Have your say on Stockport Council’s budget proposals for the next financial year

The council is continuing to recover from the financial impact of the pandemic but also recognise the increasing need for support within our communities who have been affected by the cost of living crisis.

We currently spend over £280 million annually to provide a wide range of services that support Stockport residents and businesses. Various factors such as rising interest rates, inflation and increased demand is pushing council spending up and putting more pressure on how we deliver our services.

The council’s medium term financial planning forecasts a budget gap (where planned spend to deliver services is in excess of income) of £16.953 million for 2023/24 and a further £16.376 million for 2024/25.

Every year the council must deliver a budget that balances its spend with the income it receives. We recently published our budget proposals for the 2023/24 financial year. We identified savings to reduce our costs and help us balance the books so that our spend does not exceed our income, while still delivering vital services for everyone in Stockport. While these decisions haven’t been easy, it’s important that we reduce spending and make savings to ensure that the council remains financial stable for years to come.

Now, the council is asking residents for their views on the budget proposals to inform the difficult decisions we are having to make as we finalise the council’s 2023/24 budget.

You can read the budget proposals and share your views by using the consultation portal. The consultation runs until 24th December.

Councillor Malcolm Allan, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, commented:
“Your views are so important to us in helping to shape our budget proposals for the next financial year. The financial landscape is looking challenging at the moment for all of us, and the council is no exception. Unfortunately, we need to find a long-term solution to help us balance the books whilst still delivering the services required by Stockport residents and businesses to the standard they deserve.”

“You can share your views online, or visit your local library or other warm space to fill in the consultation in a non-digital way. Your views will be taken into consideration as part of the council’s budget setting process ahead of the Budget Council in February, where the 2023/24 budget will be set.”

To find out more on the medium term financial plan and our budget proposals, visit the consultation.