Residents in Oldham, Greater Manchester, are expressing their discontent over a nearly five percent rise in council tax, which will take effect next month. The increase, approved by councilors during a meeting on March 4, has sparked frustration among locals who feel the services provided are not commensurate with the rising costs.

Residents Express Frustration with Tax Hike

The council has announced a 2.99 percent increase in general tax and a 2 percent precept for adult social care, bringing the cost for Band A properties to nearly £1,717 annually, a jump of £82. For Band B and C properties, the increases will be £95 and £109 respectively.

Many residents, including 57-year-old Michelle from Lees, are questioning the value of their tax dollars. ‘They’re taking the mickey,’ she said. ‘If they’re putting it up when there’s so much rubbish in the streets and potholes in the roads. They might be investing in the town centre, but there’s very little going into the areas around it.’

Others, like 68-year-old Pam, are concerned about the rising cost of living and stagnant wages. ‘Everything keeps going up, up, up and wages are stuck. More and more people are living in poverty,’ she said. ‘The roads are an absolute state, and when they do fix them, there are roadworks everywhere at the same time.’

Impact on Low-Income Families

For areas like Oldham, with high unemployment and limited job opportunities, the tax increase could have a significant impact on families. Craig Davies, a 39-year-old ex-military worker, is struggling to make ends meet. ‘We’re paying around £120 a month towards council tax, while living in a one bedroom flat,’ he said. ‘It’s quite a chunk of my wages every month, and for what? For them to sweep my road once a month?’

Davies, who supports his three children and partner, Jemma Canning, with a combination of removal work and cleaning jobs, feels the increase adds to their financial burden. ‘It just makes life a bit harder,’ he said.

Retired SEND supporter Jean Bardsley, 78, is also feeling the strain. ‘I’m paying almost £200 a month, even with the 25 per cent ,’ she said. ‘It means I really have to watch how I spend my money. If that goes up even more, that’s going to be nearly all of it.’

Criticism of Infrastructure and Services

Sheila Power, a lifelong resident of Oldham, called the tax increase ‘disgraceful.’ She highlighted the poor state of the town’s infrastructure and the lack of progress in improving the shopping center. ‘You only need to do a quick 360 to see how little we’re being delivered for it,’ she said.

Tahmin Choudhury, a 29-year-old retail banker, believes the council is not using the tax money effectively. ‘I see councillors going around shooting promotional videos of themselves doing a single litter-pick,’ he said. ‘That’s not helping anyone. We need a permanent solution.’

Not everyone shares the negative sentiment. Martyn Smith, 60, who moved to Oldham from Glasgow last year, believes the tax increase is ‘fair.’ ‘They’re doing a lot to improve the town. There’s things that still need work, but I do understand why they need to put the council tax up,’ he said.

Oldham council has pledged an additional £20 million towards highways repairs and is setting up a rapid-response task force to fight fly-tipping. However, council leader Arooj Shah emphasized the necessity of the increase. ‘Not raising council tax creates a gap in the budget of millions of pounds year on year that destabilises our finances,’ she said.

Despite the increase, some residents remain skeptical about the value of their tax dollars. ‘I’d like to see the council funding actual job roles for people – even if they’re minimum wage positions to pick litter off the street,’ Choudhury said. ‘There’s so no jobs here. If I have to pay a five percent increase, I want to know it’s helping people – creating new roles.’