Forums Forums Local News Wirral libraries and leisure centres facing axe

THE PEOPLE'S PROTEST

HUNDREDS of people are expected to protest against the council’s proposed mass cull of libraries and leisure centres this week.

The demonstration at Wallasey Town Hall is the latest move in what is proving to be the biggest “no” campaign against the local authority in recent times.

Nearly 2,000 people have joined an online protest group called Save Wirral Services on the social networking website, Facebook.

Nearly 300 of them say they may attend a special meeting of the council’s culture, leisure and tourism overview and scrutiny committee at the town hall tonight, Wednesday, at 6pm - a committee essentially there to study how any decisions made about those departments were reached.

Its chairman, the Conservative councillor John Hale, called for the meeting “to consider the [council] cabinet’s proposals to close libraries, leisure centres and to transfer community centres without any guarantee of financial support”.

Libraries facing closure and no replacement are those in Hoylake, Pensby, Upton, Irby, Bromborough, Higher Bebington, New Ferry, Seacombe, Wallasey Village, Prenton, Ridgeway and Beechwood. Birkenhead and Wallasey Central Libraries also face being closed and moved into so-called “multi-purpose” new buildings.

Guinea Gap, Woodchurch and Grange Road West sport centres will be closed, along with the Pacific Road theatre.

Twenty community centres and village halls across Wirral face losing their staff and funding. And a slew of other, smaller council buildings around the borough will also close for good.

The council says it will invest £20m in “better but fewer” buildings around the borough instead.

Wirral Council’s Labour and Liberal Democrat “cabinet” committee has voted to send the controversial plans out to consultation for six weeks - even though that includes the Christmas and New Year holiday - which gives “interested parties” until just January 15 to register their objections.

Last week, in an exclusive article for www.wirralglobe.co.uk, Birkenhead MP Frank Field offered tacit support for the closures, saying: “No change on how Wirral delivers us services is not an option.”

But his fellow Labour MP for Wirral West, Stephen Hesford, has condemned the plan as the “wholesale slaughter” of public services.

HUNDREDS of angry protestors gathered at Wallasey Town Hall last night to protest at the proposed closure of libraries and leisure centres.

During the meeting of the council's culture, tourism and leisure overview and scrutiny committee, some of the 300-plus demonstrators were invited to give their views on the proposals, which are part of the council’s strategic asset review.

Its chairman, Hoylake Conservative Cllr John Hale, had originally tabled a motion calling for the closure programme to be withdrawn and that future proposals were subjected to genuine consultation through the normal area forums.

He also called for staff and user organisations to be consulted over a realistic time scale, on the understanding that future proposals did not reduce the levels of service or accessibility.

But the committee’s two Liberal Democrat and two Labour councillors voted in favour of an amendment that called for the current six-week consultation process to continue.

The proposals, which could allegedly lead to the loss of more than 1,000 jobs, will go back to cabinet on January 15, when a final decision will be made.

Area forums will take place on the following dates: Monday, January 5, at 7pm in the Lauries Centre, Claughton Road, Birkenhead; for residents in Birkenhead, Tranmere, Rock Ferry, Bidston,Claughton, Oxton and Prenton.

Tuesday, January 6 at 7pm at Hulme Hall in Bolton Road, Port Sunlight; for residents from Heswall, Pensby, Thingwall, Bebington, Clatterbridge, Bromborough and Eastham.

Wednesday, January 7, at 7pm West Kirby Concourse; for residents from Hoylake, Meols, West Kirby, Thurstaston, Greasby, Frankby, Irby, Upton and Woodchurch.

Thursday, January 8, at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton; for residents from Leasowe, Moreton, Saughall Massie, New Brighton, Wallasey, Liscard and Seacombe.

Cllr John Hale, who is one of three Conservative councillors on the committee opposing the cuts, told the Globe: “I think it’s shocking that, so far, the staff and unions haven’t been consulted and I think it’s shocking that only four forums are to be held with many, many people who will be unable to get to them.

“Frankly, I’m alright Jack, because they are holding ours at the Concourse and I live in Hoylake. But a lot of people from Woodchurch and Upton are going to find it very, very difficult to get there, particularly those without cars or public transport. It’s the same for people from Pensby, who are going to have to go to Hulme Hall.

“Okay, it would have taken more time and effort, but the consultation should have been held at 11 forums which would have been a lot more localised. It’s all because of the budget and I don’t think the public’s views, in the end, will be taken into account. There may be the odd amendment, but I have very grave doubts as to the real influence it will have, because the cabinet members have made up their minds.“ Carla Williams, secretary of the Joint Management Committee which runs Hoylake Community Centre, agrees that more forums should be organised.

She told the Globe: “I would ask the council to re-think these locations and to create at least another four locations for the areas most affected by the cuts, so everyone can have their democratic say, because our council must start to listen to the people, and realise they have made the biggest mistake of their administration, and if they can’t or don’t listen then they must be asked as councillors to resign and restand for re-election on these proposals.”

Since the consultation period was started on November 27, more than 2000 people have joined an online campaign Save Wirral Services on networking site Facebook, with 800 adding their names to the Save Pacific Road website.

Liscard conservative councillor Leah Fraser was among those who marched from closure-threatened Guinea Gap baths to the town Hall before Wednesday’s meeting.

In her address to the committee, Cllr Fraser asked how many people would be losing their jobs under the proposed cuts.

"It seems the council doesn't know," she said. "I was staggered that, at a time when hundreds of council workers are facing redeployment in other departments, the council seems to think another few hundred in culture and leisure jobs can also be redeployed elsewhere.

"This shows how rushed and hasty these cuts are - the council wants to cut services and jobs but doesn't know how many but it's all got to be sorted by March. It's not about consultation - it's about meeting a Government target."

Commenting on a petition on the Downing Street website, Cllr Fraser added: "I have signed the petition and I urge others to do the same. Earlier today, Gordon Brown announced he had saved the world.

Let's hope he can save Wirral's leisure services."

Jeff Brandman, from Wirral Unison, said: “These cuts will rip out the heart of the local community and create cultural deserts in this borough. Libraries are an integral part of this borough and closure would disenfranchise local residents.

“There has been no consultation whatsoever with Wirral Unison. The council should stop listening to overpaid spin doctors. It should start listening to the voters of Wirral and the trade unions.”

Think the council have already started the process of shutting the libraries. Go in the main librarie on Borough Road and you will see vast areas of shelves empty of books. They have not been filled since the place re-openend. Lack of books on the shelves means less people bothering to go back. This means the council can then say its closing due to lack of use, or to use there modern fancy way of saying things {low foot fall} Remember the consultant they had saying the reason they where not going to carry out the repairs to the sky lights was thet the central library was not on the main bus routs, so not acessable to people. Whats all those things that travel up and down Borough road all day stopping at those posts that have a sign on them that says bus stop?

A UNION has launched a national campaign to save the UK's libraries - weeks after Wirral Council announced proposals to shut 14 libraries on the borough.

Unison is warning the country's library service is nearing "crisis point" because of cuts and closures and the threat of privatisation.

Union leaders said across the UK a number of libraries have closed in recent years or are facing closure - citing Wirral as an example.

The union has published a five-point plan calling for extra spending and more support from communities to save their local libraries.

General secretary Dave Prentis said: "The library service is nearing a crisis point after suffering years of funding cuts, deskilling of the workforce and recent threats of outsourcing.

"Although more people visited their local library last year than went to the cinema or a football match, the numbers are declining and so we also need to concentrate on attracting new readers.

"Unison's plan aims to put communities in the driving seat to shape their local library service.

"We need a skilled workforce for the future and it would be a good investment for the Chancellor to spend some of his recession proofing pounds on libraries."

DEMANDS for a referendum on plans to close libraries and leisure centres were defeated at a meeting of all 66 Wirral councillors on Monday.

Council leader Steve Foulkes and Councillor Bob Moon, cabinet member for culture, tourism and leisure, were repeatedly shouted down by members of the public sitting in a packed public gallery as they tried to defend plans to invest £20m to develop a network of “multi-purpose complexes”.

Upton councillor Tom Anderson, making his maiden speech in the council chamber, won a standing ovation from the public gallery when he said the closures would “take an axe to the heart of Wirral that will have repercussions for years to come.”

Members of the public were allowed to ask questions on the council’s controversial strategic asset review and other issues like school crossing patrols.

A series of petitions protesting about plans to close buildings like Guinea Gap Baths were handed in before the meeting started, containing around 24,000 signatures in total.

Speaking for his party’s motion, which included the referendum proposal, Wirral Conservative leader Jeff Green said: “This would have the biggest impact on local services for a generation and we believe there should be a referendum of the public of Wirral.

“The public will never forget this betrayal of their interests.”

Speaking in favour of the closures, Liberal Democrat leader Simon Holbrook said: “There are times when we are all called upon to do difficult things - the question is whether we rise to the challenge.”

Council leader Steve Foulkes was booed as he repeated his claim that “doing nothing is not an option”.

He said: “This is the start of a consultation and people are engaging in this process, people are making their point of view known, they are asking questions.

“Wirral’s population has declined by 40,000 since 1974 - to say that nothing should be done is plain stupidity.”

The referendum proposal was defeated by votes from Labour and Lib Dem councillors.

We’re being silenced by council, claim workers


LIBRARY and sports centre staff who could lose their jobs in the council’s cultural services shake-up say they are being denied their right to speak out on the controversial proposals.

Workers say managers have warned them to stay out of the furore over plans to close 14 libraries and three sports centres and advised them to remain impartial.

Several members of staff from closure-threatened council buildings across the borough spoke of their concerns at a public meeting on the proposals at Woodchurch Leisure Centre on Friday.

Wirral Council told the News staff were free to sign or organise petitions outside work hours - but acknowledged workers had been told to decline petition requests from worried members of the public.

One woman working at a leisure centre, who asked not to be named, said: “The managers all came out the other week and told us that we’re not allowed to do petitions or speak to the press and they’ll come down hard on anyone who does. The way it’s come across has been quite intimidating.

“They don’t want petitions in the libraries or the sports centres but where else are the people who would be affected by this going to sign them?

“Apparently it came up at a managers’ meeting and afterwards we were all told we must stay impartial.

“How can you say that to people who might lose their jobs?”

More than 50 members of the public attended Friday’s heated meeting, which saw Woodchurch residents imploring politicians who attended - included Upton councillors Tom Anderson and Tony Smith, Wirral West MP Stephen Hesford and Esther McVey, Conservative candidate for Wirral West at the next General Election - to work together to keep the centre open.

A spokesman for Wirral Council said: “Employees are fully entitled to protest and make comment on any proposals which affect them. They can do this through the council’s normal consultative arrangements, either through trade union representatives or directly at staff briefings/consultative events. They can also raise any concerns with their immediate line manager.

“The council does not oppose staff signing or organising petitions or attending organised protests, however it does require that any of this activity is conducted outside of their working hours.

“Staff have been advised that they should decline any requests via a member of the public to conduct or leave a petition on council premises, for instance at reception desks or in One Stop Shops.”

thats wrong that they should have there freedom of speech atleast thats well out of order i totaly disagree

comes and tell steve foulkes - he lives just round the corner from me...

how is mr foulkes these i aint seen him for years im very doubtfull he will remember me or my name

haven't seen him in the flesh for some time though my dad tells me he is nothing like the rosy-faced publicity photo they use in the local rags lol

that is very true he is so down to earth its unreal and for a councellor i did expect that from him if ya get me

SPECIAL AREA FORUM CONFERENCES

Remember the Special Area Forum Conferences start tonight (tonight at The Lauries Centre, tomorrow at Hulme Hall, Wednesday at West Kirby Concourse and Thursday at the Floral Pavilion).

All conferences start at 7.00 p.m. and should finish by 9.00 p.m.

Doors open at 6.30 p.m.

BE EARLY - THE COUNCIL INTENDS TO USE HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATIONS TO RESTRICT ACCESS TO THE CONFERENCES.

SAVE OUR LIBRARIES!!!!

Protest march organised over Wirral library and leisure closures



TWO protests against the proposed closure of libraries and sports centres in Wirral are taking place this week.

The first is from Woodchurch Leisure Centre on Wednesday (January 7), where residents and staff will gather for a march to West Kirby Concourse.

Members of the public are asked to gather outside the centre at 3.45, ready to depart at 4pm. A bus will be available for the elderly.

The march will coincide with an area forum organised to discuss Wirral Council's controversial strategic asset review, which starts at West Kirby Concourse at 7pm.

A second protest organised by the TGWU is scheduled for Saturday at Wallasey Town Hall, starting at 11.30am.

A MARCH planned for this evening. on the proposed closure of libraries will start from Black Horse Hill at 5.45pm, ending at the Concourse in Grange Road, West Kirby.

It had originally been due to start outside Woodchurch Leisure Centre.

Council leader is warned culture proposals would "rip the heart" out of Wirral communities


EIGHT HUNDRED protesters filled West Kirby Concourse on Wednesday night (January 7) to challenge council proposals to close libraries and sports centres.


Crowds of angry residents, including children, travelled from Woodchurch holding up banners to defend their leisure centre, which would be among those shut if the plans are approved.


The group took over the third question and answer forum, chaired by council leader Steve Foulkes, with passionate pleas not to “rip the heart out” of their community.

If Wirral Borough Council’s radical shake-up to Wirral leisure and cultural services goes ahead Woodchurch Leisure Centre’s services could be made redundant with that of Guinea Gap Baths and Grange Road West.

The proposals would also see 14 of Wirral’s 24 libraries, including Hoylake Library, two museums, one theatre, “transfer” 20 village halls and community halls into the hands of unpaid volunteers and close a host of smaller council offices.

The closures and transfers would save the council £3.7m annually and £12.4m over the next 10 years.

A member of the crowd said: “You keep talking about your financial obligations, what about your moral obligations?”

Another resident called for the resignation of all council leaders, and the room rose to its feet chanting “out, out, out,” to the meeting’s panel.

Many said they were concerned the plans would widen class divides, increase anti-social behaviour, make people prisoners in their own homes, increase obesity and take opportunities away from the young.

One mother, whose children attend Judo and swimming classes at Woodchurch Leisure Centre, said: “Could you please tell my children why they can’t go to Judo classes any more? They are going to be heartbroken.”

Another speaker added: “It’s ironic that this Strategic Asset Review, which will reduce our leisure services, is taking place the same week the government has launched its “Change for Life” campaign, urging us to keep fit.”

Cllr Foulkes struggled at times to be heard over the furore but maintained that no decisions had been made yet.

He said: “I’m between a rock and a very hard place.

“We need to make revenue savings on a significant level - if we don’t reduce our costs in this way then we will have to find another.”

Director of Regeneration, Alan Stennard, said: “We want to create fewer but better services.

“The services that we cannot keep may be transferred over to community management which would then be supported by a new government initiative called Advancing Assets for Communities - so not all these facilities could be lost.”

Conservative councillor Gerry Ellis expressed concern that the meeting had been dominated by debate over the future of Woodchurch Leisure Centre and had not addressed the issues in his ward.

He said: “I think there should have been a separate meeting in Upton for these people.

“I am here to protest over the closure of Hoylake Library.

“Instead of cutting the people’s services we should be cutting some of the council’s senior management figures out.”

Public consultation ends on January 15.