Tameside Budget 2010/11

Council tax rise of 1.86 per cent, increasing to 2.45 per cent with police and fire precepts

This year's budget, delivered by Council Leader Cllr Roy Oldham at Tuesday night's Full Council meeting, was one full of hope and growth, set against the current global financial position.

He said local authorities are at the heart of their communities and can, if their grants are maintained, in turn maintain the local business and retail sectors throughout the borough.

Cllr Oldham announced that this was the third year of a guaranteed low Council Tax rise not exceeding nine per cent for the three year-period and, measured against other councils in Greater Manchester, put the borough at the third lowest increase.

The Council Tax for the borough was set below average inflation at a rise of 1.86 per cent, increasing to 2.45 per cent with police and fire precepts. For 99 per cent of the borough's households which covers bands A, B and E this works out at an average rise of 37.2 pence per week.

He reminded the meeting that of the authority's overall gross expenditure, only 20 per cent is raised by Council Tax, the remainder - nearly £400 million - is from Government.

The Executive Leader said: "The salaries and wages, the purchase of local goods and services from the private sector is a massive supporting element that if cut back will damage the small businesses and shops with their loss.

"Reductions in expenditure can be counter productive, in that if they occur in a particular year, the ongoing year-to-year government grants are based on what a council spends.

"We have no intention of adding to the gloom or despair, or to be party to redundancies in the public or private sector."

To this end he added that this budget was one of hope, of growth and strength which protects the present and engages the future in prudent financial management, whilst being affordable.

Financially the council is recognised as being the very best with the use of resources and the Annual Governance Report by the external auditors gave the council a top score.

Expenditure in revenue and capital has been increased and is designed to sustain future efficiencies and savings, together with reducing the Council Tax and providing contingency.

The Capital Programme of nearly £94 million, he said, was designed to provide much needed facilities over the whole range of infrastructure, much from the private sector of Tameside.

The capital gain is £12 million of new items, ranging over the whole area and over a broad range of services, including:

• Hyde Leisure Park
• Dukinfield Park
• Disabled Adaptations
• Energy Efficiency items
• Alley gating/CCTV
• Children’s Play
• Longdendale Bypass and traffic calming
• Heroes' Memorial
• Transport Highways
• Transport Lighting

Tameside Works First' picks up £11 million to continue supporting the local economy and local jobs.

Cllr Oldham also announced that special measures were needed to further protect the workforce. To that end, a business venture called “Tameside Task” has been programmed. Formed from the further education college, St Peter’s Partnership , Tameside Council and private companies, the group will carry out work for the council. The work will consist of a pooled Apprentice Group, Weed Spraying, Sign Cleaning, Bake & Sell, Security.

Cllr Oldham added: "The seal of an excellent council, well managed politically and financially, stamped on the envelope of Tameside’s residential and business communities to set it out from the rest, as the very best."

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