Category: Council

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?”

How would a school report on Wirral Council councillors read?

How would a school report on Wirral Council councillors read?

                                    

By John Brace – Local Government Sketch Writer

Annual rent from Tam O’Shanter Urban Farm (one pinecone from Bidston Hill)
Annual rent from Tam O’Shanter Urban Farm (one pinecone from Bidston Hill)

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WIRRAL METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL
BRIGHTON STREET
SEACOMBE
CH44 8ED

NAME Councillors
CLASS Wirral

ENGLISH You have worked hard. Some very good speeches have been produced. For some your zeal has led to problems. Great progress since May has been made.

You love using words. This may be a surprise to you but things don’t always go the way that you want. You are right that the tone of debate needed to change. That is within your gift to do.
Continue reading “How would a school report on Wirral Council councillors read?”

Is the decision to close 2 Walk In Centres at Moreton and New Ferry last week unlawful?

Is the decision to close 2 Walk In Centres at Moreton and New Ferry last week unlawful?

Is the decision to close 2 Walk In Centres at Moreton and New Ferry last week unlawful?

                                    

Joint Strategic Commissioning Board (Wirral Council) 9th July 2019 Left Co-Chair Cllr Chris Jones Right Co-Chair Dr Paula Cowan
Joint Strategic Commissioning Board (Wirral Council) 9th July 2019 Left Co-Chair Cllr Chris Jones Right Co-Chair Dr Paula Cowan

The author is currently a party to an Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber) case where one of the multiple grounds of appeal is that the decision subject to judicial review is alleged to have been made by the wrong people.

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Joint Strategic Commissioning Board (Wirral Council) 9th July 2019 Part 1 of 2

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Joint Strategic Commissioning Board (Wirral Council) 9th July 2019 Part 2 of 2

Last week I was present at a public meeting of Wirral Council’s Joint Strategic Commissioning Board (videos above) and a decision made solely by the Wirral Clinical Commissioning Group (Wirral CCG) individuals on the Joint Board was made to close two walk in centres at Moreton and New Ferry.
Continue reading “Is the decision to close 2 Walk In Centres at Moreton and New Ferry last week unlawful?”

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”