New Brighton residents share their views on Wirral Council’s spending as budget roadshow moves to the Floral Pavilion

Sep 21 2011 by Lorna Hughes, Wallasey News

RESIDENTS of New Brighton have been telling Wirral Council how they would balance its budget if they had the choice.

As part of a roadshow travelling across the borough, the online budget simulator was at the Floral Pavilion last week to ask people how they thought the council should save £25 million.

Joyce Smith and Audrey Salisbury were just two of the people to voice their opinions.

Joyce said: “The council should consider bringing in more volunteers to support the delivery of some of its services.”

Audrey agreed that this was a good idea, adding: “There are lots of young people who are looking for work so volunteering opportunities with the council could provide a good chance for them to get some valuable work experience.”

Both ladies felt strongly that clean streets were important and they did not want to see any cuts to these services.

The council’s budget simulator, which can be accessed at www.wirral.gov.uk/budget2012, illustrates the intricacies of the council’s budget setting process and shows what the council will spend next year broken down into different areas.

It asks people where they would make savings and where they would invest council funds in 2012.

With over 1,200 submissions so far, Wirral Council now has the highest number of responses in the North West.

Feedback from the simulator will be reported to the council’s cabinet in December and contribute towards other work taking place to help identify priorities for savings or investment in the budget.

Leader of Wirral Council, Councillor Steve Foulkes, said: “We are facing a significant budget challenge and need the people of Wirral to tell us where they think the savings should come from.

“We genuinely want to hear people’s views and will take them into account when making our decisions. I would like to thank everyone who has been on the budget simulator so far and urge those who haven’t, to log on and have a go or visit one of the roadshows to take part so that we know where their priorities lie.”

OVER the next week the roadshow will continue at the following locations:

Thursday, September 22: Leasowe Adult Learning Centre, noon-2pm, Livingstone Street Community Centre, 3pm-5pm

Friday, September 23: Hoylake One Stop Shop, noon-2pm, New Ferry Village Hall, 3pm-5pm

Monday, September 26: St James' Library, 10am-noon

Tuesday, September 27: Pensby Library, 10am-noon, Overton Community Centre, 3pm-5pm

Wednesday, September 28: Floral Pavilion Theatre, New Brighton, noon-3pm

Thursday, September 29: Ganneys Meadow Early Years Centre, noon-2pm, Vale House Community Centre, 3pm-5pm

Friday, September 30: Greasby Children's Centre, noon-2pm