Month: August 2018

Government Minister denied 803 new homes a year was “target” for Wirral Council

Government Minister denied 803 new homes a year was “target” for Wirral Council

Government Minister denied 803 new homes a year was “target” for Wirral Council

                                                  

House building on the Wirral 2018
House building on the Wirral 2018

In an update to Was figure of 803 new homes a year in Wirral Council Cabinet report on the Local Plan calculated incorrectly? I’ve now found out more about both Wirral Council’s position and I’ve had an opportunity to read the statement that the Rt Hon Sajid Javid MP made last year when the 803 figure was published.

Wirral Council state that the 803 figure was based on household projections from 2016 to 2026, rather than 2018 to 2028.
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What has Wirral Council been spending money on in 2017 and 2018?

What has Wirral Council been spending money on in 2017 and 2018?

What has Wirral Council been spending money on in 2017 and 2018?

                                       

Below are scans of copies of invoices I requested from Wirral Council during the recent 30 day public inspection period.

The first invoice is from a property and construction consultancy called Lancaster Maloney for £112,531.20 for “condition surveys” at recreation buildings at various locations including Guinea Gap Fitness Centre and Europa Pools.

The second, third and fourth invoices are from iChange for a management audit covering skills and competency and feedback services costing a total of £67,848.
Continue reading “What has Wirral Council been spending money on in 2017 and 2018?”

Was figure of 803 new homes a year in Wirral Council Cabinet report on the Local Plan calculated incorrectly?

Was figure of 803 new homes a year in Wirral Council Cabinet report on the Local Plan calculated incorrectly?

Was figure of 803 new homes a year in Wirral Council Cabinet report on the Local Plan calculated incorrectly?

                                        

House building on the Wirral 2018
House building on the Wirral 2018

I’ll start this look at how the housing requirement figure was calculated for Wirral Council’s Local Plan consultation by pointing out some good news. The housing requirement figure was calculated based on population projections. The government response to the draft National Planning Policy Framework was published last month and states on pages 26 to 27:
Continue reading “Was figure of 803 new homes a year in Wirral Council Cabinet report on the Local Plan calculated incorrectly?”

Merseytravel disclosed new trains cost £273,424,952.00 then claimed the figure was “commercially sensitive”!

Merseytravel disclosed new trains cost £273,424,952.00 then claimed the figure was “commercially sensitive”!

Merseytravel disclosed new trains cost £273,424,952.00 then claimed the figure was “commercially sensitive”!

                                      

Stadler invoice Merseytravel 22nd February 2017
Stadler invoice Merseytravel 22nd February 2017
George Orwell – “Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed, everything else is public relations”
 

During the audit last year (2016-17) of the accounts for Merseytravel and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority I received a copy of an invoice (which you can read above) from Stadler to Merseytravel for part payment (10%) for 52 new trains. The total cost is clearly indicated on the invoice as £273,424,952.00 (of which 10% is £27,342,495.20). This was through exercising a right outlined in s.26 of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014.
Continue reading “Merseytravel disclosed new trains cost £273,424,952.00 then claimed the figure was “commercially sensitive”!”

What was the answer to my question to Cllr Steve Foulkes about openness at Merseytravel and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority?

What was the answer to my question to Cllr Steve Foulkes about openness at Merseytravel and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority?

What was the answer to my question to Cllr Steve Foulkes about openness at Merseytravel and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority?

                                           

Cllr Steve Foulkes (Lead Member for Finance and Organisational Development) front (right) answering a question at a public meeting of the Transport Committee (Liverpool City Region Combined Authority) 9th August 2018
Cllr Steve Foulkes (Lead Member for Finance and Organisational Development) front (right) answering a question at a public meeting of the Transport Committee (Liverpool City Region Combined Authority) 9th August 2018

Yesterday I asked a question to Cllr Foulkes (pictured above), who is the Lead Member for Finance and Organisational Development on the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s Transport Committee. You can also watch video of the question asked and Cllr Foulkes’ answer below.

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Transport Committee (Liverpool City Region Combined Authority) 9th August 2018 Public Question Time – Question to Cllr Steve Foulkes
Continue reading “What was the answer to my question to Cllr Steve Foulkes about openness at Merseytravel and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority?”