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””

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 Wirral Council’s Cabinet meeting held on the 25th November 2019?

What happened at Wirral Council’s Cabinet meeting held on the 25th November 2019?

What happened at Wirral Council’s Cabinet meeting held on the 25th November 2019?

                                       

Cabinet (Wirral Council) 25th November 2019 (left Vicki Shaw, right Cllr Pat Hackett)
Cabinet (Wirral Council) 25th November 2019 (left Vicki Shaw, right Cllr Pat Hackett)

On Monday morning (25th November 2019) Wallasey Town Hall had a “Preparing for Retirement” course running in Committee Room 2 and in the One Stop Shop the public were explaining why they were struggling to pay their council tax.

Wirral Council’s Cabinet (which was on borrowed time and would itself cease to exist in around 6 months time) met for a somewhat brief 18 minutes in public (video of the meeting can be watched below).
Continue reading “What happened at Wirral Council’s Cabinet meeting held on the 25th November 2019?”

Lidl offer Wirral Council £820,000 for land north of Upton Fire Station (subject to planning permission and site surveys)

Lidl offer Wirral Council £820,000 for land north of Upton Fire Station (subject to planning permission and site surveys)

Lidl offer Wirral Council £820,000 for land north of Upton Fire Station (subject to planning permission and site surveys)

Cllr Janette Williamson (left) Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources who agreed to the recommendations
Cllr Janette Williamson (left) Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources who agreed to the recommendations

Lidl GB Limited have offered Wirral Council £820,000 for a 0.3 Ha (0.75 acre) piece of land adjacent to Upton Fire Station. However the offer is subject to Lidl being granted planning permission and surveys of the site.
Continue reading “Lidl offer Wirral Council £820,000 for land north of Upton Fire Station (subject to planning permission and site surveys)”

Wirral Council overspent its budget by £4.327 million in first three months of this financial year!

Wirral Council overspent its budget by £4.327 million in first three months of this financial year!

Wirral Council overspent its budget by £4.327 million in first three months of this financial year!

                                                  

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Cabinet (Wirral Council) 2nd September 2019

Wirral Council Cabinet (2nd September 2019) Cllr Pat Hackett (right) presenting a finance report on quarter 1
Wirral Council Cabinet (2nd September 2019) Cllr Pat Hackett (right) presenting a finance report on quarter 1

In an extremely short seven minute long public meeting of Wirral Council’s Cabinet on Monday morning held at the slightly earlier time of 9.30 am, the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources (Cllr Janette Williamson) was not present so Leader of the Council Cllr Pat Hackett gave a verbal summary of the written financial report in her absence.
Continue reading “Wirral Council overspent its budget by £4.327 million in first three months of this financial year!”