Local council elections are taking place across Greater Manchester (and elsewhere) on 4 May – including in Stockport.
Here’s your guide to what you need to know.
What election is taking place in Stockport?
It’s a local council election. All 64 council seats in the borough will be up for election, with over 200 councillors standing across 21 different wards – it’s an ‘all-out’ election. Each ward will have three available seats.
Who can vote in the elections?
The deadline to register to vote has now passed – it was 17 April. Anyone who applied before then would be eligible so long as they:
- are aged 18 or over on the day of the election
- are a British citizen, an Irish or EU citizen, a qualifying Commonwealth citizen
- are registered at an address in the relevant area (i.e. Stockport)
- are not legally excluded from voting
Who is standing for election in Stockport?
Among the Lib Dem candidates standing for re-election are Ian George Powney in Bramhall South & Woodford, Helen Foster-Grime in Cheadle Hulme South, Angie Clark in Bredbury Green & Romiley, Ian Hunter in Cheadle West & Gatley and Steve Gribbon in Marple North.
Labour candidates standing for re-election include John Taylor in Heatons North, David Meller in Cheadle Hum North, Sue Glithero in Manor and David Wilson in Reddish North.
A full list of candidates for each ward can be found here.
What does the current council look like in Stockport?
Stockport council currently has no overall control but has a Liberal Democrat administration. Last year’s elections saw them seize control from Labour with 28 seats, increasing their lead over the party to three seats.
As such, a tight contest is expected between the two parties with the current council comprised of 28 Lib Dems, 22 Labour, four Conservatives, three Independent Ratepayers, three Independents, two Greens and one for the Edgeley Community Association.
To form a majority and take control of the council, political groups need to win at least 32 seats – a feat which has not been achieved in Stockport since 2011.
What are the issues being debated in Stockport?
Early this spring, Stockport Council launched a Spring Clean campaign encourage the community to keep boroughs’ parks and greenspaces safe and litter free.
Stockport Labour has backed the campaign with councillor David Meller joining council staff in cleaning the plaza area near the town hall.
Environmental issues are a focal point of Labour’s campaign which aims to continue tackling the issue of anti-social behaviour such as fly-tipping and graffiti.
The issue is acutely felt by residents of the Bredbury and Woodley ward, who have expressed concerns over the lack of safe outdoor recreation space.
Gareth Evans, a dad of two, told the MEN: “They are doing a bit of work in Bredbury but it’s a bit of a mess. There’s glass on it a lot, they are not taking care of it as much as they should be. Kids need a place to go and it needs to be taken care of properly.”
Tensions are heated in the Bredbury and Woodley ward, with Labour fighting hard to regain control on the area. The result could be a tipping point in deciding who will run the town hall in May.
Some local residents feel disillusioned with the Lib Dems, citing concerns over high traffic volumes and road work disruptions.
When and where can I vote?
The polls will be open on 4 May 2023 from 7am until 10pm.
You can check where your nearest polling station is here or by using your poll card.
The 2023 local elections are the first to take place under new national legislation meaning all voters must show photographic ID when they arrive at the polling station. You can check to see what ID you can use here.
When will the results be announced?
The results will be announced the following day, Friday 5 May.
Follow Mancunian Matters and its social channels for coverage of all Greater Manchester’s local elections and the results as they are announced.
Featured Image by Philavert from Pixabay
