Stockport Council's leader has issued a statement ahead of council tax rises across the borough.

The town hall has approved a council tax increase of 4.99 per cent, adding around £1.99 per week to bills for band D households.

Leader Mark Roberts said the council is 'feeling the pressure' as government funding for councils decreases while costs of services go up.

He said the rise is necessary to help protect services, and added that other councils in Greater Manchester are doing the same because council funding - which comes from the government - assumes they will.

"For more than a decade, government funding for councils has been decreasing in real terms", Cllr Roberts said.

"Costs have risen, demand for services has grown, and like councils across the country, Stockport is feeling the pressure.

"But unlike many similar areas, we receive significantly less government funding.

"This year, our funding increase is 4.95 percent below the metropolitan borough average, and 3.11 percent below the England average.

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"The government says our funding will rise in the coming years, but that increase assumes higher Council Tax rather than new money coming into Stockport.

"Even then, it is well below what similar councils are receiving. Stockport misses out on funding streams that many other councils benefit from, despite facing similar pressures."

Around three-quarters of Stockport Council's budget goes towards statutory services supporting vulnerable children, adults and families.

Cllr Roberts said protecting these services remains a priority for the council.

Stockport Council will also still be moving ahead with projects such as town centre regeneration and Cheadle Eco Park, as these initiatives come as part of separate funding packages.

Jonathan Davies, director of finance at Stockport Council, added: "The council provides over 800 services to support and improve the lives of residents, businesses, and visitors in Stockport.

These services provide safety and support to over 500 vulnerable children, provide care and support to over 6,000 vulnerable adults, provide transport to school children who need it and provide universal services to residents such as access to libraries, leisure, and green space.

"Every year the council must balance the cost of providing these services with the income it receives.

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"This continues to be challenging as the cost of providing local services continues to increase, while more residents and businesses are turning to the council for support. That growing demand is stretching the council's budget."

You can read Cllr Roberts' statement in full here, and Jonathan Davies' statement here.

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