Council budget plans - it's time to have YOUR say

Oldham chiefs are currently setting the council budget for 2023/24, and officers have urged residents, businesses and our communities to help them balance the books.

Council chiefs are currently finalising spending plans – the budget - and over the next two financial years Oldham Council is looking to find £42.55m worth of savings.

That’s a huge amount, and means that councillors will need to agree a range of proposals to cut expenditure, increase income and change the way the council works.

Work is going on throughout the organisation to find the savings, and that will continue for the next two years.

Setting a budget is never easy, and the council say that this year they have faced added financial pressures.

Rising fuel and energy costs, an increase in the Real Living Wage, greater demand for services following Covid and now the Cost of Living crisis, have all had a significant impact on budget planning.

However, the council still needs to protect and carry on delivering vital services officers know local residents all rely on, such as looking after children and the elderly; keeping streets clean, and emptying bins.

A council statement added: "At the same time, we want to invest in the things that are the most important to us all, to build a better Oldham for the future.

"This means putting more money into children’s social care; tackling the Cost of Living crisis head-on with one of the country’s biggest support packages for those of you who need our help; and driving forward developments that will boost the local economy, create jobs and support local businesses." 

To that end, council chiefs have asked Oldhamers to tell them: 

How do you think we can save money?

What do you think are the most important things to spend money on?

Councillor Abdul Jabbar, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Low Carbon, said: “There is no getting around it, over the next two years tough decisions will have to be made.

"Decisions we don’t want to make – especially at a time when the cost of living crisis is hitting everyone.

“At this stage all realistic options that cut costs or produce income will be looked at.

"Now we have launched our consultation we would urge everyone to get involved and take part.

“No final decisions about potential savings have been made yet, so your input will help shape our final plans.

"We are open to new ideas and we’ll consult with staff, service users, partners and the unions before anything is decided.

“Doing nothing is not an option due to the financial challenge we face.”

You can take part in the consultation by visiting: www.oldham.gov.uk/budget23-25

The consultation will run until Friday, February 10, 2023.

Councillors will then make a final decision on next year's budget proposals at Budget Council on March 1.

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