Council notes the government consultation published on 30 July 2024 on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system including the proposed changes to the methodology for calculating new housing targets. Indicative figures imply an annual target for Wirral of 1,755 new homes, 1,027 or 141% higher than the corresponding figure in the Council’s
emerging local plan.

Council agrees that such numbers, if confirmed, threaten to fundamentally change Wirral by:

• undermining the unanimously agreed brownfield only policy for new housing and diverting resources away from the regeneration of Wirral’s left bank
• increasing urban sprawl with inevitable implications for carbon emissions and biodiversity loss
• posing a fundamental threat to Wirral’s green belt and the special character of many communities across Wirral
• Council also notes that the proposed reforms imply a preference for brownfield land development but do not indicate additional support for brownfield land reclamation and development to help
• meet the vast increase in housing numbers
• do not prioritise the existence of over a quarter of a million long term empty properties in England or suggest giving local authorities additional powers to bring such properties back into use
• do not address the carbon implications of increased urban sprawl and how this will impact on binding national targets for net zero emissions

and endorses the recent comments made by Claire Holland, housing spokesperson for the Local Government Association; “While national government can provide useful guidance, it is local councils and communities who know their areas best, so changes to national planning policy should be suitably flexible to allow authorities to make judgement decisions on managing competing demands for uses in their local areas.”1

Council further notes the letter from the Deputy Prime Minister to all local authority leaders on 30 July 2024 and particularly the comments regarding local plans currently at examination:

“where there is a significant gap between the plan and the new local housing need figure, we will expect authorities to begin a plan immediately in the new system” and the significant implications this has for the future of Wirral’s Local Plan.

Council reaffirms its commitment to the Birkenhead 2040 Framework and its ambition to fundamentally change the Left Bank of Wirral so that it becomes a place that is more attractive to investment from the private and public sector and therefore addresses market failure in the provision of new housing which significantly contributes to the stark inequalities that exist in Wirral.

Accordingly, Council instructs the Chief Planning Officer when preparing a response to the Government consultation to explicitly address:

• Wirral’s unique position given its potential to deliver large scale brownfield only housing and associated regenerative placemaking the negative knock-on effects that releasing green belt land would have on achieving successful regeneration and additional housing supply in East Wirral and the borough’s ability to achieve net zero targets
• the current situation regarding empty properties in Wirral and the corresponding potential to meet future housing need in the borough.

Sources:
1 https://www.local.gov.uk/about/news/urgent-action-needed-ensure-more-housing-built-meet-growing-demand-lga-response

The post Wirral Green Party – Motion for Extraordinary Council Meeting, Green Belt appeared first on Wirral Green Party.

Green councillor Jo Bird said, “Mazel tov to Councillors Ed Lamb, Helen Raymond and Craig Mcdonald on your first speeches to full Council. You’ve done the residents of Bebington, Eastham and Rock Ferry proud.

As co-leader of the Green Group of Councillors, along with Cllr Pat Cleary, and on behalf of the Green Group, we’re pleased to support this motion as amended. 

We add that Council further recognises that everyone has the right to standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself or herself and their family, including housing, as stated in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

On Wirral in Property Pool Plus, Band A residents, there are 222 people – that’s people who are statutory homeless or getting homeless relief duty, for example. 

In Band B, there are 1,386 people. Including residents of my ward Bromborough, like Kirsty Chapman and her family. They rent from a large private sector landlord, Port Sunlight Village Trust. Her home is in significant disrepair and it suffers from damp and cold because the energy performance certificate of it is less than C. 

So Council is therefore requesting that the Director of Regeneration and Place brings a report to the Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee, within this municipal year, providing information and making recommendations to address:

Firstly, the needs of all people on the Wirral who are homeless, rough sleeping or in temporary accommodation – including people seeking sanctuary from war and violence.

Secondly, to look into the availability and planned construction of new council housing and socially rented housing on Wirral, with secure tenancies and affordable rents. I know this isn’t a small ask. It’s a significant piece of work to bring the information forward.

Thirdly, protections available to that social housing stock from the right to buy and the right to acquire schemes. 

I’d like to also thank all the housing workers and the good work they do, supporting all kinds of people in housing need. Thank you.”

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The post Candidate Ed Lamb talks to BBC Radio Merseyside appeared first on Wirral Green Party.

Listen to the original broadcast at https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0clcztt

Helen Jones: And also listening to that is Councillor Jo Bird who is part of the Wirral Council. She represents the Bromborough ward, which includes areas under the disposal zone. I’m delighted to say Cllr Bird is with us this afternoon. Welcome to the afternoon show first of all Cllr Bird.

Cllr Jo Bird: Thank you, good afternoon. It’s great to be the Green Councillor for this area that we have been talking about. It’s by no means unique to our area. There are anti-social behaviour problems across the whole country.

HJ: Let’s start then, how concerned are you by what you’ve just heard, and these reports?

JB: I’m very concerned. Clearly throwing bricks at buses, attacking firefighters, smashing windows, and causing harm and distress to the public – is NOT OK. The vast majority of people of all ages are considerate of other people and our environment, and it is disappointing that a small number of people have this anti-social behaviour.

But I’m not convinced, to be honest, that dispersal orders are the way to stop crime from happening. Because it [a dispersal order] does literally disperse it [crime] to another area, pushes it elsewhere, and it can punish a whole community by doing that.

HJ: What do you feel is the answer then, to prevent further incidents?

JB: So I completely agree with the Inspector, to absolutely report specific problems to the authorities – to the Police, your local councillor or through the Council website.

But we also need to look deeper than that and beyond. What is the cause of anti-social behaviour?

One of them clearly is that we have suffered more than a decade of Government cuts to public services. Youth services have been decimated. We need to re-instate free youth facilities for all young people and inclusive open spaces for everybody. And to reform positive relationships with young people, not always blaming or criminalising them as the problem.

HJ: You must be as well Cllr Bird, in the thick of it and hearing feedback from those your represent in the Bromborough Ward, what are some of the things you’re hearing from local residents?

JB: A lot of people are saying that they’re concerned about their children and their children’s future. They feel like their children’s future is being stolen away. That the prospect of decent jobs and decent pay is retreating off the horizon. There is a lack of educational opportunities, the environment is going down, and drug misuse is a big problem as well.

HJ: How are the Council having to deal with these issues then Councillor?

JB: It’s cross-party, cross-community, cross-agency approaches that work on these kinds of issues, in my experience. We all need to be working together. We need to be hearing the voices of young people who are directly affected. Because they are often the targets of crime, as well as older targets of crime also. Crime and anti-social behaviour, isn’t uniquely a young persons problem, there’s plenty of older people crime, for want of a better word.

Also corporate crime. Today we have yet another extreme heatwave caused by climate change. We need to reinvest in renewable [energy], in home insulation, and create the green jobs of the future. Because after the summer heat has gone, families will feel extra cold this winter – while BP and Shell, big corporations, they take away £7 billion and £9 billion pounds in pure profit in the last 3 months – this also is NOT OK…

HJ: Councillor, let’s just go ack onto the question, because I was asking about anti-social behaviour, just want you to draw it back in, because you haven’t got much time. Is there anything you would like to see in addition to the measures already in place regarding anti-social behaviour?

JB: The key barrier to be able to do more to address it [ASB] is cuts and lack of public funding for public services. That’s partly because the multi-national corporations are taking money away. There should be a dispersal order on dirty profits. Profits should come back into the pockets of local authorities, the Police, and of ordinary workers who create the wealth in the first place. We need a super tax on the super rich to pay for measures to decrease anti-social behaviour.

HJ: Cllr Jo Bird, thank you for your time today, and thank you for being with us today on BBC Radio Merseyside.

Article originally posted here.

The post There should be a dispersal order on dirty profits to pay for measures to decrease anti-social behaviour appeared first on Wirral Green Party.

You can watch the full meeting via the council portal here.

The post llrs Cleary and Bird make urgent case for Wirral Council to go further and faster in protecting our environment appeared first on Wirral Green Party.

One part of Wirral could tell the tale of a massive shake-up in the council.

On May 5, voters go to the polls to elect a third of Wirral’s councillors. Labour is the largest party and has leadership of the council, but does not have a majority. In May, the Greens are hoping to tear through some of the party’s heartlands.

The Greens may gain seats in Birkenhead and Tranmere, Prenton and Bebington. But if it were to gain its first Wallasey seat, the party would send shockwaves through the Labour ranks.

Read the full article in the Liverpool Echo

The post ‘Wirral area could create political earthquake in crunch vote’ appeared first on Wirral Green Party.

Wirral Globe: Candidates confirmed for Wirral Council by-elections:

https://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/20055024.candidates-confirmed-wirral-council-by-elections—everyone-can-vote/

Wirral Green councillor Emily Gleaves on BBC Politics North West:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m00164hy/politics-north-west-03042022

Wirral Green Party co-chair Jane Turner featured in a BBC Countryfile article about Hoylake Beach:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0016ckv/countryfile-plant-britain-by-the-sea
Liverpool Echo: Merseyside councillors stand with Ukraine in show of solidarity:

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/merseyside-councillors-stand-ukraine-show-23590260

If you use social media and are able to share any of these posts, it will all help to build our profile.

The post Wirral Greens in the news appeared first on Wirral Green Party.

In Bebington:
· Budget bombshell hits Bebington as Government tells councils to shut services and sell off
assets, such as Bebington Library and Brackenwood Golf course. Cllr Jason Walsh says,
“Having slashed funding for council services over the past decade the government now
wants to squeeze blood out of a stone. Councils up and down the country are struggling to
preserve the services that mean so much to people. Wirral is no different. I and my Green
councillor colleagues will work hard to protect services, save jobs and avoid a fire sale of
public assets.”
· Some other services that may be affected in budget cuts include:

• Increased charges for garden waste collection Increase in allotment charges

• Suspension of Climate Emergency initiatives
• Reduced maintenance at Mayer Park and Higher Bebington Park
• Reduction in the Community Patrol Service
• 50% reduction in School Crossing Patrol services

· Community campaigner Judith Grier says, “”I’m appalled by some of these suggestions
which would compromise safety, increase social inequality and damage our environment.
This is the inevitable result of years of underfunding of local services by central government.
However, the Council needs to revisit some of its priorities to ensure basic services are
maintained and the vulnerable are protected”.
· There is some good news on the never-ending war on fly tipping. Wirral Council now has
access to high-tech wireless camera equipment that can be deployed at speed to known fly
tipping hot spots. This follows a partnership with a specialist private company. Securing
evidence to prosecute fly tippers is very difficult so this should help increase the number of
successful prosecutions whilst also deterring the selfish minority who expect others to clear
up their mess. Cllr Jason Walsh says, “This is very welcome news. Fly tipping has been a real
issue across different parts of Bebington and the clear up comes at a significant cost to
council tax payers. Hopefully this will reduce the volume of fly tipping in Bebington and the
rest of Wirral.”
· Successful litter picks took place on Old Chester Road, Teehey Lane, Higher Bebington Road
and Town Lane with Jason Walsh and Judith Grier and local residents. Jason and Judith urge
anyone else interested in helping out to contact them for further details: Jason Walsh on
07581 289 900 or Jasonwalsh.bebington@outlook.com; or Judith Grier on 07941 845 133 or
judithgrier.bebington@outlook.com

In Prenton:
 Cllrs Chris Cooke, Harry Gorman and Green Party Campaigner Naomi Graham fight permanent closure threat to Prenton library. Prenton library has spacious accommodation and until its closure it also offered a toddlers’ group every
Tuesday. Members of the Prenton Tenants and residents Association and other local people have met to discuss a way forward which could save the library and broaden the range of services and activities it offers. They have organised a petition against closure which can be signed at the PTRA office. Chris Cooke says: “It would be a devastating loss if the library closed forever, especially given the increased need for convenient community hub since the opening of new flats directly opposite.”
 Chris Cooke sits on the Merseyside Transport Committee which voted in November 2021 to implement a new Road Safety Strategy across the whole Liverpool City Region. Thanks to a Green Party proposal, Wirral leads in making a commitment to introducing 20mph speed restrictions, as not all the other councils in the region have yet adopted this policy. Chris continues to fight for more 20mph zones in and around Prenton ward. Harry Gorman and Naomi Graham met with Road Safety Officers and plan a residents meeting to look at ways of improving road safety around Prenton.
 Chris Cooke and Harry Gorman have been working hard with senior council officers to minimise the cuts to services due to stark budget choices and have already identified a number of areas where savings could be made which would not involve loss of services or jobs in Prenton and throughout the Wirral. Fortunately, the original sum forecast to be
saved of £27million has been dropped to about £20million which should protect essential children’s and adults’ services.

 Chris Cooke and Harry Gorman and Naomi Graham continue to support council officers in developing Wirral’s Tree, Hedgerow and Woodland Strategy and in securing grant funding to meet the ambitious target of planting over 200,000
trees within 10 years. Many Prenton residents have welcomed trees being planted in their roads to enhance the look and feel of their area. Naomi says: “Trees contribute so much to tackling the climate emergency by capturing carbon, absorbing pollution and replenishing oxygen. The also help to alleviate flooding.”

In Seacombe:
· Rae Voller, Green Party campaigner, is outraged at Wirral Council plans to permanently close
Seacombe library. Seacaombe would be one of 16 libraries to close as part of drastic
proposals to reduce the council’s budget. This would mean Seacombe residents would have
to travel to Wallasey Central Library. Rae says: “These proposals are completely
unacceptable for Seacombe. A self-service machine is not a library. What about students
who need peace and quiet to study? What about unemployed people who need wi-fi to find
a job? What about people on benefits who simply can’t afford internet charges?” Rae urges
residents to sign and share her petition in support of Seacombe library at:
www.change.org/p/wirral-borough-council-save-seacombe-library
· On the 8 th January 2022 Rae Voller joined volunteers and council staff for the community
tree planting day on Limekiln Lane. The was a wonderful day with over 650 trees planted.
The is part of a Wirral-wide programme and will double Wirral’s tree canopy once the trees
are fully grown. Rae says: “Trees are so important in dealing with the climate emergency,
supporting wildlife and preventing flooding. Of course, they are also essential for our own
wellbeing. If you would like to suggest an area that could contribute ro the tree planting
programme please get in touch (raebvoller8@gamail.com).”
· Rae Voller has been out measuring traffic with a speed gun on Seacombe roads as the
council starts 20mph roll out. In January 2022, the council approved a policy of establishing
default 20mph speed limits in areas that are mainly residential, retail, or educational. In
some roads this will be achieved through signage. In others, where speeding is a problem,
traffic calming measures, such as chicanes or speed bumps may be used if residents support
them after consultation. Rae says: “I know how hard my Green councillor colleagues have
pressed for these changes. Sadly, Merseyside has a very poor record of road safety
compared with other areas. These changes are an important step forward in saving lives and
making it easier for people to get about by foot and bike.”
· Rae demands action on cost-of-living crisis. Two schemes have recently been launched
which may help. Around 1000 homes in Seacombe are eligible to apply for works such as
insulation, glazing or solar panels. Also, residents who are in financial crisis can apply to the
Household Support Fund which contributes to everyday essentials such as food, clothing,
heating and transport. Rae says: “These schemes go nowhere near far enough to address the
rising level of need in our community. We need proper investment to make our homes
warm and stronger action to reduce the appalling levels of inequality in Wirral and across
the country.”

The post Update from Wards Feb 2022 appeared first on Wirral Green Party.

In Prenton:

• Harry Gormen speaks out against the privatisation of the Kingsway Academy which is costing the local council £867.5K per annum in spite of it being closed for 3 years.
• Naomi Graham, local campaigner, challenges the pavement parking problems in Prenton Ward
• Thanks to Harry, Chris and Naomi, more fly-tipping has been removed, street lights have been repaired and council officers are investigating excessive and illegal parking of vehicles in the Ingleborough Road area

In Bebington:

• Judith Grier, local campaigner, has been with the community tree planting in Bebington this month
• Jason Walsh and Judith Grier back an innovative scheme that aims to reduce danger and increase air quality around Brackenwood Infant and Junior Schools
• Thanks to Jason and Judith, more street lights have been repaired, pavement issues resolved and street cleaning issues in Bebington have been reported to the council

In Birkenhead and Tranmere:

• Pat Cleary and Emily Greaves are pleased to report more progress in the regeneration programme for Birkenhead. The council has had further success in securing investment for the town. Almost £20 million has been won via the government’s so-called “levelling up” fund to improve Woodside.
• Funds have been secured and plans are being drawn up to convert the disused railway line that runs through the heart of Birkenhead into a new public park by 2025 including a pedestrian/cycle route and a major visitor attraction.
• Mersey Park access has been resolved to Pat and Emily who have supported residents to correct what the council calls “an anomaly”. A petition has been handed in with over 70 signatures demanding action.

In Seacombe:

• Various locations across Seacombe have been short-listed for investments to help cut crime (namely:  Florence/Edith Road, Vernon/Oakdale Avenue, New Street, Denman Grove, North Park Court and the Five Bars Rest area.) and Rae Voller, Seacombe’s local campaigner, is encouraging residents to respond and back to the council’s plans.
• Rae is speaking up for Seamcombe to make sure residents get a fair deal from council funding re: issues of fly-tipping, litter, dangerous driving and anti-social behaviour
• Rae reports that work is underway at Seacombe Ferry to prepare for the planned opening of Eureka Mersey this year.

The post Update from Wards Jan 2022 appeared first on Wirral Green Party.

Our election results in May 2021 were a fitting reward for all of the hard work that so many members have undertaken over the past 12 years. Our vote in Bebington was easily the highest for any candidate in all of Wirral, matching our achievement in Prenton in 2019. Across Wirral we secured an amazing 16% of the total vote and would, under PR, have at least 11 councillors.

This means there is now Green representation on all council committees which means we have a direct say in every single key decision the Council makes. The resulting impacts are far too many to mention but include:
· Support for biodiversity via reduced grass cutting, beach raking and the use of chemicals in
parks and gardens
· A much higher profile for road safety and active travel with increased investment in cycle
networks and traffic calming

· A distinct green footprint on the regeneration plans for Birkenhead and the wider East Wirral area
· A lower carbon footprint for Wirral thanks to, for example, changes in car parking charges and reduced energy consumption in council buildings
· And, of course, thousands of residents have far better representation thanks to our strong, consistent and effective engagement.

With our expanding membership and volunteer capacity we are now active in four wards and can look forward with optimism to the next elections in May 2022. As ever, our results will depend on how many people we can motivate to remain and/or become active in our campaigns.

I’d like to thank all of the officers (past and present) and everyone who has campaigned to
help secure all of our achievements over the past decade. We can all be very proud and
should look forward with optimism to further rewards in the years ahead.
Pat Cleary

The post Review of the Year 2020-21 from Pat Cleary appeared first on Wirral Green Party.