Oldham Council have announced that they are asking staff to consider voluntary redundancy in order to help the authority close a £30m funding gap.

The Greater Manchester local authority argues that due to a £215m reduction in Government funding over the last decade and the estimated £20m cost of the coronavirus pandemic, the council is going to have to make budget cuts.

Oldham Council will next Monday be asking staff to consider voluntary redundancy and a number of other cost-saving measures such as working fewer hours or ‘buying’ additional holiday.

‘Everyone at Oldham Council and Team Oldham has gone above and beyond to ensure we have been there for Oldham residents during the Coronavirus pandemic,’ said council leader Sean Fielding.

‘They’ve been there to collect waste and recycling, to take calls on our emergency helpline, provide emergency food parcels to those most isolated and more.

‘Asking our staff to now consider voluntary redundancy is not a decision that has been made lightly and not what any of us would wish. However, we have to explore all options for saving money due to the scale of the budget challenge we face.

‘I urge the Government to fully support our continued effort in protecting the residents of Oldham and ensure we, and other local authorities, receive fair funding in these most challenging of times.’