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Cabinet - Tuesday, 16th September, 2025 6.00 pm
September 16, 2025 Cabinet View on council website Watch video of meetingSummary
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The Cabinet of Stockport Council met on Tuesday 16 September 2025 to discuss a range of significant financial and strategic matters. Key decisions included the approval of the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) summer review update and the Cabinet's response to it, outlining a strategy to address financial challenges through budget adjustments, the use of reserves, and change proposals. The Cabinet also approved the Strategic Regeneration Framework for Town Centre East, a key decision aimed at transforming the eastern side of Stockport Town Centre.
Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) Summer Review Update and Cabinet Response
The Cabinet considered the outcomes of the summer review of the council's Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for 2025/26 to 2029/30. Councillor Jilly Julian, Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources & Innovation, presented Part A of the report, highlighting significant budget pressures due to inflationary costs and increasing service demand. The Cabinet noted these outcomes and approved the forecast and assumption adjustments. A key point was the council's savings requirement, which has decreased to £19.162m in 2026/27, rising to £63.222m in 2029/30. The Cabinet also approved the recommended use of one-off resources to support the council's in-year financial position, the 2026/27 budget, and the MTFP.
Part B of the report, presented jointly by Councillor Mark Roberts, Leader of the Council, and Councillor Jilly Julian, outlined the Cabinet's strategic approach to responding to the uncertainty, volatility, and risk identified in the MTFP review. The Cabinet endorsed the approach and next steps, agreeing to share proposals with scrutiny for comment to support a resilient and sustainable MTFP. They also supported the ongoing development of the MTFP response and transformation programme.
Stockport Town Centre East Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF)
A key decision of the meeting was the approval of the Strategic Regeneration Framework (SRF) for Town Centre East. Councillor Michela Meikle, Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration & Skills, presented the report, which outlines an ambitious vision to transform the eastern side of Stockport Town Centre. This framework builds upon the existing £1bn town centre regeneration programme and the success of the Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) in delivering the masterplan for Town Centre West. The SRF for Town Centre East aims to deliver a total of 4,000 new homes, alongside improvements to public spaces and the creation of a stronger town centre identity. The Cabinet's approval will enable the SRF to become a material consideration in future planning applications for the area.
Other Key Decisions
The Cabinet also addressed several other important matters:
- 2025/26 Q1 Budget Monitoring Update: The Cabinet noted the revenue budget forecast outturn for the first quarter of 2025/26, which indicated a challenging financial position. They approved virements to the Revenue Budget and noted the forecast outturn positions for cash and non-cash limits, the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), the Housing Revenue Account (HRA), and the Capital Programme. An update on Reserves was also noted.
- Treasury Management Annual Report 2024/25: The Cabinet considered the annual report on the operation and effectiveness of the Council's Treasury Management function for the 2024/25 financial year. They noted the report and recommended its approval to the Council Meeting.
- Treasury Management Q1 Report 2025/26: An update on the treasury management function for the first quarter of 2025/26 was presented, and the Cabinet was recommended to note the report, treasury activity, and approve any changes to the prudential indicators.
- 2025/26 Reserves Policy: The Cabinet noted the annual review of the Council's Reserves Policy, approved adjustments and reclassifications of earmarked reserves, and approved the proposed 2025/26 Reserves Policy.
- SEND Sufficiency Plan: The Cabinet noted and commented on the SEND Sufficiency Plan for 2025-2030, agreeing its recommendations in principle, with further detailed reports on implementation to follow.
- Outcome of Public Consultation on Expanded Mayoral Development Corporation: The Cabinet noted the overwhelmingly positive outcome of the public consultation on expanding the Stockport Mayoral Development Corporation's boundary to cover the entire town centre. They endorsed the proposal for the GM Mayor to submit a paper to the GMCA seeking approval to designate this expanded area as a Mayoral Development Area.
- Update to the Constitution to Incorporate Updated Contract Procedure Rules: The Cabinet considered proposed amendments to the Contract Procedure Rules (CPRs) to reflect new procurement legislation and recommended these amendments to the Council Meeting for adoption and incorporation into the Council's Constitution.
- One Stockport Safety Partnership 2025-28 Plan: The Cabinet noted and approved the draft three-year plan for the One Stockport Safety Partnership, which outlines priorities and actions to address crime, disorder, and community safety concerns.
- Continuous Improvement and Impact Plan: The Cabinet endorsed the Continuous Improvement and Impact Plan, which details actions to improve Stockport's children's services and achieve a 'good' or better Ofsted rating.
- GMCA Decisions: The Cabinet noted the decisions made by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) at their meetings on 27 June and 22 August 2025.
- Asset Management Report (General Exception): The Cabinet considered a report detailing a proposed approach to asset management, including the disposal of a strategic asset. The detailed recommendations within the 'not for publication' report were approved.
The meeting also included standard agenda items such as the approval of previous minutes and declarations of interest.
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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Stockport Town Centre East Strategic Regeneration Framework (ER&S1)
Recommendations Approved...to approve the Strategic Regeneration Framework for Town Centre East, enabling it to become a material consideration in future planning applications.
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Asset Management Report (General Exception)
Recommendations Approved -
SEND Sufficiency Plan (CF&E18)
Recommendations Approved...to address the Council's statutory responsibility to commission sufficient high-quality school places for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), the Cabinet agreed in principle to the detailed recommendations outlined in the SEND Sufficiency Plan 2025-2030, pending further reports on implementation and required delegations.
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Part A: Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) Summer Review Update (F&R48)
Recommendations Approved...the Cabinet of Stockport approved adjustments to the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) forecasts and assumptions for 2025/26-2029/30, noting a decreased savings requirement for 2026/27 but a rising requirement in subsequent years, and approved the use of one-off resources to support the council's financial position.
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Part B: Cabinet Response: Responding to Our Medium Term Financial Plan (F&R49)
Recommendations Approved...to address financial uncertainty, volatility, and risk within the medium-term financial plan, the Cabinet endorsed the next steps, including sharing proposals for a resilient and sustainable plan with scrutiny, and supported the ongoing development of the MTFP response and transformation programme.
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Continuous Improvement and Impact Plan (Non-Key)
For Determination...the Cabinet approved and endorsed the Continuous Improvement and Impact Plan designed to improve Stockport's children's services from an Ofsted "requires improvement" rating to "good" or better.
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2025/26 Q1 Budget Monitoring Update (Non-Key)
For Determination...the Cabinet approved revenue budget virements, noted the forecast outturn positions for cash limits, non-cash limits, the Dedicated Schools Grant, and the Housing Revenue Account, acknowledged updates on reserves and the capital program, and noted changes to the capital program and prudential indicators for 2025/26.
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2025/26 Reserves Policy (Non-Key)
For Determination...to ensure the council's financial resilience and alignment with its corporate and strategic priorities, the Cabinet approved the proposed 2025/26 Reserves Policy, noted the annual review including reserve levels and rationale, and approved adjustments and reclassifications of earmarked reserves in line with recommended amounts.
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One Stockport Safety Partnership 2025-28 Plan (Non-Key)
For Determination... the Cabinet of Stockport approved the One Stockport Safety Partnership's 2025-2028 Plan, which outlines the partnership's priorities and actions for improving community safety and reducing crime over the next three years.
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Treasury Management Q1 Report 2025/26 (Non-Key)
For Determination...to note the Treasury Management Q1 Report for 2025/26, acknowledge the treasury activity, and recommend approval of any changes to the prudential indicators.
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Update to the Constitution to Incorporate Updated Contract Procedure Rules (Non-Key)
For Determination...to reflect new procurement legislation, the Cabinet recommended that the Council Meeting adopt proposed amendments to the Contract Procedure Rules and incorporate them within the Council’s Constitution.
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Outcome of the public consultation on the proposal to create a Mayoral Development Corporation for the town centre (Non-Key)
For Determination...to endorse the expansion of the Mayoral Development Corporation to cover the entire Stockport town centre, seeking GMCA approval for designation and subsequent notification to the Secretary of State.
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Treasury Management Annual Report 2024/25
For Determination...to recommend to the Council Meeting the approval of the actual 2024/25 prudential and treasury indicators and to note the Annual Treasury Management Report for 2024/25.
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