Budget 2022-23: Golf

We asked

On 28 February 2022, Budget Council agreed a balanced budget for the 2022/23 financial year. The budget was based on assumptions that some services within the Council would stop in order to generate savings and allow for the balanced budget to be achievable. This included the closure of the two poorest performing 18-hole golf courses – Brackenwood and Hoylake, as well as two leisure based recreational sites at New Brighton. A public consultation with regards to this option was opened on the Councils Have Your Say platform between 31 January -27 March 2022.

You said

The questionnaire had 433 online responses, with no paper copies submitted. Of those responses, 65% said they, or somebody they cared for were regular users of Wirral’s Municipal Golf Courses, and 39% said they were members of the Invigor8 scheme. 68% of respondents disagree with the budget proposal to close Brackenwood Golf Course, and 62% of respondents disagreed with the budget saving, to closure Hoylake Golf course. In respect of the Leisure golf courses, 45% of respondents disagreed with the closure, in comparison to 41% agreeing with the budget saving.

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

We did

The outcome of the consultation, together with proposed savings, was reported to the Tourism, Communities, Culture & Leisure committee on Thursday, 16 June 2022, where the closure of Brackenwood and Hoylake golf courses, and the closure of Kings Parade and Wallasey Beach pitch n putt golf courses were approved.