Author: stockportlibdems

Mark Hunter, the Leader of Stockport Council, has today called out the Conservative Autumn Statement as “a massive kick in the teeth” as the Chancellor announced cuts to Council budgets this afternoon.

Cllr Hunter, who will make an announcement on the Government’s proposals at a meeting of the Full Council, has now said that areas such as Stockport, Cheadle, Hazel Grove and Reddish have been left behind by the Conservatives.

In his Autumn Statement, the Conservative Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt announced:

• Exactly how this government’s mistakes have harmed our economy, with higher inflation and higher interest rates and that we are in a recession;

• Ordinary workers will pay more in taxes as tax allowances are frozen until 2028;

• Most households will pay more for their energy as government support is reduced;

• Drivers of electric vehicles will be made subject to road tax; and

• A council tax bombshell, with increases of up to 5% to pay for social care services.

Proposals by the Government to allow councils to raise more revenue through Council Tax rises have been heavily criticised.

The Liberal Democrats have said this is nothing more than the Tories asking Stockport to do more with less, meaning even more financial burden could be placed on the shoulders of local residents during the Cost of Living Crisis.

Cllr Hunter said, “If anyone was in any doubt that Prime Minister Sunak and Chancellor Hunt did not have their best interests at heart, then today was the confirmation they needed.

“These extra costs will make the cost of living crisis even more challenging. The Conservatives have no understanding of the hardships people are facing.

“Let’s not forget, the Conservative Government caused the mortgage market crash. They have been in power for years and we have nothing to show for it, except a crashed economy, a cost of living crisis and energy prices that only the super-rich can comfortably afford.”

Cllr Tom Morrison, Parliamentary Spokesperson for Cheadle added, “These extra costs to Stockport’s residents will be remembered. At a time when energy companies are clocking record profits, to hit our residents with these costs at a time when budgets are already stretched is heartless.

“The Conservatives have again shown themselves to be out of touch.”

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.”