Rochdale, Greater Manchester — Rochdale residents are facing another significant increase in their council tax bills this year, with a proposed hike of 4.99 per cent set to go before councillors later this month. The increase, which would take effect in April, is part of a wider budget strategy to bring the local authority’s finances back to a balanced position by 2026/27. The budget is due to be formally voted on at Rochdale Town Hall on February 25. Finance papers reveal that the council is currently over budget by hundreds of thousands of pounds, forcing officials to either find further savings or dip into financial reserves to close the gap. Without the tax increase, the council would struggle to meet its statutory obligations. Mounting Pressures on Services The budget deficit is projected to grow significantly, reaching a figure of more than four million pounds by 2028/29. The primary drivers of this financial strain are Adult Services and Children’s Services, which remai...