Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
MayorKerry Waters
Party 1
Labour
Election 120 May 2025[1]
LeaderMark Roberts
Party 2
Liberal Democrat
Election 220 May 2025[2]
Chief ExecutiveMichael Cullen
Election 32024[3]
Seats63 councillors
Joint committeesGreater Manchester Combined Authority
Greater Manchester Police, Fire and Crime Panel
Structure 1File:Stockport Council January 2026.svg
Structure1 res250
Political groups 1
Administration (33)
Liberal Democrats (33)
Other parties (30)
Labour (15)
Green (4)
Edgeley CA (3)
HG-LL Ratepayers (3)
Reform (2)
Conservative (1)
Independent (3)
Voting system 1First past the post
Last election 17 May 2026
Next election 16 May 2027
Session roomStockport Town Hall.jpg
Meeting placeTown Hall, Wellington Road South, Stockport, SK1 3XE
Websitestockport.gov.uk

Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC), also known as Stockport Council, is the local authority of the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport in Greater Manchester, England. It is a metropolitan borough council and provides the majority of local government services in the borough. The council has been a member of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority since 2011.

The council has been under Liberal Democrat majority control since 2026, with the party having previously run the council in a minority administration since 2022. The council meets at Stockport Town Hall and has additional offices in the adjoining Stopford House and Fred Perry House.

History

Further information: County Borough of Stockport

The town of Stockport was an ancient borough, having been made a borough during the reign of Henry III (reigned 1216–1272). The original borough was entirely south of the River Mersey in Cheshire.[4][5] The borough was reformed to become a municipal borough in 1836 under the Municipal Corporations Act 1835, at which point the boundaries were enlarged, with some of the gained area being on the north side of the Mersey in Lancashire; after 1836 the borough therefore straddled the two counties. The municipal borough was governed by a body formally called the 'mayor, aldermen and burgesses of the borough of Stockport', generally known as the corporation, town council or borough council.[6][7]

When elected county councils were established in 1889, Stockport was considered large enough for its existing council to provide county-level services, and so it was made a county borough, independent from both Cheshire County Council and Lancashire County Council, whilst continuing to straddle the geographical counties of Cheshire and Lancashire. The borough boundaries were enlarged several times.[8][9][10]

The larger Metropolitan Borough of Stockport and its council were created in 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972 as one of ten metropolitan districts within the new metropolitan county of Greater Manchester. The first election was held in 1973. For its first year the council acted as a shadow authority alongside the area's five outgoing authorities, being the borough council of Stockport and the urban district councils of Bredbury and Romiley, Cheadle and Gatley, Hazel Grove and Bramhall, and Marple. The new metropolitan district and its council formally came into being on 1 April 1974, at which point the old districts and their councils were abolished.[11]

The metropolitan district was awarded borough status from its creation, allowing the chair of the council to take the title of mayor, continuing Stockport's series of mayors.[12]

From 1974 until 1986 the council was a lower-tier authority, with upper-tier functions provided by the Greater Manchester County Council. The county council was abolished in 1986, under the Local Government Act 1985, and its functions passed to Greater Manchester's 10 borough councils, including Stockport, with some services provided through joint committees.[13]

Since 2011 the council has been a member of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, which has been led by the directly elected Mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017. The combined authority provides strategic leadership and co-ordination for certain functions across Greater Manchester, notably regarding transport and town planning, but Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council continues to be responsible for most local government functions.[14][15]

Governance

The council provides metropolitan borough services. Some strategic functions in the area are provided by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority; the leader of Stockport Council sits on the combined authority as Stockport's representative.[16] There are no civil parishes in the borough.[17]

Political control

Stockport has been under Liberal Democrat majority control since 2026, having led the council under a minority administration since 2022,

Political control of the council since the 1974 reforms took effect has been as follows:[18][19]

Party in controlYears
1974–1975
1975–1983
1983–1999
1999–2000
2000–2002
2002–2011
2011–2026
2026–present

Leadership

The role of mayor is largely ceremonial in Stockport. Political leadership is instead provided by the leader of the council. The leaders since 1974 have been:[20]

CouncillorPartyFromTo
Walter Knight[21][22][23]1 Apr 197426 Dec 1976
John Howe[24][25]Jan 1977May 1978
John Lloyd[25][26]May 1978May 1984
(no leader)[26][27][a]May 198414 May 1996
Fred Ridley[27][28]14 May 1996May 2002
Mark Hunter[29][30]14 May 200218 Aug 2005
Brian Millard[30][31]18 Aug 200522 May 2007
Dave Goddard[32][33]22 May 2007May 2012
Sue Derbyshire[34][35]22 May 2012May 2016
Alex Ganotis[36][37]24 May 201621 May 2019
Elise Wilson[38][39]21 May 201919 May 2022
Mark Hunter[40][41]19 May 202220 May 2025
Mark Roberts[1]20 May 2025incumbent

Composition

Following the 2026 election,[42] and subsequent changes of allegiance up to February 2025 the composition of the council was:[43]

PartyCouncillors
33
15
4
3
3
2
1
3
Total63

The Edgeley Community Association and two of the independent councillors sit together as the "Stockport Community Group". The other three independent councillors sit together as the 'Independent Ratepayers Group'; those three are all sponsored by the Heald Green Ratepayers, which is not formally registered as a political party.[44][45] The next election is due in May 2027.[43]

Elections

Since the last boundary changes in 2023, the council has comprised 63 councillors representing 21 wards, with each ward electing three councillors. Elections are held three years out of every four, with a third of the council (one councillor for each ward) elected each time for a four-year term of office.[46]

Wards and councillors

WardCouncillorPartyTerm of office
Bramhall NorthMark Jones2023–27
Alex Wynne2024–28
Taya Clarke2026–30
Bramhall South and WoodfordPeter Crossen2024–27[b]
Jeremy Meal2024–28
Dallas Jones2026–30
Bredbury and WoodleyJoe Barratt[c]2023–27
Rosemary Barratt[d]2024–28
Niki Meerman2026–30
Bredbury Green and RomileyRachel Bresnahan2024–27[b]
Mark Roberts2024–28
Angie Clark2026–30
Brinnington and Stockport CentralChristine Carrigan2023–27
Karl Wardlaw2024–28
Shaun Regan2026–30
Cheadle East and Cheadle Hulme NorthDavid Meller2023–27
Mike Newman2024–28
Jilly Julian2026–30
Cheadle Hulme SouthMark Hunter2023–27
Keith Holloway2024–28
Helen Foster-Grime2026–30
Cheadle West and GatleyClive Greenhalgh2023–27
Huma Khan2024–28[b]
Ian Hunter2026–30
Davenport and Cale GreenDickie Davies2023–27
Paul Wright2024–28
Alice Delemare2026–30
EdgeleyMatt Wynne2023–27
Asa Caton2024–28
Jess Meller2023–26
Hazel GroveJake Austin2023–27
Frankie Singleton2024–28
Wendy Meikle2026–30
Heald GreenCarole McCann2023–27
Catherine Stuart2024–28
Anna Charles-Jones2026–30
Heatons NorthDavid Sedgwick[e]2023–27
Dena Ryness2024–28
Jo Williams2026–30
Heatons SouthColin Foster2023–27
Claire Vibert2024–28
Dean Fitzpatrick2026–30
ManorLaura Clingan2023–27
Jon Byrne2024–28
Brian Battle2026–30
Marple NorthSteve Gribbon2023–27
Micheala Meikle2024–28
Megan Axon2026–30
Marple South and High LaneShan Alexander2023–27
Colin MacAlister2024–28
Dominic Warner2026–30
Norbury and WoodsmoorGrace Baynham2023–27
Pete West2024–28
Dominic Hardwick2026–30
OffertonWill Dawson2023–27
Dan Oliver2024–28
Jamie Hirst2026–30
Reddish NorthDavid Wilson2023–27
Rachel Wise2024–28
David White2026–30
Reddish SouthLiz Crix2023–27
James Frizzell2024–28
Laura Smith2026–30

Structure

The council uses a leader and cabinet system. There are eight cabinet members, including the leader of the council; each has a separate portfolio containing responsibilities for different services and areas of the council. There are also six scrutiny committees which scrutinise decisions made by the cabinet. The cabinet of the consists of eight councillors:[47]

  • Leader of the Council: Mark Roberts
  • Finance and Resources: Jilly Julian (Deputy leader)
  • Housing and Environment: Jake Austin
  • Parks, Highways & Transport Services: Grace Baynham
  • Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care: Helen Foster-Grime
  • Economy, Regeneration & Skills: Micheala Meikle
  • Children, Families & Education: Wendy Meikle
  • Communities, Culture & Public Protection: Dan Oliver

Premises

Full council meetings are held at Stockport Town Hall on Wellington Road South, which had been completed in 1908 for the old Stockport Borough Council.[48] An additional office block called Stopford House was built on Piccadilly (backing onto the Town Hall) in 1975.[49] Another adjoining office building called Fred Perry House on Edward Street was completed in 2011, named after tennis player Fred Perry (1909–1995) who was from Stockport.[50][51]

References

  1. ^ During this period when no formal leader was appointed, the most senior political position on the council was the chair of the policy and resources committee. The leader chaired that committee prior to 1984 and after 1996. The chairs of the policy and resources committee whilst there was no formally appointed leader were: *John Lloyd, Conservative, May 1984 to May 1986 (who had been leader 1978 to 1984).[52] *John Needham, Conservative, May 1986 to 1989.[52] *Eric Kime, Liberal Democrat, 1989 to 1992.[53][54] *Fred Ridley, Liberal Democrat, 1992 to 1996 (when he became leader).[55] When Ridley stood down as leader in 2002 he was described as having led the council for ten years.[28]
  2. ^ Elected in a by-election.
  3. ^ Elected as a Labour councillor but resigned to sit as an independent in September 2025.
  4. ^ Elected as a Labour councillor but resigned to sit as an independent in September 2025.
  5. ^ Elected as a Labour councillor but resigned to sit as an independent in February 2025.
  1. ^ "Council minutes, 20 May 2025". Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  2. ^ "Stockport Council appoints new Leader". 22 May 2025. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  3. ^ Carey, Declan (23 June 2024). "New Stockport council boss promises to 'deliver' for residents as borough faces transformation and challenges". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  4. ^ Lewis, S. (1848). A Topographical Dictionary of England. pp. 209–215. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  5. ^ Parliamentary Papers. 1838. p. 127. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  6. ^ Parliamentary Boundaries Act. 1832. p. 335. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  7. ^ Municipal Corporations Act. 1835. p. 458. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  8. ^ "Stockport Municipal Borough / County Borough". A Vision of Britain through Time. GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  9. ^
  10. ^ Kelly's Directory of Cheshire 1914. Kelly's Directories Ltd. pp. 583–586. OCLC 1131686510
  11. ^ "70" (act). 1972. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  12. ^ "District Councils and Boroughs". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). 28 March 1974. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  13. ^ "51" (act). 1985. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  14. ^ No. 908. 2011. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  15. ^ "Understand how your council works". gov.uk. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  16. ^ "GMCA Members". Greater Manchester Combined Authority. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  17. ^ "Election Maps". Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  18. ^ "Compositions Calculator". The Elections Centre. University of Exeter. Retrieved 21 May 2025. (Put "Stockport" in search box to see specific results.)
  19. ^ "Stockport". BBC News Online. 19 April 2008. Retrieved 2009-09-23.
  20. ^ "Past Leaders of the Council". Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 2 September 2022.
  21. ^ Jackson, Norman (30 October 1973). "Leading the way". Manchester Evening News. p. 13. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  22. ^ "Houses report sparks row". Manchester Evening News. 16 May 1974. p. 4. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  23. ^ "Search for new council leader". Manchester Evening News. 28 December 1976. p. 9. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  24. ^ Grigsby, John (19 January 1977). "Rates hardline goes on says 'jail 'em' council". Daily Telegraph. p. 2. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  25. ^ "Tories oust top man: 'No split'". Manchester Evening News. 8 May 1978. p. 5. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  26. ^ "Council quest for leader". Manchester Evening News. 15 May 1984. p. 46. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  27. ^ "Leader's seat taken after a 12-year gap". Stockport Express. 15 May 1996. p. 2. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  28. ^ "Leader resigns in May". Manchester Evening News. 2002. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  29. ^ "Council minutes, 14 May 2002". Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  30. ^ "Council minutes, 18 August 2005". Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  31. ^ Devine, Peter (22 May 2007). "Council leader ousted". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  32. ^ "Council minutes, 22 May 2007". Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  33. ^ "Stockport Council leader Dave Goddard loses seat". BBC News. 4 May 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  34. ^ "Council minutes, 22 May 2012". Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  35. ^ Scapens, Alex (6 May 2016). "Who won in Stockport? Labour hail 'new political era' as they become biggest party and oust council leader Sue Derbyshire". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  36. ^ "Council minutes, 24 May 2016". Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  37. ^ Statham, Nick (3 May 2019). "What are the Stockport local elections 2019 results?". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  38. ^ "Council minutes, 21 May 2019". Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  39. ^ "Liberal Democrats lead Stockport Council after crunch vote". BBC News. 19 May 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  40. ^ "Council minutes, 19 May 2022". Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  41. ^ Stead, Richard (21 March 2025). "Leader of Stockport Council to step down". BBC News. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  42. ^ "Local elections 2024: full mayoral and council results for England". The Guardian. 4 May 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2024.
  43. ^ "Stockport". Local Councils. Thorncliffe. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  44. ^ "Council report, 20 May 2025". Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  45. ^ "Your Councillors". Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  46. ^ No. 1135. 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  47. ^ "Cabinet 2025-26". democracy.stockport.gov.uk. Stockport Council. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  48. ^
  49. ^ Bagshaw, Emily (7 June 2023). "Brutalism meets beauty in SpaceInvader's refurbishment of Stopford House". Material Source. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  50. ^ "Carillion hands over Fred Perry House". Place North West. 15 February 2011. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  51. ^ "How to find us". Stockport Council. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  52. ^ Robinson, Philip (15 May 1986). "Close run thing to be new Tory chief". Stockport Express. p. 2. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  53. ^ "Rates exemption bid for sports club fails". Stockport Express. 1 November 1989. p. 23. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  54. ^ "Cash back for council hit by bank collapse". Manchester Evening News. 5 September 2007. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  55. ^ "Parties in row over an advert". Stockport Express. 15 July 1992. p. 2. Retrieved 26 July 2025.