PUBLIC consultation on Wirral Council's budget proposals is underway, as the authority faces up to the challenge of saving more than £60 million in the next financial year.

Axing town hall management jobs and new charges for using public toilets and car parking at 'key locations' are among a raft of proposals in a budget that aims to tackle what council leader Phil Davies calls the "perfect storm" of Government cuts.

The authority faces a £61m shortfall in 2018/19, but Cllr Davies said his party's budget proposals would allow for crucial additional cash for children’s services.

The plans, announced during a cabinet meeting on December 18, include a significant reduction in senior management costs, saving the authority £750,000.

Also on the table is a scheme to introduce a charge – around 30p – to use public toilets, rather than closing them.

Proceeds will be used to pay for upkeep.

Householders are also being consulted on proposals to introduce parking charges at certain coastal visitors, including Derby Pool and King's Parade in New Brighton; Leasowe Lighthouse car park and 'The Gunsite', North Parade between Hoylake and Meols and South Parade in West Kirby.

Under the proposals, parking charges will be £1 for an hour, £2 all day or £20 overnight.

Unveiling his budget plan last month, Cllr Davies said a combination of previously agreed savings, long-term transformational programmes, one-off funding and implementation of council tax precepts will be used to bridge the majority of the shortfall.

The proposals will be considered by budget cabinet in February. Wirral residents can complete a short questionnaire on the budget proposals, which is available on the council website www.wirral.gov.uk/budget2018.

The consultation ends on Friday, February 2.

Cllr Davies said the Labour group will focus resources on children's services in a bid to ensure "Wirral's young people are not victims of Tory policies".

The budget will give a £20m boost to the children's services department which has struggled under the weight of extra demand for help, but is now making real progress to improve.

He added: "We are a responsible, caring Labour administration under attack from a 'couldn't care less' Tory Government.

"We must be pragmatic. We must set a legal budget that protects what we care about most.

"But be under no illusion, if we don’t do this, Government officials will descend on Wirral and enforce cuts with scant regard for local needs or the services cherished by residents.

"This money has to come from somewhere and, as we repeatedly seen this year when we have asked the Government for help, the Tories' response is 'you're on your own'.

"Wirral Council faces budget deficit of £61m and children's services need around £20m to ensure they have the resources needed to protect vulnerable young people.

"What is the response of the Tories? Unlike Labour, their only solution is to cut even more funding from local authorities.

"What we won't allow, is for our services to be cut to the bone simply to meet Government-imposed savings targets.

"Wirral knows what is best for our borough and our residents, not Whitehall.

"This administration has always been clear that the broadest shoulders should bear the greatest burden.

"The vast majority of the measures will bring little or no impact on the quality, availability or scale of council services our residents rely on".

Conservative group leader Cllr Ian Lewis told the Globe: "Here we go again.  Another so-called consultation.

"The residents of Wirral have given their views to Councillor Davies time and time again – but he keeps asking the question until he gets the answer he wants to hear.

"Parking charges on the promenades are the easy option, but they are also the wrong option.

"If he is struggling to make ends meet on a budget of £800million, I suggest Councillor Davies makes a start by cutting the £2 million he is spending on consultants, the money he is throwing at the golf resort  or the money he is lending to other councils." 

Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Phil Gilchrist said: "The Cabinet unveiled its ideas a month ago. This last minute consultation is better than nothing.

"Even so the new questions about parking charges and public toilets are almost buried, towards the end of the survey.

"The Labour Leader raises real issues about the level of 'grant' from national taxes.

"At Council meetings I have offered my support to seek funding.  

"I have never, yet, been asked to accompany him to London to make Wirral's case for a better deal.  

"Residents need Wirral to use money wisely and to get the basics right."