Why have the costs of a fire station at Saughall Massie increased by a further estimated £134,000?

Why have the costs of a fire station at Saughall Massie increased by a further estimated £134,000?

Why have the costs of a fire station at Saughall Massie increased by a further estimated £134,000?

                                     

Dan Stephens (Chief Fire Officer), Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service 25th May 2017
Dan Stephens (Chief Fire Officer), Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service 25th May 2017

The costs of building the new controversial fire station in the greenbelt at Saughall Massie have increased by a further £134,000 due to two factors. The first reason for the increased costs according to a report to be considered by councillors on the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority’s Audit Committee are due to “required United Utilties manhole diversions” and the second reason is due to “changes to the tower foundation design”.
Continue reading “Why have the costs of a fire station at Saughall Massie increased by a further estimated £134,000?”

What are 3 public meetings happening this week about?

What are 3 public meetings happening this week about?

What are 3 public meetings happening this week about?

                                     

MV Snowdrop (one of the iconic Mersey Ferries) on the River Mersey with Liverpool skyline in the background
MV Snowdrop (one of the iconic Mersey Ferries) on the River Mersey with Liverpool skyline in the background

Below is a list of details of three public meetings of local government this week by date along with a short commentary on what they are about.
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Why will councillors on Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority only be shown a confidential report to be discussed on Thursday afternoon on the day of the meeting itself?

Why will councillors on Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority only be shown a confidential report to be discussed on Thursday afternoon on the day of the meeting itself?

Why will councillors on Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority only be shown a confidential report to be discussed on Thursday afternoon on the day of the meeting itself?

                                  

Cllr Dave Hanratty (Chair, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority) 22nd February 2018
Cllr Dave Hanratty (Chair, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority) 22nd February 2018

The author of this piece had the secrecy of two previously secret reports about fire station closures to Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority overturned as a result of a consent order in First-tier Tribunal case EA/2016/0054.

A public meeting of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority’s Community Safety and Protection Committee that was originally planned for Thursday afternoon starting at 1.00 pm has been cancelled and replaced with a public meeting of the entire Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority (all eighteen councillors and the Police and Crime Commissioner will be invited).
Continue reading “Why will councillors on Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority only be shown a confidential report to be discussed on Thursday afternoon on the day of the meeting itself?”

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority agrees 2.99% council tax rise and its Chair Cllr Dave Hanratty announces he will be stepping down in May 2018

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority agrees 2.99% council tax rise and its Chair Cllr Dave Hanratty announces he will be stepping down in May 2018

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority agrees 2.99% council tax rise and its Chair Cllr Dave Hanratty announces he will be stepping down in May 2018

                                          

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Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority (Budget Meeting) 22nd February 2018 Part 1 of 2

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Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority (Budget Meeting) 22nd February 2018 Part 2 of 2

Cllr Dave Hanratty (Chair, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority) 22nd February 2018
Cllr Dave Hanratty (Chair, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority) 22nd February 2018

The author of this piece declares an interest as I am married to a person liable for council tax in the Merseyside area. I also declare an interest as the future closure of Upton Fire Station will lengthen response times to the area I live in. The piece was possible because of a collaboration with the Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ).


At yesterday’s public meeting of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority, after approving a 2.99%* council tax rise for 2018-19, the Chair Councillor Dave Hanratty announced that he would not be seeking re-election as a Liverpool City Council councillor in May 2018.
Continue reading “Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority agrees 2.99% council tax rise and its Chair Cllr Dave Hanratty announces he will be stepping down in May 2018”

Wirral Council’s Cabinet expected to recommend 5.99% council tax rise for 2018-19

Wirral Council’s Cabinet expected to recommend 5.99% council tax rise for 2018-19

Wirral Council’s Cabinet expected to recommend 5.99% council tax rise for 2018-19

                                          

Cabinet (Wirral Council) 18th December 2017 L to R Cllr Bernie Mooney Cllr Angela Davies Cllr Chris Jones Cllr Phillip Brightmore
Cabinet (Wirral Council) 18th December 2017 Left to Right Cllr Bernie Mooney, Cllr Angela Davies, Cllr Chris Jones and Cllr Phillip Brightmore

The author’s wife has a liability for council tax for 2018-19 for a property on the Wirral, so I declare that as a financial interest in the below piece.

I would like to also thank the Bureau of Investigative Journalists (BIJ) for their help in the area of council budgets and this piece.
Continue reading “Wirral Council’s Cabinet expected to recommend 5.99% council tax rise for 2018-19”