Stockport Council Sets a Balanced Budget – Despite Government Failures

Stockport Council has successfully set a balanced budget for 2025/26, protecting key services while making some difficult but necessary choices. With councils across the country facing severe financial pressures, 39 councils have had to ask for permission to raise council tax above the legal limit. That hasn’t happened in Stockport. Instead, the Liberal Democrat-led council has worked hard to keep finances stable while continuing to invest in the borough.

However, this budget has been set against a backdrop of increasing costs and government inaction. The Labour Government’s National Insurance hike is adding millions to the cost of council services, while at the same time denying Stockport extra recovery grant funding.

Rising Costs and Tough Decisions

As a result of these funding challenges, some of the services hit hardest include:

• Home care and nursing homes, which are essential to supporting the most vulnerable members of the community.
• Leisure centres, which provide important recreational and health benefits to residents.
• Bin collections and gritting, which are crucial for maintaining public health and safety.

The cost of providing essential services continues to soar:

• Bin collections and social care will now cost the council an extra £3.6 million every year, placing further strain on local budgets.
• Keeping the borough’s streetlights on now costs £2 million a year due to rising electricity prices, reflecting the broader impact of energy inflation on public services.

Despite these pressures, Stockport Council has worked hard to ensure that council tax increases remain within legal limits, unlike many other councils that have been forced to request additional rises from the Government.

The Impact on Local Services

One of the most difficult decisions made as part of this budget is the introduction of a charge for garden waste collections. This was necessary to prevent deeper cuts to frontline services that residents rely on daily. The decision was not taken lightly, and the council remains committed to exploring ways to make local waste collection as efficient and cost-effective as possible.

Council Leader Mark Hunter expressed his frustration at the Government’s lack of support, stating:

"We’d hoped that Labour would give local council taxpayers a better deal. It’s very disappointing that they haven’t, with the resulting knock-on impact through council tax and other charges."

A Commitment to Stockport’s Future

Despite the challenges, Stockport’s Lib Dem-run council continues to prioritise investment in key areas, ensuring that local infrastructure and services remain robust. Investments include:

• Maintaining and improving local roads, which is essential for reducing congestion and ensuring road safety.
• Providing support for vulnerable residents, including those who rely on social care services.
• Ensuring responsible financial management, to prevent Stockport from falling into the financial difficulties seen in other councils across the UK.

Stockport remains a community-focused borough, and every effort is being made to ensure that residents continue to receive the services they depend on while managing financial pressures responsibly. The council is also working to secure additional funding streams and improve efficiency in service delivery to help mitigate future challenges.

Support for Residents

For residents struggling with the rising cost of living, there are support options available. If you’re worried about rising costs, you can check if you’re eligible for council tax support by contacting Stockport Council or visiting: www.stockport.gov.uk/topic/council-tax.

Stockport’s Liberal Democrat-led council is determined to keep the borough moving forward, even in the face of government cuts and rising costs. The focus remains on ensuring financial security, maintaining essential services, and investing in the future of Stockport.