Online poll shows voters are massively unhappy with Wirral Council’s cost-cutting plans

Dec 31 2008 by Matt Hurst, Birkenhead News

Online poll shows voters are massively unhappy with Wirral Council’s cost-cutting plans

WIRRAL Council proposals to close libraries and leisure centres across the borough will have a huge influence at the next council elections, according to a Wirral News poll.

In an online survey, we asked readers whether the closures would inform their decision-making at the next election, and a huge 93% said yes.

The poll ran on our website for a week, from Monday, December 15, to Monday, December 22, and a total of 157 votes were collated.

Of that 157, 146 respondents said the recommendations made by the Labour and Liberal Democrat controlled council would be remembered when their electoral mandate is up for renewal in 2010.

Only 11 people said the proposals would not influence their vote.

With protests and petitions in full swing, public opinion appears to strongly oppose any form of closure programme and Wirral’s Conservative group is tapping into this anger.

This means if the contributors to our online poll are representative, and maintain their stance, the Lib Dems and Labour face decimation, even in their traditional heartlands.

In Bebington, Cllr Walter Smith won by just 3% in 2007, Upton’s Cllr John George delivered a thin 6% margin last time out, while both Leasowe and Moreton East’s Cllr Iris Coates and Cllr Denise Roberts, of Claughton ward, are protecting vulnerable-looking 12% leads.

And the Lib Dems, who made one overall gain at the 2008 elections, hold three seats that could easily fall into Conservative hands.

Cllr Mike Redfearn is holding on to a 3% lead in Pensby and Thingwall, Cllr Chris Teggin’s 7% advantage in Clatterbridge is slightly stronger, while Cllr Jean Quinn has a 12% buffer to protect in Greasby, Frankby and Irby.

Lib Dem Cllr Mike Redfearn also sits on the council’s Culture, Tourism and Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Committee. He said: “I think we’ll probably have quite a different look to the council in 2010.

“The problem we’ve got is the asset review needed to be done, because the council just can’t continue to haemorrhage cash the way it has done.

“My ward is going to lose a library and I’m not happy about that, but people have got to remember that if the Conservatives are saying, ‘this is dreadful, we must fight it’, where are they going to get the cash from?”

Area forum conferences for members of the public to share their views on its controversial strategic asset review take place on January 5 at The Lauries Centre, Birkenhead; January 6: Hulme Hall, Port Sunlight; January 7: West Kirby Concourse; January 8: Floral Pavilion Theatre, New Brighton. All start at 7pm.This week our website is carrying a new poll, which asks: Do you feel your councillor is representing your views over culture closures?

Visit www.wirralnews.co.uk and register your vote.