The recently published budget papers lay bare the scale of the financial crisis at Wirral Council, not least yet another request for a massive government loan. Of course, social care costs are a huge burden for local authorities and Wirral is acutely affected. But this makes the failure to get a grip of our broader finances especially concerning.
It’s therefore shocking that Labour and Conservative leaders have backed extravagant pet projects that are costing Wirral Council millions each year including:
• Empty office space in Birkenhead
• Moving civic functions back to Wallasey Town Hall
• Destroying nature and beach flood/sand defences at huge expense and in breach of legal obligations.
These are just a few examples of the current leaderships’ failure to get a grip as shown by recent reports from the council’s auditors and the Local Government Association.
Wirral desperately needs a new style of leadership, one that delivers value for money for council taxpayers, job security for workers and a clear focus on protecting Wirral’s most vulnerable residents and environment while fulfilling our regeneration potential.