Forums Forums Local News Wirral libraries and leisure centres facing axe

None of that makes sense...

Im confused bout the above as well.. Dont understand.. lol

Can you make out any connection between the above and wirral libraries? It all seems jibberish lol.

It's the dates for the public conferences about the closures. The one after is about Pacific Road - all are earmarked for closure.

The email was sent to Peel Holdings who seem to have their fingers in a lot of pies where some of the buildings that have been and are being closed down.

Hope that helps.

ahhh that'l be intresting hehe. Wonder what peel will do to the Birkenhead Central library site ?? Keep it and use it as offices or summit ?

What would Peel Holdings want with Beechwood Library?

There appears to be at least 1500 people attending so it should be fun

Peel will probably buy it for a knock down price after it mysteriously becomes a BBQ.

It's Pacific Road Arts they are mainly interested in as it is in the way for their plans for Woodside and surrounding area, but I really wouldn't put anything past them tbh.

Maybe they could use it to display their plans for Wirral Waters lol; they need'nt do that though, a few of the shops next to it are empty lol.

The way things are going, there will be more than a few shops empty

Id just like something to happen instead of sitting around waiting for something to happen.. Its like the boy who cried wolf in the end nobody is going to care whats going to happen as long as it does..

Protest over Woodchurch pool closure plan


WOODCHURCH swimming club is just one devastated group affected by Wirral Council’s plans for a massive building and facility shutdown.

The club’s training pool at Woodchurch Leisure Centre is on the list of three sports centres and 12 libraries due to close to save the council £3.7m in annual expenditure.

Concerns have been voiced by swimming teachers at the club who are worried their 400 children will no longer have water to swim in.

Even if the club can be transferred to another pool, there are fears that swimming time will be cut dramatically.

Brenda Thompson has taught children voluntarily at Woodchurch Swimming Club for 20 years.

She said: “Everybody at our club is so upset with the news that our leisure centre might close.

“Since the news broke the phone hasn’t stopped ringing with parents asking us if it’s all a sick joke.

“All other alternative swimming pools that we could use are already being used to full capacity, so if our club was to join them somebody would lose out.

“It will either be public swimming time or swimming clubs and lessons that will be cut to make everything fit a crowded timetable.

“Children are required by government guidelines to swim 25 meters before joining secondary school - achieving this is going to be difficult if the move goes ahead.

“Our club is keeping children healthy and it’s a social thing as well - it can totally change children with no confidence which is quite amazing to see.

“The knock-on effects of this council move could be absolutely horrendous and I fear the children and public are going to miss out on so much.”

A spokesman for Wirral Council said: “We are currently examining the programme of all swimming provision across Wirral pools.

“We will ensure that swimming provision is balanced across the borough.”

How will you be affected by the proposed closures? Tell wirral
news by e-mailing [email protected], call 288 7649 or write to Wirral News, 76 Hamilton Street, Birkenhead CH41 5AN.

Hundreds sign petition to save Wallasey’s Guinea Gap Baths


A CAMPAIGN to save closure-threatened Guinea Gap Baths is gathering momentum this week.

Hundreds of supporters have signed petitions calling for the historic recreation centre to be kept open - and over 300 people have joined an internet campaign group.

The News revealed last week that Wirral Council has identified Guinea Gap for closure as part of its strategic asset review - with Wallasey Village and Seacombe Libraries also earmarked for closure.

The proposals cover all areas of the borough and could also see Pacific Road closed as an arts centre and Birkenhead Central Library closed and moved to the Europa Pools site.

Councillors say a borough-wide area forum to discuss the proposals will be held in the next few weeks.

But Liscard councillor Leah Fraser is calling on the council to set up a special meeting for Liscard and Seacombe residents to have their say.

She said: “A consultation period that involves perhaps a single area forum meeting for the whole borough, over the Christmas period, is clearly not designed to allow as many members of the public as possible to take part and give their views.

“That’s why I am pushing for the area forum I chair, covering Liscard and Seacombe, to hold a special meeting for the public in those areas to come along.

“Many of the community services in Liscard and Seacombe, Poulton and Egremont, will be slashed if these cuts are approved.”

At a bad-tempered meeting of Wirral Council’s cabinet at Wallasey Town Hall on Thursday, chief executive Steve Maddox said: “Unless we do something these facilities will not survive.”

The council believes the Guinea Gap site could become part of a major redevelopment scheme for Seacombe, capitalising on its views across the Mersey.

But members of the “Save Our Guinea Gap Baths” group on the Facebook website argue swimmers flock to the centre because of its unique position.

Award-winning athlete joins campaign to save Woodchurch Leisure Centre



A GOLD medal winning athlete who trains at Woodchurch Leisure Centre has criticised Wirral Council's plans to close the centre.

Swimmer Matthew Dodd, 19, who had a life-saving liver transplant when he was five, has won gold medals at the World Transplant Games in Bangkok and Canada.

But he said he fears the closure of the pool would hinder his chances at next year's games in Australia.

Matthew, a member of Woodchurch Swimming Club, said: "It's disgusting. I have training at Woodchurch for years and now I'm told to join private fitness clubs. I'm a student and can't afford their prices."

Upton Councillor Tom Anderson said: "Matthew is an example to us all. Having had a liver transplant and going on to train hard to compete and win in the World Transplant Games is a great achievement. I only hope that Matthew will not be prevented from achieving his goals by the closure of Woodchurch Leisure Centre.’

He added: "At a time when obesity is on the increase and the government is pushing for healthier lifestyles, it’s preposterous that this council wants to close three leisure centres."

WIRRAL Council has announced the dates of special area forum conferences for members of the public to share their views on proposals to close libraries and sports centres across the borough.

Find the dates and venues at: http://www.wirralnews.co.uk/wirral-...-forums-on-culture-plans-80491-22396850/

Wirral libraries 'can only saved by 4% levy'


WIRRAL’S closure-threatened libraries and leisure centres can only be saved by the imposition of a 4% “cultural levy”, over and above council tax, says Wirral council leader Steve Foulkes.

The Labour leader defended proposals to axe Birkenhead Library, Pacific Road Arts Centre and Grange Road Sports Centre, saying: “As long as I’m leader and breathe air, I will not walk away from my duty to the council tax payer and will not steal money out of their pockets.”

But Conservative leader Cllr Jeff Green believes Cllr Foulkes is trying to “obscure the issues”.

Cllr Foulkes told the News residents should “keep in the back of their mind” that if £3.8m savings are not made as proposed, the council would look elsewhere.

Education is ring-fenced, children and adult social services remain a statutory duty, “which leaves highways and culture”, the council leader said.

Cllr Foulkes said: “We’ve invested heavily in quality services, our recycling record is heralded as among the best in the country and we have one of the best education services.

“It’s fantastic and every young person has the opportunity to benefit.

“They’ve not been cheap and the priority now is moving into a better quality environment in the leisure and culture sector.”

But West Kirby’s Cllr Green claims at least £3m can be stripped from the proposed £9m fuel budget, as prices tumble, and £1.4m is due as a reward grant from the local area agreement.

According to Cllr Foulkes the strategic review has been announced now because the administration has a legal duty to set council tax by March, and any public consultation must conclude by then.

He added that Wirral is one of the few authorities not making people compulsorily redundant, asked residents to be positive about the potential £20m culture investment and slammed the Conservatives for ignoring budget pressures.

Cllr Foulkes said: “If we don’t take into account or move towards that process, then you’re being asked by the opposition party to pay an extra 4% in cultural levy.

“They can come out and say that.”

But the Conservative leader responded: “We should be providing quality services locally that people can use and if Cllr Foulkes and his Liberal Democrat colleagues want to step aside, they should do so now and we’ll give an absolute commitment to keep these facilities open.”