Wirral Council is set to pass a budget featuring huge cuts next week, which could see the closure of many much-loved leisure services in the borough.
The council must save £20m to address a gaping hole in its budget, after it was slated in two government reports published last November for failing to make tough decisions and being overly focused on political point-scoring.
All councillors in the borough will meet at New Brighton’s Floral Pavilion on Monday, February 28, to vote on plans including the closure of Woodchurch Leisure Centre, the fun pool at Europa Pools, nine libraries and more.
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If the plans are approved, Monday’s vote will not sound the death knell for these leisure services, as there will be a period up until September when groups can put in bids to save them under a community asset transfer scheme.
But this would put the future of services such as Woodchurch Leisure Centre under serious threat.
The ECHO approached Wirral’s four main parties for comment in the lead up to a huge night for the future of Wirral Council.
Here’s what they said.
Labour
Cllr Janette Williamson, the Labour leader of Wirral Council, said her group is putting the £125,000 which was initially taken from the £250,000 Climate Emergency budget back in.
This does not affect the existing revenue saving of £125,000 already proposed, as the money comes from the capital programme, which does not compete with day-to-day services such as leisure centres and adult social care for funding.
Cllr Williamson said: “Wirral Council has declared an environment and climate emergency, and we are committed to keeping residents and assets safe in these changing times.
“We are pleased to be able to use this funding to continue our commitment to continue to operate vital council services for residents whatever the weather throws at us in years to come."
During the whole budget setting process, Wirral Labour has made it clear that it believes funding cuts which have seen the authority lose more than £200m from its central government grant since 2010 are the main reason for the council’s money problems.
Conservatives
Cllr Tom Anderson, leader of the Wirral Conservatives, said: “For more than a decade, the Labour-led Wirral Council has squandered its reserves, thrown millions at pet projects such as the Wirral View newspaper, Hoylake golf resort, creating its own bank, and buying a cinema.
“They have now run out of money. Wirral Council was one of the 11 authorities (out of 330) to go to government last year asking for a bailout.
“This is in addition to an extra £260m of covid funding and £100m for levelling up provided by the government. More money in cash terms than Wirral has seen in generations.”
Cllr Anderson added: “The two independent reports criticised Wirral for not taking long-term decisions. Conservative councillors have worked constructively with others. We fought to save our parks maintenance, school crossing patrols, create a fund for our libraries to bid into to remain open.
“We supported a welfare fund that assists local people struggling to pay their energy bills. This is in addition to the government’s support of £150 for every Band A-D household.
“But there are some hard decisions to be made so the council doesn’t end up effectively bankrupt. The council’s budget must be balanced and legal. It must look to the future and not be subject to irresponsible short-term one-offs and repeat the mistakes of the past.”
Liberal Democrats
Cllr Phil Gilchrist, leader of the Lib Dem group, said: “Wirral has been forced into making tough choices. Some of these flow from past mistakes. More choices will be made in the coming months.
“These must be guided with three things in mind. Are these fair, do they cause damage, can we look past the current crisis to a stable future?
“We have to create a pattern of libraries that will live on. Communities that might run their own need a fair hearing. Each community needs time to put their case forward.”
Cllr Gilchrist added: “There is, we are sure, time for talks with various bodies to get over the coming months and through the summer.
“Wirral must emerge from the current bleak times with plans that respect the environment, tackle social isolation and long-standing health inequalities.”
Got a Wirral story? Email me at george.morgan@reachplc.com
Green Party
Cllr Pat Cleary, leader of the Green Party on the council, said his group would bring forward plans to support libraries across Wirral to Monday’s meeting.
He said his group would also propose measures to support the climate emergency budget, environmental services and youth provision.
Cllr Cleary said the proposed budget “effectively cripples” the council’s response to the climate emergency.
