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Councillor Jerry Williams has provided his latest update as Heritage Champion to the Tourism, Communities, Culture and Leisure Committee.
He has served the Wirral for 27 years. He's worked across Prenton, Upton/Woodchurch, and Bebington. Outside of that, he has served for 17 years as Wirral's Heritage Champion, making him the longest-serving elected member to hold the role continuously, as reported by Birkenhead.
His role involves working alongside heritage organisations, council officers, community groups, and more to protect, celebrate, and, of course, protect Wirral's historic environments.
He presented his latest report to the committee on 21 July. In this meeting, he detailed progress across heritage projects, such as conservation area reviews, work to identify locally important heritage assets, heritage tourism initiatives and support for volunteer groups.
287 buildings and structures have been approved for local heritage listing, meaning they are going to be recognised for their contribution to the Wirral's defining character and identity. Further discussion is expected this year.
Updates were also provided on conservation work in areas including Birkenhead Park, Hamilton Square, Clifton Park, Oxton Village, Port Sunlight, and the proposed new conservation area at Noctorum Ridge.
The new conservation area at Noctorum Ridge was decided in a fairly recent survey. This area is known for its large mansions, and is an area of interest because of their history, dating back as early as the 1870s, and because some were built by Edmund Kirby, a local architect from Liverpool who also designed churches and other buildings across the Wirral.
Councillor Williams welcomed recent funding support for Birkenhead Park and its ongoing journey towards World Heritage Site status, describing the park as one of Wirral's most significant heritage and tourism assets.
Looking ahead, Councillor Williams said opportunities remain to strengthen Wirral's heritage offer, including proposals for a heritage trail linking historic sites and attractions, continued partnership working with universities and heritage organisations, and building on the momentum created by Birkenhead's successful Town of Culture 2028 shortlist bid.
