Stockport Council agrees 2023/24 budget

Councillors voted to approve Stockport Council’s 2023/24 Revenue Budget during a meeting on Thursday 23rd February.

The budget, the first since the Liberal Democrat group took over running of the council in last year’s local elections, includes a 3.99% increase in Council Tax for residents as the borough looks to maintain service provision in the face of rising costs.

The Budget has also committed to a £322 million capital investment programme through to 2026 as Stockport Council continues to move ahead with regeneration efforts both in the town centre, and in district centres throughout the borough. Schemes include the ongoing construction of Stockport Interchange, investment in social housing, schools and roads across the borough and improvement works to the town centre’s Merseyway shopping centre.

Cllr Mark Hunter, Leader of Stockport Council, said:

“This budget is about fairness – we want to ensure that the right support is going to the right people at the right time. But it hasn’t been easy – there have been some very difficult choices – but thanks to valuable input from residents and scrutiny from councillors of all parties, I feel this is a budget which reflects the ambitions of our borough. This year’s council tax increase (of 3.99%) is the lowest in Greater Manchester. We have also committed to funding more free school meals to help with the cost of living crisis- around 3,600 children in Stockport will benefit from widening the eligibility for free school meals for one academic year.

Cllr Malcolm Allan, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources at Stockport Council, said:

“Maintaining key frontline services whilst balancing value for money for our residents was key in finalising this year’s budget. Working with a range of partners and stakeholders we have made fantastic progress over recent months – but we want to deliver more. We’re acutely aware of the difficult times families and businesses are facing across the borough – and we believe the measures included in this budget will ensure the Council is in a strong financial position to continue providing essential services supporting our communities over the days and weeks ahead. In addition, recognising the diversity of our Borough and that in each area, residents have different needs and priorities, we are allocating to every ward more resources to spend locally on what residents need most in their community.”

From April 2023, Council tax charges (which include the Mayoral Police and Crime Commissioner Precept for Greater Manchester and Mayoral General Precept set by GMCA) will be:

• Band A: £1,489.77
• Band B: £1,738.06
• Band C: £1,986.05
• Band D: £2,234.66
• Band E: £2,731.24
• Band F: £3,227.83
• Band G: £3,724.43
• Band H: £4,469.32