The Council Meeting of Stockport Council on Thursday 10 July 2025 approved recommendations for a joint Greater Manchester Waste and Minerals Plan. The meeting also discussed various motions, including one calling for divestment from fossil fuels and arms by the Greater Manchester Pension Fund, and another requesting information on the rationale for introducing car parking charges at new locations.

Joint Greater Manchester Waste and Minerals Plan

The Council Meeting approved recommendations for the creation of a statutory Greater Manchester Joint Minerals and Waste Plan (GMJMWP). This plan will cover planning for minerals and waste across all ten Greater Manchester councils: Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, and Wigan. The Cabinet has been delegated the responsibility for formulating and preparing the joint development plan document, with the understanding that individual councils will retain control over the final adoption of the plan. This collaborative approach is intended to ensure efficient compliance with national planning policy and to address outdated existing plans, which were adopted over a decade ago. The GMJMWP will consider all types of waste, including construction, commercial, industrial, hazardous, and local authority collected waste, and will allocate sites for waste management facilities. It will also safeguard mineral resources from other forms of development. The process will be undertaken under new government regulations for plan-making, with an anticipated timeline of no more than 30 months from commencement to adoption.

Motions Considered

Several motions were put forward and discussed during the meeting:

• PSPO to prevent unauthorised angling and camping on Sykes Reservoirs: This motion recommended that the Cabinet begin the statutory process for a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to prohibit camping and night fishing on Sykes Reservoirs due to escalating anti-social behaviour. The motion highlighted issues such as littering, fires, damage to trees, and noise disturbances, and noted that existing signage prohibiting these activities was being ignored.
• Divesting the Greater Manchester Pension Fund from Fossil Fuels and Arms: This motion called on the Council to build on its previous commitment to divest from fossil fuels and to also divest from weapons companies. It highlighted the link between war, climate destruction, and human suffering, and noted that investments in fossil fuels and weapons pose ethical questions and financial risks. The motion detailed that approximately 6% of the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (£1.5 billion) is invested in the fossil fuel industry, and £24 million is invested in arms companies. The Council resolved to continue leading calls for ethical investment, ask GMPF to develop clear divestment transition plans for fossil fuels and weapons companies, align with the GMCA's net-zero target of 2038, and implement a robust reporting mechanism for progress. The Chief Executive was also requested to write to GMPF and the Mayor of Greater Manchester to advocate for these changes.
• Request for information regarding the rationale for introducing car parking charges at new locations across Stockport: This motion noted the Cabinet's decision to introduce car parking charges at 25 of 52 currently free car parks. It requested that information referred to in Appendix A of the 'Criteria for chargeable car parks' report be circulated to all council members for review. Furthermore, it requested that this information be put on the agenda of the next Communities & Transport Scrutiny Meeting to allow for comment on the rationale behind the selection of car parks. The requested information included a full list of non-chargeable car parks, supporting rationale for charges at each location, suggested order of implementation, and operational justifications.
• Calling on government for a more compassionate approach to benefits: This motion noted the government's proposed changes to the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, which could create a two-tier benefit system and potentially trap claimants out of work. It expressed concern that this could strip carers of vital assistance and leave vulnerable individuals without support. The Council resolved to call on the government to reconsider the bill, maintain support for those on benefits, and focus on helping people into work while supporting those in need.
• Local Authority of the Year Award: This motion welcomed and celebrated Stockport Council's recognition as the Municipal Journal's Local Authority of the Year. It stated that the award demonstrated the high quality of services and value for money offered by the council, and thanked staff and partners for their hard work and dedication. The motion also called on the Chief Executive to find an appropriate way to mark the staff's thanks for this recognition.

The meeting also included formal announcements, community engagement, leader's reports, cabinet question time, scrutiny business, and regulatory business from various committees. The Council also approved and adopted a revised Constitution and Scheme of Delegation. Councillor Colin MacAlister's absence from meetings due to ill health was approved for the purposes of Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972.