Labour has marked 100 days of running Stockport Council, a period which has already seen the rapid delivery of a number of manifesto commitments and a series of progressive and innovative changes at the Town Hall.
Labour Leader of Stockport Council Alex Ganotis said ‘The first 100 days has seen the dynamic new Executive really hit the ground running, working to deliver the change which Stockport needs and providing residents with a promise of more to come in the future.
‘I’m delighted to be able to lead an administration which is genuinely committed to listening to local people, which is open and honest about many of the external challenges we face as a Council, and which will work across political boundaries with anybody who has the best interests of the borough at heart.
‘It’s fantastic to see the progress which has already been made since Labour took control on 24th May, and I’m excited to continue to show the difference Labour is making in unlocking the potential of Stockport.’
The 2016 Labour Local Government Manifesto contained 7 headline pledges, and a snapshot of what Labour is delivering on each of these is below:
Boosting Our Economy
– Labour immediately scrapped the ill-judged Lib Dem plan to move Stockport Market and is now openly consulting with traders, other local businesses and shoppers on its future
– Labour is working closely with local businesses and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to design a Stockport Investment Fund and is ensuring it provides targeted support where it is needed and complements existing business support at a regional level
Improving Transport Connectivity
– Labour welcomed an announcement from TfGM in June of a scheme to provide 12,000 discounted bus and tram fares to job-seekers, including those seeking work in Stockport
– Labour is contributing to the TfGM 2040 consultation, emphasising the importance of investment in improved rail accessibility and Metrolink being extended to Stockport
Reforming Our Council
– Labour cut spending on The Stockport Review, the free Council Newspaper, to protect frontline services
– The Labour Executive will now publicly debate any petition which attracts more than 10,000 signatures from local residents, and webcast more Council meetings, as part of a drive to make our democracy more accessible to people across Stockport
– Labour is in the process of formulating a transparent policy on Council reserves so that residents can see where their money is and what it is being used for
Supporting Our Young People
– Labour has commissioned a review of road safety around schools and will announce a number of improvements in the autumn
– Labour has invested £50,000 in local voluntary sector organisations working with vulnerable young people who have been affected by Lib Dem cuts
Promoting Health And Wellbeing
– Labour signed off on a replacement for the well-used Well-Being Centre in July and the Centre on High Street opened on 1st August
– In July Stockport secured £19 million from the GM Transformation Fund to better integrate local health and social care services
– Labour has invested £100,000 in local voluntary sector organisations working in mental health and providing support for carers who have been affected by Lib Dem cuts
Strengthening Our Communities
– Labour is working at a fast pace to set-up a Council-owned construction company to deliver genuinely affordable housing in Stockport, with a final plan due before Christmas
– As part of a drive to tackle inequality in Stockport we will announce action to address educational inequalities later in the year
– With health inequalities in the borough also persistently high, Labour has already invested £750,000 in local leisure centres
Protecting Our Environment
– Labour pledged to safeguard local parks and greenspaces and one of our first announcements was a major £708,000 cash boost for our local parks and play areas