Oldham council approves 4.99% tax hike and £8m cuts
Oldham council approved a 4.99% council tax increase and £8m in cuts to address a £20m budget gap caused by rising costs in adult social care, children's services, and emergency homeless accommodation. The budget includes a 10% average increase on service fees, with Band A properties facing an £82 rise to £1,717 annually. Council leader Cllr Arooj Shah said the increase was necessary to avoid service cuts for vulnerable residents. The budget also allocates £12m each to adult and children's social care, increases road maintenance spending, and creates a rapid action task force to tackle fly-tipping. Liberal Democrats criticised the council for failing to deliver promised savings and not addressing social care adequately.