Author: John Brace

New media journalist from Birkenhead, England who writes about Wirral Council. Published and promoted by John Brace, 134 Boundary Road, Bidston, CH43 7PH. Printed by UK Webhosting Ltd t/a Tsohost, 113-114 Buckingham Avenue, Slough, Berkshire, England, SL1 4PF.

Upper Tribunal Judge Wikeley grants limited permission to appeal First-tier Tribunal (GRC) costs order

Upper Tribunal Judge Wikeley grants limited permission to appeal First-tier Tribunal (GRC) costs order

Upper Tribunal Judge Wikeley grants limited permission to appeal First-tier Tribunal (GRC) costs order

Liverpool Civil & Family Court, Vernon Street, Liverpool, L2 2BX (the venue for First-Tier Tribunal case EA/2016/0033)
Liverpool Civil & Family Court, Vernon Street, Liverpool, L2 2BX (the venue for First-Tier Tribunal case EA/2016/0054)

I’ll declare an interest in this matter as I’m one of the parties to the case (the Appellant).

In an update to a story from January 2019 headlined Why did the First-tier Tribunal (Information Rights) take over 2 years to decide on a permission to appeal request?, the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber) has now made a decision on permission to appeal, after a request by myself for permission to appeal was renewed to it.
Continue reading “Upper Tribunal Judge Wikeley grants limited permission to appeal First-tier Tribunal (GRC) costs order”

Councillors on Liverpool City Council expected to vote themselves a 2% increase in allowances next Wednesday evening

Councillors on Liverpool City Council expected to vote themselves a 2% increase in allowances next Wednesday evening

Councillors on Liverpool City Council expected to vote themselves a 2% increase in allowances next Wednesday evening

                              

Councillors on Liverpool City Council’s Constitutional Issues Committee 9th May 2019 discussing how much they should be paid

Next Wednesday evening (22nd May 2019) councillors on Liverpool City Council are expected to agree to a 2% increase in the allowances paid to councillors and its Elected Mayor.
Continue reading “Councillors on Liverpool City Council expected to vote themselves a 2% increase in allowances next Wednesday evening”

Cllr Pat Hackett elected Leader of Wirral Council with 31 votes to Cllr Ian Lewis’ 25

Cllr Pat Hackett elected Leader of Wirral Council with 31 votes to Cllr Ian Lewis’ 25

Cllr Pat Hackett elected Leader of Wirral Council with 31 votes to Cllr Ian Lewis’ 25

                                          

Cllr Pat Hackett (Leader of Wirral Council) 14th May 2019
Cllr Pat Hackett (Leader of Wirral Council) 14th May 2019

UPDATED by JB 19.5.19 to include extra video clip.

There were two candidates for Leader of Wirral Council yesterday evening (14th May 2019). Both made a five minute speech before the vote.

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Annual Meeting (Wirral Council) (Part 2) 14th May 2019 Part 1 of 2 – Leader of the Council

Cllr Pat Hackett (Leader of the Labour councillors) spoke first (you can watch his speech above). He said that as no party had a majority this would if councillors allowed it create a “vacuum of leadership”. Cllr Hackett said that he was “determined that we as elected Members will provide the leadership the Borough is crying out for”.
Continue reading “Cllr Pat Hackett elected Leader of Wirral Council with 31 votes to Cllr Ian Lewis’ 25”

In the age of foodbanks what did “distinguished guests” eat on the evening Cllr Tony Smith was made Mayor of Wirral?

In the age of foodbanks what did “distinguished guests” eat on the evening Cllr Tony Smith was made Mayor of Wirral?

In the age of foodbanks what did “distinguished guests” eat on the evening Cllr Tony Smith was made Mayor of Wirral?

                                                  

Retiring Mayor Cllr Geoffrey Watt 13th May 2019
Retiring Mayor Cllr Geoffrey Watt 13th May 2019

UPDATED by JB on 19.5.19 to include detail on organisation doing catering and video clips of the public meeting on the 13th May.

UPDATED by JB on 24.5.19 to correct spelling of pâté

Yesterday’s public meeting of Wirral Council saw outgoing Mayor Cllr Geoffrey Watt (pictured above) leave and incoming Mayor Cllr Tony Smith start his term of office. Cllr George Davies is Deputy Civic Mayor this year.

In this age of food banks, I thought a list of the food served to over a hundred “distinguished guests” present should be made public. The catering was done this year by Wirral Metropolitan College.
Continue reading “In the age of foodbanks what did “distinguished guests” eat on the evening Cllr Tony Smith was made Mayor of Wirral?”

Court of Appeal Judges condemn Wirral Council’s decision making over marquees in greenbelt saga

Court of Appeal Judges condemn Wirral Council’s decision making over marquees in greenbelt saga

Court of Appeal Judges condemn Wirral Council’s decision making over marquees in greenbelt saga

                                      

David Ball (left) explains about the judicial review to the Planning Committee (Wirral Council) 18th January 2018
David Ball (left) explains about the judicial review to the Planning Committee (Wirral Council) 18th January 2018

For earlier coverage on this long running story you can read (in reverse chronological order):

Wirral Council planning application dispute involving 3 marquees in greenbelt listed for Court of Appeal hearing in March 2019 (2.1.19)

High Court Judge quashes greenbelt planning application for 3 marquees issued in “error” by Wirral Council in 2011 (29.3.18)

Why did Wirral Council’s planning department send out a decision letter about 3 marquees at Thornton Manor with no planning conditions? (13.7.17)

The 20 page judgement can be read here which was a request for permission to appeal from Mr Justice Kerr’s decision quashing the planning permission for the marquees issued by Wirral Council in case [2018] EWHC 560 (Admin).
Continue reading “Court of Appeal Judges condemn Wirral Council’s decision making over marquees in greenbelt saga”