Have your say: Tameside residents asked what they want the Council to invest in

RESIDENTS are urged to have their say on Tameside Council’s priorities during a consultation on 2026/27’s budget.

The Council is preparing its budget for the next financial year and is seeking the views of local people to help shape its plans. It’s responsible for delivering a range of services from residential and nursing care for the elderly, through to street cleaning and bin collections, spending £681million each year.

Last year, the Council was able to build back some of the things that were hit by years of austerity and invested in supporting the most vulnerable residents and strengthening services to clean Tameside’s streets, crackdown on fly-tipping, and improve highways infrastructure.

But the financial position remains challenging, so proposals will be brought forward to deliver efficiencies to balance the budget while continuing to transform the Council to deliver the services most important to residents. It’s estimated that around £15million may need to be saved in 2026/27 due to rising costs and increasing demand for services.

Government funding calculations over the past few years also assume that councils will increase Council Tax by 4.99% overall – a 2.99% general increase plus another 2 per cent to support adult social care.

Tameside Council Executive Leader, Cllr Eleanor Wills said: “We are looking to set a balanced budget that is forward-thinking by protecting frontline services and financial sustainability while supporting growth and investment in the Borough.

“The Government is introducing fairer funding for councils, which recognises that areas with more challenges need more money but we must ensure that we are getting value for money and maximise the impact of every pound for our residents in Tameside.”

Tameside Council Executive Member for Finance and Resources, Councillor Hugh Roderick said: “The Government’s provisional Finance Settlement is the first multi-year settlement in a decade. It’s a significant step towards making local government more sustainable and ensuring funding better reflects local need.

“Thanks to this and our own careful planning, we’re in a stronger position for the years ahead. But we know many services are still under pressure after years of austerity, and we’re determined to keep supporting residents through these challenges.

“That’s why your voice matters. We want to understand your priorities so we can make decisions that reflect what’s most important to you. Please take part in our consultation – your views will help shape the final budget and the future of our Borough.”

You can give your views through the Big Conversation online or ask for a paper copy at any of our libraries. The consultation is open until 5pm on Wednesday 28 January 2026. You can find more information on where the Council invests its budget at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/budget2026-27

A council tax support scheme is available for those on the lowest incomes and Tameside Welfare Rights can help people maximise their income and offer advice on eligibility for benefits. Helping Hand cost-of-living support information is also available 24/7 online at www.tameside.gov.uk/helpinghand.

Tameside Council supports its most vulnerable residents with cost-of-living pressures through the Household Support Fund (HSF). Visit www.tameside.gov.uk/householdsupportfund for more information.