21st February 2026
Below is a plain-English summary of every agenda item discussed at the Cabinet meeting of Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council — 10 February 2026.
(I’ve grouped procedural items first, then the real policy/decision matters.)
1) Formal / procedural business
These happen at almost every council executive meeting and involve no major policy decisions:
- Minutes – Approve the record of the previous meeting (9 Dec 2025).
- Declarations of interest – Councillors declare conflicts.
- Urgent decisions – Report any emergency decisions taken since last meeting.
- Public questions – Residents can ask Cabinet questions.
- Exclusion of public – Decide whether any confidential items must be discussed privately.
2) Schools & education funding
Schools Finance Settlement 2026/27
The council reviewed national education funding announcements and agreed how money will be distributed locally.
Key points
- Note government education funding settlement.
- Approve the early years (nursery) budget.
- Update the local school funding formula.
- Authorise agreements with childcare providers so government funding can be passed on.
👉 Essentially: deciding how central government school money gets divided across Stockport schools and nurseries.
3) Current year finances (how the budget is performing)
2025/26 Quarter 2+ Budget Monitoring
A financial health check halfway through the year.
Covers
- Spending vs budget forecasts
- School funding grant position
- Housing Revenue Account
- Reserves
- Capital projects
Outcome
- Adjust internal budgets (“virements”)
- Note overspends/underspends and future risks
👉 Purpose: make sure the council doesn’t overspend before setting next year’s budget.
4) Future strategy and big picture planning
Council Plan 2026-2029
The council’s 3-year strategy.
Sets out
- Main priorities
- Service transformation
- Response to rising demand and financial pressure
👉 This is the political direction document — what the council wants to achieve overall.
5) Medium-term finances (the big budget decisions)
This is the most important section — it determines council tax and service cuts.
Part A — Response to the Medium-Term Financial Plan
- Final proposals after consultation
- Changes included in next budget
Part B — Financial forecasts 2026-2030
- Forecast funding gap
- Savings required: £14.812 million
- Plan to use contingency budgets
- Assume 4.99% council tax rises annually
Part C — Proposed 2026/27 Revenue Budget
- Approve overall budget
- Set reserves
- Council tax increase:
4.99% total (2.99% general + 2% adult social care)
👉 In simple terms: deciding how to balance the books — tax rises, savings and service funding.
6) Investment & borrowing
Capital Strategy and Capital Programme (2026-2029)
Plans for major infrastructure and buildings investment.
Includes:
- What projects will be built or upgraded
- How they’re funded
- Affordability checks
Treasury Management Strategy
How the council manages borrowing, debt and investments.
Covers:
- Borrowing plans
- Interest rate assumptions
- Minimum Revenue Provision (repaying debt)
- Investment rules
👉 Think of this as the council’s mortgage + savings strategy.
7) Property & infrastructure
Asset Management Capital Programme
Maintenance and upgrades to council buildings (operational estate).
- Approve works programme
- Approve funding
- Delegate authority to award contracts
👉 Repairs, refurbishments and building improvements.
8) Flooding investigation
Section 19 Flood Report
Review of flooding events on 31 Dec 2024 – 1 Jan 2025
Includes:
- Causes
- Responsible organisations
- Future prevention actions
👉 Official accountability and prevention plan after major floods.
9) Education services & school places
SEND Transport Changes
Changes to transport for pupils with special educational needs.
Why:
- Rising costs
- Sustainability issues
Actions:
- New post-16 transport policy (from Sept 2026)
- Renegotiate contracts
- Introduce new framework procurement system
School Admission Arrangements (Sept 2027)
Changes to school intake numbers.
- Adjust admissions policies
- Reduce intake to 60 places at:
- Nevill Road Infant School
- Nevill Road Junior School
👉 Reflects falling pupil numbers / capacity planning.
10) Governance & oversight
Surveillance Powers (RIPA)
Annual approval of rules for covert surveillance use.
- Confirm council hasn’t used powers recently
- Approve policy for lawful use
Councillor Conduct Report
Annual report of complaints against councillors.
- Number of complaints
- Outcomes (upheld or not)
GMCA Decisions
Note decisions taken by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority affecting Stockport.
Scrutiny Committee Recommendations
Consider feedback or call-ins from oversight committees.
11) Confidential item
Weir Mill Report (private)
Financial/business information — discussed in closed session.
Quick overall explanation
In reality this meeting had one dominant purpose:
➡️ Prepare the 2026/27 council budget and tax rise
➡️ Set the 3-year strategy
➡️ Approve investment and savings plans
Everything else (schools, flooding, transport, governance) feeds into that financial plan.
