council tax proposed to increase by at least £47 from April

Proposals to increase council tax in Oldham, which will see residents’ annual bills rise by at least £47, are set to be debated by councillors.

Under budget plans due to go before full council on Wednesday (March 1), the borough’s portion of council tax would rise by 3.99pc – with two per cent specifically ring-fenced for adult social care. This would increase a Band A property’s annual bill by £47.65, while for a Band D property the annual tax bill will rise by £71.48, before Mayoral precepts and any parish council element are added on top.

Once Greater Manchester Mayoral precepts which cover police and fire services are included, a Band A bill will rise by £60.98 and Band D by £91.48. The complete budget proposals were agreed by the cabinet earlier this month. They include a programme of £16.3m of budget cuts which will see the loss of seven roles at the town hall – all of which are currently empty.

READ MORE: Tributes to 'good hearted' former Hyde and Stalybridge MP Lord Tom Pendry following tragic death aged 88

The remaining gap of £12.9m will be found by using council reserves.

The proposals include a ‘variable lighting trial’ whereby street lighting in some areas would be dimmed by 50 per cent from dusk to dawn, and lights would go on ten minutes later and switch off ten minutes earlier. If the trial is successful it would save around £800k for the authority, budget documents state.

Crematorium fees, and the cost of booking council-owned sports pitches are also set to increase.

One of the cuts includes the ending of council teas on the days of full council for elected members to save £6.9k and changing the catering provision at annual council to save £3.1k.

Local ward budgets for the 60 councillors for schemes