Council proposes budget that invests while securing financial sustainability

TAMESIDE Council is proposing a balanced budget for 2026/27 that invests £23million in frontline services while achieving long-term financial sustainability. 

Savings have been identified to protect services from any cuts through delivering more efficient and effective services, maximising the use of resources, and implementing alternative delivery models. 

The Local Government Finance Settlement (LGFS) has introduced a new fair funding needs-based formula for Councils, which targets funding to areas of greater need. 

Following the Fair Funding Review (FFR), Tameside has received an improved multi year settlement which increases its core spending power in 2026/27 by 7% or £20.451million including extending and uplifting the Councils Recovery Grant allocation.  

However, the settlement also assumes a Council Tax increase of 2.99% plus a further 2% increase for the Adult Social Precept, which is expected to raise nearly £8million of the overall funding leaving an additional £12.920m to invest in our services and growth plans and increase reserves to support future years. 

This follows more than a decade of austerity that began in 2010/11 and saw authorities such as Tameside disproportionately impacted by cuts in central government grants. The FFR aims to redistribute funding nationally, taking into account a local authority’s ability to generate its own resources through Council Tax and Business rates - authorities like Tameside are disproportionately disadvantaged due to a low Council Tax base. 

The budget proposals take into consideration feedback on residents’ priorities from Budget Consultation, Scrutiny Panels and sessions with networks that include the Council’s Partnership Engagement Network, Youth Council, colleges and equalities groups. Residents’ priorities included tackling potholes and improving roads and drainage, Adult Social Care and looking after the elderly and disabled, and education and children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). 

Budget proposals were recommended by Executive Cabinet on Wednesday (18 February) and will go before Full Council on 2 March for approval. 

Tameside Council Executive Member for Finance and Resources, Councillor Hugh Roderick said: “Our priority is keeping essential services strong while giving people the support they need during the cost‑of‑living pressures. This Budget puts more than £23 million into the areas under the greatest strain, especially Adult Social Care, Children’s Services and SEND, so we can protect the frontline and help families earlier. 

“We’re also modernising the Council, making services faster and easier to use, and investing in regeneration right across Tameside to create new homes, jobs and opportunities. And we’re keeping real help in place for people who are struggling through our Council Tax Support scheme, flexible payment options and the wider cost‑of‑living support the Council provides. 

“The latest Government settlement gives us more stability than we’ve had for years, and that means we can plan ahead with confidence, protecting services now while building a more secure future for Tameside." 

Executive Cabinet also approved a range of Council tax and debt recovery support schemes to ensure that residents on the lowest incomes and our most vulnerable residents can access support. 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 or visit www.tameside.gov.uk/householdsupportfund for more information.