Author: stockportlibdems

Stockport Council has published its budget saving proposals for the new year, in which it has to make savings of millions of pounds across departments,  as councils across the country tell the Government that the financial pressure on local government is simply unsustainable. 

With the proposals, Stockport Council sustains its reputation for sound financial management by maintaining a healthier position than neighbouring authorities, many of which have significant overspends of over £20 million- over 6 times that of Stockport. Whilst Stockport Council is in a stronger position, it is not exempt from having to make necessary, but difficult decisions.

Leader of Stockport Council, Cllr Mark Hunter said

We’re proud of how we have maintained robust finances given the unprecedented financial challenges that councils across the country are facing. We have been committed to putting forward a balanced budget each year- that will not change. However, to achieve this we are forced to consider a series of unpalatable options, the only power to prevent this lies with the new Labour government, who despite some modest steps in the right direction,  continue to underfund council services. 

Although we will balance the budget and live within our means, as we always have, we have to operate within the wider financial context. The awful state of public finances after a series of disastrous Conservative governments means that both the demand and the cost for Council services continues to go up and up, whilst funding from the Government doesn’t even come close to matching needs.

Local Government as a sector has been one of the hardest hit in budget cuts since 2010, the Institute for Fiscal Studies reports that between 2010-2024, Councils core funding per person has gone down on average by 26%. This is coupled with another issue- the demand of  social care and children’s Special Educational Needs support is very hard to forecast and costs have been rising fast.

The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services has conducted a survey of local councils, and is warning of a projected £564 million social care overspend across local government in the next financial year. The combination of increasing costs to provide services alongside the unpredictable increases in demand means that even the most financially sounds councils are struggling to keep up.

Cabinet Member for Finance, Cllr Jilly Julian said

We have seen a small increase in funding for some services from the latest budget, unfortunately it is simply a drop in the ocean compared to what’s needed. To make a real difference, there needs to be reform of both the way local councils are financed, and of the social care sector itself.  Councils up and down the country are facing the same challenges, and many who have tried to avoid making unpalatable decisions have gone into financial meltdown.

As we’ve said, here in Stockport we will continue to make the difficult choices that enable us to balance the books and keep Stockport moving forward. We look forward to the upcoming rounds of scrutiny where councillors from all parties can give their valuable feedback on the proposals put on the table, and we will take their insight onboard as we go forward. 

The proposals will enter its first stage of pre-decision scrutiny next week, which will allow councillors from different parties to feed back on the proposals, ahead of the budget being voted on next February.

The new Labour government’s first budget has been given a cautious welcome by the Liberal Democrats leading Stockport Council.

Speaking after the budget announcements were made, Cllr Mark Hunter, Leader of the Council and of the Lib Dems at Stockport Town Hall said: “We are frankly relieved that there were some pieces of good news for Local Government in this budget. The recent period under Tory rule has seen all public services run into the ground, with wild and unfunded spending commitments made with no plan of how to actually deliver them.

“We welcome the more grown up approach Rachel Reeves has brought and I join our party leader, Ed Davey, in congratulating her on being the first female Chancellor of the Exchequer and the first woman to deliver the government’s budget. Make no mistake, however – the huge mess left by the previous Tory governments is clearly going to take years to fix. Local government cannot wait years and we look to the Spending Review planned for next Spring to rebalance our funding and enable us to continue to deliver the local services that residents value so much.

“Whilst it is very welcome, the additional funding for social care is a drop in the ocean and investment in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities will certainly help. But these are the areas that are crippling council budgets up and down the country and longer term, sustainable funding solutions need to be found.”

Cllr Jilly Julian, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources and who will deliver the Council’s budget next February, added: “Whilst we are told we will only get a one year settlement this year, we welcome the promise of multi-year settlements following the Spending Review. This will help us to plan service delivery and even to achieve cost savings in some areas.

“The extension to the Household Support Fund and Discretionary Housing Payments are most welcome. These will help us to continue to support our most vulnerable residents in a period where they are still experiencing a cost of living crisis. The additional funding for other services really isn’t enough but it is clearly better than the further cuts we had feared and it will all help.

“To make meaningful impact on Stockport Council’s budget position in the next few years we need significant reform to statutory service provision, adequate funding to deliver local services and a growing, multi-year settlement that enables us to plan and improve. The alternative for all councils is managed decline and the threat of insolvency hanging over them.”

The Liberal Democrats successfully held two council seats in a double by-election victory yesterday, maintaining their advantage as the largest party on Stockport Council. After successful local elections in May and a record-breaking general election, the largest party in Stockport has kept up the momentum with a double success. The two victories are even more significant with the council being a minority led Liberal Democrat administration. 

The wins come as the two previous Councillors, Lisa Smart and Tom Morrison, were elected to parliament as MPs for Hazel Grove and Cheadle in the recent general election. Subsequently, they stepped down from their roles at the Town Hall.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Mark Hunter said,

‘I am absolutely delighted to see two brilliant local champions elected today. We knew that our two MPs leaving the council chamber would leave big shoes to fill, but in Huma and Rachel you couldn’t find two people better suited to represent their wards.

The people of Cheadle West & Gatley have put their faith in the Liberal Democrats for over a decade now, and I know Huma will continue our track record of dedication and tireless advocacy for our residents. She’s joining a great team with her new ward colleagues Graham Greenhalgh and Ian hunter. 

The Liberal Democrats now have councillors in every single constituency in the borough, showing our hard work is being supported by people across the whole of Stockport.’

Rachel Bresnahan commanded over 60% of the vote in Bredbury Green and Romiley, finishing nearly 1000 votes ahead of the Conservatives. Meanwhile Huma Kahn has continued the strong Liberal Democrat record in Cheadle West & Gatley, becoming Stockport Councils first Muslim councillor in the process.

Deputy leader of the Council, Mark Roberts said

‘I’m very pleased to welcome Rachel as my new ward colleague too, she has been involved with various projects across the local community including the founding of the Cherry Tree Project in the heart of our ward. We know that Liberal Democrats get elected when they work hard and are embedded in their community, Cllr Bresnahan is the perfect example of this. I look forward to working alongside her and Cllr Angie Clarke for our local residents in Bredbury Green and Romiley.

The Leader of Stockport Council has today invited the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, to visit Stepping Hill Hospital after an announcement this week said that the Government were unwilling to fund the long-awaited repairs to the hospital estate. This comes despite a cross-party motion passing in the Stockport council chamber calling on the Government to provide urgent funds in order to restore the site.

Stepping Hill hospital still features buildings first built in 1905 and has in recent months had various outpatients and wards evacuated due to safety concerns. NHS Foundation staff are currently operating on a 6-week rota that moves services across different buildings to be able to provide the necessary care required, despite the circumstances.

Leader of Stockport Council, Cllr Mark Hunter said

‘We are beyond disappointed at the latest U-turn by the Labour government. Our motion was supported by all parties in the chamber, where many members spoke of the poor state of disrepair the hospital is in. It is quite frankly astonishing that given the circumstances, that this isn’t a priority for the Government. I’m sure Stockport Labour are just as angry as we are at the complete disregard that is being given by the Government.’ 

The Liberal Democrat motion was passed with an amendment from Stockport Labour that acknowledged the Health Secretary’s previous commitment to provide the money needed, but urged him to prioritise Stepping Hill, given the extent of the repairs needed.

Cllr Hunter added

Our two Liberal Democrat MPs, Lisa Smart and Tom Morrison, have been tirelessly working on this in Parliament to try and achieve a resolution. After the latest setback, they, like us, show no sign of giving up.

In July, Wes Streeting said Stepping Hill will get the funding it needs and that he was determined to fix the NHS. It’s sad to see he is now using the language of “difficult decisions” to say he doesn’t see it as a priority.

Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey visited Stepping Hill hospital with Tom, Lisa and I to understand the issues we’re facing, I think it would be helpful for Wes Streeting to follow in his footsteps. Our motion invited the Health Secretary to visit Stepping Hill and see the crumbling buildings for himself. I’d like to reiterate this invitation now- come and visit the hospital and see for yourself the conditions our residents have to tolerate.

Ian Powney, the councillor who first won the Bramhall South and Woodford seat from the Conservatives has stepped down as a Councillor on health grounds. A by-election will be held to replace him in late October/early November.

Cllr Powney won an historic election in the ward in 2022, beating the Conservatives who had held the seat for over 14 years. The first Lib Dem to represent the ward, Ian went on to champion road safety issues and protection of the area’s green belt.

Ian said: “I have immensely enjoyed my time serving the communities of Bramhall and Woodford over the last two years. Working alongside residents and my fellow councillors has been a true honour. While I am saddened to be stepping down, it is the best decision for my health. I want to take this opportunity to thank the residents of Bramhall & Woodford for electing me, and for all their support over the last two years.”

Lib Dem Group Leader, Cllr Mark Hunter, said: “We will sorely miss Ian’s presence on the Council, he has been an astute and diligent councillor, who has excelled as a local champion for Bramhall & Woodford. His work on the Audit Committee has proved invaluable, particularly under the difficult financial constraints the Conservative government have left us in.”

Tom Morrison, MP for Cheadle, said: “I want to thank Ian for the years of hard work he has put in. It is his tireless work that made the ward winnable for the Liberal Democrats, and I would like to wish him all the best. Whenever I speak to the residents of his ward, many have a warm word to say about him, and he will no doubt be sorely missed.

“On a personal level, Ian is a true Liberal Democrat legend locally. Without him we would never had the breakthrough locally. I’ll miss working with him.”

Following their elections as MPs for Cheadle & Hazel Grove constituencies respectively, Tom Morrison & Lisa Smart have made the decision to step down as councillors from Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council with immediate effect. This will result in by-elections in both Cheadle West & Gatley ward and Bredbury Green & Romiley ward in October.

Tom Morrison, MP for Cheadle, said: “Following my election as MP for Cheadle, I have been hard at work, getting my office set up, hiring my staff, and representing my constituents in Westminster. From fighting cuts to the Winter Fuel Allowance to championing the issues that matter to residents, I am working hard to be the best MP that I can be for my constituents.”

“As well as the honour of becoming Cheadle’s MP, this year has brought me other great news; my partner Louise and I are expecting our first baby in the New Year. I feel so lucky that I will be able to raise our family in the wonderful place that is Cheadle.”

“While my passion for public service knows no bounds, unfortunately I cannot say the same about my time. To make sure I am best serving Cheadle as its MP, I have made the decision to step down as local councillor for Cheadle West & Gatley. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the residents for their support over the last six years.”

Lisa Smart, MP for Hazel Grove, said: “It has been an absolute privilege to be a councillor for Bredbury Green and Romiley for over eight years, and I look forward to being able to carry on my work for the people here as their MP.

“I am proud of the work that I have been able to do with my fantastic ward colleagues Mark and Angie, and the campaigns we’ve run with this wonderful community. Our community is at its strongest when it comes together such as when we called for and then secured repairs to the Forum Theatre and I will champion the need for further funding as the MP. I look forward to continuing to work closely with local councillors for the benefit of people here whether it’s protecting our green spaces and rivers, fighting to get our hospital the repairs it needs or to ensure fair funding for our schools.”

Cllr Mark Hunter, Leader of the Lib Dems at Stockport Town Hall, added: “Whilst we were all delighted when Tom and Lisa were elected to parliament in July, we knew that this inevitably meant their time as councillors and as members of this Group would be coming to an end. I want to thank them both for the energy and wisdom they have brought to the Group and which I know they will continue to bring as our local MPs. I look forward to rolling up our sleeves for the resultant by-elections and getting two new Liberal Democrats elected as new colleagues.”