Author: stockportlibdems

At the last full meeting of Stockport Council, Labour councillors moved a motion calling for consideration of a technical measure to control any increase in Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) if their number or concentration rises to levels which may cause problems for residents. Whilst Stockport currently falls well below the levels where such concerns might arise, all councillors agreed that vigilance over this is important.

Ahead of the meeting, which ended before a full debate on this issue was possible, the Liberal Democrat administration had arranged for the latest draft of the Local Plan to be updated to include such a provision.

Speaking after the meeting Cllr Helen Foster-Grime, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Housing, said: “If the draft Local Plan is agreed after public consultation, this simple change will enable communities to have their say. We’re also determined to tackle rogue landlords whether in the smaller homes which aren’t licensed or HMOs where several households live. We urge anyone facing concerns contact our Housing Standards Team. The council is keen to help.”

Leader of Stockport Council, Cllr Mark Hunter added: “The Local Plan guides development in Stockport and sets out the long term future for the Borough. We’ve been working hard behind the scenes in drafting our new Local Plan and we hope it will really set the scene for many improvements in the years to come. The new Liberal Democrat administration have listened on this particular issue and we have already acted.”

At last night’s meeting of Stockport Council, the Liberal Democrats successfully called for urgent support for residents facing an unprecedented cost of living crisis.

All councillors on the Council eventually voted together to support the Lib Dem motion calling for measures including a reinstatement of the pensions triple lock and a windfall tax on electricity generators, as well as seeking to freeze council tax next year.

However a Conservative “wrecking amendment” was tabled but this was roundly dismissed as nothing short of political game playing and negligent by parties across the chamber.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Tom Morrison, parliamentary spokesperson for Cheadle, said: “I’m glad the council could come together on this issue. The cost of living crisis is now an emergency and it’s vital that Stockport Council uses all its power to support those that need help. Whilst the Conservative government continues to fail our communities, the Liberal Democrats have stood up and once again delivered for our residents.”

Cllr Lisa Smart, parliamentary spokesperson for Hazel Grove, added: “Breaking their manifesto pledge of honouring the pensions triple lock means the Conservative government have kept over £11m from retired residents across Stockport at a time when food and fuel bills are soaring. We must do all we can to support our residents of all ages and ensure real actions are taken. The government must urgently focus on this and not their own, internal problems.”

At last night’s meeting of Stockport Council, the Liberal Democrat Cabinet confirmed that library services will be retained at Stockport’s Carnegie-endowment Central Library, despite the previous administration’s decision to ignore overwhelming public demand for this.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Grace Baynham, Cabinet Member with responsibility for the Library Service, said: “We have listened to residents and worked hard to find an affordable way to unpick Labour’s decision to remove library services from Stockport Central Library without undermining the viability of the new Stockroom provision and whilst still offering a new base for Stockport’s Adult Education service.

“Renovation and sensitive remodelling works will be needed to improve accessibility, to ensure there are appropriate learning spaces for Adult Education and allow the use of Open+ technology to maximise opening hours, so there will be a brief closure of the Central Library once Stockroom opens. That is well over a year away.”

Leader of the Council, Cllr Mark Hunter, added: “In the eight weeks since I was elected as Leader of the Council this has been one of our main priorities and we have worked tirelessly to find a way to honour our promise of keeping the Central Library open to the public. The Liberal Democrats promised to listen and to act, and we will deliver a great new resource in the town centre within one of our heritage jewels.”

Confirmation was received overnight that the Cheadle Town Board have secured funding for three projects totalling almost £14m, including over £8m to fully fund a new railway station for Cheadle.

Speaking after the announcement, Cllr Mark Hunter, Leader of the Council, local councillor and former MP for Cheadle, said: “This is fabulous news for Cheadle but will have further reaching impacts by bringing rail services into convenient reach for many more residents, relieving pressure on our crowded roads.

“I began the campaign for this station when I was MP for Cheadle and I pay credit to Tom Morrison for his efforts on the Cheadle Town Board to ensure this vital bid was successfully made.”

Cllr Tom Morrison, Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesman for Cheadle and local councillor, added: “This is brilliant news for Cheadle. The Lib Dems have long campaigned for a train station in the area and are delighted that it’s closer to happening.

“It’s important that we don’t forget that the local community made this happen though. Cheadle Village Partnership have been instrumental in making this a reality. They led the consultation with the community and deserve huge applause!

“Thank you to everyone who has been involved in this campaign.”

Having initiated and led efforts on the School’s Climate Assembly project at Stockport Council, Stockport’s Liberal Democrats were proud to welcome the borough’s young people to the council chamber as one of the first acts of their newly formed Cabinet.

Cllr Mark Roberts, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment, said: “It was a brilliant event and I believe a unique exercise in listening to young people’s views on climate change and where they want us as decision makers to be focusing our efforts. We need to listen to our community as leaders, especially those who will be living with the consequences of climate change the longest, our inspirational young people.”

As far as we know this event was a first time in the UK that young people have been given a chance to speak truth to power (and older generations) in this way, and to see how local democracy works in the process. The wider project has been working in schools and the ideas debated will be presented to all the elected members at a council meeting in July.

Lib Dem Council Leader, Cllr Mark Hunter, added: “As Leader I have made clear that the Liberal Democrat administration will be focused on dealing with climate change and its effects. It is why I have created a cabinet portfolio with specific responsibility for it this year, to feed into all workstreams of the council.

“The quality of the young people’s debate was exceptional and I look forward to perhaps welcoming some of these young people back to the chamber as councillors for their communities in the future.”

The new Liberal Democrat leadership at Stockport Town Hall has hit the ground running with a series of initiatives and announcements to shape their first 100 days in office.

First off, to reflect the current cost of living crisis facing many people, and help hard-pressed local council tax payers, the Lib Dems have announced their aim for a council tax freeze. A close examination of Council finances is already underway with a focus on tight control of all Town Hall expenditure.

Secondly, an urgent review of the previous Labour administration’s plans to close the historic Grade II listed Central Library has already commenced. Lib Dems opposed this decision in opposition and are determined to see at least some library services retained at the existing building. This should not impact the plan for new facilities at Stockroom in Merseyway.

Next, Stockport Local Plan – a legal obligation – requires a final round of public consultation which is on track to take place this autumn. Lib Dems are clear that one of the options to be put to the public should be for no new building on green belt land and instead commit to new homes in the right places on brownfield sites in the town centre and district centres.

Effective action on climate change and the environment will be a cornerstone of all we set out to achieve and will run through all aspects of our policy platform. A number of exciting new initiatives are planned such as a key summit with school and college students and local businesses, and others will follow. We will work with others to press for a workable Clean Air Zone plan that is fair to all.

Continuing concerns over crime and anti-social activity across the borough are also a priority for action and a special joint summit meeting with senior police officers and the new Cabinet team is planned. A closer working relationship with GMP, and a focus on action to tackle domestic burglaries and car crime is a key priority for the new Lib Dem administration at the Town Hall.

Finally, the determination to press ahead with our town and district centre regeneration plans will be an important marker for future success. Stockport’s unique Mayoral Development Corporation – backed by all parties – continues to make impressive progress and every effort is being made to encourage even more business investment into Stockport. The Stockport Economic Alliance, and other business organisations, will continue to be key partners.

Speaking after a meeting of the new Cabinet team, Cllr Mark Hunter, Leader of the Council and Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, said: “We have wasted no time is getting to grips with the task in hand. There is much to do and we are up for the challenge. Stockport is a great place to live and work and we will strive to make it even better. With our Agenda for Action I believe we have a clear blueprint for how we intend to take Stockport forward. An open, transparent and accountable Council that listens to the voices of all residents will always be our aim”.