The above appeared as an advertisement in the Wirral Globe on 31st December 2008. I am delighted that the Unions have recognised that the Conservative Councillors in Wirral are not implicated in these savage cuts, in fact we are the only politicians who are opposed to them.
Wirral’s ruling Labour and Lib Dem Cabinet will be considering a report on THursday this week, which if they approve will start the process for closing many of the Council’s buildings across the Borough. The closures include 10 library’s, Leisure Centres, Pacific Road Arts Theatre, Wirral Museum at Birkenhead Town Hall and the Bus and Tram museum in Birkenhead. Whilst the Council promises re-provision in a different format, there is no doubt that the closure of many of the facilities across the Borough will have a direct effect on thousands of people. You can read the full report by clicking here and the appendix which outlines the closures by clicking here
Amongst over £4 million in cuts the Lib/Lab Council have decided on is a proposed £50,000 cut for school crossing patrols. We can’t say which schools will be affected because the Council has made the report exempt. (Gagged us in other words). However we can say that many crossing patrols at schools across Wirral will lose their lollipop person. What do you think? Let me know using the poll below.
Not only do Wirral partnership Homes want to demolish some of its high rise blocks, it also wants to change its constitution so that decisons can be made by the Board without ANY of the five Council nominated representatives being present. And guess what the Labour led Council Cabinet have agreed to let them do it. That is one decision that we will challenge using the Council’s Call In mechanism. You can read the reasons for our Call in by clicking here. What the Call In means is that a special committee will look at the Cabinet decision and decide if they want to ask cabinet to change its mind, an unlikely outcome, as the committee is dominated by a majority of Labour and Lib Dem bed partners who will simply want to rubber stamp their masters decision! Democracy they can’t even spell it, never mind practice it.
Wirral council has been asked to choose a new television for the room used by councillors at the Town Hall, costing around £1,000. The Members Room currently has a little-used TV, plus two computer terminals and laser printers, for use by any councillor while in the building. Now, an unnamed member (not one of the Conservative Group) so most likely from the ruling Labour and Liberal Democrat Coalition has asked the Council’s Democratic Services Manager to upgrade the TV.
I simply can’t believe the mentality and the arrogance of these people. At a time when Council Tax has gone up, when Council employees are faced with redundancy, and when many people in Wirral are struggling with rising prices for fuel, food and travel, I think for the Council to provide a new, state-of-the-art TV for Councillors is sending out the wrong message. Do we really need a high-spec, 42″ digital TV for councillors? I don’t think so. If a councillor wants to watch the latest episode of Corrie, they can go home to do so or record it to watch later. The Council Tax payer should not be paying for this.”
I can’t see anything other than the Birkenhead bias for spending Council Taxpayers money, all the Labour councillors on Wirral’s Cabinet come from the Birkenhead constituency. As well as that, the Labour Chairman of Environment Committee is a Birkenhead Councillor, as is the Chairman of the Steetscene and Transportation Committee, Community and Customer Engagement Committee and the Pensions Committee. All of that is compounded by the fact that two Lib Dem Cabinet Members are Birkenhead constituency Councillors, as well as two of their committee Chairmen……… Loaded in favour of Birkenhead – Well what do you think?
It’s reported in today’s Liverpool Daily Post that tonight’s Council meeting in Wirral to determine who runs the Council for the next 12 months could be a long drawn out affair. Well it does not have to be, as long as the Labour and Lib Dem groups accept the will of the electorate, stand aside and let the Conservatives get on with the job!
More on this tomorrow.
I believe that actions are stronger than words and that Councillors should practice what they preach.
The behaviour of both Labour and Lib Dem Councillors, in cutting money for services, whilst increasing their own allowances, I believe is inappropriate.
So in an email to Jim Wilkie, Deputy Chief Executive, and Director of Corporate Services, I have requested that he notify the Finance department that I do not wish to take the increase in the basic rate of Members Allowances as recommended by the independent Remuneration Panel and subsequently amended, and approved by the Labour and Lib Dem group at both Cabinet and Council
I truly do not believe it is right for elected members to accept this increase whilst any Council employee(s) are either being made, or are under the threat of redundancy, and while any cuts are being made to basic services, and I am delighted that other members in my group have adopted the same approach and have told the Council that they do not want this increase.
Pictured above L to R Cllr Suzanne Moseley, Ian Lewis, Me, Cllr Leah Fraser, Cllr Simon Mountney
Tonight, I was out and about with the team in Moreton knocking on doors and seeking peoples views on the issues that concern them, and reminding them that they can make a difference on May 1st.
It was clear that traditional labour supporters have had enough, not just of national Government, but with what is happening locally with Labour Lib Dem alliance at the Town Hall. Like us, they too believe it is time for change!
CHRIS BLAKELEY 
