Author: stockportlibdems

Stockport Council recently hosted a team of senior councillors and officers on behalf of the Local Government Association (LGA), who had been invited to conduct a “Peer Review” into the way the council operates and works with partners. This concluded on 4th November.

Speaking after receiving the initial report back from the review team, Cllr Mark Hunter, Leader of the Council and of the Liberal Democrats at Stockport Town Hall, said: “I was pleased to welcome senior colleagues from across the country as part of our recent LGA Peer Review and show them how well Stockport Council operates. It is always useful to have an independent assessment of our performance and progress.

“As they undertook their review they met with councillors of all parties and with our senior officers, as well as with representatives of our partner organisations, and I want to say a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who was involved in helping to achieve a successful outcome.

“Whilst we await the formal verdict in the final report, we have been given the initial findings and these give me confidence that the council is heading in the right direction and is led by a strong team, determined to make the most of the opportunities open to us, whilst also tackling the risks and challenges we will face in the future. ”

As one of a range of initiatives aimed at helping local residents through the current cost of living crisis, the Liberal Democrat administration at Stockport Town Hall recently held a cost of living roundtable event with local leaders from our public services, the voluntary, community and housing sectors and supported by officers of the council to discuss the best ways we can all help those most in need.

The event happened as a result of a council motion moved in July by Cllrs Tom Morrison and Lisa Smart on behalf of the Liberal Democrats that highlighted the challenges faced by our local communities and called for actions to help our residents.

Speaking after the event, Cllr Malcolm Allan, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, said: “This well-attended event highlighted the need for the council to provide a leadership and coordination role, pulling together the wide range of support that already exists and looking for more ways we can help. So far this has included a special initiative to encourage pension credit take-up and grants to enable local community organisations to join our Warm Spaces scheme. There is much more to do, and we will build on the success of this event to provide the support our residents need.”

Cllr Lisa Smart, Lib Dem councillor for Bredbury Green and Romiley and parliamentary spokesperson for Hazel Grove, said: “In calling this summit, we wanted to do everything we could to stand up for the people of Stockport as they face the Cost of Living Crisis. By working together with local charities, businesses and the council, we will do as much as we can locally, while continuing to call on the Conservative government at a national level to take action to stop people suffering this winter.”

Cllr Tom Morrison, Lib Dem councillor for Cheadle Hulme North and parliamentary spokesperson for Cheadle, added: “The root cause of this crisis is a government that has let the economy get out of control, seeing interest rates and inflation soaring, and they have not responded appropriately to the energy bill crisis. Recent changes at the top have just added to this chaos. Our residents need urgent support and protection but it looks likely that the government will soon announce swingeing cuts to public services, including councils. We desperately need a clear approach to fix our economy and rebuild all public services, but this government seem set to do the opposite.”

At the Edgeley and Cheadle Heath by-election held on Thursday, Labour saw their majority from the local election a little over five months ago slashed from almost 1,900 to just over 300 votes. There was a massive swing to the Liberal Democrats, resulting in a very strong second place.

Speaking after the result, Cllr Mark Hunter, Leader of the Council and of the Lib Dems at Stockport Town Hall, said: “Residents in Edgeley and Cheadle Heath saw the dreadful in-fighting within Labour, where a hard-left faction is trying to take over the local party, and they punished them for this.

“The Lib Dems gained ground by working tirelessly for our excellent local candidate, Robbie Cowbury, and by promoting our positive agenda for change. Local voters told us repeatedly that Labour had taken the area for granted for far too long and the internal bickering was the final straw for many. The result confirms that the future for Stockport Is now clear. Next year’s all-out election – when every single seat across the borough is up for grabs – will be a straight fight between the Lib Dems and the new hard left Labour Party.”

Liberal Democrats hailed a victory for residents as their motion calling on the government and rail companies not to close the ticket offices in our local stations gained unanimous support at last week’s meeting of the full council.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Angie Clark, mover of the motion and Lib Dem councillor for Bredbury Green and Romiley, said: “Staffed ticket offices are a vital part of making our train services accessible to all. In most small stations this is the only place to find a member of staff and in providing assistance, security and advice they offer a vital service that a machine simply does not replace.

“I am delighted that all councillors agreed they should be protected. Recent statements by the minister imply they will now be saved from closure but in its very short time this government has shown it can reverse course in a heartbeat. We hope our motion will highlight the strength of feeling about this issue among our residents.”

Cllr Frankie Singleton, seconder of the motion and Lib Dem councillor for Bramhall North, added: “Whilst commuters and regular rail users may not need frequent support from staffed ticket offices, problems do arise and having a person at the station to speak to can make all the difference. Sadly the ticket machines cannot tell you where to find a taxi or help if someone has an accident on the platform or feels unsafe. They can’t even issue a ticket when they aren’t working!

“We hope that the government and the rail companies will rule out ticket office closures once and for all.”

Speaking after the latest revelations about Labour in-fighting were published by the Manchester Evening News, Cllr Mark Hunter, Leader of the Council and of the Liberal Democrats at Stockport Town Hall, said: “We have known for some time that an un-civil war is raging within the Labour Group. I believe members of the public will be disappointed to know that Labour locally is fighting more among themselves than fighting for their residents’ needs, especially at a time of unprecedented financial challenges. I am sure they will also be dismayed to hear of references to ‘safe Labour seats’ and being taken for granted as the hard left decides who represents each ward, leaving voters to have no say.

“I am personally saddened to see that well respected members of the Labour Group, including the current Leader, her Deputy and at least one former Cabinet member, have chosen to quit at the elections next May. Others, we know, are already looking beyond Stockport for their political future rather than focussing on those who have elected them here.

“This means voters have no idea who will be running that Group next year, currently the second largest on Stockport Council behind the Liberal Democrats. Previously loyal Labour voters may choose to make a different choice in future when they see just how divided the Labour Party is locally.”

Having been confirmed as the new administration in mid-May, the Cabinet have just marked their first four months as the administration leading Stockport Council and have taken this moment to look back on the achievements of their first 100 days in office.

Reversed Labour’s decision to close Stockport Central Library
The Lib Dems kept their pledge and reversed the previous Labour administration’s decision to close Stockport’s Central Library. The Central Library will now continue to offer library services to Stockport’s residents, allowing the public to access and enjoy this iconic heritage building. Providing a new base for our adult education service, having both this and library services in the same building will encourage our adult learners to then use the library itself to support and enhance their own learning. Improved library technology will also allow Central Library to extend its opening hours, including being open on a Sunday.

Tackling the Cost of Living Crisis
At its meeting in February the Council agreed a Liberal Democrat budget amendment to give a rebate on council tax to households in bands A to D, acknowledging the difficulties faced by our residents as the economy is impacted by Brexit, Covid and the war in Ukraine. We have mounted a special initiative on Pension Credit claims, run drop-in events explaining all the help available, plus a one stop shop revision to our web site to put all help in one accessible place. We have set out our target to freeze council tax for next year, despite the huge uncertainties about what a new Government will do about local government finances. To ensure council money is best targeted this winter, we will be holding a summit in early October of public and third sector partners who work directly with our most vulnerable residents to hear their views of where such support is best directed.

Focused on climate change and the environment
One of our first acts was to announce a new portfolio focussing specifically on climate change and the environment to ensure this most important issue influences all our thinking across the council. This has already delivered an innovative Schools Climate Assembly, a successful Climate Summit, focussing on food and energy, and a critical review of the targets from the previous administration. Early wins include accelerating plans to triple the number of electric vehicle charging bays this year and considerable ongoing work to help set more ambitious, science based targets. Funding has also been secured for the exciting and innovative Cheadle Eco Business Park, which will act as an exemplar for low carbon technologies and clean energy production. This will help to accelerate the green business sector, providing quality jobs for the future and is another major first for Stockport.

Commissioned a detailed review in the future of Woodbank Hall
We have paused Labour’s proposal to convert Woodbank Hall, a Grade II listed building, into private housing. The proposal was very unpopular with local residents as increased vehicular access could disrupt the very popular park and green space in which it sits. We have commissioned an all-options review to determine the best use of this building for the future and, in the meantime, are arranging urgent work to be undertaken to prevent any further deterioration of the building fabric.

Finished policy developments of our Local Plan but paused the planned consultation to try to further protect our Green Belt and save money
Since the Liberal Democrats successfully persuaded the Council to opt out of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework, which would have seen a significant loss of Green Belt whilst chasing arbitrary national housing targets, we have continued to progress the policies needed for our Local Plan through an all-party working group. These are now almost finalised but, because of national policy uncertainties where the top-down housing targets could soon be entirely scrapped, we have paused the consultation due to happen over the autumn while we await clarity from central government. This will save the council around £200,000, the estimated cost of the consultation. Pausing at this point may also help us to protect even more of our Green Belt if the current, top-down, targets are indeed abolished.

Commissioned a Local Government Association Peer Review
Something not done since the Liberal Democrats were last in administration, we have commissioned an independent Local Government Association Peer Review to look critically at the way the council operates and give an external assessment, with advice and guidance, from experienced local government officers and senior elected members from other councils. We are keen to be open to challenge and to learn from best practice elsewhere whenever we can.

Preparing a Greater Manchester ‘Town of Culture’ bid
We are preparing to launch a bid for Stockport to become Greater Manchester’s ‘Town of Culture’ 2023. The title is awarded to a town in the Greater Manchester region every year and we hope we would be able to use the grant awarded to capitalise on our borough’s rich culture and history. The ‘Town of Culture’ status would bring new opportunities to both residents and visitors of Stockport, leaving a lasting legacy.

Achieved Greater Manchester ‘Good Employment Charter’ status
This recognises the council’s commitment to the essential pillars of being a good employer, such as fair pay, employee engagement and workforce wellbeing. We recognise the council’s employees are our biggest asset and we are willing to listen to and invest in them. All SMBC employees are paid at or above Real Living Wage levels.

Reflecting on these achievements, Cllr Mark Hunter, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group and of Stockport Council, said: “I am immensely proud of leading a Cabinet comprising such a dedicated and talented group of fellow Lib Dem Councillors – in our first 100 days in office we have already achieved so much. I look forward to the year ahead as we take on the inevitable challenges posed by a new government and work to deliver the very best for the residents and businesses across our Borough.”