We asked, you said, we did

We Asked

Wirral Council carried out a review of the criteria for licensing Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles to ensure that passengers feel safe and comfortable in a high standard of vehicle that meets the needs of passengers.

You Said

289 people engaged in the survey, 74.9% respondents were Private Hire or Hackney Carriage licence holders. Respondents answered questions regarding vehicle age criteria, frequency of MOT testing, window tint, step height and bench seat. The results of all the responses can be found in the full report.

We Did

The feedback provided through the consultation was reviewed by the June meeting of the Regulatory and General Purposes Committee. The committee approved several amendments to the criteria for licensing Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicles contained within the Council’s Statement of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy. Full details of the amendments can be found here and policy documents found here.

We Asked

Wirral Council proposed a new Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) at Alabama Way Car Park with the aim to reduce the risk of anti-social behaviour (ASB) and to keep residents safe. This followed a ASB case review which shown that there has been an increase of ASB reports made to the Council and Police for incidents in Alabama Way Car Park. We asked the public if they supported or opposed the proposed PSPO and why as well as their experiences with ASB.

You Said

26 people engaged in the survey with 23 responses coming through the online portal and 3 paper copies. 92.3% of respondents supported the proposed PSPO whilst 7.7% opposed it. 65.4% of respondents stated that they had experienced ASB in the proposed PSPO area in the past 12 months with; 100.0% experiencing amplified music from a vehicle, 94.1% revving of motor vehicle engines and 88.2% sounding of motor vehicle horns. Reasons for respondents supporting or opposing the proposed PSPO can be found in the full report.

We Did

The results of the survey were reviewed by Wirral Councils ASB team and Legal Services. As a result, with the support of Merseyside Police, the proposed PSPO for Alabama Way Car Park has been approved for implementation.

Link to consultation page.

We Asked

Wirral Council is developing ambitious plans to redesign streets along a direct route from Birkenhead to Liscard town centres to improve accessibility, make streets safer for local people and provide high quality facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, known as LCWIP. The consultation asked for feedback on route plans and levels of support for the route and in person consultations took place simultaneously with the have your say consultation.

Link to consultation page.

You Said

303 people engaged in the survey. 50.5% (153 responses) oppose the LCWIP Birkenhead to Liscard project and 38.0% (115 responses) support the project. In the wards that the route passes through, levels of support were mixed: Birkenhead and Tranmere – 8 responses, 75.0% support, 25.0% object, 0.0% neutral, Seacombe – 45 responses, 28.9% support, 48.9% object, 22.2% neutral, Liscard – 42 responses, 28.6% support, 61.9% object, 9.6% neutral. The main reason respondents gave for supporting the project was that the project will improve safety for cyclists and other active travel users. The main reason respondents gave for objecting to the project was disagreement with the proposed spend as they do not believe that the project would provide value for money. Feedback on individual plans can be found in the full report.

We Did

The feedback from the online and in person consultations was reviewed by the July meeting of Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee (link).

The decisions were:

1. to undertake the detailed design of the Birkenhead to Liscard Active Travel Scheme (RIBA Stages 3 and 4) and undertake public and stakeholder consultation (including statutory consultation) on the detailed design, duly informed by the public and stakeholder consultation process;

2. to progress the development of the Business Case for the Birkenhead to Liscard Active Travel Scheme in accordance with the requirements of the LCRCA City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement Gateway Process.

We Asked

We asked for feedback on the New Brighton Marine Promenade Masterplan. This focuses on the area extending from the Floral Pavilion to the west of Union Terrace in New Brighton. The Masterplan sets out a framework to deliver a high-quality, attractive and vibrant mixed-use area comprising a mix of cultural, hotel, leisure and residential uses which support the regeneration of neighbouring areas and facilities including the Floral Pavilion Theatre and the Local Centres at Victoria Road and Seabank Road. The Masterplan identifies potential for one or more appropriately designed landmark buildings and seeks to encourage active uses at ground floor level.

You Said

59% of respondents said they supported the masterplan overall. Feedback suggested that it could provide benefits including improving the image of the town, encouraging more visitors and businesses and a possible outdoor lido could be beneficial. Respondents also fed back that there were some concerns about reducing parking provision and the possible inclusion of multi-storey buildings.

We Did

At the Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee 16 July 2024 the New Brighton Marine Promenade Masterplan was adopted as the Council’s approved planning strategy for the area. Amendments were made in regards to strengthening reference to the use of the Marine Lake for recreational uses, including open water swimming and the inclusion of an additional 'infill' option for the site at the corner of Rowson Street/Marine Promenade.

Link to consultation page.

We Asked

We asked for feedback on the new proposed Dock Branch Neighbourhood Masterplan. This focuses on the area around the former Dock Branch railway line, for which there is a separate project to create a new linear park, which is one of nine catalyst projects which form a key part of the Birkenhead 2040 Framework. The ambition is to deliver the transformation of the area into a thriving residential led mixed use urban community at the heart of Birkenhead.

You Said

81% of respondents supported the Masterplan whilst 11% opposed it. Feedback noted a range of benefits including more greenspace and wildlife and that the new community park would attract more visitors to the area, providing a neighbourhood where local people may choose to stay and live and improved connectivity and transport. The Dock Branch Community Panel also provided a very detailed direct representation which was included in the consultation report.

We Did

The feedback was reviewed and a detailed response was provided in the committee papers here. At the Economy regeneration and Housing Committee 16 July 2024 the Dock Branch Neighbourhood Masterplan was adopted as the council’s approved regeneration strategy for the area.

Link to consultation page.

We Asked

The vision for Scott’s Quay was to redevelop vacant and/or under-utilised plots for a mixture of new residential and compatible commercial uses, changing the balance from industry to residential and more generally to improve the visual appearance and condition of buildings within the area

You Said

Several of the existing businesses in the area objected to the proposals for significant residential development as they felt it could adversely impact on their current operations. A number of constraints were identified including poor air quality near the dock edge, noise issues relating to some existing employment uses and an odour issue associated with the storage tanks in the docks. Feedback on the proposal also included that the framework must meet the needs of current local residents, it must incorporate public transport and be financially viable.

We Did

At the Economy regeneration and Housing Committee 16 July 2024, the proposed Scott’s Quay Neighbourhood Framework was withdrawn as the council’s regeneration strategy for the area. There is a proposed modification to the Local Plan withdrawing the Regeneration Area and associated site allocations. Further work will be undertaken to explore the constraints and work with stakeholders to determine a sustainable regeneration strategy for the area.

Link to consultation page.

We Asked

We asked for feedback on the new proposed Northside Neighbourhood Framework. The vision for Northside is to retain the area in employment use but develop new accommodation on vacant plots and under-developed sites to improve the visual appearance and attract new businesses into the area, thereby increasing the number of jobs and job density.

You Said

82% of respondents supported the proposal, and 71% agreed that the framework would assist in attracting investment to the neighbourhood. Feedback suggested that the proposal could help bring jobs and employment opportunities into the area, that it could improve the areas appearance. Feedback also indicated that people wanted to ensure that the transport links in the framework were satisfactory, that the development should ensure high levels of sustainability and carbon neutrality and that appropriate funding could be secured to deliver it.

We Did

All feedback was evaluated, and the masterplan was reviewed with no major amends made to the document. At the Economy regeneration and Housing Committee on 16 July 2024 the Northside Neighbourhood Framework was approved as the council’s approved regeneration strategy for the area.

Link to consultation page.

We Asked

We asked for feedback about the draft masterplan which is based on our approach is to introduce new homes to create a vibrant, mixed-use neighbourhood. The aspiration is to establish a place where families want to live, embracing the concept of a neighbourhood where residents can walk or cycle to a range of local facilities. New public realm and green streets will significantly improve the appearance of the area and support wellbeing. Some businesses will remain, but new developments will provide opportunities for new businesses to locate in the area in order that the place continues to support a high number of jobs.

You Said

More people agreed than disagreed that the proposed masterplan would deliver a family focused development and that it would benefit the neighbourhood and Wirral through transformation. Benefits were seen as the offer of a mix of housing of different types, an improved neighbourhood and to attract new people to move into the area. Residents also noted that they would like to see the needs of locals incorporated and that the masterplan should ensure connected public transport.

We Did

All feedback was evaluated, and the masterplan was reviewed with no major amends made to the document. At the Economy regeneration and Housing Committee 16 July 2024 the Cleveland Street Neighbourhood Masterplan was adopted as the council’s approved planning strategy for the area.

Link to consultation page.

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.

By September 2025, working parents with children from 9 months of age up to statutory school age will be eligible for 30 hours of childcare where they meet qualifying criteria.

The expansion to childcare will be rolled out in phases, with the first phase offering 15 hours childcare to working parents of 2-year-olds from April 2024. The second phase will offer 15 hours childcare to working parents of children from 9 months of age up to statutory school age. The final phase will offer 30 hours of childcare to children from 9 months of age up to statutory school age where families meet the qualifying criteria.

Phase 1 Consultation

This consultation focused on delivery phase 1: offering 15 hours childcare to working parents of 2-year-olds from April 2024.

We Asked

If parents were aware of the new funding entitlement, details of their current childcare usage and if the funding entitlement will enable non-working parents to work more.

You Said

• 78 people responded to the survey.
• 14.1% of parents were unsure or not aware of the new funding entitlements.
• 75.6% of parents who were asked currently pay for childcare.
• 37.3% said that they will use more childcare as a result of the 15 hours of free childcare once their child turns 2

We Did

• This information was used to allocate the funding to increase capacity where it was needed most.

Phase 2 Consultation

This consultation focused on delivering the new funding of 15 hours of childcare for parents of children aged under the age of 2.

We Asked

If parents were aware of the new funding entitlement, details of their current childcare usage and if the funding entitlement will enable non-working parents to work more.

You Said

• 26 people responded to the survey.
• 100% of parents were aware of the new funding entitlements.
• 53.8% of parents who were asked currently pay for childcare.
• 35.7% said that they will use more childcare as a result of the 15 hours of free childcare once their child turns 2

We Did

• This information was used to allocate the funding to increase capacity where it was needed most.

We Asked

Wirral Council asked for feedback on proposals to introduce a package of highway measures and environmental improvements along Birkenhead Road, Seacombe Ward via Have Your Say (found here).

You Said

169 people responded to this consultation. 50.9% of respondents to the Have Your Say survey supported the proposals and 49.1% objected to the proposals. Two petitions in objection to the proposals were also received with a combined number of 379 signatures.

We Did

This project was discussed at a meeting of the Economy Regeneration & Housing Committee in March 2023 (link). The committee did not support the proposal for delivery, and as a result the project is now on hold while the council seeks funding to consider other design options.