Winning the Senior Leadership Team Award in The MJ Awards 2024 is a milestone we are incredibly proud of. It reflects not only what we have achieved in Stockport, but how the council's leadership team has achieved it: through bold decisions, collaboration and an unwavering focus on improving lives. Formerly named as one of the UK's worst towns to live in, Stockport is now a national success story, celebrated as ‘one of the best places to live' by The Times. This remarkable transformation is rooted in a shared vision, strong partnerships and a determination to tackle challenges head-on.

I feel extremely lucky to work with such a talented senior leadership team, all with their individual areas of focus, but always working together to ensure we create opportunities for everyone across our borough.

So, what is our secret? It starts with a clear goal: making Stockport a place where we create opportunities for everyone. Everything we do aligns with this vision, from our £1bn regeneration programme – including projects like the award-winning Interchange, featuring the UK's first rooftop park and Stockport Exchange, one of the North West's fastest-growing business districts to community-focused initiatives like One Stockport Local, which provides tailored support to residents in need.

Our success is, of course, not only measured in infrastructure, but also in the wellbeing of our residents

We have learned that success in local government hinges on collaboration. Our ‘One Stockport' approach unites public, private and voluntary sectors, ensuring everyone has a stake in our borough's future. For example, our Mayoral Development Corporation has delivered more than 1,200 new homes and is on track to reach 8,000 by 2040, creating vibrant communities and opportunities for all.

These efforts don't just transform physical spaces, they build pride and provide opportunities for residents. Our time as Greater Manchester's Town of Culture saw record-breaking footfall and included £300,000 of investment in grassroots cultural projects, while the transformation of unused retail space into Stockroom – a creative hub with a library, cafè and events space opening soon – highlights our commitment to inclusive regeneration.

Our success is, of course, not only measured in infrastructure, but also in the wellbeing of our residents. Our Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC) in 2022 described Stockport MBC as ‘an impressive organisation' and praised our outstanding partnerships, strong performance, and robust financial management.

It is these qualities that enable us to address inequalities and support our diverse communities effectively.

From our innovative Stockport Family approach – praised by Ofsted for keeping families together – to initiatives addressing financial hardship, we are focused on outcomes that truly matter. Since April 2023, we have helped 49,000 residents access nearly £20m in benefits and written off £3m in debt. These are not just numbers, they are lives transformed.

Educational attainment in Stockport is consistently above national and regional averages, with the biggest gains seen among disadvantaged children. Just 3.3% of young people are not in education, employment, or training, reflecting our commitment to inclusion.

Innovative programmes, such as New Beginnings, address the root causes of care proceedings, helping keep families together. Additionally, we have built two new schools to support students with special educational needs and disabilities, creating 341 new places for children with complex needs.

Stockport's ambition doesn't stop here. Our One Stockport, One Future plan outlines a bold vision to make our borough the best place to live, work and thrive over the next 15 years. We are committed to building on our progress, creating a place where anything is possible and a place everyone can be proud of.

Our leadership team is at the forefront of driving this ambition forward, operating with openness, transparency and accountability, essential for building trust and navigating local government complexities.

In Stockport, where there is no overall political control, this approach fosters cross-party collaboration, allowing us to focus on the best outcomes for residents.

Our ‘One Team' ethos ensures the team tackle challenges together. Whether shaping strategic priorities, addressing inequalities or making tough budget decisions, they have an impressive track record of delivery, combining high support and high challenge to deliver the best results for Stockport. This unified, values-driven approach reinforces our position as a council that always puts people first.

Our leadership team bring a wealth of expertise to their roles, contributing to national and regional leadership initiatives. They are individually strong but stronger together: their broader perspective enriches our work and allows us to share best practices with others.

Our advice for others:

• Build strong partnerships: Collaboration multiplies impact. Engage across sectors to share resources and expertise
• Be bold: Embrace innovation and don't shy away from big decisions. Transformation requires courage
• Make time: Beyond regular meetings, set aside time for strategic focus. Weekly one-item agendas allow the team to horizon-scan and tackle key issues
• Prioritise inclusion: Make sure every voice is heard, and every resident feels the benefit of your work
• Focus on financial resilience: Robust financial management is the foundation for achieving ambitious goals
• Invest in people: Empower your workforce and partners. A motivated, skilled team is your greatest asset.

Winning this award is more than an accolade. It is a reflection of the dedication and shared ambition that defines Stockport MBC. The award shows a real depth of leadership across the whole council and is a celebration of all our colleagues.

In a challenging landscape, we hope our journey inspires others to think big, act collaboratively, find solutions together and stay focused on what really matters: building better, brighter futures for the people we serve. Together, we can make lasting change happen.

Cllr Mark Hunter is leader of Stockport MBC

 

Senior Leadership Team

Winner: Stockport Council

 

Sponsored by Penna

Begin your 2025 MJ Awards nomination today! Visit www.mjawards.co.uk