Why I can't support Steve Foulkes as Mayor of Wirral

One of my tasks over the coming weeks will be to decide what my
priorities as a councillor should be. Apart from being an effective ward
councillor its important I establish some clear goals and boundaries. As
a lone councillor it's easy to get swamped and I would much rather do a
few things well than a lot of things badly. Anyway, more about that in
due course.

Raking over the troubled recent history of Wirral Council is not
something I will be dwelling on excessively. Many others have done that
but I am well aware that I have been elected to a council with a
dysfunctional track record and that will be an important back drop as I
get used to how WMBC currently operates.

On Monday, Wirral elects its new Mayor. Normally, a routine vote where a
long standing councillor is elected with cross party support to chair
council meetings and carry out the ceremonial functions of the mayor
over the next 12 months.

But, this year is different as the Mayor elect is Steve Foulkes who was
council leader when Wirral became very publicly associated with
incompetence, bullying, gagging clauses, resignations and bad financial
management, all culminating in the publication of the infamous Klonowski
Report.

Wherever responsibilities lie, there is no denying that Cllr Foulkes
presided over a very dark period in the history of WMBC. This legacy
persists and I know that many people are angry and upset that Steve
Foulkes will be Wirral's mayor for the next 12 months.

In the circumstances, the reasonable course of action would have been to
forego the office of Mayor.

He hasn't chosen that option and that's why I will be voting against
Steve Foulkes as Mayor.

Green Lane station

Welcome news that Green Lane station is to be refurbished. The passenger
areas will be improved with better lighting and cctv.

I also noticed recently that toilet facilities have been added which was
a very welcome addition.

Licence application, Oxton Road

Recently, an application was submitted for a licence to sell alcohol on
the site of the Observatory pub on Oxton Road.

I've learned today that the applicant failed to meet one of the
conditions of such an application which is placing a notice in the local
newspaper.

As a result, the application has already failed.

I'll be keeping a careful eye out for any new applications.

Success at last

Blogging has taken a back seat over the past few months but the picture suggests that was worthwhile. I am very proud to have been elected as ward councillor for Birkenhead and Tranmere. I'm also very proud to be the first Green councillor in Wirral.

There are so many people to thank and today I'll be travelling round the ward thanking people in person. The past five years have been immensely rewarding. I've met so many good people and I hope I've made some difference. Hopefully, over the next four years, I can achieve even more.

You can view the election results in full here while there are a few more happy pictures on the Wirral Green Party website.

Bus stop Elmswood Road/Victoria Fields

I've been contacted recently by several residents concerned that the bus stop on Borough Road/Elmswood Road would be removed.

I've been on to Merseytravel and have received the following reassurance:

Dear Mr Cleary 

Stop S22014C on Borough Road at Victoria Fields

Thank you for your communication regarding the above stop.

As part of the upgrade of bus stops on the 471 and 472 bus routes, Merseytravel has undertaken comprehensive consultation with occupiers and owners of adjacent properties.  At this location a number of valid concerns and issues were brought to Merseytravel’s attention with the result that the design for this particular upgrade has been substantially changed from that originally proposed. 

An outline design incorporating these changes has been approved in principle by Wirral MBC and I am now awaiting formal approval to progress to site.  The intention is that the shelter will go back near its original position but in order to introduce a much improved overall layout, the lay-by will be narrowed and footway widened.

As the upgrade of this site has missed its slot in the original construction programme, we intend to undertake a mop up exercise towards the end of February, in which it will be included.

I apologise for the delay that has occurred, particularly as it has happened after the old shelter had already been removed.   

Yours sincerely

Highway Bus Projects Officer

Wirral Council's response to our Greenprint for Birkenhead

Recently, Wirral Green Party published its Greenprint for Birkenhead, our vision for a rejuvenated Birkenhead.

Wirral Council has issued a response. You can read this below followed by our own thoughts in return:

MEDIA STATEMENT FROM WIRRAL COUNCIL

January 14, 2013

Subject: Birkenhead Town Centre

Cllr Pat Hackett, Wirral’s Cabinet Member for the Economy, said: ‘Many of the suggestions in this plan have been part of the Council’s vision and strategy for some time; other elements are simply not viable, particularly in view of the current economic climate, and how Birkenhead functions as a town and retail location. The Pyramids, for example, is the centre of the retail area in Birkenhead, and not viable for housing. It would be more appropriate and better for Birkenhead as a whole, to place any high quality independent retailers who want to come here in the town centre, not Argyle Street. Encouragingly, a number of new retailers have recently moved into Birkenhead and we are receiving an increasing number of enquiries for space; we intend to capitalise on these opportunities.

‘In the current challenging economic climate, we have been working with partners to support Birkenhead town centre and develop opportunities for future growth and development. It forms an integral part of our wider economic development aspirations, particularly in view of the future potential of Wirral Waters.

‘We are currently in discussions with a number of property owners and a developer to produce a masterplan, which will focus on bringing new retailers into the town by redesigning the centre and using vacant land to provide new opportunities. Our discussions include exploring options for land at Hind Street, on the edge of the town centre, which, if successful would see the re-use of land that has been vacant for many years.

‘Woodside Ferry area is hugely important in terms of heritage and tourism. Some time ago, the Council and its partners agreed a masterplan for the area which will see this unique waterfront redeveloped with offices, residential and leisure use. When economic circumstances allow, this will revitalize this area of Birkenhead, and link it to the Liverpool waterfront by means of the Mersey Ferries as well as linking back through Hamilton Square into Birkenhead Town Centre as well as into what will be Wirral Waters.

‘A team has also been looking at Hamilton Square area for some time, including improving access, traffic and parking, and a range of opportunities are being explored, including greater use of Birkenhead Town Hall and improving links to Birkenhead Park, Williamson Art Gallery, and The Transport Museum to further strengthen our cultural and heritage offer.


Wirral Green Party response:

Birkenhead Town Centre

Further responses to the Media statement from Wirral Council

We welcome Cllr Hackett's endorsement of many of the ideas in our visionary plan for Birkenhead acknowledging that we are building on the best of current ideas. Of course we welcome continuing efforts to breathe new life into the centre of Birkenhead. However, we still want to see our core ideas addressed and developed building on a number of core principles.

The river Mersey, a wonderful natural and ecological resource, is an important part of the very soul of Birkenhead. Its historic role in the life of Birkenhead makes it vital that the functional core of Birkenhead is reconnected to it. We need a world class response for this location. The proposed "offices, residential and leisure use" of the Woodside Ferry area is just the uninspired, pedestrian and standard response that is potentially a waste of a huge and real opportunity.

We may be in hard times but this makes it all the more important that we have truly visionary ideas and leadership. The Green Party is ready to promote a new vision for the people of Birkenhead who deserve the best of new green thinking - not stale old ideas. We see the need to work with all partners including, for example, Peel Holdings to find the right solutions. We need the sort of vision that has transformed Liverpool.

Gateshead, similar to Birkenhead in looking across a river to a more powerful neighbour, provides examples of the kind of exciting development that Birkenhead needs. So, come on, let's raise our vision, tap into our heritage and make downtown Birkenhead vibrant, a must-go to destination and a fantastic partner for Liverpool building a critical mass around the whole of both sides of the water.

Council responds on gritting

Here is the reply I received about gritting on some of the steep slopes in Tranmere. Note that the future of grit bins is under threat based on the latest council consultation:

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Dear Sir

Thank you, for your enquiry regarding the winter maintenance of the following roads Sidney Road Holt Hill and Holborn Hill, Tranmere. I can tell you that these roads are not included in our 10no gritting routes they do however have grit bins located at various locations to assist with adverse weather and they are also included in our Highway winter service operational plan as areas to be considered in extreme weather conditions.

I hope this answers your enquiry