Wirral Council unveils £49million cuts options

Nov 14 2012 by Liam Murphy, Birkenhead News

FRONTLINE services “will be annihilated” unions said as Wirral Council outlined sweeping cuts proposals.

The authority revealed a package of £49million worth of cuts options for the public and councillors to consider as it attempts to find £39 million worth of savings and balance the budget for next year.

Joe Taylor of Unison said staff had been left devastated at the proposals. He said: “The chief executive says they are trying to protect frontline services, but from the options we’ve been many of them look in danger.”

As well as hundreds of council staff facing being axed, the proposals include:

Two out of three respite homes to face closure

Day care centres could go to save £2m

Higher charges for social care such as meals on wheels.

Increasing all car parking charges to the level paid in Birkenhead

Charges for garden waste collection

Ending the apprenticeships programme.

Ending the sponsorship of Tranmere Rovers.

Street cleaning, street lighting and highways maintenance cut back

Slashing maintenance of parks and opens spaces including beaches.

Other options include cutting eight children’s centres and short breaks for children with disabilities reduced.

The proposals could see higher charges for the ERIC bulky waste service and increased charges for social care, reviewing support for carers and residential care for people with learning disabilities.

More libraries face being merged with One Stop Shops and reduced opening hours including shutting over Christmas and a cut in the book fund.

Leisure centres could also be hit with Europa and Guinea Gap pools to be shut at less busy times and subsidy to school music service cut.

Chief executive Graham Burgess said: "I am absolutely determined that this council will be on a sustainable financial footing for the future."

Consultation now starts on the proposals, see www.wirral.gov.uk/whatreallymatters for more how to take part.