Council Tax increase of 3.98%

Rochdale Council's budget for the new financial year starting on 1 April involves spending almost £300 million on running services such as schools, social care and the environment.

This is a "net" figure after taking into account income from charges for services - everything from home care for vulnerable people to a session in the swimming pool.

As part of the budget, councillors agreed a 3.9% increase in the Council Tax to pay for Council services but because bills to local households also include charges to pay for Police and Fire services the overall increase will be 3.98%.

The increase takes the Band D level of Council Tax up by £50.41 to £1,316.84 - less £1 a week increase.

However, because almost six out of ten homes in the borough are in Band A,. most people will pay much less than that.

The new charge for Band A will be £877.89, up by £33.60 a year (equivalent to less than 65p a week extra).

Keeping the Council Tax at this level means that the Council had to make savings of around £3 million in 2007/08 to balance the books.

The Council worked hard to protect frontline services from the impact of these savings so most of them will come from the Council becoming more efficient and from modernising its services.

For example:

• Changing the way care services are provided to help people live in their own homes for longer and stay independent, saving £1 million.
• Replacing the cash office facility in Rochdale town centre with cash payment in post offices, local shops and garages at no extra cost to people.
• Making street cleaning and road maintenance more efficient to save money.
• Using an extra £2 million earned from the Government by improving its service delivery to help balance the budget.

While the Council has to make savings, it also aims to improve services by spending £1 million more in 2007/08 to improve services, including:

• £250,000 on facilities for young people.
• £210,000 on local services in Middleton, Heywood, Rochdale and the Pennines Townships.
• £150,000 on the way the Council deals with people who have comments or complaints about Council services.
• £170,000 on improved training and development of staff.
• £80,000 on regeneration and investment in jobs.
• £50,000 on our environment.