The leadership transition marks an exciting new chapter for Wirral Greens, who now have 14 councillors and are the joint second-largest political group on Wirral.

Birkenhead & Tranmere Councillor and outgoing co-leader, Pat Cleary said:

“It’s been a huge honour to co-lead Green Party councillors on Wirral through a period of significant growth. From one councillor to fourteen, we’ve shown what’s possible when residents are offered a positive, practical alternative. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together, but there is so much more to come for the Green Party in Wirral – from electing more councillors to electing Wirral’s first Green MP. It’s an exciting time for the Green Party in Wirral and I’m excited by the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”

Bromborough Councillor Jo Bird added:

“It’s been an absolute honour to co-lead fourteen Green Councillors for the last two years. 

Green Councillors consistently put Wirral’s people and environment first. For example, by proposing that all of our libraries be kept open by not wasting money destroying nature at Hoylake beach. 

Going forward, I’m delighted that Ed and Gail are bringing their significant skills and experience to the role of co-leaders of the Wirral Green Group. 

I will be focusing on winning hearts and minds, as the Green candidate for Birkenhead MP for the next general election.”

Bebington Councillor Ed Lamb said:

“Pat and Jo have been tireless advocates for the people of Wirral and for the values we all share. We’re so grateful for their dedication, leadership, and the huge contribution they’ve made to growing the Green movement locally.

I’m incredibly proud to be co-leading such a passionate, principled group of Green councillors. It’s an honour to work alongside colleagues who care so deeply about Wirral.

I’m excited to get started — with a clear focus on regeneration that puts people and communities first, urgent climate action, and creating a transport system that works for everyone. There’s so much to do, and I’m looking forward to delivering real change that improves everyday life for Wirral residents.”

Greasby, Frankby & Irby Councillor Gail Jenkinson added:

“Thanks to Pat & Jo for their leadership, which has seen the Green Party transformed on the Wirral. We have big shoes to fill and we are looking forward to building on their work in taking the Green Councillors forward. We are proud to represent a growing, principled movement that puts people and the environment first. 

We will continue to fight waste from political vanity projects to ensure as much public money as possible is given to frontline services. I will also prioritise preserving and expanding our green spaces for the benefit of future generations. We can create a safe, healthy and wealthy Wirral, and I am so pleased to have this amazing opportunity to make that a reality.”

/Ends

Press contact:

Cllr Ed Lamb / edlamb@wirral.gov.uk
Cllr Gail Jenkinson / gailjenkinson@wirral.gov.uk

Social media links
https://bsky.app/profile/wirralgreenparty.bsky.social
https://www.facebook.com/wirralgreen
https://www.instagram.com/wirralgreenparty
https://x.com/GreenWirral

The post Wirral Green Group Announces New Co-Leaders appeared first on Wirral Green Party.

Recently, Wirral Council agreed a refreshed Community Asset Transfer policy (CAT). But no voluntary sector organisations were consulted. 

Going forward, organisations for social and environmental benefits will be treated the same as commercial organisations, when seeking to rent or buy Council properties. Council officers clarified CATs will be “like any normal property transaction”.

Cllr Jo Bird said, “Recent attempts at Community Asset Transfers have been very painful and taken many years. There is a lot to learn from experiences with Bromborough library & civic centre, Woodchurch leisure, Brackenwood golf, Leverhulme field cricket pitches and others sites.

The refreshed Community Asset Transfer (CAT) policy is a good start but shouldn’t be the finished policy. It includes a lot of reasons why the CAT should not proceed, including that limited companies are not eligible and starting with market rates. Even if a voluntary organisation gains a lease, the Council can impose a no-fault eviction at any time.

As Green Councillors, we urged the Council to kick this CAT into consultation. To consult with groups like the Wirral Council for Voluntary Service and the third sector, who we aim to work in partnership with. We urge the council to reconsider and engage in meaningful consultation so that the benefits of recent experience can be fully reflected in the refreshed CAT policy and practice.”

The post Community Asset Transfers – Lessons are not being learned, say Wirral Greens appeared first on Wirral Green Party.

THE GREEN PARTY SUPPORTS FAIR AND PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION

Wirral Greens consistently support a fair share of chairs of council committees for all elected political parties. At the moment, no Green councillors hold committee chair or vice chair positions in the council. The Greens are the third largest party with 14 seats on the council, only three behind the Conservatives. Speaking for the Greens, Cllr. Jo Bird said: 

“One in four voters voted Green in the last local elections on the Wirral and one in five councillors are Green. Their voices should be represented through a fair share of senior positions.

“In the last few years, Wirral Green councillors have stood for election as chairs in public council meetings but Conservative and Labour councillors voted to grab more power for themselves.”

She said the Conservatives “have entered full on panic mode,” adding: “We hope new Labour leaders will share power fairly, show organisational grip and welcome challenge. Many people on the Wirral tell us above all they want grown up politicians to work together for people and our environment.”

Read more: Who could be Wirral’s new leader as race heats up – Liverpool Echo

The post Will Wirral’s New Council Leader make committees fairer? appeared first on Wirral Green Party.

“Putting those struggling with poor mental health under more financial stress is cruel and heartless.”

Read the full article here.

The post Disabled campaigners fears over benefits crackdown appeared first on Wirral Green Party.

At full Council on 17 March 2025, Green Cllr Amanda Onwuemene said:

In December 2023, the Green Party Motion: Maximising Income from Benefits and Allowances to help Alleviate Poverty in Wirral, was unanimously passed by all parties.

At that time circa £91 million worth of benefits remained unclaimed by residents on the Wirral. It is now 15 months since we voted to maximise the incomes of our residents on benefits. 

A report presented to Policy & Resources committee in September 2024 resolved to appoint Policy in Practice Ltd to work with the Household Support Fund Team to deliver a series of benefit take up initiatives.

In monetary terms, by how much, has the income of people on benefits on the Wirral been maximised due to the actions of the Council in this matter?

Cllr Paul Stuart: 

This project is still progressing. File transfers have taken place to Policy and Practice following the Council’s secure and approval from the DWP regarding the sharing of data. 

There has been a delay in progressing the objectives of the exercise with Policy and Practice following the departure of the Head of Revenue and Benefits and the Council is currently in the process of agreeing a date for the launch of the initiative. 

Cllr Onwuemene – Does that mean ‘nothing’?

Cllr Stuart: Madam Mayor, I have given my answer.

The post Greens support income maximisation appeared first on Wirral Green Party.

“We’ve earned a reputation for getting stuff done, that’s much harder and takes more effort than what Reform do, but it’s a sustainable model.”

Cllr Cleary is also fearful about what welfare cuts would do to people in Birkenhead.

“Like many places, particularly in the North, Birkenhead has suffered from post-industrialisation, the decline in shipyards has been a long issue,” he said.

“We would be deeply concerned about cuts to welfare, we would want to see a much better strategy of support for places like this, to rebuilding communities and supporting them.

“Not just cutting their welfare which will make life much more difficult for people who are struggling.

“People will be frightened [by cuts], they will be scared.”

Read the full article in the i Paper

The post Inside Birkenhead, the town set to bear brunt of Labour’s benefits cuts appeared first on Wirral Green Party.

Last night, Cllr Ruth Molyneux spoke at the Wirral Council Budget meeting. Watch her impassioned speech. Greens asked to save nature by protecting Hoylake beach and reinvesting money in our under-threat library services.

There’s no real need for me to tell everyone here about the value of libraries in our communities….but I will anyway.

Libraries provide free access to a treasure trove of books for people of all ages. But libraries aren’t just about books, they are a warm safe space with a friendly face, they’re Lego club, story time, mums and tots, craft club, knit and natter, film night and they are also a place of work, employing people that are dedicated to the library service and the communities they serve. It’s worth noting that the positive impact that libraries have on the health and well-being of Wirral residents is immeasurable.
Wirral library services have changed since 2022
•⁠ ⁠Wallasey Central
•⁠ ⁠Birkenhead Central
•⁠ ⁠West Kirby
•⁠ ⁠Bebington Central
•⁠ ⁠Beechwood
•⁠ ⁠Heswall
•⁠ ⁠Eastham
•⁠ ⁠Greasby
•⁠ ⁠Moreton
•⁠ ⁠Rock Ferry
•⁠ ⁠Upton
Remain unchanged
Four were co-located
•⁠ ⁠Leasowe -in leisure centre
•⁠ ⁠New Ferry-with local school
•⁠ ⁠Seacombe-in children’s centre
•⁠ ⁠St James–in community centre
Three were transferred
•⁠ ⁠Higher Bebington-to local school as an extra provision base
•⁠ ⁠Pensby-successful CAT
•⁠ ⁠Wallasey Village-successful Cat
And the remaining six were closed
•⁠ ⁠Hoylake
•⁠ ⁠Irby
•⁠ ⁠Prenton
•⁠ ⁠Ridgeway
•⁠ ⁠Woodchurch
And finally, Bromborough-closed and sold. There were 2 credible , high scoring business plans on the table for Bromborough but incredulously Labour and Conservative councillors voted to sell this building at the final hurdle, betraying not just the community groups that had worked so hard to put their business plans together but a whole community of passionate people who were looking forward to having there much loved community hub brought back into use.
That’s just two successful CATs for libraries, we must do better
There needs be a thorough review of asset transfer policy to set the context for any future community asset transfers
A forward thinking library strategy should include the option for community managed libraries and options for a hybrid model as well as a fully managed service.
There should also a monitoring of success including the social value
Its right that more time is given to formulate a library strategy that is fit for purpose and leaves no community behind with full and ongoing support for community groups that show interest in a community managed library model.

The post Protect Nature to Save Our Libraries appeared first on Wirral Green Party.

While Conservatives continue to advocate for raking our beaches despite clear guidance from national regulators only Greens have consistently argued for a nature-friendly, financially prudent and legal approach to beach management.

Cllr Pat Cleary set the record straight at the Policy and Resources Committee on 19 February.

The post Setting things straight on West Kirby and Hoylake beaches appeared first on Wirral Green Party.

The post top ten tory votes of shame appeared first on Wirral Green Party.

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.

The post BUDGET CONFIRMS URGENT NEED FOR NEW STYlE OF LEADERSHIP AT WIRRAL COUNCIL appeared first on Wirral Green Party.