The Stockport Council meeting, held on Thursday, 1 October 2026, addressed a range of significant local issues, including planning reforms, housing affordability, and environmental concerns. Key decisions included the approval of planning committee reforms to align with national delegation schemes, a commitment to explore options for increasing council house delivery, and a motion to support a national emergency briefing on climate and nature. The council also debated and voted on various other motions, including those concerning rent controls and the A6-M60 bypass.

Planning Committee Reforms and National Scheme of Delegation Implementation

Councillor Jake Austin, Cabinet Member for Housing & Environment, presented a report on the required changes to the council's constitution to implement the national scheme of delegation for planning decisions. These reforms, driven by the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 and associated regulations, aim to streamline the planning process by delegating more applications to officers while ensuring complex or contentious developments are still considered by the Planning Committee. Councillor Austin explained that these changes would reduce the ability of local councillors to call in applications and the number of applications heard at area committees, thereby diminishing local democratic oversight. Despite disagreeing with the national direction, the council resolved to adopt these proposals to retain its planning powers. Councillor Byrne expressed disappointment that a suggestion for ward members to speak on applications at the planning committee had not been reflected in the report. Councillor Crossan voiced strong opposition to the reforms, describing them as a land grab from local democratic decision-making and highlighting the loss of local councillors' ability to have applications discussed democratically. Councillor White also raised concerns about the delegation of decisions to officers and the need for further work on how ward councillors can feed into the process. Ultimately, the report was approved with 56 votes for, one against, and four abstentions.

Climate and Nature Emergency Briefing

Councillor Laura Smith moved a motion calling for a national emergency briefing on climate and nature, urging the Prime Minister to stage a primetime televised broadcast of 'The People's Emergency Briefing' film. The motion also called for the publication of the full, unredacted national security assessment report on biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse. Councillor Smith highlighted the urgency of the climate crisis, referencing the hottest summer on record and the potential collapse of critical ecosystems. Councillor Liz Crix seconded the motion, emphasizing the need for clear, evidence-based communication to the public and the importance of ordinary people lobbying their MPs. Councillor Austin, speaking for the Liberal Democrats, confirmed their support for the motion's principle of educating the public on the climate emergency. However, he noted that the council could not mandate training for councillors, only for officers. Councillor Mark Roberts, Leader of the Council, also expressed support, highlighting the council's existing climate action work and the Schools Climate Assembly. The motion was agreed to.

Housing Affordability and Rent Controls

The council debated motions on taking action on unaffordable housing and rent controls. Councillor Claire Vibert's motion to ask the Cabinet to write to the Secretary of State for Housing and the Chancellor to unfreeze Local Housing Allowance (LHA) and to collaborate with the Greater Manchester Mayor on a Commission on Affordable Rents was agreed. Councillor David White's motion advocating for rent controls across all housing sectors, including a rent freeze for council housing and a call for legislation enabling local authorities to implement rent controls, was also agreed. Councillor McCann raised concerns about the potential impact of rent controls on private landlords and the risk of increased homelessness. Councillor Austin, Cabinet Member for Housing & Environment, acknowledged these concerns, stating that the council did not currently have the power to regulate private rents and that such a move was not anticipated in national policy.

Other Key Issues

The council also discussed and voted on several other motions:

• Returning the A6-M60 bypass back to the dustbin of history: This motion, calling for the withdrawal of council support for the bypass and its removal from transport plans, was not carried, with 35 votes against, 9 abstentions, and 18 votes for.
• Supporting our fire and rescue services in the face of man-made climate change: This motion, calling for increased government investment in fire and rescue services and the establishment of a permanent UK-wide aerial firefighting capability, was agreed.
• Totally Local Company - 2026 review: This motion called for an assessment comparing the current Totally Local Company (TLC) delivery model with direct council delivery for core public realm services. The motion was not carried, with 32 votes against, 3 abstentions, and 24 votes for.
• Calling on government to fund council deficits caused by statutory demand-led services: This motion, calling on the government to meet deficits in social care and SEND services, was agreed.

The meeting concluded with the invocation of the guillotine, meaning that remaining items on the summons were formally moved and seconded and voted on without further debate.