The Cabinet of Stockport Council met on Tuesday 18 March 2025, where they discussed and made decisions on a range of key issues. Significant among these was the approval of recommendations following an independent review of the council's housing management arrangements, and the endorsement of a public consultation on expanding the boundary of the Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) to encompass the entire town centre.

Independent Review of Housing Management Arrangements

The Cabinet agreed to accept the findings of an independent review into Stockport's housing management arrangements and to amend its previous decision regarding the disestablishment of the Member Committee. Instead, the council will request that the Annual Council Meeting establish a Task and Finish Group to consider and recommend appropriate scrutiny and decision-making structures for the Stockport Homes Group. Authority has been delegated to the Director of Place Management, in consultation with relevant Cabinet Members, to develop a joint action plan to address the review's recommendations and to progress priority actions. This includes dialogue with the Stockport Homes Group Board and Chief Executive. Furthermore, the Director of Place Management and Assistant Director for Governance will undertake actions to establish a Cabinet Sub-Committee for Housing and disestablish the existing Member Committee.

Expansion of Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation Boundary

A proposal to consult on expanding the boundary of the Stockport Town Centre West Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) to cover the entirety of the town centre was endorsed. This expansion aims to enable the MDC to become the delivery vehicle for housing-led regeneration across the whole town centre. The Cabinet noted that a paper would be submitted to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to request that the Mayor of Greater Manchester initiate a public consultation on this proposal in April and May 2025. The process required by legislation to designate an area as a Mayoral Development Area was also noted. Councillor Mark Hunter, Leader of the Council, declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item as a Member of the Stockport Town Centre West MDC Board, but was permitted to participate in the debate and vote due to a dispensation granted by the Standards Committee.

Children's Therapies Commissioning

The Cabinet considered arrangements for the commissioning of children's therapies, specifically Speech and Language therapy and Occupational Therapy for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). It was confirmed in principle that the council can proceed with the procurement process and enter into a future contract once a provider is selected. Authority has been delegated to the Director of Education, Work and Skills, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education and the Assistant Director for Governance, to agree the terms of the contract. The Assistant Director for Governance has also been delegated authority to enter into any necessary documentation for the procurement process and contract award.

Annual Residential/Nursing, Home Care and Other Care Management Services Fee Setting 2025/26

Approval was given to the fee setting approach, including fee uplifts, for the most significant areas of externally commissioned service provision for adults with care needs. This includes care homes, home support services, day care services, and learning disability services for the 2025/26 period. The report highlighted the challenges faced by the adult social care system due to the government's approach to increasing employer contributions for National Insurance.

Treasury Management Quarter 3 Report 2024/25

The Cabinet noted the Treasury Management Quarter 3 Report for 2024/25, which detailed the operation and effectiveness of the council's Treasury Management function. Approval was also given to any necessary changes to the prudential indicators.

2024/25 Q3 Budget Monitoring Update

An update on the revenue budget forecast outturn for the period ending December 2024 (Quarter 3) was noted. This included updates on the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), Housing Revenue Account (HRA), Collection Fund, Reserves, and the Capital Programme. The Cabinet also noted changes to the Capital Programme and the re-phasing of schemes during Quarter 3, as well as the 2024/25 Capital Programme Prudential Indicators.

Stockport Attendance Strategy

The Cabinet endorsed and approved the proposed Stockport Attendance Strategy. This strategy aims to foster an environment where children and young people in Stockport grow up happy, healthy, and confident, recognising the significant benefits of school attendance for learning, wellbeing, and overall development.

Scrutiny Review Final Reports

The Cabinet received and considered several final reports from Scrutiny Review Panels. For the STAR Procurement and Social Value review, the Director of Finance was requested to prepare a response to the recommendations for future consideration. Similarly, for the Stockport Cycling Strategic Review, the Director of Place Management was asked to prepare a response to its recommendations. The Deputy Chief Executive will prepare a response to the recommendations from the review into District and Local Centres. For the review on Understanding the Inequalities of Health Outcomes Across the Borough, the Director of Public Health will prepare a response. In all cases, the Cabinet recorded its gratitude for the work undertaken by the respective Scrutiny Review Panels. The outcomes for these reports were For Determination, meaning responses to the recommendations will be considered at a future meeting.