A MASTER plan to change how Wirral Council operates during the next five years envisages job creation and sharing services with neighbouring authorities.

But council leader Cllr Phil Davies, unveiling details of the blueprint today, described a "pragmatic, innovative and bold" scheme that would lead to "huge cultural change."

He said it represents a chance to tackle challenges that lie ahead as the authority faces slashing £120m from its budget by 2020 due to further Government austerity measures.

With cuts to spending comes the threat of job losses, but Cllr Davies said he would do all he could to save staff from the axe.

He said: “The document doesn’t set down in detail how many jobs could be lost, but I will do my best to ensure as many jobs as possible are kept.

"We must continue to get the basics right. We have to deliver excellent core services, protect our most vulnerable citizens, provide good quality education and keep our streets safe and clean.

“But because of the scale of the cuts, we have to think differently about what we do, and how we do it.

"The council is no longer able to single-handedly provide all the services residents demand anymore, so we will have to work in close partnership with the private sector, charities and voluntary organisations”

The authority hopes to secure £250m of private investment with the aim of creating 5,000 new jobs.

It is also proposing to build or improve 7,000 homes during the life of the plan.

And sharing of back office services with other local authorities within Merseyside is also highlighted.

Councillor Davies continued: “This is a people-first plan and it is essential we take our residents with us on this journey.

"We need to put mechanisms in place to ensure we are constantly aware of local priorities and that the policies we pursue address them.

“We’ve come a long way over the last three years and have had our own challenges.

“In March we were awarded most improved council in the country and I believe we’ve got a mandate from the people of Wirral to deliver this plan.

“The plan we have set out today will be a challenge, but also an opportunity to do things differently than in the past."

He added: “It’s a huge cultural change and I think it’s a really exciting opportunity to make some radical differences to the way we work.

“By forging new partnerships and strengthening ones we already have, working across geography and administrative borders and by engaging and listening to our residents we will deliver the best possible deal for the people of Wirral."

Once the document has been agreed by full council on July 13, a more detailed plan will be put forward.

The blueprint includes a range of 20 pledges, from improving the environment, increased prospects for business growth, raising the tourism economy to £450m and increasing efforts to deal with anti-social behaviour including fly-tipping and dog-fouling.