More than 60 warm hubs will be proposed as part of Wirral Council plans to help people through the winter with the cost of living crisis.
The warm hubs will provide spaces where those struggling with heating bills can get advice and receive warm food and a drink.
21 sites are already public with a map showing where in the Wirral they are. A substantial sum of £1.2m will go towards the scheme and information on where these warm hubs will be put up on the Wirral Infobank.
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The sites will be confirmed at a meeting on November 10 as Wirral Council and the local NHS prepare their winter plan though the number may be smaller than the 62 currently proposed.
These figures were revealed at a Wirral Council Policy and Resources committee meeting where councillors discussed the council’s budget, savings, as well as investment in large infrastructure projects.
Nearly £5m of funding for regeneration projects in Birkenhead including the introduction of new cycle lanes and walking routes were approved unanimously by councillor s.
Councillor Pat Cleary also asked for assurance that other investment promised for Birkenhead will still go ahead despite infrastructure and building costs being expected to increase due to rising costs.
Cllr Cleary said: “The longer we delay, the longer we risk that deadlines aren’t going to be met” and said he wanted a “clear view why it is going to be delayed.”
Given that Birkenhead has been promised large sums of investment both as part of the Wirral Waters and Birkenhead 2040 framework, he added: “If residents come to me, I need to give a clear answer on that.”
Sally Shah, Wirral Council’s interim director of regeneration, said they “absolutely recognise the need to deliver at the pace to meet the funding deadlines” and the programs are still moving forward.
Councillors also asked for reassurance and information about £12.3m of capital investment pushed back to future years for a £23m Maritime Knowledge Hub as part of the Wirral Waters investment.
Cllr Jennifer Johnson said more information on the scheme was needed as well as the time frame, given promises it would create 4,000 jobs in the maritime sector.
There is still not a key tenant in place for the scheme and it is currently being re-examined to make sure that rising costs of building materials and construction are taken into account. Ms Shah said the regeneration committee would be updated at the next meeting.
The Liverpool City Region is currently in talks with Wirral Council about the scheme though these have not yet reached the stage where the City Region would be approached for funding.
Councillors also discussed a proposed asset strategy that would set up an independent board to oversee the management of assets as well as give councillors more freedom when it came to making decisions on assets outside of the options like the community asset transfer.
Officers said the plan was a “strategic framework” and “fluid.” Despite praising the policy, Cllr Tom Anderson expressed concern about oversight of the board and whether a councillor could be a member. He asked for the issue to be discussed at a later date.
Questions were raised by Cllr Liz Grey and Cllr Johnson over the environmental impacts of the strategy. Cllr Grey assured Cllr Johnson meetings had been had to make sure figures showing the council has cut emissions did factor in that more officers are now working from home.
Cllr Grey also wanted more “details about how you plan to assess land for the environmental quality of assets and the potential for impact.” Officers said that this would be included in the framework.
Two amendments were also put forward related to the Bromborough Civic Centre and whether it can be allowed to enter the asset transfer process. A Green amendment, proposed by Cllr Jo Bird, wanted the centre to not be considered for any other use until all community bids had been “fully exhausted.”
A Labour amendment sought to ensure that funding was set aside to support an asset transfer of the civic centre and “build on” an amendment already passed by Conservative councillor Helen Cameron at a Tourism and Leisure Committee meeting.
Cllr Cameron however criticised both parties for not putting forward “solid motions” saying that funding had already been set aside to put Bromborough up for being transferred into community hands.”
She said: “This is the fourth amendment about one site. It is really unfortunate it wasn’t in scope but I just feel that both of these amendments are more about what you hope to put in the press.”
Council leader Janette Williamson disagreed saying all parties “had shone a light on Bromborough” and said “it is unfair to say it is only two parties” arguing Labour’s proposal built on the Conservative one.
The Green amendment was voted down 3 to 12 after criticism from Labour and the Conservatives that it could put a decision "forever" due to "no end date" being specified.
The Labour amendment passed and the council will accept community group interest for the centre up until December 20. A decision on those is expected in January.
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