COUNCILLORS will “fight” to keep services running as Wirral Council seeks to close its £32m budget gap.

Ahead of a top committee meeting on February 18, the local authority revealed £39m in proposed cuts and savings for councillors to consider. These include services being scaled back or stopped, reserves used, as well as efforts to increase income.

The proposals include closing a number of libraries as well as raising council tax by nearly 5%.

The council is required to set a balanced budget by March for the next financial year. If it does not do this, it could face the government intervening and declaring bankruptcy.

Wirral’s largest party Labour, said their priority is, “to save as many of the services residents value as possible” blaming “a backdrop of 13 years of Conservative government cuts to local budgets.” They said government funding was 60% less than it was in 2010.

They added: “We will fight to save our leisure services. We know how important our swimming pools, libraries and play schemes are to residents. The officers’ proposal to close two pools, reduce libraries and stop play schemes during a cost of living crisis would leave many of our residents without access to safe swimming, a safe place for children during the holidays and a warm, free place to enjoy access to books.

“Year after year of Conservative cuts are not acceptable, and while we will present a balanced and legal budget, we will carry on the fight for our residents to get the money they deserve.”

Labour said their budget proposals have been fully costed and called for a review of senior council worker’s pay, consultants and agency staff adding it was “only right” when “everyone is having to tighten their belts.”

The Conservatives, led by Tom Anderson, however accused Labour of putting the local authority in its current financial position. Cllr Anderson said: “This is about political choices and we’ve seen in Liverpool what happens when Labour has outright control of the cash – money meant for services never reaches the front line. Wirral, it seems, is going the same way.

“In spite of the extra cash being given to Wirral by the Government – and we heard this week that this is now £6m more than expected – the Town Hall has consistently failed to provide value for money. That’s not just my view, but it’s also the word of the council’s independent auditors.

“Yet, once again, we are faced with proposals that seek to cut or reduce front line services while the back office costs, consultant fees and the Council’s 31 top senior officers being paid £3m between them, carry on unchecked. We will be arguing that front line services – the ones that we all use and rely on – are not the optional extras but the starting point of what any council should be providing.”

In December, the council’s watchdog Independent Assurance Panel said that it was “pleased” with progress the council was making and was assured savings made in 2022 would be achieved by the end of this financial year.

No party has overall control in Wirral meaning Labour and the Conservatives will need to pull on Green and Liberal Democrat votes to pass a budget.

The Greens urged “no cuts to valued, frontline services” or compulsory redundancies with leader Pat Cleary adding they were “still undergoing detailed scrutiny of the numbers so it’s a bit early to talk about specific proposals at this stage.”

Phil Gilchrist, Lib Dem leader, said: “We will not accept cuts that make Wirral look even more untidy or neglected” but expressed support for a possible tax rise to help with “providing essential services and limiting the damage.”