Oldham’s Labour Cabinet may claim that the proposed 2.99% rise is the lowest in Greater Manchester, but residents still face the second highest Council Tax bills in the city region.

Of the ten local authorities, the Oldham Liberal Democrats have identified that only Labour-run Stockport presented a higher Council Tax bill to residents in 2020.  Oldham’s bill for a Band D property was £1,678 compared to Stockport’s £1,691.

Councillor Howard Sykes MBE said:  “In these difficult economic times, when we are all counting the pennies, Oldham Council Tax payers will, I am sure, be glad that bills will go up by 2.99% this year rather than the 5% that is permitted without a referendum, but this is small comfort when bills are already so high to begin with.”

“That is why the Liberal Democrats continue to seek further savings and efficiencies from Council bureaucracy where we can to free up more cash for front line services, and that is what we shall do again when we present our Budget Amendment to Council on Thursday 4 March.”