The Cabinet of Stockport Council met on Tuesday 9 December 2025 to discuss a range of key decisions impacting the borough's finances, environment, schools, and community services. Notable discussions included plans for the Cheadle Eco Park and Adswood Depot redevelopment, the School Investment Plan for 2026-27, and a Biodiversity Net Gain strategy in partnership with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

Cheadle Eco Park and Adswood Depot Redevelopment

The Cabinet received an update on the redevelopment of the former Bird Hall Lane Industrial Estate into the Cheadle Eco Business Park and the associated development at Adswood Depot, referred to as the Eco-Centre. Planning consent has been secured for the Eco Park, which aims to provide 115,000 sq ft of employment space, focusing on low-carbon technologies and clean energy production, with an ambition to achieve BREEAM Outstanding accreditation. This development is expected to create significant employment opportunities, both during construction and operation. The Adswood Depot site will be redeveloped to accommodate services relocating from the Bird Hall Lane site. The Cabinet discussed proposals for procurement services, including the appointment of professional services, consultants, and construction contractors to deliver both projects.

School Investment Plan 2026-27

The Cabinet was asked to agree the terms outlined in the School Investment Plan and approve the associated programme of works for the Education Asset Management Plan for the 2026/27 financial year. This plan prioritises investment to ensure sufficient high-quality school places, addressing condition issues within the school estate, and supporting the council's climate action ambitions. The plan acknowledges significant capital investment needs, estimated between £121 million and £240 million, due to the age of many school buildings. The Cabinet was also asked to agree four delegations related to procuring works and services, recycling unspent School Condition Allocation funding, and determining the allocation of capital funding for new school places.

Biodiversity Net Gain Strategy

The Cabinet was asked to give two approvals and make three delegations regarding a proposal to utilise the Greater Manchester Combined Authority's (GMCA) 'Responsible Body' service for creating and selling Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) units on council-owned land. This strategy aims to ensure that developments contribute to a minimum 10% (or potentially 20% as per the Local Plan) increase in biodiversity. The council identified three potential sites for habitat banks: Woodbank Park, fields at Sandringham Road in Cheadle Hulme, and land at Compstall Road, Romiley ('Tangshutts Fields'). Authority was requested to be delegated to senior officers to finalise agreements with the GMCA, designate and deliver these sites, or identify alternative suitable council-owned land for habitat creation.

Financial and Resource Management

The Cabinet reviewed the Mid-Year Corporate Performance and Resources Report for 2025/26. The report highlighted a projected revenue budget deficit of £7.917 million, to be funded from reserves. Significant pressures were noted in Children, Families and Education, particularly concerning Special Educational Needs (SEN) transport and children in care placements, and in Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care due to increased demand and costs. The report also detailed the 2025/26 Capital Programme, with planned expenditure of £127.105 million, and noted adjustments and re-phasing of schemes. The council's reserves and balances as at 30 September 2025 were also reviewed.

Business Rates and Council Tax Discounts

The Cabinet was asked to agree to retain existing Business Rates and Council Tax discount schemes for 2026-27, continuing support for care leavers and vulnerable residents. Minor amendments were proposed for the Discretionary Rate Relief Policy, including the removal of specific provisions for 'Large Investors' which will now be considered under 'Exceptional Circumstances'. The Cabinet was asked to approve a new Council Tax Empty Homes Policy, outlining the council's approach to charging premiums on unoccupied properties. The Council Tax Support scheme for working-age residents was proposed to be maintained, and the discretionary support fund was proposed to be set at £0.1 million for 2026-27.

Other Key Decisions

• Treasury Management Strategy and Annual Investment Strategy: The Cabinet was asked to approve the continuation of the existing strategies for 2025/26, noting revised interest rate forecasts.
• Stockport Billing Area - 2026/27 Council Tax Taxbase and Non-Domestic Rates Forecast: The Cabinet was asked to make three delegations to the Director of Finance to make adjustments to forecasts based on future government announcements. The report included information on the provisional forecast outturn Collection Fund deficit of £0.754 million for 2026/27 and the proposed Council Tax Taxbase for 2026/27.
• Cabinet Response to STAR Procurement and Social Value Scrutiny Review: The Cabinet was invited to adopt the council's response to the recommendations from the scrutiny review, which focused on improving social value monitoring and contract management.
• Cabinet Response to Prevention Support in the Early Years Scrutiny Review: The Cabinet was invited to adopt the council's response to the recommendations from the scrutiny review concerning early years support, highlighting improvements in communication, partnership working, technology use, and the strengthening of the Health Visitor role.
• GMCA Decisions: The Cabinet was invited to note the decisions taken at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority meeting on 28 November 2025.
• Nominations for Mayor and Deputy Mayor 2026/27: The Cabinet recommended the nomination of Councillor Mark Hunter as Mayor-elect and Councillor David Mellor as Deputy Mayor-elect for the 2026/27 municipal year, subject to approval at a full council meeting.

The meeting concluded with seasonal greetings from Councillor Mark Roberts, Leader of the Council.