The Council received a Government grant of £12.2 million to refurbish the old Swimming Baths. Labour decided they would use the funding as a contribution towards building a new Leisure Centre which in addition would require borrowing of over £20 million.
In each Budget, significant savings have been included, then within a few weeks into the new financial year, they become impossible due to the lack of political will.
Those messages were short and punchy. A promise to ‘Freeze Council Tax’ was strongly pushed online and in leaflets – despite there being absolutely no chance of it happening.
We have a Children’s Social Services Department that has been rated as inadequate by OFSTED and things are so bad that a Commissioner has been sent in to oversee the necessary improvements.
After 13 years in power, Labour’s legacy is one of debt, lower quality services, and higher taxes. We need reforms to limit debt and encourage a sharper focus on efficient service delivery.
Labour councillors complain about the lack of Government funding whilst continuously wasting public money. Spending nearly five hours at the full council meeting debating the conflict in Gaza is not a good use of time.
It is increasingly obvious to me that our success lies in finding those local issues which we care about passionately and which really matter to our residents.
Some constituencies could be challenging. But we have seen the back of a ‘progressive’ coalition in County Hall, comprising Liberal Democrats, Labour, and the odd Green Councillor.
A prolonged issue concerning damp and mould was insufficiently addressed until it garnered national attention. If the Conservatives gain control we will ensure effective maintenance of our housing stock.
We have a growing reputation for doing the boring stuff well, such as emptying bins, filling potholes, grass cutting, and street lighting. This is coupled with a strong focus on sound financial management supported by good governance oversight.
Glory marches elsewhere alongside great successes, but true honour lies in the thankless fights.
Next year, we have all-out elections due to local boundary changes. We’re preparing for some very interesting results.
None of them are seemingly interested in the day-to-day running of local government and policy delivery. They ignore their duty to the local community.
Losses of £46 million from a failing energy supply company is just one reason eople are rightly complaining about paying more in Council Tax for less in diminishing or poorly performing public services.
We went hard on the risk of a Labour takeover and that Wirral would be a one Party state and on the Liverpool road to ruin.