Council Tax in Rochdale higher than Manchester

Council Tax bill

From 1 April residents in the Borough of Rochdale will be paying higher Council Tax bills than people in Manchester. In fact, Rochdale’s Council Tax is the third highest across Greater Manchester, despite being one of the most deprived boroughs not just in Greater Manchester but in England.

Rochdale Online took to the streets to ask local people their views and most were surprised.

Andy Keane said: “I am surprised it costs more here. With it being one of the worst-off towns in the country you’d expect to pay less.

“I don’t think we get what we pay for with council tax.”

He added: “Put the council on the national living wage and see how they manage to survive.”

David Wild and Peter O’Gorman said: “We imagined Rochdale was in the top five in Greater Manchester for paying it, but they’ve got to make the shortfall under Tory cutbacks. They should be cutting back on dinners and conferences and save money that way. They spend far too much on vanity projects like the river.”

Peter added: “I’m unemployed and I still have to pay £125 a year. It’s ridiculous.”

Mrs Clarke said: “I don’t think we get what we do pay for with council tax.”

Michael Dunn said: “I thought the tax would be higher in the city, but I’m surprised you pay more in this cesspool. I don’t know what it goes on, so I don’t know if it’s good value. Information about what it’s spent on isn’t widely available. People should have a say in what their tax goes on.”

Bev Richardson said: “I have heard before that it’s higher here than Manchester. I don’t know what my council tax is spent on, but it doesn’t surprise me that we pay more. You would have thought it would be higher there.”

Nathan Wright said: “I assumed it would be higher in Manchester. It is annoying, but I don’t mind paying more for the emergency services and the council. The council does do a lot; it doesn’t look like it, but it does.”

Councillor Allen Brett, the council’s cabinet member for finance, said: “Our council tax increase this year amounted to around £1 a week for the majority of households. We are also the first council in Greater Manchester to introduce council tax discounts for selected foster carers and care leavers. Council tax banding levels are mainly historic, but we always aim to protect front-line services while ensuring local residents get value for money. Despite difficult financial circumstances, we are achieving that and maintaining council tax rates that are lower than some neighbouring authorities.”

[Rochdale’s Council Tax is the third highest across Greater Manchester].

Manchester Council Tax

A £1,001.41
B £1,168.30
C £1,335.21
D £1,502.12
E £1,835.93
F £2,169.72
G £2,503.53
H £3,004.24


Rochdale Council Tax

A 1,114.25
B 1,299.95
C 1,485.66
D 1,671.37
E 2,042.79
F 2,414.20
G 2,785.62
H 3,342.74