Stockport hits 365 defibrillators with new life-saving device at Lancashire Hill

A life-saving defibrillator has been installed in Lancashire Hill, Stockport, making emergency heart treatment more accessible to the community.

Thanks to the determination of 22-year-old fundraiser Aidan Jackson, alongside Stockport Council and broadband provider BRSK. With this new addition, the total number of defibrillators in Stockport rises to 365.

The defibrillator has been installed at Stonemill Terrace, providing crucial access to emergency heart treatment for residents and the wider community.

Building Safety Resident Panel 

Residents of high-rise buildings in England can now apply to be a part of a Residents’ Panel, ensuring their voice will be heard in the new building safety regime.

The Building Safety Act, 2022 requires the regulator to set up a panel. This will help to ensure that resident thoughts and opinions help to shape everything the Building Safety Regulator does including policy, procedures, guidance and communications – all based on real-life experience.

We are seeking applications now from current residents of high-rise buildings (HRBs) who would like to be considered for a position on the panel.

The panel will be made up of a broad mix of HRB residents from different locations, housing types and demographics. It will also be supported by representatives from organisations.

Changes to bin collections – but extra help for those on Council Tax Support

Last month, Stockport Council set its budget for 2025/26. Like councils across the country, they are facing rising costs and growing demand for services, which means making some tough but necessary decisions.

Our colleagues at the Council have worked hard to find efficiency savings, protecting essential services like social care, libraries, parks, and schools. However, with 75% of the Council’s budget supporting vulnerable adults and children, some changes were unavoidable.

What this means for residents:

• Garden waste collection: Residents can opt in for weekly kerbside collections at £59 per year or £39 for those on Council Tax Support.
• Food waste collection: will continue to be collected - with no additional charge - for all residents and will continue to be collected weekly.
• Council Tax increase: 4.99% increase (~£1.90 per week for a Band D home). Even with this, three-quarters of Stockport’s budget continues to support vulnerable residents.

Households can now buy their garden waste permit online at www.stockport.gov.uk/gardenwaste or they can visit their local library. Residents can opt in for weekly kerbside collections at £59 per year or £39 for those on Council Tax Support.

The changes will start in April and more information on the changes can be viewed online here.

Residents are also being urged to compost at home where possible. Composting waste is a cheap, natural process. It allows people to recycle their kitchen and garden waste into valuable food for their gardens. Compost bins can be purchased, at discounted prices from £10, by calling 0844 571 4444 or visit www.getcomposting.com

Stock Condition Survey – Have You Had Yours?

Over the past year, Rapleys LLP has been carrying out surveys on council-owned properties on behalf of Stockport Homes Group. These surveys assess key components in your home, such as roofs, windows, kitchens, bathrooms, and heating systems, to help us plan future investment programmes and improvements.

If you haven’t had a survey yet, please arrange yours as soon as possible:

• Call: 01480 371 460 (automated service)
• Email: surveys@rapleys.com

Simply provide your name, address, and contact details, and a Rapleys surveyor will be in touch to book a convenient time—evening and weekend appointments are available. The survey takes just 30 minutes.

Please note that these surveys are not an opportunity to report repairs. If you need a repair, please contact us directly:

• Call Repairs Team: 0161 217 6016
• Report online: https://www.stockporthomes.org/my-home/repairs/report-a-repair/repairs-report-form/

Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

Funded childcare support

• 15 hours* funded childcare for ALL parents of 3 and 4-year-olds irrespective of income levels, benefit status, or family circumstances. It can be used at various childcare providers. For help finding local childcare, visit the Stockport Information and Childcare Directory.
• 15 and 30 hours* funded childcare for ELIGIBLE WORKING parents of children aged 9 months to school reception age subject to income eligibility criteria. For more information, or to apply, visit the Childcare Choices website.
• (15 hours for term starting after 1 April 2025. Increasing to 30 hours from September 2025)
• 15 hours* funded childcare for ELIGIBLE NON-WORKING parents of children aged 2 years, subject to benefit status eligibility criteria.  More at Childcare for 2-year-olds.
• Wraparound childcare, available before and after school, to help parents work outside school hours. By September 2026, this service will be available from 8 am to 6 pm during term time in all primary schools. Depending on circumstances, funded support may be available. Ask your school, or visit Wraparound childcare.

*Hours per week, 38 weeks per year.

31^st March deadlines

• For children of eligible working parents who are 9 months by 31 March 2025, apply ASAP for funded childcare for the term starting after 1 April, and no later than 31 March.
• If you want a place at a school nursery from September for your child (must turn 3 by 31 August), apply for a maintained nursery place by 31 March.

For help with the application process, call in at your local One Stockport Family Hub in your community or visit: Find childcare and help with childcare costs. Family Hubs, open to all families across Stockport, are located at:

• Westmorland Drive, Brinnington, SK5 8HH
• Garners Lane, Adswood, SK3 8QW
• Abingdon Road, Reddish, SK5 7EU

Trained staff are also available at local libraries, Life Leisure Hubs, and Stockport Homes. One Stockport Family Hubs support is accessible online 24/7.

Please share this information with anyone who might benefit from it.

RTS Electricity Meters to Be Switched Off in June 2025

Radio Teleswitch (RTS) electricity meters will be switched off on 30th June 2025. If you currently have an RTS meter, this may impact how your home manages off-peak heating and hot water.

How to Know If You Have an RTS Meter:

• You have a switch box near your meter labelled Radio Teleswitch.
• Your home uses storage heaters, a heat pump, or underfloor heating.
• You have a tariff like Economy 7 or Economy 10.
• Your home hasn’t been upgraded to a smart meter yet.

If you have an RTS meter, your electricity supplier will contact you to arrange a smart meter upgrade before the June deadline.

Why Upgrade? If you don’t upgrade, your meter may stop working correctly, potentially leaving your heating or hot water systems continuously on or off, and you may face higher bills.

Need Help?
If you're unsure about your meter or need assistance, contact your supplier directly. For support in upgrading, you can also reach the Stockport Homes Energy Solutions Team at 0161 474 4062 or energy.advice@stockporthomes.org.

For more details, visit Ofgem’s Energy Advice for Households.

Make sure to upgrade before June 2025 to avoid any disruptions!

Repairs Review Update

Read the second update on the Repairs Review.

Over 740 customers helped review the Repairs service by attending focus groups around the Borough and completing online surveys.

Customers’ experience of the service has been key to the review and we thank all the people who gave up their time to take part.

Since we last informed you, we have made progress with some of the key actions you asked for.