A COUNCIL tax increase of 5.99% and new charges for using public toilets and car parking are among proposals backed by councillors in a budget resolution that aims to tackle what council leader Phil Davies called the "perfect storm" of Government cuts.

The authority's current cash crisis has been described as the "most challenging ever" and comes on the back of years of seeing its funding slashed by Government.

It faces a £61m shortfall in 2018/19, but Cllr Davies said his party's budget proposals will see an additional £20m allocated to children's services.

Six thousand people took part in public consultation on the budget plans - unanimously approved during this morning's cabinet meeting at Wallasey Town Hall - which includes a significant reduction in senior management costs, saving the authority £750,000, and a pay increase for counciil staff.

The budget plan, which will be debated and voted on during a meeting of the full council a week on Monday, March 5, includes new charges for using public toilets and car parking at 'key locations'.

It also includes funding for street lighting and infrastructure improvements and projects tackling domestic abuse.

Also on the table is a scheme introduce a charge – around 30p – to use public toilets, rather than closing them. Proceeds will be used to pay for upkeep.

Householders were 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.

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.

He added that the Labour group's budget will focus resources on children's services in a bid to ensure "Wirral's young people are not victims of Tory policies".

He added: "This is a balanced budget built around our shared values.

"It supports the important work being done to deliver services our residents rely on.

"It invests in our economy, makes improvements to our environment and shares the burden fairly between all those who can afford to contribute and those who enjoy the services Wirral offers.

“This a budget, against a harsh Conservative austerity agenda, our Labour council can be proud of.

“Since the Government chose the path of austerity in 2010, Wirral Council has been forced to implement more than a quarter of a billion pounds in reductions and cuts to its budget.

“The impact of austerity bites on the quality of life enjoyed by residents.

“The needs of Wirral residents become more complex, more intense and more pronounced."

On proposed car parking charges, Cllr Davies added: "We have to look at how we can bring more revenue in and had to look at parking charges.

"It's not something we want to do but, because of the cuts, we have to. The charges are reasonable."

In response Liberal Democrat leade Phil Gilchrist said: "They're raiding the reserves, but it's important we use those carefully and not blow them.

"It's all the more important that we put a decent case to the Government for the long-term funding of local services."

Wirral Conservative group leader said Ian Lewis said: "If this budget is the best that Councillor Davies and his £2million a year consultants and advisers can come up with, he needs to knock some heads together. 

"He's decided to keep his Wirral View newspaper, he's going to keep on paying directors more than the Prime Minister and he’s still lending Wirral's money to other councils. 

"Councillor Davies has made his choices and he has nobody to blame but himself.

"For Cllr Davies to boast that he is proud of this budget shows how deluded and out of touch he has become.

"I doubt if many of the people who will be hit by his Council Tax rise or promenade parking charges will share his enthusiasm.   

"He has £800 million at his disposal, and another £100 million in reserves. 

"This year's budget is a missed opportunity to use that money on the services Wirral needs."

Paddy Cleary, branch secretary of Wirral Unison said: "Despite the financial challenges faced in setting a budget for the coming year, Wirral UNISON welcomes the decision taken by the leader and cabinet colleagues to restore NJC pay levels for council employees.

"Council employees have taken more than their share of the pain with pay caps and pay freezes as well as unpaid leave.

"They have been 1% behind NJC pay levels, due to forgoing a pay rise in 2013 that tried to mitigate further cuts and redundancies.

"We have lobbied hard on this matter and we are pleased that the leadership have listened.

"They have shown they value what UNISON consider our main asset, its staff and our members.

"Despite the continued attack on the public sector from central government, this is welcome news for our council members."