Wirral Green Party is celebrating a unanimous vote at Full Council last night (20 July) in support of a motion to help make the borough’s neighbourhoods safer, healthier, and more welcoming for children to play outdoors.
The motion, proposed by a Green councillor and supported across party lines, commits Wirral Council to bring forward proposals that will support child-friendly neighbourhoods and public spaces, including the potential for Play Streets and a review of signage or other features that may unintentionally discourage informal outdoor play.
The Council will also align its work with the recommendations of the ‘Raising the Nation’ Play Commission, a major national report highlighting the urgent need to put children’s wellbeing at the heart of local decision-making. Proposals will be co-designed with local residents, including children, young people and families, and brought to the relevant committee within six months.
Wirral Green Party was grateful to both the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats for their constructive input and amendments to the motion, which strengthened its focus on public consultation, inclusivity, and ensuring the needs of older residents are also carefully considered.
Green councillor Ed Lamb, who led the motion, said:
“This is a big step forward for Wirral. Most of us remember a childhood where playing out was the norm — knocking for your friends, climbing trees, and making up games in the street. But for today’s children, that everyday freedom has quietly slipped away.
This motion is about restoring a little of that freedom, joy and connection. It’s about safer, more sociable neighbourhoods — not just for children, but for everyone.”
The motion was passed despite an attempt by Wirral Conservatives to steer the debate away from young people’s needs and back towards their long-running campaign to spend money raking Hoylake Beach — a proposal unrelated to the motion’s core purpose and currently without legal or scientific support.
“We’re pleased that councillors from across the chamber ultimately stayed focused on the real issue — the wellbeing of our children and how we shape public spaces for the future,” added Cllr Ed Lamb.
The motion recognises previous work done in Bebington with Sustrans and commits to building on that experience to better understand what works when it comes to street layout, community support, and inclusive design.
Cllr Amanda Onwuemene, who seconded the motion, says she is excited to see how this work develops over the coming months — and believes that supporting outdoor play, walking, cycling and sociable neighbourhoods will have benefits for people of all ages.
“This is about creating the kind of places where children thrive, older residents feel safe and included, and neighbours know each other’s names. That’s a vision we can all get behind.”