Stockport Council parties outline pledges before local election vote
By Declan Carey - Local Democracy Reporter
30th Apr 2024 | Local News
Stockport looks set for a close local election vote this week.
The borough stretches from the rural borders of Derbyshire and the Peak District to the built-up suburbs of Reddish and Brinnington.
This diverse mix of towns and villages has left the council under no overall control for years, with Labour and the Lib Dems both looking to claim victory in the local elections on May 2.
The Lib Dems will be hoping to add to their 29 councillors to reach a majority in the 63-seat council chamber, with the 24 councillors from the Labour group aiming for the same result.
On Thursday, 21 council seats are up for grabs in an election which could have huge implications for the future of the borough.
Ahead of the crucial vote, the Local Democracy Reporting Service asked each of the main parties for their pledges to Stockport voters.
Conservatives
The Conservatives don't have any councillors in the town hall right now, but the group is looking to change that on Thursday.
They've pledged to hold Labour and the Lib Dems to account on issues such as council tax increases and bin collections, as well as calling for stronger protection of Stockport's green spaces, and improving council services for residents.
A group spokesperson said: "Local people across Stockport borough are sick of being taken for granted by the Liberal Democrats and Labour at the town hall.
"In the last 12 months, they have increased council tax by £111 for an average band D household, scrapped weekly green bin collections and approved plans to introduce parking charges at our free car parks.
"They have also failed to implement a local plan which means our green belt is at risk of becoming a developers' free-for-all.
"We pay the highest council tax in Greater Manchester – Stopfordians are being short changed by an out of touch council, delivering fewer services whilst raiding household budgets.
"Alongside Mary Robinson MP and prospective parliamentary candidates, Paul Athans and Oliver Johnstone, your local Conservatives will oppose further council tax rises, fight to protect our local green spaces and secure better local services for taxpayers in Stockport."
Edgeley Community Association (ECA)
The ECA won all three council seats in the Edgeley ward in last year's vote, after former Labour councillor Matt Wynne left the party to found a group primarily focused on Edgeley issues.
The group is promising to continue its work on tackling problems with parking and housing, as well as promoting regeneration in the neighbourhood.
Speaking on the group's priorities, Mr Wynne said: "The Edgeley Community Association made history last May by returning three councillors.
"A message was sent loud and clear to the long established big political parties in Stockport – Edgeley will not be a set of bums on seats in the council chamber. As a community political party we pride ourselves on getting the basics right and being open, honest and accountable in what we do.
"Our message to the people of Edgeley and Cheadle Heath is that we have made progress on our six point plan mandate to address parking issues, housing, a neglected Edgeley district centre and ensuring regeneration is done right and benefits our neighbourhood properly.
"The next few years will be the most critical this century for Edgeley. Plans are in to double the capacity of Edgeley Park, build 1000s of homes within the ward and carry out huge civil engineering projects such as the replacement of the armoury roundabout.
"The ECA will ensure that these complicated projects are carried out with the best interests of Edgeley in mind.
"Put your trust in us once more on May 2 and re-elect Cllr Asa Caton for the ECA."
Greens
Stockport Green Party have three council-seats in the town hall and are led by Coun Gary Lawson.
The group has a list of pledges based on making Stockport a "fairer and greener" place to live and work, campaigning for affordable public transport and protection of natural spaces.
Mr Lawson said: "We care for people as much as for our environment. For us they are two sides of the same coin. Reliable and affordable public transport combats climate change and helps people, especially the less well off.
"Protecting our green spaces improves our mental and physical health, as well as increasing biodiversity. We strive for:
- Good quality, affordable homes for all, to buy or rent; better conditions for all residents in social housing and an end to homelessness
- Better public transport and safety for pedestrians and cyclists
- Well run and accountable local services, including mental health services and services for the victims of abuse
- A thriving, fair and sustainable local economy and the living wage for everyone who is employed
- Care and respect for people, animals and the environment and protection for our green spaces, leisure centres, swimming pools and playing fields
- Zero carbon emissions by 2030
- Fair funding for nurseries, schools and colleges that have suffered savage cuts to their budgets.
"We want to make Stockport cleaner, greener, fairer and more bio-diverse. We want our Borough to be an exciting, inclusive, accessible and welcoming place. And our councillors are working hard to make this vision a reality."
Independent Ratepayers
The Independent Ratepayers have three councillors in Stockport, and are contesting a seat in the Heald Green ward this week.
The group has vowed to stop overdevelopment of the area and protect green spaces, as well as ensuring local services work well for residents.
Cllr Catherine Stuart said: "Heald Green and Long Lane Ratepayers' Association has an unbroken record of sponsoring local people as independent councillors for over 90 years. They form the Independent Ratepayers Group on Stockport Council to represent our ward.
"As independents, we don't work to a manifesto or party policies. Instead, we believe that having councillors who must live within our ward ensures that we are best placed to represent our community: your problems are our problems.
"We aim to call out to every house to speak to every household and ensure we are truly representative.
"Representing my local community for the last two years has been a great privilege.
"The work of a local councillor is extremely varied. If I am re-elected on May 2, I pledge to continue to work for strong local services, to work to protect green spaces to prevent the over-development of Heald Green and to work with our diverse community to ensure that we are as representative as we can be of all of our residents' views."
Labour
Stockport Labour leader David Meller and his team have put housing at the top of the agenda for the borough.
The group has vowed to deliver homes across Stockport, create new jobs, and focus on reducing inequalities.
Cllr Meller said: "Stockport Labour pioneered the work that's now transforming our town centre, bringing with it thousands of new homes and a growing sense of pride and optimism in where we live. Through our leadership, Stockport is now beginning to punch its weight.
"However, it's becoming clearer and clearer that housing is the number one issue facing people across the borough. We aren't delivering the affordable and council homes we desperately need. Local people are being priced out of the borough and families are being split up because of the lack of somewhere affordable and decent to live.
"Under a Labour-led Stockport council, we will put housing at the heart of everything we do. It's the basic of basics. From ensuring our existing council housing is maintained as it should be, to delivering housing, fairly, right across the borough, that's what we will aim to do.
"In the process, we'll create more jobs for local people, help address the wide economic inequalities found within Stockport and ensure we have a borough that can be a home for everyone, not just those who can afford it presently during this cost-of-living crisis created by the Conservatives."
Lib Dems
Stockport Lib Dems have run the town hall for the last two years under a minority administration, led by council leader Mark Hunter.
They've overseen a period of regeneration work in the town centre, and have promised to protect green spaces in the new local plan, and make the borough an "even better" place to live and work.
Cllr Hunter said: "Stockport is on the up, with the Sunday Times naming us the 'Best place to live in the North West'.
"Across the board, good things are happening here and, despite many challenges, Stockport really has the 'feel good' factor, but we want it to be even better.
"Since the Liberal Democrats took responsibility for leading the council two years ago, we have pursued an ambitious plan for change.
"The billion-pound transformation of our town centre is not the only example of progress. Our local plan will protect valuable green spaces and we are already delivering 4000 new homes – the right homes in the right places – whilst also being Greater Manchester's 'Town of Culture'.
"We are making Stockport a great place to live and work for future generations, with many local initiatives in a distinctive green agenda tackling climate change, with the best recycling rates in the North.
"Despite the scale of the financial difficulties facing local government, there is no limit to what we can achieve with the right vision and ambition. By working together, in partnership, we have a bright future ahead.
"We have already put Stockport back on the map – but the best is yet to come."
Others
A number of other parties are standing candidates in Stockport's local elections this year, including Reform UK, the Party of Women, the Women's Equality Party, and independents.
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