Get ready for another hike in Council Tax

Tameside residents could see a tax hike of 4.99 per cent if the budget gets approved at the beginning of next month.

Town hall bosses have proposed the council tax rise, which would mean an increase of £1.17 per week for homes on the lowest tax band. Council papers highlighted that £12.3m needs to be found so that the council can balance its budget.

The local authority is currently seeking the views of local people to shape its plans, which will be decided on at a council meeting on March 4.

The consultation is open to everyone and the results will shape the council’s priorities as it sets its budgets for 2025/26 and beyond. The consultation is open until Wednesday, February 19.

Unlike other Greater Manchester councils, who are looking to make savings on waste collection services, Tameside Council is actually investing in it.

A £1.8m plan to make bin collections more reliable includes buying four new bin wagons and more staff to collect rubbish. The investment was sparked following an increase in the number of homes – and the rising population – and the service struggling to cope with demand.

The council are looking to recoup money through doubling council tax for second home owners and charging full council tax to empty home owners.

Coun Jack Naylor, Tameside Council’s executive member for finance and resources, said: “Since 2010, Tameside Council has had to save more than £237million, and once again we have had to manage inflation costs across every service alongside unprecedented rises in demand for social care and increases in the cost of that care.

“Please let us know what your priorities are for the council and where you think improvements or efficiencies can be made.”