Greater Manchester council hit with £40m bill to repair town hall and public buildings

Stockport town hall and other public buildings in the borough have racked up a £40m repair bill, a report has revealed.

The huge amount of cash is needed to fix up Stockport’s libraries, leisure centres, and civic buildings to make sure they can stay open for public use and council staff.

Jobs that need doing include asbestos removal, refurbishments, improvements to water and heating systems, and cash for maintenance at leisure buildings among other work.

Stockport council has announced a five-year programme to tackle the list, with a priority on making sure it has a ‘safe and compliant estate’ and can continue delivering local services.

Bosses have proposed spending £2.6m on repairs this year, rising to more than £3m by 2028/29, subject to approval from the council's cabinet team.

This includes £100,000 for roof repairs at the town hall due to leaking water, and £400,000 to fund a major refurbishment at Broadfields Children’s Home alongside other work.

But the cash will only cover ‘priority’ issues related to health and safety, with minor repairs having to be pushed back.

Fixing all of the top priority jobs this year would cost more than £6m in total, the council report stated.

Coun Jilly Julian, Stockport council’s finance chief, said the town hall is doing all it can while under growing financial pressure.

She added: “The programme seeks to prioritise investment where it’s needed most to make sure that the right properties and are in the right places, but also that assets are fit for purpose, that the workplace is a safe place to be for our colleagues and communities.

“But it is a sad truth that with the financial climate we’re in, it is a health and safety first approach that has to be taken.

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