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 was in an election observer report covering both an inspection and a polling station visit in the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral in May 2021?

What was in an election observer report covering both an inspection and a polling station visit in the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral in May 2021?

What was in an election observer report covering both an inspection and a polling station visit in the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral in May 2021?

                                       

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

First publication date: Monday 10th May 2021, 8:10 (BST).

Wirral Tennis and Sports Centre entrance (Bidston, Wirral) 5th May 2021
Wirral Tennis and Sports Centre entrance (Bidston, Wirral) 5th May 2021

Executive Summary

This is a report of John Brace who was an accredited election observer (accredited by the Electoral Commission as an individual but independent of the Electoral Commission) number 11,058. Accreditation was for the period 29th April 2021 to 14th May 2021.
Continue reading “What was in an election observer report covering both an inspection and a polling station visit in the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral in May 2021?”

So what’s been happening at Wirral Council in the last week (22nd March 2020 to 29th March 2020)?

So what’s been happening at Wirral Council in the last week (22nd March 2020 to 29th March 2020)?

So what’s been happening at Wirral Council in the last week (22nd March 2020 to 29th March 2020)?

                                     

Councillor Pat Hackett (Leader of Wirral Council) and Paul Satoor (Chief Executive of Wirral Council) 23rd December 2019
Councillor Pat Hackett (Leader of Wirral Council) and Paul Satoor (Chief Executive of Wirral Council) 23rd December 2019

By John Brace (Editor)

The House of Commons and House of Lords are now no longer sitting (due to return on the 21st April 2020) so this is an update on roughly a week of activity at Wirral Council as it is important people know what’s been decided. Due to delayed publication of decisions unfortunately this will lead to delayed reporting.
Continue reading “So what’s been happening at Wirral Council in the last week (22nd March 2020 to 29th March 2020)?”

Wirral Council’s Cabinet agrees to consultation on £2.498 million of cuts

Wirral Council’s Cabinet agrees to consultation on £2.498 million of cuts

                                                             

There were hundreds of people at last Thursday’s Cabinet meeting.

In fact there were so many people present that the venue for the Cabinet Meeting that evening was moved from Committee Room 3 (maximum 46 people) at Wallasey Town Hall to the Civic Hall (maximum 370 people). However those maximum numbers are reduced further by about twenty if you bear in mind the ten councillors on the Cabinet plus senior management that support the Cabinet at its meetings.

Before the meeting started at 6.15pm there was a large protest outside Wallasey Town Hall.

As it was dark, at that time of the evening my photos of the protest haven’t come out very well. You should however be able to see the flags and some of the protest slogans in the pictures below (although I apologise that some are unreadable). The trade unions were protesting about the potential loss of jobs, there were those who use the Council’s services that are under threat there too.

protest outside Wallasey Town Hall 17th December 2015 before Cabinet meeting photo 1 of 6 thumbnail
Protest outside Wallasey Town Hall 17th December 2015 before Cabinet meeting photo 1 of 6 thumbnail

Continue reading “Wirral Council’s Cabinet agrees to consultation on £2.498 million of cuts”

EXCLUSIVE: Wirral Council plans revealed for Neptune to run Birkenhead Market

EXCLUSIVE: Wirral Council plans revealed for Neptune to run Birkenhead Market

                                                       

birkenhead-market-lease-birkenhead-market-limited-wirral-borough-council-plan-number-2-internal-floor-plan-thumbnail-min

While much of the news focus has been on the large petition in opposition to changes to Hamilton Square, a report by Cllr Adrian Jones to a meeting of Wirral’s councillors on Monday evening outlines further detail on Neptune’s plans for Birkenhead.

His report states:

A number of other major developments are ongoing, including:
 
  • Negotiations are ongoing with Neptune Developments for the sale of three sites at Europa Boulevard to provide a replacement swimming pool and fitness suite, Budget Hotel, Food court and Fast Food Drive-through. Allied to this as Phase 2 will be the grant of an intermediate lease of
    Birkenhead Market to Neptune to safeguard its continued operation, with a view to the eventual grant of a restructured lease to facilitate the development of a smaller market which will, in turn, release land for the reconfiguration of The Grange.

  • The proposal to establish the Isle of Mann University ICT Faculty in Birkenhead is still being worked on. This will utilise the Conway Building and Municipal Building in Cleveland Street. Proposed Heads of Term have been prepared in anticipation of confirmation from the University that funding is in place.

In other words, Wirral Council plan to grant Neptune an intermediate lease of Birkenhead Market, then "develop" a smaller market so that some (or all) of where Birkenhead Market is at present can be sold to become part of the Pyramids and Grange Shopping Centre.

There are further details on the rest of Neptune’s plans in a story I wrote earlier this year Will councillors tell the public what Neptune’s plans for Birkenhead Market are?

Will will the promised consultation with the public over Neptune’s plans for Birkenhead Town Centre happen?

Meanwhile across the road from Birkenhead Market, Wirral Council look set to lease the Conway Building to what’s down in the report as the "Isle of Man University", but is more likely to be the Isle of Man College at the University of Chester.

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