War of words over future of Bebington’s historic Mayer Hall and Pennant House

Dec 21 2011 by Lorna Hughes, Bromborough and Bebington News

A WAR of words has broken out over the future of historic buildings in Bebington Village.

Conservative councillors in Bebington and Clatterbridge are urging Wirral’s ruling Labour cabinet to look again at “key community asset” Mayer Hall.

A public meeting took place earlier this month to discuss the building, together with neighbouring Pennant House and the Clock Tower, after mounting community concern over their condition and plans to move a One Stop Shop to Bebington Civic Centre.

In a joint letter to the News, Sheila Clarke, Peter Kearney and Adam Sykes said they believed funds allocated to relocate the One Stop Shop could be used to renovate the hall.

They say members of the public were “appalled” at the condition of the buildings and “rightly critical of the council's maintenance of them”.

But Bebington Labour councillor Jerry Williams hit back by saying the Conservatives were to blame because they failed to provide funding for a full refurbishment when they ran the council.

He said: “I find the response amazing. We’ve been leading the campaign in relation to these buildings so we don’t need any lecturing from them.

“The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats caused these problems by only allowing enough money to make the roof watertight.

“They wanted Pennant House One Stop Shop to go into the Civic Centre despite a 400-name petition against it.”

In their letter the Conservative councillors said: “It was clear from the strength of feeling demonstrated at the meeting and in extensive previous public consultation over the years, that residents want Mayer Hall and the surrounding buildings to be used for the public benefit.

“The council has allocated £1.3 million to relocate the One Stop Shop from the building next to Mayer Hall, Pennant House, into the Civic Centre.

“We feel that this money could be used to renovate Mayer Hall and fund the transfer of the building to a local community group.

“The One Stop Shop could remain in Pennant House which is considered by many to be a more accessible and generally better location.

“The council has argued that the One Stop Shop should be moved to save cost but because it is costing so much to move it; from the rough figures provided by the council officers, it will take 25 years to see any saving.”

Mayer Hall was built by noted Bebington philanthropist Joseph Mayer, who made Pennant House his home.

He also established the Mayer Trust to provide for a series of illustrated public lectures on the arts, sciences and history.

Mayer Hall is now used by a variety of community groups including Wirral Ancient Egypt Society.

The Mayer Hall Bebington Trust became a registered charity in 1997 and raised thousands of pounds towards the cost of restoring the building’s roof.

Wirral Council said cabinet members will consider the issue early next year.

Councillor Adrian Jones, cabinet member for corporate resources, said: “Options for the future of Pennant House, Mayer Hall and 65 The Village in Bebington were discussed at a well-attended special area forum on Tuesday, December 6.

“Comments and feedback from that meeting are currently being collated and will form part of a report that will be considered by cabinet in the New Year.”