Creative! Wirral Labours New Word for Closure?

Here we go again, only back in control for three weeks and already Labour is threatening our libraries, clearly they have not learned the lessons of the past.    Read more by clicking HERE.      My message to the Cabinet Member, Cllr Chris Meaden is clear.  If you are going to be creative, use the £240,000 the Conservatives put into this years Council budget to improve Wirral’s libraries…..    Of course Labour would not be able to go down this road if it wasn’t for the nine empty seats vacated by the Lib Dems?

Pick It Up, or Pay The Price!

Wirral’s new Conservative-led Council as well as freezing Council Tax, have reduced the running costs of the Council, which has allowed them to invest in important local services.    Tackling those owners who don’t clean up after their pets is one of the new plans.     Now, a permanent new team of officers will be given the job of tackling these irresponsible owners in Moreton and Saughall Massie, as well as across Wirral.    Under Labour administration, just one person in the whole of Wirral was fined for dog fouling.

It’s All About Teamwork!

This morning, along with Conservative Councillors from Wallasey, Wirral West and Wirral South and activists we were out delivering the lateset edition Newsline in Bebington.  Altogether over 30 people turned up to help.     I went out with the team from Wallasey, Cllr Lesley Rennie, Cllr Ian Lewis, Cllr Paul Hayes, Cllr Denis Knowles and Leah Fraser and between us we delivered to over 800 homes.   Afterwards it was back to the Acorn Pub for a rest and a welcome coffee!     Team two I understand is out this afternoon, mopping up.

Change Is Here!

Leader of Wirral Borough Council, Cllr Jeff Green signing the Partnership Agreement whilst Cllr Simon Holbrook looks on

Last night, after 24 years of a Labour led Council, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats joined forces in a ‘Progressive Partnership’ to wrest control of the Council.      Conservative Councillor Jeff Green was elected as leader for four years under the new governance arrangements.  The new local coalition also reflects what’s happening nationally.   Believe it or not, it is the first Conservative-led Council in Wirral for 24 years.  

• The ‘Partnership’ has 42 of the 66 seats
• Conservatives hold 7 of the 10 Cabinet portfolios, the Lib Dems hold 3.
• The Lib Dems do NOT have the leisure and libraries portfolio.
• We will protect key frontline services 
• We have implemented a 5% pay cut for Cabinet Members to reduce the cost of politics
• We will Publish details of all Council spending in excess of £500
• We will ensure greater involvement with people on key issues.
• We will work with the coalition Government to freeze Council Tax for Wirral residents

I am delighted and honoured to have been offered the Housing and Community Safety portfolio, and will do my very best to carry out my duties and responsibilities to the people of Wirral.      You can read the partnership agreement by clicking HERE

Away Day

Today has been spent at the Floral Pavilion for the Wirral Conservative Group ‘Away Day’.   The day (the first we have held for three years) was spent listening to Council officers telling us about the current financial stresses in the Council, and the difficulties that the coming years will bring, as well as how the Council is engaging with people in the borough!   One word, Library’s?   

We chose the Floral as our venue because it is a Council run venue, so the cost of the ‘Away Day’  would not be a drain on Wirral’s Council taxpayers.    We also told officers not to arrange any food for lunch, as we would be buying our own, again to keep the costs down.    Hopefully the Labour and Lib Dems will learn fom our example when they plan their annual ‘Away Days’

Wirral’s Library Inquiry – Day 2

This morning sees the second day of the public Inquiry ordered by Andy Burnham MP, former Secretary of State for the Department of Culture, Media and Sports (DCMS) into the proposed closure of 11 of Wirral’s much needed and much loved Library’s, ordered by the joint Labour and Liberal Democrat Cabinet that rules in Wirral.

I attended the morning session yesterday and you can read about that by clicking here.  Sadly I will not be able to attend today’s session as I am Chairing a Merseytravel Access Panel (Wirral MAP) at the Lauries Centre, however I will try and follow of much of it as I can by logging onto the live blog being operated by the Wirral News.  To access that blog click here.

Let’s not forget that whilst Council Officers brought the Strategic Assett Review (SAR) forward and are defending the Labour and Lib Dem Cabinet’s position at the Public Inquiry on the Libary closures, it was THE LABOUR AND LIBERAL DEMOCRAT PUBLICLY ACCOUNTABLE ELECTED CABINET MEMBERS who ORDERED the closures to go ahead, and it is they who can stop the closures by reversing that decision.  Yes it really is that simple!

Wirral Conservative Group AGM 2009

Last night I attended the Wirral Conservative Group Annual General Meeting at Hoylake Conservative Club on Meols Drive.

There was unanimous support for the current officers to remain in position, Cllr Jeff Green as Leader, Cllr Lesley Rennie as Deputy Leader, Cllr Andrew Hodson (Mayor-Elect) as Secretary, Cllr Suzanne Moseley as Treasurer, and I am delighted to have been re-elected as Chief Whip.

Committee places and allocation to outside bodies, whilst sketched in have still to be confirmed.