Wirral libraries 'can only saved by 4% levy'

Dec 10 2008 by Matt Hurst, Birkenhead News

Steve Foulkes

WIRRAL’S closure-threatened libraries and leisure centres can only be saved by the imposition of a 4% “cultural levy”, over and above council tax, says Wirral council leader Steve Foulkes.

The Labour leader defended proposals to axe Birkenhead Library, Pacific Road Arts Centre and Grange Road Sports Centre, saying: “As long as I’m leader and breathe air, I will not walk away from my duty to the council tax payer and will not steal money out of their pockets.”

But Conservative leader Cllr Jeff Green believes Cllr Foulkes is trying to “obscure the issues”.

Cllr Foulkes told the News residents should “keep in the back of their mind” that if £3.8m savings are not made as proposed, the council would look elsewhere.

Education is ring-fenced, children and adult social services remain a statutory duty, “which leaves highways and culture”, the council leader said.

Cllr Foulkes said: “We’ve invested heavily in quality services, our recycling record is heralded as among the best in the country and we have one of the best education services.

“It’s fantastic and every young person has the opportunity to benefit.

“They’ve not been cheap and the priority now is moving into a better quality environment in the leisure and culture sector.”

But West Kirby’s Cllr Green claims at least £3m can be stripped from the proposed £9m fuel budget, as prices tumble, and £1.4m is due as a reward grant from the local area agreement.

According to Cllr Foulkes the strategic review has been announced now because the administration has a legal duty to set council tax by March, and any public consultation must conclude by then.

He added that Wirral is one of the few authorities not making people compulsorily redundant, asked residents to be positive about the potential £20m culture investment and slammed the Conservatives for ignoring budget pressures.

Cllr Foulkes said: “If we don’t take into account or move towards that process, then you’re being asked by the opposition party to pay an extra 4% in cultural levy.

“They can come out and say that.”

But the Conservative leader responded: “We should be providing quality services locally that people can use and if Cllr Foulkes and his Liberal Democrat colleagues want to step aside, they should do so now and we’ll give an absolute commitment to keep these facilities open.”

l Area Forums are taking place across the borough – see Page 6