Wirral Council set to spend £1.6m on revamp of Wallasey Town Hall

Jan 11 2012 by Liam Murphy, Birkenhead News

WIRRAL’S cash-strapped council has revealed plans to spend more than £1.6m revamping Wallasey Town Hall.

The authority, which is seeking to shed unwanted buildings across the borough, says the historic building needs upgraded fire escapes and refurbishment.

A more expensive plan to increase office space there was rejected because of the recent cuts in council staffing levels and a reduced need for office space.

Cllr Adrian Jones, cabinet member for corporate resources, said the works form “part of a much bigger picture” as the authority considers how to best use the buildings it owns across Wirral.

He added: “There are a series of recommendations and they will be considered by the cabinet. This scheme involves a significant amount of money but you have to consider what the savings will be if that allows us to take other buildings out of use.

“It makes good sense to invest in buildings which have a long life ahead of them.”

Wirral Council’s ruling cabinet will now be asked to approve the plans which include two new staircases and a new lift in the listed building, as well as improved fire precautions to meet modern safety standards.

A report by council officers says the escape routes need to be dealt with “as a matter of urgency” and estimates this work will cost just under £1m.

However, the total cost of works – which would also see the Civic Hall where many local events are held, including election counts, refurbished – would see this rise to £1.6m although these plans have yet to be put forward.

This latest move comes months after the authority warned it faces a budget deficit of £100m over the next three years even after the loss of more than 1,100 jobs in the past year as officials made £33m of cuts.