Bolton has become the latest council in Greater Manchester to announce a Council Tax rise. It plans an increase of 3.5 per cent, and is wriggling out of a local referendum in exactly the same way as Manchester, Oldham, and Rochdale. Only Trafford and Salford have so far announced a freeze. We are still waiting for Bury, Stockport, Tameside, and Wigan to formally announce their plans. The TPA will be prostesting against those councils raising Council Tax on Saturday. We will be meeting at 12.00 noon in Albert Square, Manchester (Outside Manchester Town Hall). Please join us is you can.
TPA research shows that Bolton funds trade unions to the tune of £287,090 a year. Manchester funds unions by almost £404K and Rochdale by £345K. Although Oldham has ten full-time equivlent staff employed on union duties, it does not hold figures on how much they cost!
In our report in 2011 on council staff mileage rates, we revealed Bolton, Manchester, Oldham, and Rochdale councils pay staff a mileage rate of 65p per mile - 20p per mile above HMRC's recommended rate of 45p.
Just two examples of areas where money can be saved - money that would help those councils follow the lead of Trafford and Salford and not inflict a tax hike on local residents and families.
Please make a special effort to join us for our protest on Saturday. If you are on Facebook, to can register to attend by clicking on this link. If you use Twitter, send me a tweet. If you prefer, you can contact me by e-mail. You can of course just turn up on the day, and please bring along your family and friends too.
What: Greater Manchester Council Tax Protest
When: 12.00 noon, Saturday 16th February
Where: Albert Square, Manchester (Outside Manchester Town Hall)