The council has come under major financial pressure.

Cash-strapped Stockport council has made an urgent appeal to the government for fairer funding - warning that it is facing ‘unprecedented’ financial challenges. The Lib Dem-controlled council has a funding gap of £75m over the next five years as the cost of providing more than 800 services around the borough continues to rise.

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It has forced the town hall to make ‘impossible decisions’ to balance the books, with massive amounts of savings needed to be made each year. Just this week, Stockport council revealed that it was considering job cuts to its workforce, alongside plans to hike parking charges in the town centre.

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Last year, it brought in a £59 charge for garden waste collections alongside a 4.99 per cent council tax increase as it had to find £26m of savings. The council will set its latest budget in February in a vote by elected members in the town hall, with around £20m of savings to make.

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There are major concerns in Stockport about whether the Labour government is listening to the ‘critical’ situation the council is in. One of the issues bosses at the town hall point to is Stockport missing out on the government’s Recovery Grant for the second year running, a scheme which handed out £600m to councils around the country last year.

The grant was set up to help ‘areas with greater need and demand for services’ which have ‘less ability to raise income locally.’

But there was worry in Stockport town hall when the council missed out on the funding after recent deprivation data showed the borough has the most deprived part of Greater Manchester in Lancashire Hill. Stockport council leader Mark Roberts last week wrote to Alison McGovern MP, minister for local government and homelessness, with an urgent appeal for fairer funding.

He said the settlement the council is expected to get has ‘exacerbated’ the town hall’s financial difficulties, despite it being ‘a very well managed authority.’

In the letter, seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Coun Roberts asked why Stockport is getting a ‘7.49 per cent’ core spending power (CSP) increase by 2028/29 compared to a ‘15.1pc’ increase on average in England.

He added: “This means Stockport receives less than half the increase of councils facing similar demands and budget pressures.”

The council leader went on to say: “Existing national funding continues to be insufficient to meet the cost pressures councils across the country face in delivering essential services that our residents and businesses depend on.”

Coun Roberts warned that unless the situation changes, Stockport’s council tax payers face being squeezed to ‘pay more and get less for their money.’

He wrote: “By 2028/29, 66pc of our CSP is from council tax paid by Stockport taxpayers rather than government funding. Disappointingly, government continues to place an ever-increasing burden on local taxpayers to fund local services, which is unsustainable and a regressive tax.”

Coun Roberts also said the council has been pushed ‘ever closer to needing to ask government for exceptional financial support through borrowing to fund day to day spend and further council tax increase flexibilities’.

The Stockport council leader concluded in his letter: “I therefore ask that Stockport receives the same funding increase protection guarantee over the settlement as other councils facing equivalent financial pressures.

“Given the seriousness of the situation and the unprecedented financial risk this settlement poses to Stockport, as well as undermining the wider Greater Manchester Strategy I urge you to review the proposals and their impact on Stockport. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this critically important issue with you ahead of the final settlement. It isn’t too late to avoid the unintended impact of the draft proposals from your government.”

For its part, the Labour government has promised up to £20m of funding for Brinnington, one of 25 ‘trailblazer’ neighbourhoods with the cash aimed at kickstarting community-led regeneration.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: “We’re making almost £78 billion available for councils next year - the biggest increase in local government funding in years - including £356.1m for Stockport.

“This will help Stockport deliver the high-quality services that local residents desperately need and the certainty that councils need to plan ahead.”

These local property hotspots have dominated the latest list of the best places to live in Britain

Five areas in Greater Manchester have been named amongst the top 20 best places to live in 2026. Garrington's annual Best Places to Live report ranks the best cities, towns and villages to live in England, Wales and Scotland with this year's list including a total of 1447 locations in England and Wales, and 161 in Scotland.

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Every area is scored according to five key criteria – natural beauty, wellbeing, heritage, schools and jobs, as well as value for money and house prices. Five property hotspots in our region have dominated this year's list.

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Marple, a leafy town on the edge of the Peak District just nine miles from central Manchester, has been crowned as 2026’s best place to live after coming fourth in the 2025 ranking. The Stockport town has been noted for its 'understated charm and calm', much like the 'frequently underestimated Miss Marple, Agatha Christie's much-loved sleuth who was named after the town'.

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Property experts at Garrington say: "With a strong community spirit and two brass bands, a neighbourhood cinema and lots of independent shops, Marple sits at the foot of the Peak District and has miles of canal towpaths and wooded valleys that powered it to 18th place in the natural beauty category of the ranking."

Marple has an average house price of £517,119 for a typical family home, which costs well above the English national average. House prices have risen by 7.6 percent over the previous year - much faster than those in southern England - yet Marple scooped 27th place in the value for money category.

The four other Greater Manchester areas that made up the top 20 are - Bramhall and Reddish in Stockport; central Stockport; and Bowdon in Trafford.

Here is the ranking of each Greater Manchester area, along with their scores and average house price:

Natural beauty: 18

Wellbeing: 741

Heritage and culture: 112

Schools and jobs: 127

Value: 27

Average house price: £517,119

Natural beauty: 115

Wellbeing: 508

Heritage and culture: 564

Schools and jobs: 21

Value: 40

Average house price: £567,177

Natural beauty: 775

Wellbeing: 177

Heritage and culture: 56

Schools and jobs: 37

Value: 363

Average house price: £639,321

Natural beauty: 33

Wellbeing: 1191

Heritage and culture: 163

Schools and jobs: 118

Value: 63

Average house price: £411,526

Natural beauty: 98

Wellbeing: 1365

Heritage and culture: 76

Schools and jobs: 48

Value: 58

Average house price: £443,183

“The property maps of England and Wales were redrawn in 2025 as prices headed in opposite directions in different parts of the country. The north-south divide narrowed slightly as prices rose steadily in more affordable northern areas, and fell in the most expensive parts of London and the south," says Jonathan Hopper, CEO of Garrington Property Finders.

“The big falls in prime central London values made headlines, but our analysis has revealed many other highly desirable areas across England and Wales where homes have become more affordable over the past year. The price of a typical family home rose in 16 of the top 20 locations in our 2026 ranking, but all offer a strong combination of excellent amenities, a high quality of life and good value for money compared to their regional market.

“Many buyers paused their moving plans in the latter part of 2025, but our team of experts across England and Wales is now seeing a surge in interest from people ready to make a move in 2026.

“With the Bank of England base rate back below 4%, mortgages have become more affordable and this gives would-be buyers greater freedom to pick a property that’s perfect for them. If this is you, our 2026 Best Places to Live guide can help you identify locations with the ideal blend of natural beauty, good schools and good living.

“All of the 1447 cities, towns and villages selected for our 2026 ranking score well in at least one category, and you can use our interactive search tool to pinpoint places that offer more of the things that matter most to you.”

The council is under major pressure

Job cuts are being considered at Stockport council as part of wider efforts to plug a £20m funding gap. The Lib Dem-controlled council runs more than 800 services across the borough. Its finances have come under extreme pressure in recent years.

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A new report reveals the town hall is looking at the potential of reducing its workforce to balance the books as it prepares to set its annual budget. Part of the council’s budget plan includes making £1.5m of 'productivity' savings to its corporate and support services.

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The report states council is planning to 'integrate functions with partners' and 'maximise automation opportunities and new technology' to save the cash. It includes savings from 'robust corporate governance including vacancy management, service reviews, restructures and efficiencies including, modelling smaller teams in some areas by maximising digital technology and automation'.

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The report adds: "These proposals will impact small numbers of our workforce and wherever possible this will be achieved through natural turnover."

It comes as bosses at the town hall are growing increasingly concerned about the level of support it is getting from the Labour government. Stockport looks set to miss out on a slice of the government’s Recovery Grant again this year, a scheme which dished out £600m to councils around the country in 2025.

It sparked dismay in the town hall after recent deprivation data showed that Stockport has the most deprived part of Greater Manchester in Lancashire Hill. Stockport council is also concerned about the long-term outlook of financial support, with a budget deficit set at around £75m over the next five years.

Councillors in Stockport discussed the situation at a town-hall scrutiny committee meeting last night (January 27).

Coun Jilly Julian, deputy leader and the lead on finance at the council, introduced the report along with an update on the council’s overall financial position. Her comments come in light of fears that Stockport has been ‘left behind’ in the Labour government’s latest finance settlement.

Coun Julian said: “The assumption that we need to work to is that Stockport is worse off, and has been the collateral damage of the local government finance settlement approach that’s been taken. The net impact of all of that is the need to look across each portfolio area and identify where we can make savings, where income can be increased, and there’s opportunities to review and find more cost-effective ways of working.”

Stockport’s budget proposals are currently being discussed by councillors and will go to a vote in the council chamber in February.

Day in day out, our reporters in the Manchester Evening News newsroom bring you remarkable stories from all aspects of Mancunian life. However, with the pace of life these days, the frenetic news agenda and social media algorithms, you might not be getting a chance to read it.

That's why every week our Features and Perspectives editor Rob Williams brings you Unmissable, highlighting the best of what we do - bringing it to you directly from us. Make sure you don't miss out, and see what else we have to offer,

And be sure to join our politics writer Jo Timan every Sunday for his essential commentary on what matters most to you in Greater Manchester each week in our newsletter Due North. You can also

You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. to see everything we offer, including everything from breaking news to Coronation Street.

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It is part of the council's budget proposals.

Drivers could soon pay more to park in Stockport town centre under new plans by the council - but concerns were raised about the potential impact of the move on workers and businesses. A review of parking charges in the town centre is expected to see costs increase for motorists in a bid to save £500,000 in the council’s annual budget.

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Proposals could see charges increase Monday to Friday from £1.10 to £1.50 for one hour, from £2.20 to £3.00 for two hours, and £3.30 to £4.50 for three hours, with costs increasing every hour up to 12 hours. Cheaper rates are available on Sundays for on-street and off-street parking, and these are also set to go up.

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It comes as Stockport council said it is under ‘significant budget pressures’ across more than 800 services it provides in the borough. Councillors discussed the proposals at a scrutiny meeting at the town hall on January 26.

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Lib Dem Councillor Grace Baynham, Stockport council’s cabinet member for transport, said the council is ‘looking at a [funding] gap of around £75m over the next five years.’

She added: “In terms of what we’re doing here, it’s looking at our costs and looking at the situation in the town centre. You might have noticed a lot of the private car parks within the town centre have increased their fees because of increased demand, and this is keeping pace with demand and clawing back a bit more of our costs within this.

“It’s to try and modernise what our parking charges are, at the same time as trying to make sure that our services are paying for themselves and covering their costs more readily.”

Labour Councillor Dean Fitzpatrick said: “The headline is clearly going to be that Stockport council is hammering motorists and local businesses with a 36 per cent increase to parking charges, what would your response to that be?”

Coun Baynham pointed out that Stockport is ‘broadly comparable if not slightly cheaper to similar towns of this size’.

Concerns were also raised about the potential impact on town-centre workers who need to drive and could face paying higher fees.

The response was that people can ‘buy a permit at a reduced rate’ for yearly parking for those whose ‘only option’ is to use a council car park.

Stockport council also recently introduced parking charges at some car parks which were previously free to use.

The council’s budget is currently being scrutinised by elected members, and will be voted on by all councillors on February 26.

Day in day out, our reporters in the Manchester Evening News newsroom bring you remarkable stories from all aspects of Mancunian life. However, with the pace of life these days, the frenetic news agenda and social media algorithms, you might not be getting a chance to read it.

That's why every week our Features and Perspectives editor Rob Williams brings you Unmissable, highlighting the best of what we do - bringing it to you directly from us. Make sure you don't miss out, and see what else we have to offer,

And be sure to join our politics writer Jo Timan every Sunday for his essential commentary on what matters most to you in Greater Manchester each week in our newsletter Due North. You can also

You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. to see everything we offer, including everything from breaking news to Coronation Street.

If you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider and our news desk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you'll be the first to hear about it.

And finally, if there is a story you think our journalists should be looking into, we want to hear from you. Email us on newsdesk@men-news.co.uk or give us a ring on 0161 211 2920.

A brand-new, modern salon, Rejuvenate @ 45, has officially opened its doors in the heart of Stockport town centre, bringing together hair, aesthetics and entrepreneurial talent all under one roof.

top places to visit in the UK and the presence of new independent businesses only makes Stockport greater.

Located within a Grade II listed building at 45 St Petersgate, Rejuvenate @ 45 blends contemporary design with historic character, transforming the space into a forward-thinking, inclusive salon and creative hub in the heart of Stockport town centre.

Founded by hairdressers Jack William and Jayda Lajevardi, it has been designed as more than a traditional salon. The space brings together highly skilled, creative specialists in an environment built to inspire collaboration, support individuality and enable each expert to produce their very best work.

Currently home to a growing team of specialists, Rejuvenate @ 45 has been designed to evolve as the business expands, with capacity to welcome additional talent over time. Hair services are available Tuesday to Saturday, while aesthetics treatments are offered Thursday to Sunday, ensuring a broad offering throughout the week.

A key part of the Rejuvenate concept is its aesthetics provision, led by Elia Sharafi, founder of Elia Clinic UK. With a background in biomedical science, Elia brings a clinical, highly targeted approach to aesthetics, complimenting the salon’s focus on expertise, safety and results-driven treatments. These include matcha facials that make use of green tea’s natural antioxidant properties, Korean beauty-inspired ‘glass skin’ treatments focused on hydration and skin clarity, and polynucleotide injectables.

Elia Clinic has also been developed as a welcoming, discreet space for everyone, including men, offering treatments that are increasingly popular with male clients, such as back facials (‘bacials’), PRP and hair restoration.

Together, the founders and specialists have created a one-stop destination for modern self-care, combining hair, aesthetics and creative collaboration in a single, thoughtfully designed space.

Jack William, co-founder of Rejuvenate @ 45 said: “We wanted to create something that felt genuinely different for Stockport. Not just a salon, but a space where creativity, individuality and business ambition can thrive together. Rejuvenate is about raising the standards for both our clients and stylists.”

Jayda Lajevardi, co-founder of Rejuvenate @ 45, added: “There’s a real shift happening in Stockport, especially around the interchange and town centre, and we wanted Rejuvenate to reflect that energy. It’s modern, welcoming and built around specialists with strong niches, so clients know they’re coming to experts who are passionate about what they do. We’ve already surpassed our early expectations, which shows there’s a real appetite for this kind of space in Stockport.”

Elia Sharafi, founder of Elia Clinic, said: “My approach to aesthetics is about keeping things simple and personal, and working with someone’s natural features rather than trying to change them. Small, well-considered treatments can make a real difference to how people feel, while still allowing them to look completely like themselves.That’s very much the thinking behind Rejuvenate @ 45 - creating a space where everyone feels comfortable, supported and confident to explore treatments in a way that feels right for them.”

Rejuvenate @ 45 is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 10am–8pm, Thursday and Friday from 10am–6pm, Saturday from 9am–6pm and Sunday from 9am–5pm.

For more information, follow @rejuvenate.45 on Instagram.