Stockport’s new Labour administration has announced that any petition submitted to the Council which attracts more than 10,000 signatures from local residents will now be publicly debated at a formal meeting of the Executive.

Executive Councillor for Reform and Governance David Sedgwick said ‘This forms part of a package of measures Labour is introducing which are aimed at making our democracy more accessible, and promoting increased consultation and engagement with local people.

‘It’s vital that our democratic structures and procedures adapt to reflect changing trends in the use of technology and new forms of interaction and campaigning online.

‘Labour’s 2016 manifesto was ambitious in wanting to create a more responsive local democracy, including this pledge on petitions, and I’m happy to be delivering real change which will have a lasting impact on how individuals make their voices heard in the Town Hall.’

Increasing the channels available for local democratic engagement is more important than ever in an era where election turnouts are often low.

Councillor Sedgwick added ‘The Labour Executive is working to rebuild trust in our democratic institutions, which includes making it easier to contact the Council through interactive, digital channels.

‘We will also extend the quality and frequency of the webcasting of meetings to mean residents can watch local democratic decision-making from the comfort of their own home or whilst they are on the go.

‘Labour is committed to being open and transparent with the people of Stockport, who we exist to serve, and taking seriously petitions which attract support from the public is an important part of this.’