Reports into finance and governance issues at Wirral Council recommend “reducing the number of libraries, leisure centres, golf clubs, and public conveniences”

Reports into finance and governance issues at Wirral Council recommend “reducing the number of libraries, leisure centres, golf clubs, and public conveniences”

Reports into finance and governance issues at Wirral Council recommend “reducing the number of libraries, leisure centres, golf clubs, and public conveniences”

                                                          

Oliver Twist asks for more in Oliver! (1968)
Oliver Twist asks for more in Oliver! (1968)

By John Brace (Editor)
and Leonora Brace (Co-Editor)

First publication date: 3rd November 2021, 10:56 (GMT).

Two external reviews into Wirral Council were published by the
Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities yesterday (2nd November 2021). The first was the final version of a 40 page report into Wirral Council’s finances which has logos of CIPFA (Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy) and Peopletoo Ltd on its cover page.

The second was a 20 page governance review dated September 2021 written by an Ada Burns.
Continue reading “Reports into finance and governance issues at Wirral Council recommend “reducing the number of libraries, leisure centres, golf clubs, and public conveniences””

United Nations COP26 Climate Change Conference starts: but will humankind change course?

United Nations COP26 Climate Change Conference starts: but will humankind change course?                                                                    By John Brace (Editor) and Leonora Brace (Co-Editor) Please note that any comments left are subject to moderation before publication due to the ongoing byelection in Oxton. First publication date: 28th October 2021, 20:24 (BST, GMT+1). For over ten years this blog […]

United Nations COP26 Climate Change Conference starts: but will humankind change course?

                                                                  

By John Brace (Editor)
and Leonora Brace (Co-Editor)

Protest about green spaces and climate change outside Liverpool Town Hall 15th January 2020
Protest about green spaces and climate change outside Liverpool Town Hall 15th January 2020

Please note that any comments left are subject to moderation before publication due to the ongoing byelection in Oxton.

First publication date: 28th October 2021, 20:24 (BST, GMT+1).

For over ten years this blog has had a focus on Wirral Council, broadening out also into an exploration of wider local government here in Merseyside and the Liverpool City Region.
Continue reading “United Nations COP26 Climate Change Conference starts: but will humankind change course?”

What happened at a public meeting of Wirral Council’s Policy and Resources Committee to discuss budget cuts proposals for 2022/23?

What happened at a public meeting of Wirral Council’s Policy and Resources Committee to discuss budget cuts proposals for 2022/23?

What happened at a public meeting of Wirral Council’s Policy and Resources Committee to discuss budget cuts proposals for 2022/23?

                                                  

Wirral Council Policy and Resources Committee (25th October 2021) Left to Right Councillor Janette Williamson Philip McCourt resized
Wirral Council Policy and Resources Committee (25th October 2021) Left to Right, Councillor Janette Williamson (Chair) (left) and Philip McCourt (Monitoring Officer) (middle)

Before this piece on the special meeting of Wirral Council’s Policy and Resources Committee in the interests of openness and transparency I have three specific interests to declare.


1. During the meeting itself I am mentioned (briefly) by name by Councillor Julie McManus as I emailed her prior to the meeting with a combined series of questions, some of which are merely journalistic inquiries, others as I’m a local resident and she’s my local councillor. At the time of writing and publication I have not received answers to these questions yet from Wirral Council but when (and if) I do so I plan to update this piece with Wirral Council’s responses (although you can watch the video below for what was said by employees and councillors at te meeting).
Continue reading “What happened at a public meeting of Wirral Council’s Policy and Resources Committee to discuss budget cuts proposals for 2022/23?”

What happened at a public meeting of Wirral Council’s Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee (Wirral Council) 7th September 2021?

What happened at a public meeting of Wirral Council’s Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee (Wirral Council) 7th September 2021?

                                                

By John Brace (Editor)
and
Leonora Brace (Co-Editor)

First publication date: Wednesday 8th September 2021, 11:25 AM (BST).

Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee (Wirral Council) 8th September 2021
Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee (Wirral Council) 8th September 2021

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Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee (Wirral Council) 7th September 2021

Yesterday’s public meeting of Wirral Council’s Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee, held now in person at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton saw plenty of engagement during the meeting at question time with local residents, many of whom had concerns about Hoylake Beach.
Continue reading “What happened at a public meeting of Wirral Council’s Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee (Wirral Council) 7th September 2021?”

Majority of Wirral Council councillors agree settlement agreement with Nicklaus Joint Venture Group and payment of £495,000 over abandoned Hoylake Golf Resort project

Majority of Wirral Council councillors agree settlement agreement with Nicklaus Joint Venture Group and payment of £495,000 over abandoned Hoylake Golf Resort project

Majority of Wirral Council councillors agree settlement agreement with Nicklaus Joint Venture Group and payment of £495,000 over abandoned Hoylake Golf Resort project

                                                                   

Former Councillor Phil Davies facing questions on Hoylake Golf Resort at Hoylake Community Centre 9th December 2017
Former Councillor Phil Davies facing questions on Hoylake Golf Resort at Hoylake Community Centre 9th December 2017

By John Brace (Editor)
and
Leonora Brace (Co-Editor)

First publication date: Friday 20th August 2021, 9:19 AM (BST).

At a meeting of Wirral Council councillors held on the 11th August 2021 behind closed doors and not webcast, the Labour and Independent councillors outvoted Conservative, Green and Lib Dem councillors (who opposed it) in agreeing to a payment of £495,000 to Nicklaus Joint Venture Group Limited.
Continue reading “Majority of Wirral Council councillors agree settlement agreement with Nicklaus Joint Venture Group and payment of £495,000 over abandoned Hoylake Golf Resort project”