We asked, you said, we did

We asked

The Safer Streets 2 Project was a crime reduction programme in Central Birkenhead and Seacombe which was completed in March 2022. Part of the funding was used to install around 30 new alleygates in Central Birkenhead and Seacombe, as well as new CCTV and streetlighting upgrades. In order to assess the impact of the Safer Streets 2 project we asked for your thoughts on the new alleygates, CCTV provision and streetlighting, including whether or not you noticed a reduction in crime or anti-social behaviour in the area.

You said

A total of 31 survey responses were received, however 12 were excluded due to the respondent's postcode being outside of the Safer Streets 2 area.

The responses were mixed on alleygates, with most respondents using positive language when describing how they feel going into their alleyways following the transformation, but most respondents responded with negative sentiments about the alleyways and stated that the clean-up of the alleyways or installation of alleygates did not do much to change their negative perceptions. Some respondents stated that they now feel safer or have no change in experience.

The responses were also mixed for CCTV, with the majority of respondents reporting no change in their experience of criminal behaviour since the installation of CCTV cameras in their area and no change in how safe they feel in their community since the installation of CCTV cameras. A number of respondents stated that they felt they had to install CCTV on their properties in order to protect their properties or in response to instances of crime.

When asked about whether changes to streetlighting had changed their experiences of criminal behaviour, the majority of respondents stated that they had no change in experience, whereas some stated that they had experienced less instances of crime.

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

We did

Following the consultation, the feedback will be used to help the council target resources more effectively and help structure bids for future projects.

We asked

The Knife Angel was located at the Grand Arch, Birkenhead Park throughout July 2022 to act as a catalyst for turning the tide on violent and aggressive behaviour, and as a poignant memorial for the countless lives lost to knife crime.

Visitors to the Angel were asked to provide feedback about the Knife Angel at the site by writing messages on the Knife Angel banners or engaging with the chaplains and also online on a Have your say website Guestbook in order pledge commitment to the national anti-violence message.

You said

A number of key themes were identified in the messages received on the banners, these included: requests for individuals to consider the consequences of their actions if they use a knife, messages emphasising the negative impacts of knife crime, reflecting on the emotional impact of visiting the Knife Angel and many shorter messages from younger children which summarised the general message of the seriousness of violence and knife crime.

For more information and to view the pledge report click here.

We did

These banners will continue to be used as an educational resource and talking point for future work on the issue of knife crime with the Detached Youth Work Team.

We asked

A Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA), which describes current 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 2021. This second phase of consultation asked residents to provide feedback on the draft 2022-2025 PNA, particularly if there were omissions, additions or any general comments that could be made.

You said

A total of 51 survey responses were received. The responses highlighted a number of queries, questions or comments related to the draft PNA. Overall, the responses received support the review of the Wirral Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) 2022-2025. A number of points raised through the consultation in terms of operational considerations, will be considered by Wirral PNA Development Group.

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 6 October 2022, where the Board approved the PNA for publication.

We asked

As part of its budget setting process for 2022-2023, Wirral Council carried out a budget consultation with residents about what council services matter most to them. The consultation ran from 2 to 28 November 2022, and asked residents what their priorities are, what council services they felt made a difference, and where they believe the Council should be focusing its efforts to help develop the budget plan.

You said

A total of 534 survey responses were received, 530 online responses and 4 paper copies. In summing up responses, Parks and Open Spaces and Children’s Services were highlighted as being among the top 3 for both most valued services and most important services to invest more resources in. Safe and Pleasant Communities was the priority most frequently placed as most important, specifically ‘working with partner agencies to reduce crime and tackle anti-social behaviour’.

112 contributions were made to the ideas board by 78 participants. The most common themes were the Council’s operation and structure, ideas relating to maintenance and ideas relating to golf courses.

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

We did

Following the consultation, feedback was considered by the Policy and Resources Committee on 17 January 2022 and referred to the specific Budget meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee on 15 February 2022, where recommendation of the budget savings was made. This was ratified at Budget Council on 28 February 2022.

We asked

As part of the budget consultation exercise in 2022 a budget proposal for public conveniences was put forward and residents were asked their views on the closure of some of the Councils conveniences. Five public conveniences were proposed to be closed; these were toilets that had not been re-opened since the pandemic due to the enhance cleaning required

You said

There were 364 responses to the consultation and of these 88% used public toilets. In total 79% of respondents disagreed with the planned closures.

We did

On 25 October 2022 the Tourism, Communities, Culture and Leisure Committee approved the proposals to shut toilets at Moreton Cross, West Kirby Concourse, Meols Parade and New Ferry. For these public toilets approval was given that they be declared surplus to requirement and the Director of Regeneration and Place be authorised to consider other options for the sites including marketing them for sale, demolition and clearance or any expressions of interest from communities.

The Committee resolved that Council officers work towards a solution where the Public Toilets in Thornton Hough are available while sports teams are using the green and open at weekends.

Facilities at West Kirby Marine Lake, Harrison Drive in New Brighton, Hoylake and Moreton Common will remain. The four toilets remaining in use were chosen as to meet the needs of residents and visitors due to their location, frequency of use, ability to maintain good cleaning standards and in maintaining a good provision of toilet facilities within a given radius.

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 (for a 12-month period) of Wirral Tennis & Sports Centre for redevelopment. A public consultation with regards to this option was opened on the Councils Have Your Say platform between 31 January and 27 March 2022.

You said

The questionnaire had 148 online and 9 paper responses. Of those responses, 65% said they, or somebody they cared for were regular users of Wirral Tennis Centre, and 48% said they were members of the Invigor8 scheme. The overall results were mixed, with an average response over the 3 questions of 43% in favour, and 42% against the budget saving.

The consultation exercise also received representation from the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) in their capacity as the national governing body for tennis. The LTA expressed concern at the proposed closure of three out of the six indoor tennis courts at the site. Consequently, the LTA have proposed a package of measures that will both deliver the required level of saving at the site together with a wider package of investment funding.

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

We did

The outcome of the consultation, together with the partnership agreement with the Lawn Tennis Association, was reported to the Tourism, Communities, Culture & Leisure committee on Thursday, 16 June 2022. The committee agreed the reinstatement of the tennis offer, and development of community offer at the Wirral Tennis & Sports Centre (WTSC) subject to the implementation of a new model for tennis at the site, established through a partnership agreement with the Lawn Tennis Association.

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 permanent closure of Woodchurch Leisure Centre. A public consultation with regards to this option was opened on the Councils Have Your Say platform between 31 January and 27 March 2022.

You said

The questionnaire had 303 responses. Of those responses, 72% said they, or somebody they cared for were regular users of Wirral Council swimming pools, and 24% said they were members of the Invigor8 scheme. The overall results show a disagreement with the saving, with an average disagree response over 3 questions of 81%.

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 permanent closure of Woodchurch Leisure Centre was approved.

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.

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 Fun (Leisure) Pool at Europa Pools and the development of a fitness facility. A public consultation was opened on the Councils Have Your Say platform between 31 January and 27 March 2022.

You said

The questionnaire had 240 responses. Of those responses, 74% said they, or somebody they cared for were regular users of Wirral Council swimming pools, and 28% said they were members of the Invigor8 scheme. The overall results show a lack of agreement with the saving, with an average disagree response over 4 questions of 75%.

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. The committee considered all public feedback and made recommendations. They approved the permanent closure of the leisure pool at Europa Pools, with alternative provision and pool-based activities for children and young people within the main competition pool (and other sites where permissible). In addition, the alternative fitness offer within the space previously occupied by the leisure pool at Europa Pools was retained.

Between 1 December and 24 December 2021 a consultation on seven draft Traffic Regulation Orders (“TROs”) under the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (“RTRA) was carried out by the Council. Four of these TROs relate to existing off-street car parks and the other TROs would entail the introduction of on-street car parking charges.

The result of the consultation and the approval of the introduction of on-street and off-street car parking charges in various new locations was listed as an agenda item for the Environment, Climate, Emergency and Transport Committee on 20 June 2022. However, the item was deferred following correspondence received from a local business in relation to the legality of the proposals.

In light of this the Council has decided to wait until its new Parking Strategy is completed and adopted before proceeding with a fresh consultation process for off-street and on-street car parking.