• No cuts to frontline services.
• Third smallest Council Tax increase in the North West.
• Support for essential services and community projects.
• Largest Capital Programme in Stockport Councils’ history also agreed.

Last night the Labour-led Stockport Council agreed a budget of renewal, stability and recovery, which will see frontline services protected and contain the third smallest increase to Council Tax in the North West.

This budget will help Stockport Build Back Better, delivering essential services for communities, especially the vulnerable, addressing inequalities and building upon Stockport’s vision to tackle climate change.

The budget included over £2m in one-off monies;

• £600k towards tackling climate change, including funding for Electric Vehicle charging points, increasing the number of community orchards and further tree planting.
• £500k to support Digital Inclusion and help overcome digital poverty.
• £300k for the roll out of Open + technology in more of our libraries.
• £150k to increase youth work capacity to target Anti-Social Behaviour.
• £100k to increase the mental health support offered during the pandemic.
• £100k to help tackle drug and alcohol addiction and further reduce health inequalities.
• £300k to commemorate Hopes Carr disaster with a new memorial or open space.
• £50k to develop a cultural support plan.

And an additional amount was amended into the budget to include:

• £486k to be used to support selected free parking in district and local centres for one year.
• £300k extra for park condition improvements.

The Council also agreed its largest capital spending programme in its history.

The £160m capital programme will oversee regeneration, particularly in the Town Centre and Mayoral Development Corporation, providing funding for Stockport Interchange, Stockport Exchange Phase 4 and Weir Mill and as well as further investment in Redrock, Merseyway and Underbanks.

District and local centres will benefit from a £2m economic recovery fund to support local businesses, encouraging social value and making sure residents feel like they have an active stake in the local economy.

Another £10m has been allocated for affordable homes over the next 5 years to build upon the 1300 affordable homes already delivered or being delivered under this Labour administration.

£4.9m has been set aside for play areas, formal sports provision and maintenance and over £5m for walking and cycling schemes to help residents live happy healthy lifestyles.

£1m will be used for Solar PV scheme to help residents buy solar panels and increase Solar PV and Solar Car ports across the borough.

Cllr Elise Wilson, Leader of the Council, said;

“I am really pleased, despite covid pandemic and the massive financial pressures, to secure a budget that will be the catalyst for our recovery over the coming years.

“We have focused on not only protecting frontline services, but putting money into essential mental health, addiction and youth services as well as tackling digital exclusion.

“And we are supporting our communities by topping up the Stockport Local Fund, spending even more money on play areas, sports provision and climate change projects.

“We have also maintained our ambitious investment in the Borough through the Capital programme.

“We will continue the regeneration of our town centre and market place, deliver more walking and cycling infrastructure and build more affordable homes.

“We are supporting our people as we recover from covid and looking to the future as we carry on delivering on our bold ambition for Stockport.”

ENDS.