Greater Manchester borough promised more 'homes, jobs and regeneration' by council leader

The leader of Stockport council has promised more homes, jobs and regeneration, as the Lib Dem Group launched its local election campaign. Mark Hunter has been leader of the town hall for two years, and during that time has overseen huge changes across the borough.

Last month, Stockport’s new transport interchange opened for the first time, and there are plans to further develop the area around the town’s train station – a scheme known as Stockport Exchange. His Lib Dem Group has prioritised building new homes on brownfield sites to protect the green belt, despite criticism from opposition councillors that not enough houses are being built overall.

Mr Hunter said a good result for the Lib Dems at the local elections in May will set Stockport on a path to bigger and better things in future.

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “We’ve got a strong track record of delivery over those two years, and we’re still ambitious for the future, we think things could be even better than they are now. This is only the start as far as I’m concerned, it’s up to us to capitalise on that feelgood factor that Stockport has and make sure we lose no momentum from here on in.”

He said bringing Metrolink to the town is a key priority, and promised to “keep the heat on Andy Burnham” to deliver it.

Cllr Hunter added: “We’re keen to bring more jobs and new homes, there is a need for more new homes as we’ve always accepted, but for us it’s making sure they go to the right places.

“That doesn’t mean only the town centre, it’s a complete misunderstanding to say all we want to do is cram them in and build it high in the town centre, that’s never been the plan at all.”

Cllr David Meller – leader of Stockport Labour Group and the opposition on Stockport council – said housing is the “spine of everything we are doing as a group.”

He called for a discussion about looking at “pockets in the green belt that have already been developed” that could be used for new housing. In February, Stockport Labour received support from councillors in calling for a review of Stockport Homes – the company managing the council’s housing stock.

The review will cost around £100,000 and help the council to decide whether using Stockport Homes is still the right approach for its housing, or if managing council properties should be brought back in house. The Labour Group is also campaigning to reduce inequalities in the borough, and improve “basic council services” for everyone.

Stockport has a number of smaller opposition groups such as the Edgelely Community Association, Stockport Green Party, and the Heald Green Ratepayers who could play a key role in deciding the next leader of the council. The election will take place on May 2, when voters can decide who they want to represent their area on the council.

Stockport is made up of 21 council wards, each represented by three local councillors. One seat for each ward will be up for election in May, with 21 seats being contested in total.

Stockport Lib Dems currently have 29 councillors at the town hall, compared to the Labour Group’s 24. 32 councillors are needed to gain overall control of the town hall, which has been run as a minority administration for a number of years.