Table of Contents
A new four-year plan for the Wirral includes the building of over 2,000 new homes and a balanced budget.
As reported by Birkenhead News, Wirral Plan 2027-2031 showcases the council's priorities and planned activities over the next four years. The report includes key milestones mapped out across the time frame.
One of the ambitious goals is that by 2031, Birkenhead will have achieved UNESCO World Heritage status, and that 2,200 new homes will have been built. There are four key aims highlighted in the plan.
The first is delivering reliable everyday services, connecting residents with their local community and building resilience to cope with hard times. The third is to increase people's access to early help and support when they're having issues, and lastly, growing the economy to create good jobs across the Wirral.
Also set to change is the way the council operates. It is fair to say the way the council operates in making decisions is different. The current system works through a committee-based system. How decisions are made is divided across specific areas and topics. This is not the norm for councils across England.
Still, in 2027 this operation will change, as the council will move to a cabinet system, which is similar to how the national government runs. In summary, the leader appoints councillors to the cabinet to lead on specific areas. The council is still going to keep the committees, but they will have less authority.
Council leader Councillor Paula Basnett said: "This plan is about focusing on what matters most to our residents. People have told us they want reliable services, support that is easier to access, thriving communities and more opportunities for themselves and their families."
She added: "We know many residents are facing challenges and we are not pretending there are easy answers. But we are committed to doing things differently, listening more, working more closely with communities and partners, and making sure support is available earlier and closer to home.
She continued, "Whether it's cleaner neighbourhoods, quicker access to help, stronger local communities or better job opportunities, our ambition is simple: to help people live well and ensure Wirral continues to thrive."
The plan was approved by the council's Policy and Resource Committee this week and will now go before Full Council, where it will most likely be approved.
