Oldham council tax rise 4.99% and £8m cuts approved

Oldham Council has approved a 4.99% council tax rise and £8m in cuts for the 2026/27 budget, despite receiving £29m in extra government funding. The council still faces a £20m funding gap due to soaring costs in adult and children's social care (£14m over budget) and homelessness services (£4.6m extra).

Councillor Abdul Jabbar, the council's finance boss, said the budget was balanced partly thanks to new government funding, but tough decisions were still needed. For the first time in years, the council won't use reserves to balance the books, instead planning to rebuild them from £49m-still below the £36m safety threshold.

Council leader Arooj Shah said the 'fairer funding formula' won't fix everything overnight, but the budget allows for £10m extra investment in social care, improved roads and pavements, and strengthened youth services. A rapid response team will tackle fly-tipping.

Most council services will increase by 10% to raise income, including weddings and civil partnerships. A Sunday ceremony at Chadderton Town Hall now costs £663 (up £110). Funeral costs are also rising, with standard grave plots up £119 to £1,270.