Agenda item

a)    Housing Revenue Account Estimates for 2025/26 to 2029/30 and Projected Outturn for 2024/25

b)    The Revenue Budget, Capital Programme and Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2025/26

                                          i.    Revenue Budget 2025/26 and 2026/27 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2025/26 to 2029/30

                                        ii.    Capital Strategy and Capital Programme 2025/26 to 2029/30 and Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy Statement

                                       iii.    Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2025/26 including the Annual Investment Strategy, Borrowing Strategy and Prudential Indicators

 

Liberal Democrats Budget Amendment Proposals 2025/26

Conservative Budget Amendment Proposals 2025/26

Oldham Group Budget Amendment Proposals 2025/26

 

c)    Pay Policy Statement 2025/26

And if thought fit, pass the following resolutions:

1.    That it be noted that on 16 December 2024, the following amounts were approved by the Cabinet (subject to minor amendment) as the Council's Council Tax Base for the financial year 2025/26:

 

a)    59,501 for the whole Council area [Item T in the formula in Section 31B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended (the "Act")

b)    9,490 for dwellings in the Saddleworth Parish area to which a Parish precept relates

c)    5,906 for dwellings in the Shaw and Crompton Parish area to which a Parish precept relates

 

2.    That the Council Meeting approve the Council Tax Requirement for the Council’s own purposes for 2025/26 (excluding Parish precepts) as being £122,199,584.

 

3.    That the following amounts be calculated by the Council for the year 2025/26 in accordance with sections 31A to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992:

a) £751,594,030	being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in section 31A(2) of the Act taking into account any Precepts for the Saddleworth and Shaw & Crompton Parish areas
b) £629,013,509	being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in section 31A(3) of the Act.
c) £122,580,521	being the amount by which the aggregate at 3(a) above exceeds the aggregate at 3(b) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with section 31A(4) of the Act, as its Council Tax Requirement for the year (Item R in the formula in Section 31B of the Act).
d) £2,060.14	being the amount at 3(c) above, all divided by Item T (1(a) above), calculated by the Council, in accordance with section 31B of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year (including Parish precepts).
e) £380,937	being the aggregate amount of all special items referred to in section 34(1) of the Act, being the Saddleworth and Shaw & Crompton Parish precepts.
f) £2,053.74	being the amount at 3(d) above less the result given by dividing the amount at 3(e) above by the amount by Item T (1(a) above), calculated by the Council, in accordance with section 34(2) of the Act, as the basic amount of its council tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which no special item relates.
g) £2,082.10	Saddleworth Parish area being the amounts given by adding to the amount at 3(f) above the amounts of the special item or items relating to dwellings in those parts of the Council's area mentioned at 3(e) above divided by the amount at 1(b) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with section 34(3) of the Act, as the basic amounts of its council tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which one or more special items relate.
h) £2,072.67	Shaw & Crompton Parish area being the amounts given by adding to the amount at 3(f) above the amounts of the special item or items relating to dwellings in those parts of the Council's area mentioned at 3(e) above divided by the amount at 1(c) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with section 34(3) of the Act, as the basic amounts of its council tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which one or more special items relate.

4.    That it be noted that for the year 2025/26 the Mayoral Police and Crime Commissioner Precept and the Mayoral General Precept (including Fire Services) for Greater Manchester have been issued to the Council in accordance with section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, for each category of dwellings in the Council's area as indicated in the table below.

 

5.    That the Council, in accordance with sections 30 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, hereby sets the aggregate amounts shown in the tables below as the amounts of Council Tax for 2025/26 for each part of its area and for each of the categories of dwellings.

 

 

Authority/Parish	Council Tax Bands (£)
	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
Oldham Council	1,369.16	1,597.35	1,825.54	2,053.74	2,510.12	2,966.51	3,422.90	4,107.48
Mayoral Police and Crime Commissioner Precept	180.20	210.23	240.26	270.30	330.36	390.43	450.50	540.60
Mayoral General Precept (including Fire Services)	85.97	100.29	114.62	128.95	157.61	186.26	214.92	257.90
Saddleworth Parish Precept	18.90	22.05	25.20	28.36	34.66	40.96	47.26	56.72
Shaw and Crompton Parish Precept	12.62	14.72	16.82	18.93	23.13	27.34	31.55	37.86

 

AGGREGATE OF COUNCIL TAX REQUIREMENTS

Authority/Parish	Council Tax Bands (£)
	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
Saddleworth Parish Area	1,654.23	1,929.92	2,205.62	2,481.35	3,032.75	3,584.16	4,135.58	4,962.70
Shaw & Crompton Parish Area	1,647.95	1,922.59	2,197.24	2,471.92	3,021.22	3,570.54	4,119.87	4,943.84
All other parts of the Council’s Area	1,635.33	1,907.87	2,180.42	2,452.99	2,998.09	3,543.20	4,088.32	4,905.98

 

 

6.    That the Council, in accordance with section 52ZB of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 hereby determines that the Council’s relevant basic amount of council tax for 2025/26 is not excessive in accordance with the principles determined by the Secretary of State under section 52ZC of the Act.

 

The Mayor requested and it was RESOLVED that Council Procedure Rule 14 (Rules of Debate) be suspended to enable Councillor Jabbar, the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Value for Money and Sustainability to exceed the time limit for his contribution in moving the Administration Budget to 15 minutes with a 30 second extension and the seconder, Councillor Shah, the Leader of the Council 7 minutes, the Mover of the Main Opposition Group in moving the opposition budget, a time limit of 7 minutes 30 seconds if required, and the seconder 6 minutes and the mover of the Oldham Group and the Conservative Group’s amendments 6 minutes each with a right of reply of 6 minutes. All other speakers will be limited to 4 minutes.

 

The Mayor informed members that regulations had been implemented which required recorded votes on specific decision at the Budget Council meeting.  Members would be advised when a recorded vote was required.

 

Prior to the consideration of the Budget Proposals, the Mayor asked the Council to note the draft minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 17^th February 2025.

 

On a vote being taken, the recommendation was CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 17^th February 2025 be noted.

 

a.    Housing Revenue Account Estimates for 2025/26 to 2029/30 and Projected Outturn for 2023/24

Councillor Jabbar MOVED and Councillor Taylor SECONDED a joint report which, sets out for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), the detailed budget estimates for 2025/26, the strategic estimates for the four years 2026/27 through to 2029/30 and the projected outturn for 2024/25. The report also set out the recommended dwelling, non-dwelling rents and service and concierge charges to be applied from April 2025.

 

The submitted report sets out the HRA 2025/26 proposed original budget and the forecast outturn for 2024/25. The opportunity is also taken to present the provisional strategic budgets for 2026/27 through to 2029/30. HRA activities are a key element of the Council’s Housing Strategy (approved by Council on 10 July 2019) which aims to provide a diverse Oldham housing offer that is attractive and meets the needs of different sections of the population at different stages of their lives.

 

After taking all relevant issues into account, the projected financial position for 2024/25 was estimated to be a £1.643m favourable variance when compared to the original budget forecast for 2024/25, approved at the Budget Council meeting on 28^th February 2024. Of this variance, £0.531m is due to increased rental income (mainly backdated rental income in relation to Holly Bank and Primrose Bank), £0.492m is a reduction in forecast capital spend and the balance is across a number of areas but mainly utility charges and aids and appliances. The HRA balances brought forward into 2024/25 were also £0.222m greater than had been forecast. The estimated balances at the end of 2024/25 are projected to be £21.214m, which would be sufficient to meet future operational commitments and the potential financial pressures identified in the risk assessment.

 

The 2025/26 position has been presented after allowing for a proposed increase in dwelling rents of 2.7%, an increase in non-dwelling rents in line with individual contracts, a nominal increase of 2% on service charges and the setting of Extra Care Housing concierge charges to fully recover costs. The majority of HRA tenants are either the recipient of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit and coupled with the recent increase in the Local Housing Allowance, it is assumed that the proposed increase in rents will not be an additional financial pressure to the majority of tenants.

 

The financial projections for the HRA over the period 2024/25 to 2029/30 show an overall reduction in the level of balances from £21.106m at the start of 2024/25 to £14.625m at the end of 2029/30. These will be supplemented by a new smoothing reserve that will be created to allow for a change in the Council’s Minimum Revenue Provision Policy (MRP), approved in December 2024. Although this will see a significant increase in overall HRA reserves each year until 2036/37, the balances accrued in this reserve will be fully required to pay MRP over the proceeding ten years. For the purposes of this report, the new smoothing reserve balance is not included in the figures shown, as it is not available to fund other HRA activity.

 

The HRA detailed budget for 2025/26 and strategic estimates for the four years 2026/27 to 2029/30 and the outturn estimate for 2024/25 were presented to the Governance, Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Board on 29 January 2025. The Committee was content to commend the report to Cabinet without amendment. Cabinet duly considered and approved the report at its meeting 17 February 2025 and commended the report to Council.

 

RESOLVED that:

1.    The Forecast HRA outturn for 204/25, as outlined at Appendix A of the report, be approved.

2.    The Proposed HRA budget for 2025/26, as outlined at Appendix B of the report, be approved.

3.    The Strategic estimates for 2025/26 to 2029/30, as outlined at Appendix D of the report, be approved.

4.    The proposed increase to dwelling rents for all properties of 2.7%, be approved.

5.    The proposed increase to non-dwelling rents as per individual contracts be approved.

6.    The proposal that service charges are increased by 2%, be approved.

7.    The proposal to set Extra Care Housing concierge charges to fully recover actual costs, be approved.

 

b.    The Revenue Budget, Capital Programme and Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2025/26:

                                         i.    Revenue Budget 2025/26 and 2026/27 and Medium-Term Financial Strategy 2025/26 to 2029/30

                                        ii.    Capital Strategy and Capital Programme 2025/26 to 2029/30 and Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy Statement

                                      iii.    Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2025/26 including the Annual Investment Strategy, Borrowing Strategy and Prudential Indicators

 

Councillor Jabbar MOVED and Councillor Shah SECONDED moved a report that provided the Council with the budget reduction requirement and the Administration’s budget proposals for 2025/26 and a forecast of the 2026/27 position having regard to the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement (PLGFS) published on 18 December 2024 and the subsequent Final Local Government Finance Settlement (LGFS) published on 3 February 2025. The report also presents the financial forecasts for the remainder of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) period 2026/27 to 2029/30.

 

The submitted report presented the Council’s Revenue Budget for 2025/26 together with the budget reduction requirement and the Administration’s budget proposals for 2025/26 including Council Tax intentions. It also provides a forecast of the 2026/27 position and the financial forecasts for the remainder of the MTFS period, 2027/28 to 2029/30.

 

A version of the Revenue Budget 2025/26 and 2026/27 and Medium-Term Financial Strategy 2025/26 to 2029/30 - based on the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement received on 18 December 2024 - was presented to the Governance, Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Board on 29 January 2025. The Board scrutinised the report and the other reports on the agenda that form a core part of the Council’s strategic financial planning framework and recommended them to Cabinet. Cabinet met on 17 February 2025 and subsequently approved the reports and commended them to Council.

 

Section 1 presents an introduction to the report and explains the report format.

 

Section 2 sets out key Council Policies and Strategies including the Co-operative Council Values, Corporate Plan, Constitution and Rules of Procedure, as the framework within which the Budget has been prepared.

 

Section 3 presents the Local Government Finance Policy Statement which set out the Government’s intentions to assist financial planning for Councils. It also details the impacts of the 2025/26 Provisional and Final LGFS which was the seventh consecutive one-year Settlement. This included key information in relation to overall funding levels, Council Tax referendum limits and grants for 2025/26.

 

Section 4 presents the 2024/25 revised budget and year end forecasts. The starting point for preparing the 2025/26 revenue budget estimates is the underlying base budget of £289.1m. The 2024/25 revenue budget forecast outturn position highlights a current unfavourable projected variance of £14.2m; which will need to be financed from reserves. This is in addition to the general contribution from reserves of £10.8m towards the 2024/25 budget approved by Council in February 2024, plus contributions from other Earmarked Reserves for specific projects/initiatives of some £4.6m. This means the total contribution from reserves in 2024/25 will be £29.5m: a situation that is not sustainable and which has significantly reduced the financial resilience of the Council.

 

Section 5 summarises the proposed budget for 2025/26 and provides the context for the strategy adopted. It forecasts a budget forecast whereby £1.05m can be used to replenish reserves. A more detailed breakdown of the indicative budget for 2025/26 can be found at Appendix 7.

 

Section 6 presents a range of expenditure pressures that contribute to the budget gap. In total they contribute £42.4m to the 2025/26 position, an increase of £19.3m compared to the forecast presented to Full Council on 28 February 2024. The expenditure pressures for 2026/27 are projected at a further £29.9m. The main pressures arise from pay, expenditure on Council buildings, increased demand and prices for Children’s and Adults’ Social Care service provision and an increased demand for temporary accommodation. The section also outlines the forecast impact of the payment of levies and contributions to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and the Environment Agency (EA).

 

Section 7 presents the impacts of both the Provisional and Final LGFS announced on 18 December 2024 and 3 February 2025 respectively with regard to central Government Grants. This has resulted in a net increase of some £19.8m in resources from that forecast at Budget Council in February 2024.

 

Section 8 sets out how the Locally Generated Income from both Business Rates and Council Tax will support the Council budget. The LGFS confirmed referendum limits for general purpose Council Tax will remain at 3% each year from April 2025 without the need to hold a referendum. In addition, the threshold for Adult Social Care Precept (ASCP) will remain at a maximum of 2% each year from April 2025. There remains a requirement to evidence that the funds generated from this precept are used for Adult Social Care expenditure. The section sets out:

•      the income to support the budget from Retained Business Rates and how this helps to reduce the level of budget reductions required. In total, Retained Business Rates income has increased marginally from a forecast £55.2m to £58.6m as the Council continues to benefit from the GMCA Business Rates Retention Scheme. The GMCA is entitled to part of this benefit, currently estimated at £1.2m. The Business Rates income figure reflects the Council’s NNDR1 Government return submitted on 31 January 2025.

•      the Council Tax position for 2025/26, advising that:

a.    The Council Tax Base is 59,501, up from 59,380 in 2024/25 and slightly under the position assumed in February 2024. o A 2.99% general purpose Council Tax increase is proposed together with a 2% increase for the Adult Social Care Precept.

b.    An increase of 4.99% would not require a Council Tax referendum as it would be within the referendum criteria issued by the Government in the LGFS.

c.    The Council proposes to continue to provide no Council Tax Empty Property Discount and increase the Empty Property Premium to 100% on second homes from 1 April 2025 – as outlined at 8.22 to 8.23.

d.    Total Council Tax to be generated for use by the Council based on the Tax Base and the 4.99% increase (including the Adult Care Social Precept) is £122.2m in 2025/26.

e.     The Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner precept was confirmed on 27 January 2025 with an increase of £14 for a Band D Council Tax.

f.     The Greater Manchester Mayoral General Precept (including Fire Services) was confirmed on 7 February 2025.

g.     Saddleworth Parish Council agreed its precept on 27 January 2025 and Shaw and Crompton Parish Council agreed its precept on 28 January 2025. Confirmed figures are presented in the report.

•      the impact of the Collection Fund (the ringfenced account within which Council Tax and Business Rates are managed). The 2024/25 Collection Fund forecast outturn projection as outlined in the Month 9 financial monitoring report produces a net deficit of £1.2m of which the vast majority is Oldham Council’s share and must be financed from the 2025/26 revenue budget.

 

Section 9 outlines the proposed savings that are required to balance the 2025/26 budget. There are a total of 25 savings proposals presented in accordance with Political Portfolios. Overall, approximately 120 FTE posts are affected, of which over 80% are currently vacant. The proposals also have a marginal impact on 2026/27 of £0.8m. It also confirms the use of capital receipts flexibly to finance expenditure leading to transformation in the sum of £2.6m for 2025/26 and a further £2.6m in 2026/27. All the proposals are presented in summary at Appendix 3 and in detail at Appendix 4.

 

Section 10 outlines the risks and uncertainties inherent in the budget forecast.

 

Section 11 presents the expected level of Reserves at the end of 2024/25 at £40.4m, which can support the 2025/26 budget including the Balancing Budget and Fiscal Mitigation reserves for 2025/26.

 

Section 12 sets outs out the proposed fees and charges for the financial year 2025/26.

 

Section 13 sets out the Medium-Term Financial Strategy covering the financial years 2026/27 to 2029/30.

 

Section 14 presents the Statement of Robustness, a requirement under Section 25 of the Local Government Finance Act 2003 which is the assurance by the Director of Finance on the robustness of the estimates used for the purposes of the revenue budget calculations and the adequacy of proposed reserves and balances. It remains the recommendation that general reserves are increased from £20m to £30m over the MTFS period, reflecting the increasingly volatile expenditure pressures the Council faces and the low tax base from which the Council is able to raise additional income. The planned replenishment of £1.05m towards reserves in 2025/26 together with the return of an estimated £3m in respect of the GM Waste Disposal Authority’s reserves is a welcome first step in this direction. However, the strategy will need to be developed further in 2025/26 to continue to raise the level of general reserves over the MTFS period and improve the financial resilience of the Council. The Director of Finance is able to provide Members with the necessary assurances in respect of 2025/26 but the Council’s financial position in later years remains uncertain. A more detailed commentary is provided in Section 14 and at Appendix 5.

 

Sections 15 to the end of the report include options to consider, consultation comments and Legal comments in accordance with standard practice. Given the importance of delivering budget reductions and embedding the programme of transformational change, during 2025/26, there will be a regular review of the progress of existing change programmes against the delivery milestones and financial targets. It will also ensure that there is continuous emphasis on the delivery of change and the achievement of the budget reductions required. As advised above, the Revenue Budget 2025/26 and 2026/27 and Medium-Term Financial Strategy 2025/26 to 2029/30 was presented to the Governance, Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Board on 29 January 2025 based on the information available at that time. The Board scrutinised the report and the other reports on the agenda that form a core part of the Council’s strategic financial planning framework.

 

The Board considered in detail the Administration’s 25 budget reduction proposals and was content to commend to Cabinet at a value of £8.788m in 2025/26 and a further £0.250m in 2026/27. The Board was also content with all other aspects of the report, including the proposed changes to fees and charges and therefore commended it to Cabinet. A further meeting of the Scrutiny Board took place on 6^th February 2025 which considered budget proposals put forward by the main Opposition Parties.

 

As detailed, the Final Local Government Finance Settlement was received on 3^rd February 2025. The results are incorporated into this version of the Revenue Budget 2025/26 and 2026/27 and Medium-Term Financial Strategy 2025/26 to 2029/30 report.

 

Since the publication of the Final LGFS, Public Health allocations for 2025/26 have been awarded. This increased allocation is included within this report.

 

Recommendations That Council approves:

1 The policy landscape and context in which the Council is setting its revenue budget for 2025/26.

2 The financial forecasts for 2025/26 and 2026/27 having regard to the Local Government Finance Settlements and associated funding announcements.

3 The Flexible Use of Capital Receipts at a value of £2.6m for 2025/26 and 2026/27.

4 A proposed overall 2025/26 Council Tax increase of 4.99% for Oldham Council services (2.99% for general purposes and 2% Adult Social Care Precept) resulting in the charges set out at Table 8-3 of the report.

5 The 2025/26 Budget Reduction proposals at a value of £8.8m.

6 The proposed transfer of reserves of £1.05m to improve the financial robustness of the Council.

7 The proposal to draw on the Collection Fund for major preceptors of £146.0m for Borough Wide services and £122.2m for Council services.

8 The proposed net revenue expenditure budget for 2025/26 for the Council, set at £322.9m as outlined in Table 5.1 and at Appendix 7.

9 The proposed fees and charges as set out in the schedule included at Appendix 6.

10 The level of general fund balances supporting the 2025/26 budget of £18.9m underpinned by the agreed policy on Earmarked Reserves.

11 To adopt the introduction of a 100% Council Tax Premium to be levied on Periodically Occupied Properties from 1 April 2025 as approved at Council on 28 February 2024.

 

AMENDMENT

 

Councillor Al-Hamdani MOVED and Councillor Sykes SECONDED the amendment to the budget, on behalf of the Liberal Democrats, circulated and detailed in the Council Summons. Councillor Al-Hamdani expressed his thanks to staff who had assisted in the preparation of the report.

 

Councillors Harkness, Wilkinson, Williamson and Bishop spoke in support of the Amendment.

 

Councillors Lancaster, Hince, Shah, Charters, Taylor and Harrison spoke against the Amendment.

 

Councillor Jabbar exercised his right of reply.

 

Councillor Al-Hamdani exercised his right of reply.

 

 A recorded vote, in line with the Regulations was then taken on the AMENDMENT as follows:

 

COUNCILLOR		COUNCILLOR
Adams Christine	APOLOGIES	Hussain Junaid	AGAINST
Akhtar Shoab	FOR	Hussain Sajed	AGAINST
Al-Hamdani Sam	FOR	Ibrahim Nyla	APOLOGIES
Ali Mohon	AGAINST	Iqbal Nadeem	AGAINST
Ali Zaheer	FOR	Islam Mohammed Nazrul	AGAINST
Arnott Dave	APOLOGIES	Jabbar Abdul	AGAINST
Aslam Naseem	AGAINST	Kenyon Mark	ABSENT
Azad Montaz Ali	APOLOGIES	Kouser Aisha	APOLOGIES
Ball Sandra	FOR	Lancaster Luke	AGAINST
Bishop Helen	FOR	Malik Abdul	AGAINST
Bashforth Marie	AGAINST	Marland Alicia	FOR
Brownridge Barbara	AGAINST	McLaren Colin	AGAINST
Byrne Pam	AGAINST	Moores Eddie (Deputy Mayor)	AGAINST
Charters Josh	AGAINST	Murphy Dave	ABSENT
Cosgrove Angela	AGAINST	Mushtaq Shaid	AGAINST
Chowhan Naveed	FOR	Nasheen Umar	AGAINST
Davis Peter	AGAINST	Navesey Lisa	AGAINST
Dean Peter	AGAINST	Quigg Lewis	AGAINST
Ghafoor Kamran	APOLOGIES	Rustidge Ken	AGAINST
Goodwin Chris	AGAINST	Shah Arooj	AGAINST
Hamblett Louie	FOR	Sharp Beth	AGAINST
Harkness Garth	FOR	Sheldon Graham	APOLOGIES
Harrison Holly	AGAINST	Shuttleworth Graham	AGAINST
Hince Marc	AGAINST	Sykes Howard	FOR
Hindle Neil	AGAINST	Taylor Elaine	AGAINST
Hobin Brian	AGAINST	Wahid Abdul	FOR
Hughes Jade	FOR	Wilkinson Mark	FOR
Hurley Maggie	FOR	Williamson Diane	FOR
Hussain Aftab	AGAINST	Woodvine Max	AGAINST
Hussain Fida	AGAINST	Chauhan Zahid (MAYOR)	AGAINST

.

On a recorded VOTE being taken 15 VOTES were cast in FAVOUR of the AMENDMENT with 36 VOTES cast AGAINST and there were 0 ABSTENTIONS. The AMENDMENT was therefore LOST.

 

AMENDMENT

 

Councillor Quigg MOVED and Councillor Woodvine SECONDED the amendment to the budget, on behalf of the Conservatives, as circulated and detailed in the Council Summons.

 

Councillor Sharp spoke in support of the Amendment.

 

Councillors Marland, Hince, Dean, Brownridge, Hobin, Mushtaq, Harkness, Rustidge, Bishop and Taylor spoke against the Amendment.

 

Councillor Jabbar exercised his right of reply.

 

Councillor Quigg exercised his right of reply.

 

 A recorded vote, in line with the Regulations was then taken on the AMENDMENT as follows:

 

COUNCILLOR		COUNCILLOR
Adams Christine	APOLOGIES	Hussain Junaid	AGAINST
Akhtar Shoab	AGAINST	Hussain Sajed	AGAINST
Al-Hamdani Sam	ABSTAINED	Ibrahim Nyla	APOLOGIES
Ali Mohon	AGAINST	Iqbal Nadeem	AGAINST
Ali Zaheer	AGAINST	Islam Mohammed Nazrul	AGAINST
Arnott Dave	APOLOGIES	Jabbar Abdul	AGAINST
Aslam Naseem	AGAINST	Kenyon Mark	ABSENT
Azad Montaz Ali	APOLOGIES	Kouser Aisha	APOLOGIES
Ball Sandra	FOR	Lancaster Luke	FOR
Bishop Helen	ABSTAINED	Malik Abdul	AGAINST
Bashforth Marie	AGAINST	Marland Alicia	ABSTAINED
Brownridge Barbara	AGAINST	McLaren Colin	AGAINST
Byrne Pam	FOR	Moores Eddie (Deputy Mayor)	AGAINST
Charters Josh	AGAINST	Murphy Dave	ABSENT
Cosgrove Angela	AGAINST	Mushtaq Shaid	AGAINST
Chowhan Naveed	AGAINST	Nasheen Umar	AGAINST
Davis Peter	AGAINST	Navesey Lisa	AGAINST
Dean Peter	AGAINST	Quigg Lewis	FOR
Ghafoor Kamran	APOLOGIES	Rustidge Ken	AGAINST
Goodwin Chris	AGAINST	Shah Arooj	AGAINST
Hamblett Louie	ABSTAINED	Sharp Beth	FOR
Harkness Garth	ABSTAINED	Sheldon Graham	APOLOGIES
Harrison Holly	AGAINST	Shuttleworth Graham	AGAINST
Hince Marc	AGAINST	Sykes Howard	ABSTAINED
Hindle Neil	AGAINST	Taylor Elaine	AGAINST
Hobin Brian	AGAINST	Wahid Abdul	AGAINST
Hughes Jade	FOR	Wilkinson Mark	FOR
Hurley Maggie	FOR	Williamson Diane	ABSTAINED
Hussain Aftab	AGAINST	Woodvine Max	FOR
Hussain Fida	AGAINST	Chauhan Zahid (MAYOR)	AGAINST

.

On a recorded VOTE being taken 9 VOTES were cast in FAVOUR of the AMENDMENT with 35 VOTES cast AGAINST and there were 7 ABSTENTIONS. The AMENDMENT was therefore LOST.

 

AMENDMENT

 

Councillor Wahid MOVED and Councillor Akhtar SECONDED the amendment to the budget, on behalf of the Oldham Group, as circulated and detailed in the Council Summons.

 

Councillors Al-Hamdani spoke to the Amendment.

 

Councillors Hince and Taylor spoke against the Amendment.

 

Councillor Jabbar exercised his right of reply.

 

Councillor Wahid exercised his right of reply.

 

 A recorded vote, in line with the Regulations was then taken on the AMENDMENT as follows:

 

COUNCILLOR		COUNCILLOR
Adams Christine	APOLOGIES	Hussain Junaid	AGAINST
Akhtar Shoab	FOR	Hussain Sajed	AGAINST
Al-Hamdani Sam	ABSTAINED	Ibrahim Nyla	APOLOGIES
Ali Mohon	AGAINST	Iqbal Nadeem	AGAINST
Ali Zaheer	FOR	Islam Mohammed Nazrul	AGAINST
Arnott Dave	APOLOGIES	Jabbar Abdul	AGAINST
Aslam Naseem	AGAINST	Kenyon Mark	ABSENT
Azad Montaz Ali	APOLOGIES	Kouser Aisha	APOLOGIES
Ball Sandra	ABSTAINED	Lancaster Luke	AGAINST
Bishop Helen	ABSTAINED	Malik Abdul	AGAINST
Bashforth Marie	AGAINST	Marland Alicia	ABSTAINED
Brownridge Barbara	AGAINST	McLaren Colin	AGAINST
Byrne Pam	AGAINST	Moores Eddie (Deputy Mayor)	AGAINST
Charters Josh	AGAINST	Murphy Dave	ABSENT
Cosgrove Angela	AGAINST	Mushtaq Shaid	AGAINST
Chowhan Naveed	FOR	Nasheen Umar	AGAINST
Davis Peter	AGAINST	Navesey Lisa	AGAINST
Dean Peter	AGAINST	Quigg Lewis	AGAINST
Ghafoor Kamran	APOLOGIES	Rustidge Ken	AGAINST
Goodwin Chris	AGAINST	Shah Arooj	AGAINST
Hamblett Louie	ABSTAINED	Sharp Beth	AGAINST
Harkness Garth	ABSTAINED	Sheldon Graham	APOLOGIES
Harrison Holly	AGAINST	Shuttleworth Graham	AGAINST
Hince Marc	AGAINST	Sykes Howard	ABSTAINED
Hindle Neil	AGAINST	Taylor Elaine	AGAINST
Hobin Brian	AGAINST	Wahid Abdul	FOR
Hughes Jade	ABSTAINED	Wilkinson Mark	ABSTAINED
Hurley Maggie	ABSTAINED	Williamson Diane	ABSTAINED
Hussain Aftab	AGAINST	Woodvine Max	AGAINST
Hussain Fida	AGAINST	Chauhan Zahid (MAYOR)	AGAINST

.

On a recorded VOTE being taken 4 VOTES were cast in FAVOUR of the AMENDMENT with 36 VOTES cast AGAINST and there were 11 ABSTENTIONS. The AMENDMENT was therefore LOST.

 

The following Councillors then spoke on the ORIGINAL MOTION:

 

Councillors M. Ali and Charters spoke in support of the Original Motion.

 

Councillors Lancaster, Al-Hamdani and Wahid spoke against the Original Motion.

 

Councillor Jabbar exercised his right of reply.

 

 

 A recorded vote, in line with the Regulations was then taken on the MOTION as follows:

 

COUNCILLOR		COUNCILLOR
Adams Christine	APOLOGIES	Hussain Junaid	FOR
Akhtar Shoab	ABSTAINED	Hussain Sajed	FOR
Al-Hamdani Sam	AGAINST	Ibrahim Nyla	APOLOGIES
Ali Mohon	FOR	Iqbal Nadeem	FOR
Ali Zaheer	FOR	Islam Mohammed Nazrul	FOR
Arnott Dave	APOLOGIES	Jabbar Abdul	FOR
Aslam Naseem	FOR	Kenyon Mark	ABSENT
Azad Montaz Ali	APOLOGIES	Kouser Aisha	APOLOGIES
Ball Sandra	AGAINST	Lancaster Luke	AGAINST
Bishop Helen	AGAINST	Malik Abdul	FOR
Bashforth Marie	FOR	Marland Alicia	AGAINST
Brownridge Barbara	FOR	McLaren Colin	FOR
Byrne Pam	AGAINST	Moores Eddie (Deputy Mayor)	FOR
Charters Josh	FOR	Murphy Dave	ABSENT
Cosgrove Angela	FOR	Mushtaq Shaid	FOR
Chowhan Naveed	ABSTAINED	Nasheen Umar	FOR
Davis Peter	FOR	Navesey Lisa	FOR
Dean Peter	FOR	Quigg Lewis	AGAINST
Ghafoor Kamran	APOLOGIES	Rustidge Ken	FOR
Goodwin Chris	FOR	Shah Arooj	FOR
Hamblett Louie	AGAINST	Sharp Beth	AGAINST
Harkness Garth	AGAINST	Sheldon Graham	APOLOGIES
Harrison Holly	FOR	Shuttleworth Graham	FOR
Hince Marc	FOR	Sykes Howard	AGAINST
Hindle Neil	FOR	Taylor Elaine	FOR
Hobin Brian	FOR	Wahid Abdul	ABSTAINED
Hughes Jade	AGAINST	Wilkinson Mark	AGAINST
Hurley Maggie	AGAINST	Williamson Diane	AGAINST
Hussain Aftab	FOR	Woodvine Max	AGAINST
Hussain Fida	FOR	Chauhan Zahid (MAYOR)	FOR

.

On a recorded VOTE being taken 31 VOTES were cast in FAVOUR of the MOTION with 16 VOTES cast AGAINST and there were 4 ABSTENTIONS. The MOTION (and the reports) was therefore CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED

That Council approves:

1.    The policy landscape and context in which the Council is setting its revenue budget for 2025/26.

2.    The financial forecasts for 2025/26 and 2026/27 having regard to the Local Government Finance Settlements and associated funding announcements.

3.    The Flexible Use of Capital Receipts at a value of £2.6m for 2025/26 and 2026/27.

4.    A proposed overall 2025/26 Council Tax increase of 4.99% for Oldham Council services (2.99% for general purposes and 2% Adult Social Care Precept) resulting in the charges set out at Table 8-3 of the report.

5.    The 2025/26 Budget Reduction proposals at a value of £8.8m.

6.    The proposed transfer of reserves of £1.05m to improve the financial robustness of the Council.

7.    The proposal to draw on the Collection Fund for major preceptors of £146.0m for Borough Wide services and £122.2m for Council services.

8.    The proposed net revenue expenditure budget for 2025/26 for the Council, set at £322.9m, as outlined in Table 5.1 and at Appendix 7.

9.    The proposed fees and charges as set out in the schedule included at Appendix 6.

10.The level of general fund balances supporting the 2025/26 budget of £18.9m underpinned by the agreed policy on Earmarked Reserves.

11.To adopt the introduction of a 100% Council Tax Premium to be levied on Periodically Occupied Properties from 1^st April 2025, as approved at Council on 28^th February 2024.

 

 

c.    Pay Policy Statement 2025/26

Councillor Jabbar MOVED and Councillor Shah SECONDED a report which, sets out the Council’s Pay Policy Statement for 2025/26.

 

RESOLVED: that the Council’s Pay Policy Statement 2025/25, be approved.

 

Resolution related to the Council Tax Base for the Financial year 2025/26, as approved by the Cabinet on 16^th December 2024 (subject to minor amendment) and the Resolution related to the Council Tax Requirement for the Council’s own purposes for 2024/25, as detailed in the summons.

 

No members spoke on this item.

 

A recorded vote, in line with the Regulations was then taken on the RESOLUTION as follows:

 

COUNCILLOR		COUNCILLOR
Adams Christine	APOLOGIES	Hussain Junaid	FOR
Akhtar Shoab	ABSTAINED	Hussain Sajed	FOR
Al-Hamdani Sam	FOR	Ibrahim Nyla	APOLOGIES
Ali Mohon	FOR	Iqbal Nadeem	FOR
Ali Zaheer	ABSTAINED	Islam Mohammed Nazrul	FOR
Arnott Dave	APOLOGIES	Jabbar Abdul	FOR
Aslam Naseem	FOR	Kenyon Mark	ABSENT
Azad Montaz Ali	APOLOGIES	Kouser Aisha	APOLOGIES
Ball Sandra	ABSTAINED	Lancaster Luke	FOR
Bishop Helen	FOR	Malik Abdul	FOR
Bashforth Marie	FOR	Marland Alicia	FOR
Brownridge Barbara	FOR	McLaren Colin	FOR
Byrne Pam	FOR	Moores Eddie (Deputy Mayor)	FOR
Charters Josh	FOR	Murphy Dave	ABSENT
Cosgrove Angela	FOR	Mushtaq Shaid	FOR
Chowhan Naveed	ABSTAINED	Nasheen Umar	FOR
Davis Peter	FOR	Navesey Lisa	FOR
Dean Peter	FOR	Quigg Lewis	AGAINST
Ghafoor Kamran	APOLOGIES	Rustidge Ken	FOR
Goodwin Chris	FOR	Shah Arooj	FOR
Hamblett Louie	FOR	Sharp Beth	FOR
Harkness Garth	FOR	Sheldon Graham	APOLOGIES
Harrison Holly	FOR	Shuttleworth Graham	FOR
Hince Marc	FOR	Sykes Howard	FOR
Hindle Neil	FOR	Taylor Elaine	FOR
Hobin Brian	FOR	Wahid Abdul	ABSTAINED
Hughes Jade	ABSTAINED	Wilkinson Mark	ABSTAINED
Hurley Maggie	AGAINST	Williamson Diane	FOR
Hussain Aftab	FOR	Woodvine Max	FOR
Hussain Fida	FOR	Chauhan Zahid (MAYOR)	FOR

.

On a recorded VOTE being taken 42 VOTES were cast in FAVOUR of the RESOLUTION with 2 VOTES cast AGAINST and there were 7 ABSTENTIONS. The RESOLUTION was therefore CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED

1. That it be noted that on 16^th December 2024, the following amounts were approved by the Cabinet (subject to minor amendment) as the Council's Council Tax Base for the financial year 2025/26:

a)    59,501 for the whole Council area [Item T in the formula in Section 31B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended (the "Act")

b)    9,490 for dwellings in the Saddleworth Parish area to which a Parish precept relates

c)    5,906 for dwellings in the Shaw and Crompton Parish area to which a Parish precept relates

2. That the Council Meeting approve the Council Tax Requirement for the Council’s own purposes for 2025/26 (excluding Parish precepts) as being £122,199,584.

 

Resolution 3 related to the amounts calculated by the Council for the year 2025/26 in accordance with sections 31A to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992

 

No members spoke on the item.

 

A recorded vote, in line with the Regulations was then taken on the RESOLUTION as follows:

 

COUNCILLOR		COUNCILLOR
Adams Christine	APOLOGIES	Hussain Junaid	FOR
Akhtar Shoab	ABSTAINED	Hussain Sajed	FOR
Al-Hamdani Sam	FOR	Ibrahim Nyla	APOLOGIES
Ali Mohon	FOR	Iqbal Nadeem	FOR
Ali Zaheer	ABSTAINED	Islam Mohammed Nazrul	FOR
Arnott Dave	APOLOGIES	Jabbar Abdul	FOR
Aslam Naseem	FOR	Kenyon Mark	ABSENT
Azad Montaz Ali	APOLOGIES	Kouser Aisha	APOLOGIES
Ball Sandra	ABSTAINED	Lancaster Luke	FOR
Bishop Helen	FOR	Malik Abdul	FOR
Bashforth Marie	FOR	Marland Alicia	FOR
Brownridge Barbara	FOR	McLaren Colin	FOR
Byrne Pam	FOR	Moores Eddie (Deputy Mayor)	FOR
Charters Josh	FOR	Murphy Dave	ABSENT
Cosgrove Angela	FOR	Mushtaq Shaid	FOR
Chowhan Naveed	ABSTAINED	Nasheen Umar	FOR
Davis Peter	FOR	Navesey Lisa	FOR
Dean Peter	FOR	Quigg Lewis	AGAINST
Ghafoor Kamran	APOLOGIES	Rustidge Ken	FOR
Goodwin Chris	FOR	Shah Arooj	FOR
Hamblett Louie	FOR	Sharp Beth	FOR
Harkness Garth	FOR	Sheldon Graham	APOLOGIES
Harrison Holly	FOR	Shuttleworth Graham	FOR
Hince Marc	FOR	Sykes Howard	FOR
Hindle Neil	FOR	Taylor Elaine	FOR
Hobin Brian	FOR	Wahid Abdul	ABSTAINED
Hughes Jade	ABSTAINED	Wilkinson Mark	ABSTAINED
Hurley Maggie	AGAINST	Williamson Diane	FOR
Hussain Aftab	FOR	Woodvine Max	FOR
Hussain Fida	FOR	Chauhan Zahid (MAYOR)	FOR

.

On a recorded VOTE being taken 42 VOTES were cast in FAVOUR of the RESOLUTION with 2 VOTES cast AGAINST and there were 7 ABSTENTIONS. The RESOLUTION was therefore CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED

That the following amounts be calculated by the Council for the year 2025/26 in accordance with sections 31A to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, be approved as follows:

a) £751,594,030	being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in section 31A(2) of the Act taking into account any Precepts for the Saddleworth and Shaw & Crompton Parish areas
b) £629,013,509	being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in section 31A(3) of the Act.
c) £122,580,521	being the amount by which the aggregate at 3(a) above exceeds the aggregate at 3(b) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with section 31A(4) of the Act, as its Council Tax Requirement for the year (Item R in the formula in Section 31B of the Act).
d) £2,060.14	being the amount at 3(c) above, all divided by Item T (1(a) above), calculated by the Council, in accordance with section 31B of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year (including Parish precepts).
e) £380,937	being the aggregate amount of all special items referred to in section 34(1) of the Act, being the Saddleworth and Shaw & Crompton Parish precepts.
f) £2,053.74	being the amount at 3(d) above less the result given by dividing the amount at 3(e) above by the amount by Item T (1(a) above), calculated by the Council, in accordance with section 34(2) of the Act, as the basic amount of its council tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which no special item relates.
g) £2,082.10	Saddleworth Parish area being the amounts given by adding to the amount at 3(f) above the amounts of the special item or items relating to dwellings in those parts of the Council's area mentioned at 3(e) above divided by the amount at 1(b) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with section 34(3) of the Act, as the basic amounts of its council tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which one or more special items relate.
h) £2,072.67	Shaw & Crompton Parish area being the amounts given by adding to the amount at 3(f) above the amounts of the special item or items relating to dwellings in those parts of the Council's area mentioned at 3(e) above divided by the amount at 1(c) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with section 34(3) of the Act, as the basic amounts of its council tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which one or more special items relate.

Resolution 4 – relating to the Mayoral Police and crime Commissioner Precept and the Mayor General Precept (including Fire Services)

 

No members spoke on this item.

 

On being put to the VOTE the RESOLUTION was CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED

That for the year 2025/26 the Mayoral Police and Crime Commissioner Precept and the Mayoral General Precept (including Fire Services) for Greater Manchester have been issued to the Council in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, for each category of dwellings in the Council's area as indicated in the table below, be noted.

 

Resolution 5 – Relating to the Setting of the Council Tax for 2025/26

 

No members spoke on this item.

 

A recorded vote, in line with the Regulations was then taken on the RESOLUTION as follows:

 

COUNCILLOR		COUNCILLOR
Adams Christine	APOLOGIES	Hussain Junaid	FOR
Akhtar Shoab	FOR	Hussain Sajed	FOR
Al-Hamdani Sam	FOR	Ibrahim Nyla	APOLOGIES
Ali Mohon	FOR	Iqbal Nadeem	FOR
Ali Zaheer	FOR	Islam Mohammed Nazrul	FOR
Arnott Dave	APOLOGIES	Jabbar Abdul	FOR
Aslam Naseem	FOR	Kenyon Mark	ABSENT
Azad Montaz Ali	APOLOGIES	Kouser Aisha	APOLOGIES
Ball Sandra	FOR	Lancaster Luke	FOR
Bishop Helen	FOR	Malik Abdul	FOR
Bashforth Marie	FOR	Marland Alicia	FOR
Brownridge Barbara	FOR	McLaren Colin	FOR
Byrne Pam	FOR	Moores Eddie (Deputy Mayor)	FOR
Charters Josh	FOR	Murphy Dave	ABSENT
Cosgrove Angela	FOR	Mushtaq Shaid	FOR
Chowhan Naveed	FOR	Nasheen Umar	FOR
Davis Peter	FOR	Navesey Lisa	FOR
Dean Peter	FOR	Quigg Lewis	FOR
Ghafoor Kamran	APOLOGIES	Rustidge Ken	FOR
Goodwin Chris	FOR	Shah Arooj	FOR
Hamblett Louie	FOR	Sharp Beth	FOR
Harkness Garth	FOR	Sheldon Graham	APOLOGIES
Harrison Holly	FOR	Shuttleworth Graham	FOR
Hince Marc	FOR	Sykes Howard	FOR
Hindle Neil	FOR	Taylor Elaine	FOR
Hobin Brian	FOR	Wahid Abdul	FOR
Hughes Jade	FOR	Wilkinson Mark	FOR
Hurley Maggie	FOR	Williamson Diane	FOR
Hussain Aftab	FOR	Woodvine Max	FOR
Hussain Fida	FOR	Chauhan Zahid (MAYOR)	FOR

.

On a recorded VOTE being taken 51 VOTES were cast in FAVOUR of the RESOLUTION with 0 VOTES cast AGAINST and there were 0 ABSTENTIONS. The RESOLUTION was therefore CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

RESOLVED

That the Council, in accordance with sections 30 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, hereby sets the aggregate amounts shown in the tables below as the amounts of Council Tax for 2025/26 for each part of its area and for each of the categories of dwellings.

 

Authority/Parish	Council Tax Bands (£)
	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
Oldham Council	1,369.16	1,597.35	1,825.54	2,053.74	2,510.12	2,966.51	3,422.90	4,107.48
Mayoral Police and Crime Commissioner Precept	180.20	210.23	240.26	270.30	330.36	390.43	450.50	540.60512.60
Mayoral General Precept (including Fire Services)	85.97	100.29	114.62	128.95	157.61	186.26	214.92	257.90
Saddleworth Parish Precept	18.90	22.05	25.20	28.36	34.66	40.96	47.26	56.72
Shaw and Crompton Parish Precept	12.62	14.72	16.82	18.93	23.13	27.34	31.55	37.86

 

 

AGGREGATE OF COUNCIL TAX REQUIREMENTS

 

Authority/Parish	Council Tax Bands (£)
	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
Saddleworth Parish Area	1,654.23	1,929.92	2,205.62	2,481.35	3,032.75	3,584.16	4,135.58	4,962.70
Shaw & Crompton Parish Area	1,647.95	1,922.59	2,197.24	2,471.92	3,021.22	3,570.54	4,119.87	4,943.84
All other parts of the Council’s Area	1,635.33	1,907.87	2,180.42	2,452.99	2,998.09	3,543.20	4,088.32	4,905.98

 

 

That the Council, in accordance with section 52ZB of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 hereby determines that the Council’s relevant basic amount of council tax for 2025/26 is not excessive in accordance with the principles determined by the Secretary of State under section 52ZC of the Act.