Delivering a balanced budget for Tameside that invests in residents’ priorities

TAMESIDE Council has agreed a budget that protects the services people use every day and invests in what residents say matter most to them.

A meeting of Full Council has approved a 2026/27 budget of over £314m for the delivery of day-to-day services, which includes an increase of £23million into frontline services while achieving long-term financial sustainability. 

This is on top of delivering a £156m new capital investment programme over the next five years that will see transformational town centre regeneration, and significant economic and housing growth.

The 2026/27 budget focusses on investing in town centres, bringing historic buildings back into use while protecting their heritage, maintaining roads, improving waste collection and the appearance of towns, including street cleaning.

Other key services receiving investment include supporting older people to live well at home and cultural events and activities for the whole community to enjoy.

Services have been protected from any cuts by delivering efficiency savings of nearly £9m through better ways of working, use of technology and reducing running costs.

Tameside has received an improved multi-year settlement from Government, which increases the money available for day-to-day services by 7%, which is around £20.5million.

The settlement includes an assumed Council Tax increase of 2.99% plus a further 2% increase for the Adult Social Precept set nationally. Tameside Council will put the much-needed extra income generated through Council Tax straight back into front-line services. 

This is a positive settlement following 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 Recovery Grant allocated to Authorities like Tameside in 2025/26 is extended for the next 3 years and supports the budget agreed.

The budget proposals take into consideration feedback on residents’ priorities from a Budget Consultation, Scrutiny Panels and sessions with networks that include the Council’s Partnership Engagement Network, Youth Council, colleges and equalities groups.

Tameside Council Executive Member for Finance and Resources, Councillor Hugh Roderick said: “We’ve listened to residents, and are investing in the key services identified as the most important to them, while delivering a balanced budget that achieves long-term financial sustainability.

“We’re making savings not by cutting services our residents rely on, but through modernising the Council, working more efficiently and effectively by using the latest technology.

“This means we can invest in regeneration – bringing new homes, jobs and life back into our town centres – alongside caring for children and older people, repairing roads and improving waste collection and street cleaning, as well as cultural events and activities.

“The increased Government settlement gives us more stability so that we can plan ahead with confidence, invest in essential services and growth that boosts the local economy. We know that increasing Council Tax is never an easy decision, especially at a time when many households are feeling the pressure. But every pound we raise goes directly back into supporting the people and communities of Tameside - protecting vital services and helping those who need us most.”

A range of Council Tax and debt recovery support schemes are in place 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.