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Cabinet - Tuesday, 4th February, 2025 6.00 pm
February 4, 2025 Cabinet View on council website Watch video of meetingSummary
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The Cabinet of Stockport Council met on Tuesday 4 February 2025, approving a refreshed Council Plan for 2024-2027, alongside significant financial and strategic decisions. Key among these was the approval of the 2025/26 Revenue Budget, which includes a 4.99% Council Tax increase, and the adoption of a new Learning Disability Strategy for 2025-2030.
Council Plan 2024-2027 Refresh
The Cabinet recommended the approval of the refreshed Stockport Council Plan 2024-2027 to the Council Meeting. This updated plan reflects progress made since its initial adoption in 2024 and maintains the council's focus on delivering efficient and effective services, with Big Ambitions
centred on investment and regeneration, education and skills, wellbeing in neighbourhoods, and support for those most in need. The plan also continues to prioritise Fair and Inclusive Stockport
and Climate Action Now
as cross-cutting themes. Progress on delivery will be monitored through Portfolio Performance and Resources Agreements and reports.
Financial and Budgetary Decisions
A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to financial planning for the upcoming years. The Cabinet considered and approved recommendations relating to the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for 2025/26 to 2028/29. This included noting the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement, approving indicative budget adjustments resulting in a £10.048 million savings requirement for 2025/26, and approving the allocation of £7.779 million from corporate contingency budgets to service budgets. The Cabinet also recommended to the Council Meeting the approval of the 2025/26 Revenue Budget, which includes a 4.99% Council Tax increase (2.99% general increase and a 2% Adult Social Care Precept increase). The Director of Finance's recommendation to maintain the Council's General Fund Balance at £15.183 million for 2025/26 was also noted.
The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget Report 2025/26 was considered, recommending an increase of 2.7% for social and affordable rent and 3.2% for shared ownership properties. Service charge increases were also outlined, with authority delegated to the Director of Finance to agree lower increases if necessary.
The 2024/25 Quarter 2+ Budget Monitoring Update was noted, providing an update on the revenue budget forecast outturn, Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), Housing Revenue Account (HRA), Collection Fund, Reserves, and Capital Programme.
Strategic and Service Plans
The Council Plan 2024-2027 Refresh was approved, reflecting progress and updated priorities.
A new Learning Disability Strategy for 2025 to 2030 was approved and adopted. This strategy aims to promote the health, wellbeing, and independence of people with learning disabilities, setting out strategic priorities to support happier, healthier, and more independent lives.
Infrastructure and Investment
The 2025/26 Capital Strategy and Capital Programme were approved, providing a framework for the council's capital investment plans, ensuring effective planning, risk management, and governance. This includes the 2025/26 to 2027/28 Capital Programme and associated funding arrangements.
The Cabinet also approved recommendations for the Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund Procurement Report, delegating procurement functions to Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) and authorising the Director of Place Management to act on the council's behalf for the LEVI Programme.
School-Related Decisions
Several decisions were made regarding school admissions and organisation for September 2026. The Cabinet approved amendments to admission arrangements for community and voluntary controlled schools. Published admission numbers were reduced for Abingdon Primary School (to 30), Arden Primary School (to 60), Lum Head Primary School (to 30), St Paul’s C of E Primary School (to 45), and Westmorland Primary School (to 60). Additionally, the age range for Lum Head Primary School will be expanded to 3-11, and for Highfields College Pupil Referral Service to 11-19. Lark Hill Nursery School will be discontinued from July 2025, with Lark Hill Primary School's age range expanding to 2-11 from September 2025 to incorporate nursery provision.
The Schools Investment Plan was considered, outlining the strategy and capital investment pipeline for the next five years to secure an education estate that provides a safe, accessible, and stimulating learning environment. Authority was delegated for procuring works and services, determining contract awards, and deploying capital funding for new school places.
Other Key Decisions
The Cabinet approved its response to the Final Scrutiny Review Report on the Accountability of Social Housing Providers to the Council and Residents of Stockport, requesting the Director of Place Management to prepare a formal response to the review's recommendations.
An Independent Review of Stockport's Housing Management Arrangements was accepted, with authority delegated to the Director of Place Management to develop a joint action plan with Stockport Homes Group. A new Cabinet Sub-Committee for Housing will be established.
The 2025/26 Treasury Management Strategy, Annual Investment Strategy, and Minimum Revenue Provision Policy were approved, outlining the council's approach to borrowing and investment.
A change in management arrangements for Stockport Active CIC (Life Leisure) was approved, designating it as an agent of Stockport Council to leverage new taxation arrangements and reduce annual costs.
The Annual Pay Policy Statement for 2025/26 was approved, along with the agreement to publish the Council's Gender Pay Gap information.
The Cabinet also approved the write-off of rent arrears debt totalling £175,753.19 that were deemed irrecoverable.
Finally, the Cabinet noted decisions made by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) on 13 December 2024 and approved responses to scrutiny reviews concerning Adult Social Care IT Systems & Data, Services for Young People, and the Financial Impact of Bus Franchising. The Council's Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) Policy/Code of Practice was also approved for the forthcoming year.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Council Plan 2024-2027 Refresh (F&R50)
Recommendations approved -
Final Scrutiny Review Report - The Accountability of Social Housing Providers to the Council and Residents of Stockport
Recommendations Approved...to address the accountability of social housing providers, the Cabinet requested the Director of Place Management to prepare a response to the Scrutiny Review's report and recommendations for future consideration.
-
School Admission Arrangements September 2026 and School Organisation Proposals (CF&E15)
Recommendations Approved -
Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Fund Procurement Report (PH&T12)
Recommendations Approved -
Schools Investment Plan (CF&E14)
Recommendations Approved -
2025/26 Capital Strategy and Capital Programme (F&R41)
Recommendations approved...the Cabinet approved recommending to the Council Meeting the 2025/26 Capital Strategy, the prudential indicators supporting the 2025/26 Capital Programme, and the 2025/26 to 2027/28 Capital Programme and its funding arrangements.
-
2024/25 Quarter 2+ Budget Monitoring Update (Non-Key)
Recommendations Approved -
Part B: Medium Term Financial Plan – Financial Landscape and Forecasts 2025/26 to 2028/29 (F&R45)
Recommendations approved -
Annual Pay Policy Statement 2025/26 (General Exception)
Recommendations Approved -
Learning Disability Strategy (H&ASC7)
Recommendations Approved...to promote the health, wellbeing, and independence of people with learning disabilities in Stockport, the Cabinet approved and adopted the Learning Disability Strategy 2025-2030, a five-year plan outlining strategic priorities to help people with learning disabilities lead happier, healthier, and more independent lives.
-
Independent Review of Stockport's Housing Management Arrangements (F&R48)
Recommendations approved -
Cabinet Response to the Impact of Bus Franchising Scrutiny Review (Non-Key)
Recommendations Approved -
Cabinet Response to the Services for Young People Scrutiny Review (Non-Key)
Recommendations Approved -
Appointments to Outside Bodies (Non-Key)
Recommendations Approved -
Write Off of Rent Arrears Debt (Non-Key)
Recommendations Approved -
Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget Report 2025/26 (ER&H13)
Recommendations approved -
Stockport Active CIC (Life Leisure) - New Management Arrangements (F&R47)
Recommendations Approved -
Part A: Cabinet Response: Responding to Medium Term Financial Plan (F&R44)
Recommendations Approved... the Cabinet approved proposals to address financial challenges and balance the budget for 2025/26, including changes to adult social care charging, waste management, and productivity improvements across council services.
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Part C: 2025/26 Cabinet Revenue Budget (F&R46)
Recommendations approved -
Asset Management Plan Capital Programme 2025/26 - 2028/29 (F&R49)
Recommendations Approved -
Cabinet Response to the Adult Social Care IT Systems & Data Scrutiny Review (Non-Key)
Recommendations Approved...to approve its response to the recommendations from the Adult Social Care & Health Scrutiny Committee's review of Adult Social Care IT Systems & Data, confirming that all planned improvements and recommendations have been actioned.
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Schools Finance Settlement 2025/26 (CF&E11)
Recommendations Approved
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