Council Tax increases follow a £25m budget cut. Closures and job losses are expected amidst financial pressures.
Councillors voted on the budget March 3. They agreed on how to spend money. About £25 million must be saved. Council Tax is rising almost 5%. This increase will make about £9 million and helps close a £34 million gap.
Soon, many jobs will disappear, and Birkenhead Town Hall will shut down. The future of libraries is unsure, and they may close because of budget cuts. The library service will lose £250,000 in two years.
The government gave Wirral £34.7 million, but social care costs pressure remains. School transport and pensions need over £70 million. The council must balance its budget or declare “effective bankruptcy.” A government bailout saved it this time.
Between April 2025 and March 2026, more help arrives, as they received £7.5 million more. This covers job losses and also funds efforts to improve services.
Council leader Paul Stuart sees good things. He noted family hubs are working well, and Hind Street Urban Village construction started. Floral Pavilion’s box office does great, and he added that roads are improving.
The future budget will be hard, he said, and changes must happen. Implementing those changes is the hardest part. Council must work together to help residents and staff.
Two smaller parties suggested budget changes. Greens wanted beach money for libraries, and they sought to keep RNLI access. They wanted at least £125,000 for libraries.
Liberal Democrats want oversight dates set. They seek monitoring of income and savings with early notice of issues. They want details on government funding, plus effects on the budget are key.
The Green change failed despite some support. Parties blamed each other. All parties helped make decisions for years. The divisive beach issue arose again.
Conservatives dislike past budget spending. They mentioned a Vue Cinema and golf plans. A council paper was also cited. Hoylake councillors blasted Green ideas about beaches, and one called them out of touch.
Greens defended their idea about funding. They said government advice blocked the beach plan; libraries should gain instead, they said. Wasting money fighting nature must stop.
Labour members fought back. They mentioned large budget cuts and cited past advice to use reserves. A leader noted when Conservatives asked for reserves.
Liberal Democrats seek budget responsibly. Parties must keep working together, they stressed. Getting a grip is necessary. They noted last year’s budget issues, as the council overspent millions then.
A Reform UK person watched and felt all parties were to blame. They discussed irrelevant things, he claimed, blaming each other to distract from waste.