The biggest parties battling for control of Stockport council have made pledges ahead of the local elections in May.

Stockport is under no overall political control and led by the Lib Dems under a minority administration.

This has been the situation since 2022, when then council leader Mark Hunter defeated Labour in a town-hall vote to put the Lib Dems back in power for the first time since 2016.

Out of 63 council seats in the chamber, 30 are held by the Lib Dems, who are just two short of an overall majority.

Labour are the main opposition party with 19 councillors, next to smaller political groups in the council chamber with the Stockport Community Group, the Green Party, the Heald Green Ratepayers, the Bredbury and Woodley Independents, and one Conservative member.

ReformUK could be added to the mix next month with the party riding high in national polls.

Lib Dem councillor Mark Roberts, leader of Stockport council since May 2025, has set out his party's plans for the borough's future.

"The Liberal Democrats will continue to fight for our communities across Stockport as a strong team of local champions," he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

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"Our positive plan for Stockport over the next four years was backed by all councillors of all parties in February, setting out a bold ambition for our borough against a backdrop of and despite unfair underfunding from both the current Labour government and the lingering legacy of the previous chaotic Conservative governments.

"Our priorities remain to protect our environment and to strengthen our neighbourhoods by working to make our streets safer.

"We must support our next generation and fight for fairness in our community, and we want to invest and innovate for a positive future for Stockport by connecting our borough."

Stockport Lib Dems said the adopted council plan from 2026-29 is their vision for the borough's future.

The council plan includes a commitment to growing the economy with a 'strong focus' on productivity, entrepreneurship and skills, and to 'prioritise' new development on brownfield land which has been already built on, such as land in urban areas.

Another area of focus in the council plan is to 'modernise' Stockport train station and make improvements to other local stations.

Councillor Roberts added: "If people want positive change in their area, and want to reject the politics of division we are seeing from others, they need to vote Lib Dem on 7th May."

Stockport's Labour opposition has published a manifesto ahead of the local elections.

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It has pledged to 'require more affordable homes in every new development' in Stockport, and to 'prioritise social rent homes that local people can actually afford'.

Other commitments from the Labour group focused on improving public spaces with 'increased enforcement' on fly-tipping, and to 'push for the return of fortnightly blue bin collections.'

Councillor Christine Carrigan, leader of Stockport Labour group, said in her foreword: "The Labour Group I lead will put all of Stockport first, making sure priorities are focused on where they're most needed.

"Areas like Lancashire Hill, Offerton and Reddish need a lift – and we'll keep pushing the Liberal Democrats to do better until we're in a position to deliver that change ourselves.

"This manifesto sets out our priorities, shaped by conversations with residents across the borough. People want a council that gets the basics right: affordable housing, safer streets, better support for young people and clean, well-maintained neighbourhoods.

"It's a simple, honest and deliverable plan, built with the input of Labour members, councillors and local residents. Our commitment is straightforward: to keep standing up for every part of Stockport and pushing for the services people deserve."

Voters in Stockport will go to the polls for the local elections on Thursday, May 7.

Stockport is divided into 21 wards, each represented by three local councillors on the council.

One seat in each ward will be up for election in May, with 21 seats being contested in total.

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