Council plans £12m economy boost

About £10m will be spent on work creation schemes in the borough

A Greater Manchester council wants to put £12m into the local economy in a bid to support businesses and traders.

Ideas by Tameside Council include work creation schemes, dropping parking charges and ensuring local tradesmen are hired for repair projects.

Projects include refurbishment work at the borough's eight cemeteries, school repairs and buildings' maintenance.

The cabinet will finalise details of the plan, called Tameside Works First, at a budget meeting next month.

Tameside council said the aim of the scheme was to boost the borough's economy and safeguard jobs.

Local priority

It will spend £10m from its capital budget on the work creation initiatives, and £2m towards schemes to support local shops.

These will include free parking in Ashton-under-Lyne from 1500 GMT on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Councillors will also pledge to pay bills incurred within 10 days, to help the cash flow of local companies and contractors.

Council leader Roy Oldham said: "It is the objective of the coming budget to provide effective help while maintaining a low level of charge.

"Our priorities are and must be our own local community, so our focus will be on helping small and medium-sized businesses to survive during the difficult times that lie ahead."