Action taken to manage the budget challenge in Tameside

Tameside Council is taking decisive action to reduce its use of reserves and ensure it achieves an improved financial position this financial year.

The forecast overspend in September of £17million has been reduced to £9.2million - utilising £6million that was set aside for contingencies to support inflation increases, alongside nearly £2million of actioned savings.

Work continues across all services to bring the position down further, including targeted spending controls to reduce non-essential costs, and service-led recovery plans to address overspends and improve value for money and cost effectiveness.

Like many councils, Tameside continues to face financial pressures which are driven by rising demand for services, increasing costs and specific pressures in both Adults and Children’s Social Care.

Despite these continuing pressures, the Council has significantly reduced the overall overspend and will continue to minimise, and ideally avoid, the need to use reserves.

Tameside Council Executive Member for Finance and Resources, Councillor Hugh Roderick said: “We’re taking clear and responsible action to address the budget challenge to support our future financial position and avoid unsustainable use of reserves.

“We are putting the Council on a more secure footing for future years, and we’re committed to delivering essential services and supporting our residents and communities through every challenge.”

Tameside Council’s annual budget funds a wide range of vital services, including support for vulnerable residents; Adult and Children’s Social care; schools; waste collection; maintaining green spaces; and many more.