Public would pay more to keep leisure centres and libraries open, says Wirral News poll

Dec 17 2008 by Matt Hurst, Bromborough and Bebington News

WIRRAL residents would be prepared to pay more to keep the leisure centres and libraries currently in operation, according to a Wirral News poll.

The News asked readers to contribute to a website survey after Wirral Council leader, Cllr Steve Foulkes, revealed the only way to save threatened facilities would be for every resident to stump up an additional 4% in ‘cultural levy’.

Cllr Foulkes told the News he would not ask for this, but claimed opposition plans to challenge the strategic review would only be sustainable if additional income was generated.

We asked readers: Would you be prepared to pay more to save Wirral’s libraries and leisure centres?

The poll ran from Wednesday December 10 to 3pm on Monday, and 60% of respondents said they were prepared to pay more.

We intend to run a new poll this week, and every week throughout the council’s consultation process, to generate useful statistical evidence for readers.

This week’s poll asks: Culture closures - will this influence your vote at the next council election?