From Stockport Council:

At its Budget Council meeting on Thursday 23rd February, Stockport Council agreed not to increase Council Tax for residents for the second year in succession.

The Band D Council Tax for the 2012-13 financial year remains at £1,559.96 which includes the Greater Manchester Police and Fire and Rescue precepts which have also been frozen for the new financial year.

Councillor Sue Derbyshire, Executive Member for Finance, said: “The Council Tax freeze for the second year in succession is really good news for all Stockport residents. We have made some challenging decisions to ensure the Council produced a balanced budget saving £11.6 million in 2012/13. We continue to focus on providing the best possible value-for-money services for local people.”

Councillor Derbyshire informed the Budget Council meeting that £0.5 million was being invested in a new Green Regeneration Fund (GRF).

Councillor Derbyshire, said: “Thanks to the fantastic recycling efforts of borough residents the Council has avoided £2.3 million in waste disposal costs, which has been a significant factor when setting the 2012/13 budget. This has allowed the Council to establish the GRF which will be used to invest in environmental initiatives across the borough.”

An additional investment of £1 million has also been added to the Transportation Capital Programme to permanently repair damaged stretches of road. This approach is far more cost effective than making temporary repairs to potholes. The funding will come from prudential borrowing which will be repaid annually over a 25 year period.

The Leader of Stockport Council, Councillor Dave Goddard, added: “This budget has been consulted on thoroughly with residents and will ensure that Stockport is well placed to take advantage of future economic improvements to provide new jobs and opportunities for borough residents.

“We are submitting a bid to become a ‘Portas Pilot’ and gain Government grants to boost the town’s high street. We’re already working hard to deliver results – demolition has started at destination office quarter Grand Central and construction is underway at Covent Garden Village building new family homes.

“These are difficult financial times but Stockport is meeting those challenges and we are committed to improving life for everyone in the borough by giving increased value-for-money and working closely with other organisations.”

The measures will result in the Council’s workforce being reduced by 133 posts. These have been achieved through voluntary redundancies and taking out vacant posts thanks to close working with the unions.

The Council Tax charges in 2012-13, including the Greater Manchester Police and Fire and Rescue precepts, are:

Band A: £1,039.97

Band B: £1,213.31

Band C: £1,386.63

Band D: £1,559.96

Band E: £1,906.61

Band F: £2,253.28

Band G: £2,599.93

Band H: £3,119.92