Vacant land on Marquis Street

Here is an update I have received regarding the vacant plot on Marquis Street which has been a long running bone of contention in the the area.

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Dear Cllr Cleary,

Thank you for your enquiry regarding the above land in Marquis street. We have received several complaints from residents dating back to 2011 regarding this land which as you mention is frequently fly-tipped. We have carried out an extensive investigation to identify the owner of the land as we can only exercise our powers regarding accumulations against the rightful owners of private land. 

Despite carrying out land searches and making enquiries relating to addresses across the UK, we have been unable to obtain a response from whom we believe is the rightful owner. We have served several legal notices on the owner to clear the land since 2011 with copies sent to all known addresses but in all cases the notices have not been complied with and we have resorted to carrying out the works in default. This has meant that the cost we have incurred, for which we have little budget for has been placed as a charge on the land. 

As Environmental Health have no means to erect a fence and currently I do not believe there is compulsory purchase process operating within the Council we are unfortunately in the position whereby we can only continue to retrospectively order for the land to cleared and carry out works in default should the owner continue in failing to maintain their land. This does however incur additional mounting costs to the Council that are unlikely to be reclaimed in the near future. 

In relation to your specific enquiry an officer from Environmental Health has visited the site to carry out a survey and noted that items have been deposited on the land. Before carrying out any further works in default we must adhere to our policy and give the owner the opportunity to clear the land. A notice will be served imminently to this effect. 

Environmental Health are always looking for solutions to problems and for new ways of effective yet efficient working to help protect the people of Wirral. We would welcome any ideas or support regarding schemes that could assist us or that require our support in achieving our common objectives. 

Whilst I understand this information does not offer a solution to the long term problem regarding this and similar pieces of land across the Borough, I trust that this information is of some benefit and if you wish to discuss this matter further please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Yours Sincerely

Environmental Health Team

Statement re bedroom tax demonstration

The Green Party issues the following statement in response to today's anti-bedroom tax march through Birkenhead.


The Green Party has opposed the bedroom tax from the start and actively campaigns with AntiBedroom Tax groups calling for its immediate abolition

The Labour Party's pledge to abolish the bedroom tax if it wins the election in 2015 should be backed by a nationwide campaign calling for immediate abolition and by guidance to local councils on how to minimise its impact now.

Wirral Council should follow up its welcome decision not to challenge tenants who have won appeals -- a decision taken under pressure from Green  councillor Pat Cleary and ABT campaigners --, by not sending representatives to lower tribunal hearings. This would save taxpayers' money and greatly assist hard-pressed tenants.

Bedroom tax campaign: the next front

Wirral Labour is claiming a £75,000 "bedroom tax relief fund" is being established according to this article in the Liverpool Echo.

Unfortunately, the article gives a very misleading picture and swallows Labour spin hook, line and sinker.

The £75,000 comes from a Magenta Living fund earmarked for community projects across Birkenhead. The constituency committee comprising Labour, Lib Dem and Green councillors agreed on Wednesday that this would be better used to support Magenta tenants affected by the bedroom tax.

But, has Magenta agreed to divert the community projects money towards tenants in arrears due to the bedroom tax?

The Echo article says Magenta is being "pushed" to create the relief fund. In other words, there has been no agreement yet on Magenta's part to use this £75,000 for the purposes claimed.

Moreover, £75,000 is a drop in the ocean when compared with the £2.6m annual cost to Wirral victims of the bedroom tax.

I have previously blogged about Labour's u-turn on contesting successful bedroom tax appeal - a u-turn in direct response to Green Party pressure.

But rather than prematurely claim sole credit for funds that do not yet exist and will do very little to alleviate the impact of the bedroom tax, Wirral Labour could take concrete steps itself to assist tenants hit by the bedroom tax. Specifically, Labour could follow Liverpool's example and ensure that Wirral Council desists from sending representatives to tribunal hearings. This will not only smooth the appeals process for hundreds of tenants but will save significant sums for a council that never fails to remind us how cash-strapped it is.

That is the next front in the fight against the bedroom tax and that is what the Green Party will be pushing for.

Vote Green get Green

There is a rather silly item in the latest Labour leaflet doing the rounds in Birkenhead and Tranmere. It says "The first act of your newly elected Green councillor for Birkenhead was to vote with the Tories." It says nothing at all about what the vote concerned.

My first vote was on electing the new mayor. I explained my reasons for voting against here.

Nothing to do with the Tories or any other party. But, for the record, five of the Tories voted against, 10 abstained and the other six voted for.

I suspect over the next four years there will be a few more of these rather tedious posts refuting more nonsense like this. I'll try and keep them brief!

Wirral Labour's bedroom tax u-turn

There was a particularly interesting item in the latest Labour leaflet for Birkenhead and Tranmere relating to the bedroom tax. It states that council leader Phil Davies "has instructed council officers to implement all tribunal successes brought by local residents".

This has since been confirmed by the relevant council officer and means Wirral Council will no longer be contesting successful bedroom tax rulings and relevant tenants should have their lawful benefit payments backdated and paid in full.

Very good news although the Department of Work and Pensions will still be able to contest tribunal rulings. However, at least, a Labour-run council supposedly opposed to the bedroom tax will no longer be doing the DWP's dirty work.

For those familiar with my previous related posting, this represents a complete u-turn by Labour. It is undoubtedly a response to Green Party pressure and the resulting media coverage that followed.

This is excellent news for those tenants affected in my ward and across Wirral. In addition, it means Wirral tax payers will no longer be funding these ludicrous appeals.

It is also a clear vindication of the Green Party and our commitment to social justice and supporting the victims of austerity.

Par for the course

The message below from Wirral Council's Chief Executive was one of the first I received as a newly elected councillor. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised given the recent catalogue of spending scandals that have hit the headlines.

So, how much is this costing? How on earth can it be justified in the face of brutal cuts to public services? Even if someone else was paying surely the thought of councillors enjoying a jolly cup of tea at the Royal Liverpool is enough to drive their austerity afflicted residents to despair.

Hard to avoid a horrible golfing pun but this really does seem par for the course at Wirral Council.


Dear Councillor,

I am writing to invite you to a special reception for Wirral Councillors at The Open Championship on Wednesday 16th July.

As well as enjoying the final practice day’s play, the reception will provide an opportunity to inspect the Council’s corporate hospitality area over afternoon tea.

As there will be parking and security restrictions in and around the course, a park-and-ride facility will be provided.

In accordance with the traditions of the course, the dress code is smart-casual (no jeans or trainers please).

Parking, Rodney Street

Parking is a persistent source of angst on Rodney Street. Below is the
council's position relating to this. I will be taking this up with the
police myself in the near future.


Dear Councillor Cleary,

Thank you for your email of 18 June regarding parking in Rodney Street,
Birkenhead.

As mentioned in your email, Rodney Street and Helena Street are subject
to a "prohibition of motor vehicles; except for access" traffic
regulation order (TRO).

This type of TRO cannot be enforced by the Council's Civil Enforcement
Officers, but falls under the enforcement remit of Merseyside Police.
The issue of enforcement of this TRO has been raised with the Police in
the past and I will raise it with our Police liaison officer again.

I can advise you that the Council has been approached by residents and
Ward Members previously regarding parking in the road requesting that a
resident parking scheme be implemented in the road. However, it was
clear that there was insufficient support from residents to cover the
cost of implementation and ongoing administration of the scheme which is
the current Council policy for new resident parking schemes.

Unfortunately, there is no other action available to me to deal with the
concerns residents have raised about parking in the road.

Should you have any further comments or questions regarding this, please
contact me as below.

Yours sincerely,

Traffic Network Manager (Traffic and Transportation)

Regeneration and Environment Directorate

Wirral Council