We asked, you said, we did

For more information on the consultation click here.

We Asked

We asked Wirral residents and businesses to share their opinions about Birkenhead and how it should be developed in the future. These views were important in shaping a £45m capital funding investment bid to the Government’s £3.6bn Towns Fund programme, which was set up to benefit towns that have not seen the same economic growth as more prosperous areas. We wanted to know how residents felt about the town and its potential, to make sure that our bid reflected the needs and wants of local people.

You Said

Residents provided their views on Birkenhead across a range of topics. This included how they felt about the town today, what makes it special and distinctive, and what would make a difference to Birkenhead’s future. The key findings showed that the town’s history and heritage, and green, open spaces like Birkenhead Park, as well as the Waterfront, were particularly important. Residents told us that they wanted to see improvements on the high street and in the town centre as well as the redevelopment of derelict land and better facilities for culture, heritage, and the arts.

We Did

Following the consultation, the Town Deal Board (which includes MPs and locally elected members, and representatives from business, education, community, and voluntary sectors) used the feedback to help decide which projects would be put forward as part of our Town Deal bid. We submitted a £45m bid to fund projects which covered key areas such as culture and heritage, public spaces, sustainability, education, and workspaces for business growth; and support the vision of the Birkenhead 2040 Framework. Following this, we were awarded an additional £1m of accelerator funding which went to support ‘quick-win’ projects, including over £430,000 for creative organisations based in the Argyle Street area.

In July 2021, we successfully secured £25m from the Towns Fund. This will be used to fund 10 key projects across the areas outlined above over the next four years, which will benefit our residents, businesses, and visitors. You can find out more about the Town Deal for Birkenhead and the supported projects here: Millions of pounds for transformational Birkenhead projects

For more information on the consultation click here.

We Asked

We asked Wirral residents, sports clubs, groups and local organisations to provide us with information about football in the local areas to help us submit a funding bid. We asked about playing, supporting, coaching, refereeing, staying fit and what activities communities want for the future. The funding bid was to focus the areas of Birkenhead and Tranmere, Seacombe, Bidston and St. James, Rock Ferry and Liscard.

You Said

Residents fed back their views on playing football in Wirral. This included a range of information such as what football activities people would like, who they should be delivered by and when. They also advised on how football benefited them through improved health and wellbeing and building good relationship within the community, they also advised on if there were barriers to playing football.

We Did

We submitted the bid to the National Lottery’s Active Through Football funding programme managed by the Football Foundation. The application process was highly competitive and the funding has been directed to the most socially and economically disadvantaged areas around the Country. Unfortunately, Wirral’s individual bid was unsuccessful, however we are hopeful that we can still deliver some projects in Wirral through an additional successful City Region bid that we are partnered with.

Whilst this planning is underway, we will continue to utilise the information provided by respondents to our original questionnaire as we look to secure several million pounds from the Football Foundation soon. We are progressing the development of new 3G facilities around the borough. We are also applying for funding to invest in our grass pitch stock to improve their condition and ability to host more games throughout the season.

For more information on the consultation click here.

We Asked

We carried out a consultation on a set of budget proposals for the 2021/22 Council budget. We asked for your views on whether you supported the proposals. The 24 proposals included options for budget reductions affecting all council departments and the services they provide, from adult social care and young people & education, to bin collections, leisure centres, museum services, golf courses, public conveniences, and tourism. The budget proposals also covered areas such as council back-office reorganisation and income generation such as car parking and other fees charged by the local authority.

You Said

You told us which of the proposals you supported and those you didn’t. You also gave us feedback on the proposals and different ideas we could use for council budget setting. The analysis of responses showed that the proposals most disagreed with included:

Reducing youth provision, ceasing the school crossing patrol service, reduction of public conveniences, reducing the collection of general rubbish to once every three weeks, the closure of Europa Pools, review of council-run golf courses, closure of the Council’s museum service, and removal of support for the community alarm service.

You can view the whole consultation report in Documents here.

We Did

A meeting of the full Wirral Council was held on the 1 March 2021 to make a final decision on the budget. Councillors discussed the budget options including the public consultation responses.

In light of the findings from the extensive public consultation on the savings options, councillors agreed to remove a number of proposals in the budget, reflecting those areas people in the borough care about. This included the options to stop school crossing patrols, close public toilets, introduce three weekly bin collection and entirely close Europa Pools were removed from the budget. Investigations will take place to see if the Fun Pool at Europa can be opened for the six-week summer holiday while the main pool will stay open – this would have to be in line with Public Health advice, any lockdown restrictions.

The reviews of council golf courses and the Museums Service were also removed from the budget, although the Williamson Gallery will need to make efficiency savings totalling £90,000. The proposal to reduce the subsidy to the Hive Youth Centre from £400,000 to £200,000 was amended so the centre will receive £300,000 for one year only and the Birkenhead youth site will be helped to secure additional sponsorship and funding from businesses to make up the difference. The proposal to remove the Community Alarm Service which offers a low-level support service to aid independent living and reduces the burden on social care and health services was also delayed.

Eight major proposals were removed from the list of budget options after being highlighted by the public that they did not want them to go ahead.

You can view the minutes and webcast of the full council meeting here.