Six things we learnt from Wirral's budget meeting as council tax goes up again

The budget, which was voted through by Labour councillors on Monday evening, also includes extra funding for the devastated New Ferry community, the purchase of the Vue cinemas site in Birkenhead, and an additional reduction scheme for low income households.

A typically bad-tempered meeting even came to a standstill as every single Tory councillor walked out while Cllr Jo Bird, suspended by her party earlier in the day for a joke deemed to be antisemitic, was allowed to have her say on the budget.

The council tax rise for 2019/20 will mean an increase of around £50 a year for Band D household owners not including the other rises in police, fire and Metro Mayor precepts.

According to Wirral Council chiefs, the budget came after the authority was told it had to save another £45m – meaning a total £200m savings over the last nine years – an amount described as “colossal”.

Here’s six things we learned on the night:

1. A final budget for council leader Phil Davies and deputy Labour chief Bernie Mooney:

Presenting his final budget, Cllr Phil Davies said he had a feeling of “Déjà Vu”.

He added: said: “We are stuck in the ninth year of austerity under the Tory government. There’s no clarity about ending the crisis in social care. It makes it almost impossible to plan ahead. There’s huge pressure on maintaining crucial services like leisure and highways.

“It’s against this bleak national context that I move our budget for 2019/20.”

2. Labour councillor suspended for ‘Jew process’ joke WAS allowed to speak

After a motion forwarded by Cllr Ian Lewis, a vote by councillors decided that Cllr Jo Bird – who was suspended by her regional party earlier in the day – would be allowed to speak.

As Cllr Bird took to her feet, Cllr Lewis moved a motion calling for her not to be heard, seconded by Cllr Chris Blakeley.

Cllr Bird was suspended by her party on Monday after a speech in which she told a joke about “Jew process” – also adapting a poem about the Holocaust.

It is understood she has been suspended by her party pending investigation, but she was allowed to both attend the meeting and vote.

Following Cllr Lewis’ motion, Cllr Bird said: “I have every right to speak in this chamber.”

Cllr Lewis’ motion was voted down by 39 to 22 votes, meaning Cllr Bird could have her say.

But as she began speaking, all of the Conservative councillors walked out of the chamber, prompting cries of “shame” from the ruling group.

Cllr Bird said she was “sorry” for offence caused, adding that it was “not [my intention], she also revealed she had received “hate emails” on Monday.

3. The new Independent Group mean business

Supporting Labour’s budget proposals, Cllr Mike Sullivan, who is part of the new Independent Group of Wirral councillors, warned that with the Labour party’s recent difficulties, the new three-strong group could have a lot of influence after May’s local elections.

He said: “This is the worst government this country’s ever seen. What makes me sad is that Labour nationally should be 30 points clear of this government and [they’re] not.

“Look at the opinion polls. These people who have made a power grab for the Labour party should look at themselves instead of criticising these hard workers over there, who have produced a budget in a ninth year of austerity.

“Be careful what you wish for. Our little group could hold the balance of power come May.”

4. Good news for hardworking council staff

There’s good news for the council’s staff in the budget – as the amount of unpaid leave they need to take will reduce over the coming year, from four days to three days. It was also announced there will be no compulsory redundancies.

5. Schools are struggling

As Cllr Bernie Mooney presented her last schools budget to the chamber having been deselected by her party, she said “something has got to change” when it comes to funding for education.

She said this year, 21% of Wirral’s schools are in deficit, with that number set to rise to 65% in 2021 if nothing is done.

The cabinet member for education and deputy Labour leader said: “Something has got to change. We have got to urge the government to change how they fund our schools.

“All these new pressures are coming to our schools but without any extra funding. It doesn’t matter what side of the chamber you sit on. We all have schools in our wards.”

6. The issues that will STILL not go away

Bringing up the “failing” Wirral View newspaper, Tory group leader Cllr Ian Lewis said: “Let’s not forget half the borough doesn’t get it and half the borough doesn’t want it. By any measure it should be scrapped.

“Detail in the cabinet budget reveals increasing amounts being spent on it.”

The council was also attacked for policies such as country parks parking charges, the Celtic Manor Golf Resort in Hoylake, the amount spent on consultants, Kingdom litter squad, and new charges to use public toilets.

What the leaders of the three biggest parties said:

Labour

Speaking after proposing his budget, leader Cllr Phil Davies said: “We are stuck in the ninth year of austerity under the Tory government. There’s no clarity about the ending crisis in social care.

“The budget I’m moving today is balanced, sustainable and legal. It does not require any closure of services and helps key frontline services continue to improve. It protects our workforce and requires no compulsory redundancies.

“It’s my pleasure to move and recommend this budget to council.”

Conservatives

Cllr Ian Lewis called the Labour cabinet plan the “usual story”, adding: “There’s lots of anti-government rhetoric, followed as always by the continued implementation of that austerity, while throwing a few hundred thousand pounds into projects to appease the left-hand side of the party.”

He asked the council to reject the cabinet’s budget, and instead “use the money you have to address” issues such as broken street lights, road safety, street cleaning, dog fouling and creating new jobs.

Liberal Democrats

Speaking after the meeting, Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Phil Gilchrist said: “Wirral still has to get the basics right. Too much money goes on costly consultants. We need a new deal from the Government for future local services. This budget uses money from reserves and land sales to keep things going.

“There are underlying, smouldering problems. These will flare up without careful control. That’s why all councillors need to watch the situation, not just the cabinet, to get value for money.”