We asked, you said, we did

We Asked

In the Spring Budget 2023 the Chancellor announced major changes to childcare, increasing the financial support available to working parents to help with the cost of childcare where families meet the government set criteria.

We asked for people to tell us about how they use childcare and how they expect to use childcare with the new entitlements to help us determine demand for childcare.

You Said

Some of the key findings were:

• Most respondents stated they were currently using a form of childcare (61.8%).
• Nurseries were the most commonly selected form of formal childcare (93.8%).
• Most respondents stated the new funded entitlement would encourage them to use formal childcare (81.8%).
• Most respondents stated they expect to qualify for the 30 hours based on the eligibility criteria (98.2%).
• Most respondents stated they are very likely to take up the full 30 hours from September 2025 (78.2%).
• The most common factor to influence respondents’ decision to use the 30 hours was “availability of places” (59.3%).
• Almost half of respondents stated they were accessing the 15 hours of funding (47.3%) whilst over half stated they were not (52.7%).
• Most respondents stated they were currently paying for additional hours (92.3%).

We Did

The results of the survey helped us to understand how families use childcare and how they will likely use childcare with the new entitlements. This is has helped us to review our current childcare supply. The consultation page with the full report can be found here.

The Local Government Boundary Commission have completed their review of the electoral arrangements of Wirral Council. The final recommendations are that Wirral will have 65 councillors, a decrease of 1 councillor. Wirral will have 22 wards and the boundaries and ward names of a number of existing wards will change. The 65 Councillors will represent 21 three-councillor wards and 1 two-councillor ward which is Hoylake and Meols. The review information can be found here: Wirral | LGBCE. The final report is subject to parliamentary approval and the implementation of new wards will take place at the whole council local elections in May 2027.

We Asked

Wirral Council launched a public consultation on the future of the borough’s library service, proposing a new eight-site model. Residents, library users, and community groups were invited to share their views on the proposals, the role of libraries in their communities, and how services could be delivered in the future. The consultation included an online survey and supporting documents outlining the proposed changes. As part of this review, the council examined who uses libraries, how often, and what services they access—both in person and online—while recognising its legal duty to provide a comprehensive and efficient service.

Link to consultation page.

You Said

1,487 people responded to the consultation, with 90.9% being active library members and regular users. Feedback showed strong opposition to any library closures, with many emphasising the essential role libraries play in supporting learning, wellbeing, digital access, and community life. Respondents highlighted the importance of local accessibility, with most travelling by foot and reaching their preferred library within 15 minutes. Greasby Library was the most frequently used, and its proposed removal from the council service prompted particularly strong resistance.

Library users valued borrowing books, printing services, events, and leisure spaces, while non-users said they would be more likely to visit if libraries offered café facilities, creative spaces, and partner services. Many called for libraries to remain as welcoming, inclusive community hubs, and suggested improvements such as better advertising, more group space, and stronger school engagement. While most respondents preferred physical books, there was interest in expanding the digital offer, including eBooks, archive access, and a dedicated library app. Views on the proposed eight-site model were mixed, with older users more likely to continue using the service, and younger groups expressing uncertainty. Overall, the consultation reflected a clear desire to protect and enhance Wirral’s library network.

We Did

At the Tourism, Communities, Culture, and Leisure Committee meeting on 18 September 2025, councillors unanimously rejected proposals to close any libraries in Wirral. Councillors from all parties pledged not to make further cuts to library services as part of future budgets. At the meeting, councillors thanked the nearly 1,500 people who responded to the consultation, as well as the campaigners and petitioners who had ‘galvanised their communities’ to take part.

We asked

A Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA), which describes pharmacy services in Wirral and an assessment of the needs of the local people for pharmacy services, was created after an initial phase of consultation at the end of 2024. This second phase of consultation asked residents to provide feedback on the draft 2025-2028 PNA, in particular, whether they agreed with what the PNA said about pharmacy services, our local population, the results of the assessment and any general comments that could be made.

You said

A total of 52 survey responses were received. Overall, the responses supported the conclusions and recommendations of the Wirral Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) 2025-2028. The responses highlighted some queries, questions, challenges, compliments and comments related to the draft PNA. These did not change the PNA conclusions.

Overall, this assessment has concluded that currently there is enough essential service provision access in terms of location, opening hours and services to meet the needs of the population of Wirral with the following exceptions:

• The lack of essential services on Sundays, between 4.00pm and 10.00pm, that meet the pharmaceutical needs of Wirral residents.
• The lack of essential services between Monday and Saturday, between 9.00pm and 10.00pm, that meet the pharmaceutical needs of Wirral residents.

In addition to these specific conclusions, a number of the points raised through the consultation in terms of operational impacts related to pharmacies, will be shared with the appropriate partners for further review and action.

For more information about the consultation and to view the consultation report click here.

We did

Following the consultation, feedback was considered by the Health and Wellbeing Board on 18 September 2025, where the Board approved the PNA for publication by 1^st October 2025.

Members of Wirral Council’s Economy, Regeneration and Housing (ERH) Committee met on 4 September 2025 to discuss the future of Birkenhead Market. Following a Members workshop in July, the Committee has voted to discontinue plans to relocate the market to the former Argos unit on Princes Pavement. Instead, councillors and senior officers will now explore alternative options that would bring a revitalised market offer closer to Birkenhead’s retail core. The feedback from consultations run to date from all stakeholders including residents and local traders will be included in discussions.

In the meantime, to support local traders and boost footfall in the lead-up to Christmas, a series of temporary craft markets and festive activities will be held at the existing outdoor market hall and across the town centre. The consultation reports can be found here.

The full report is available under item 6 of the committee agenda: Economy, Regeneration & Housing Committee – 4 September 2025, 6.00 p.m. | Wirral Council

We Asked

Through the Bromborough Industrial Estate Public Spaces Protection Order Consultation, the public were asked to tell us about their views on the proposed re-introduction of the PSPO for Bromborough Industrial Estate as well as their experience with Anti-Social Behaviour in the area.

The consultation and the report can be found here.

You Said

27 people responded to the survey. 55.6% of respondents stated they had experienced ASB related to vehicle nuisance in the PSPO area in the last 12 months. The most common vehicle nuisance experienced was “vehicles racing or driving at a dangerous speed and/or in a dangerous manner” (93.3%).

74.1% of respondents supported the introduction of the PSPO whilst 22.2% of respondents opposed it.

We Did

The results of the survey were used to inform recommendations compiled by the Wirral Council ASB Team on the implementation of the PSPO. The proposed PSPO for Bromborough Industrial Estate was approved and implemented on 16 July 2025.

We Asked

Members of the public were asked to complete a survey which included the proposed actions for the new climate strategy for Wirral, and how they can be delivered. The survey included questions about how important people think the different actions are, if there is more that could be done, and what benefits the actions will provide to respondents and the wider community. These were broken down by themes and include actions for energy, travel, resources, natural environment and adaptation.

You Said

172 people answered the survey. Responses conveyed a high level of concern about the climate emergency and people thought that large scale industry would have the most influence on limiting changes to the climate in the UK.

The actions that respondents think are the most important are:

• Identify community energy projects in Wirral (Energy)
• Work to address barriers to active travel (Travel)
• Support Wirral Waste strategy, particularly actions around reducing and reusing items (Resources)
• Create a community garden toolkit to encourage local growing initiatives (Natural Environment)
• Understand how Wirral will need to adapt to the changing climate and the impact that this will have on residents’ everyday lives (Adaptation)

The full report can be viewed on the Cool Wirral Strategy Refresh page.

We Did

The feedback from the survey was used to shape the proposed actions and a refreshed strategy was created. The results of this survey will support the delivery of the strategy. At the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee on Wednesday, 9th July 2025, the strategy was approved.

We asked

In response to public feedback, Wirral Council launched a review of the New Chester Road active travel scheme, introduced in 2020 to improve safety and connectivity between New Ferry and Birkenhead. The scheme added light segregation units (‘orcas’) to protect cyclists along the existing cycle lane. As part of the review, we asked road users to share their views on whether the current layout should remain, be removed, or be adjusted. This feedback, alongside traffic and safety data and national design guidance, will inform future decisions by the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee. The scheme also forms part of Route 11 in the proposed Core Active Travel Network (CATN), a longer-term vision for improving key routes across Wirral.

Link to project page

You said

196 people responded to the consultation. While a majority supported the council’s broader goals for encouraging walking and cycling, views on the current layout of New Chester Road were mixed. Around 41% of respondents wanted no changes, 32% preferred reverting to the pre-2020 layout, and 27% supported making adjustments. Concerns included underuse of the cycle lanes, traffic congestion, and safety issues with the orca separators. Suggestions for improvement included replacing or removing the orcas, enhancing protection for cyclists, and addressing parking in cycle lanes. Many respondents also highlighted the importance of balancing active travel improvements with the needs of all road users.

We did

At 09/07/2025 - Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee meeting, it was agreed that amendments would be made to the design of New Chester Road.

We asked

As part of a wider review of Active Travel Fund Tranche 1 schemes, Wirral Council sought feedback on the Fender Lane active travel route, introduced in 2020 to improve cycling connections between Moreton and Bidston. The scheme reduced the dual carriageway to a single lane in each direction to create a segregated cycle route. We asked road users to share their views on whether the current layout should remain, be removed, or be adjusted. This feedback will be considered alongside traffic and safety data and national design guidance, and presented to the Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee to help shape future decisions. Fender Lane also forms part of Route 9 in the proposed Core Active Travel Network (CATN), a longer-term vision for improving key routes across Wirral. Link to Project Page

You said

1,049 people responded to the consultation. While many supported the principle of encouraging active lifestyles, views on the current layout of Fender Lane were mixed. Just over half of respondents agreed that the council should improve roads and footpaths for walking and cycling, but 63% said they would prefer the road to return to its pre-2020 layout. Key concerns included underuse of the cycle lanes, increased congestion, emergency vehicle access, and pollution. Suggested changes included reducing the active travel route to one side of the road, reinstating the dual carriageway, and improving access for emergency services.

We did

At 09/07/2025 - Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee meeting, the following decisions were agreed:

(1) Implementing operational amendments to the traffic signals at the Fender Lane/Reeds Lane junction as set out in Option Package 1, and the maintenance and compliance amendments as set out in Option 2 of Table 1 of the report, with the exception of the speed limit element of Option 2 which would be considered as part of the forthcoming borough-wide speed limit review; and

(2) Increasing the length of right turn lane from Fender Lane to Reeds Lane as set out in Option Package 3 of Table 1 of the report.

We Asked

We asked for your views on proposed transport and public realm improvements around the Wirral waterfront, including the area from the Argyle Street/Conway Street roundabout to Woodside Ferry Terminal. These proposals aim to enhance connections between Birkenhead Town Centre and the waterfront, supporting economic growth, improving accessibility, and encouraging active travel. This phase of consultation focuses on gathering feedback on planned changes to roads, crossings, cycleways, and public transport infrastructure, which form part of a wider regeneration programme supported by government and regional funding.

Link to Project Page

You Said

You said that views on the proposed changes were mixed, with varying levels of support across the three areas. Feedback showed that while some respondents welcomed improvements for walking, cycling, and pedestrian safety, many expressed concerns about spending, traffic and parking restrictions, and the impact on local access. Supporters highlighted benefits such as improved active travel routes and revitalisation, while objections often centred on perceived misuse of funds and disruption. A number of respondents were unsure, citing scepticism about the project’s purpose, frustration with previous works, and uncertainty about the value of the changes.

We Did

At 16/06/2025 - Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee meeting, this project was approved.