Notice of question to be given in writing or by email by 12 noon, Friday, 11 March, 2022 to the Council’s Monitoring Officer (committeeservices@wirral.gov.uk) and to be dealt with in accordance with Standing Order 10.

For more information on how your personal information will be used, please see this link:

Document Data Protection Protocol for Public Speakers at Committees | Wirral Council

Please telephone the Committee Services Officer if you have not received an acknowledgement of your question by the deadline for submission.

The Chair informed the meeting that seven questions had been received from members of the public, all. of whom were in attendance.

The first question was from David Bird in relation to the criteria used by the Committee at its last meeting in relation to the recommended closure of libraries which resulted in two libraries no longer being recommended for closure.

In response, the Chair referred the questioner to the webcast of that meeting where the Director of Resources was of the view that the amendments proposed in relation to those two libraries were financially viable and legal.

The second question was from Keith Marsh in relation to the length of time an asset transfer may take for Brackenwood Golf Club and the consequential impact on its maintenance.

Councillor Helen Cameron responded that at a meeting of Wirral’s full Council on 28 February it was agreed that the full, permanent annual budget to operate Brackenwood Golf Course would cease and be removed from 1 April 2022. The service would consequently have no monies for maintenance of the course post 1 April 2022. The service would ensure any statutory and Health & Safety requirements were met through existing budgets. The Director of Resources would present a report at this meeting of the Policy & Resources Committee, recommending the adoption of an updated Community Asset Transfer Policy to be applied if the Council decided to discontinue its use of certain buildings and land. If approved, and subject to the outcomes of any public consultation, community groups or other organisations would be invited to express an interest in taking over assets that were regarded as surplus to the delivery of Council services, which may provide value for the community.

A supplementary question was put asking how the Council would protect the assets in the period between the transfer.

In response Councillor Cameron reiterated that there was no money allocated for this and if it were to be undertaken the funding would need to be taken from another service.

The third question was from Jackie Watts asking the Council to provide resources to protect the greens at Brackenwood Golf Course and to agree for the community to take a lead role in looking after the asset.

In response, Councillor Helen Cameron referred the questioner to her previous response and that whilst the Council would consider what could be done in the interim, there would be a cost for which there was no budget.

A supplementary question was asked in relation to preventing anti-social behaviour and vandalism. In response, Councillor Cameron reaffirmed that any statutory health and safety requirement would still need to be met through the Council’s duty of care to the green space.

The fourth question was from Robin Clarke seeking a commitment from the Council to conclude a Community Asset Transfer within 3 months.

The Chair responded to say that it could not yet be accurately determined how long it would take to facilitate a community asset transfer as it would depend upon the quality of the expression of interest and business plan, but that officers would work through any expressions of interest as expediently as possible with their available capacity.

A supplementary question was put seeking commitment to a specific target date. In response, the Chair outlined that the Community Asset Transfer policy was still yet to be agreed.

The fifth question was from Ian Seddon which asked the Committee to investigate the circumstances that had delayed the transfer of the lease of the land at the corner of Trafalgar Road and Lea Road to Liscard and Egremont Action Group.

Councillor Tony Jones responded that this had taken longer than anticipated due to some issues specific to the case, being the surrender of the outgoing lease and the creation of a new lease, rather than a simple assignment.  There was also an issue in respect of a leaning wall and tree stump which needed to be explored in terms of safety and responsibility. The Council was now recruiting someone to progress with the issues raised.

The sixth question was put by Councillor Jo Bird, which asked why the Council had not accepted the guidance for longer term leases for Community Asset Transfers.

In response, the Chair outlined that the Policy had not yet been agreed and it was her intention that amendments to the Policy be proposed.

A supplementary question was put seeking assurances that there would be flexibility if the timescale for the transfer fell beyond the end of funding for libraries. In response, the Chair reiterated that this would be discussed as part of the relevant agenda item.

The seventh question was submitted by Liam Hartzenberg in relation to whether Bromborough Civic Centre would be made available for Community Asset Transfer with the Library as a single asset.

Councillor Helen Cameron responded that all sites would be considered for Community Asset Transfer as part of the policy for consideration at the meeting, with the relevant committee takin the final decision as to which assets would qualify for transfer and to which group.

A supplementary question was put asking whether Bromborough Civic Centre would receive the same funding for a Community Asset Transfer as Woodchurch Leisure Centre. In response, it was reiterated that the policy was still to be agreed and the subsequent decisions would be taken by the relevant Committee.