The Director of Neighbourhood Services introduced the Leisure and Libraries Consultation Outcomes Report, which provided the Tourism, Communities, Culture and Leisure Committee with the outcomes of public consultation exercises undertaken in relation to the development of new models of service delivery, in respect of Leisure and Library Services.

Members were informed that the consultation outcomes would contribute to the five thematic priorities within the Wirral Plan 2021-26 that focused on improving outcomes for whole population groups.

On 28 February 2022, Budget Council agreed a balanced budget for the 2022/23 financial year. The budget was predicated on assumptions that there would be cessation of services within the Neighbourhoods Directorate to generate savings and allow for the balanced budget to be achievable.

Public consultations on affected service changes and closures prior to the final decision by the Committee on what decisions to then take in the expenditure of their budget provision in exercise of their functions, were also agreed as follows:

· The Closure of the Fun (Leisure) Pool at Europa Pools and the development of a fitness facility

· The Closure of Woodchurch Leisure Centre

· The Closure (for a 12-month period) of Wirral Tennis & Sports Centre for redevelopment

· The closure of Brackenwood (18 Hole), Hoylake (18 hole), Wallasey Beach and Kings Parade (pitch n putt) golf courses

This public consultation exercise was opened on the Councils Have Your Say platform between 31st January 2022, and 27th March 2022.

Members were also informed that a separate consultation exercise was undertaken on the Council’s proposals for a new operating model for Library Services, including a number of library closures. This consultation ran for 8 weeks from 21 February to 18 April 2022.

Members then took park in a lengthy discussion on the consultation outcomes and discussed each recommendation individually. Concerns were raised around the inclusion of an option 3 which had been discounted by the Policy and Resources Committee. Also raised as a concern by Members was the budget decisions agreed by Council had been brought back Committee for discussion.

Also discussed was accessibility, safety and public transport options in accessing library provision. 

Members considered the recommendations individually.

Recommendation 1 was put by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Mike Collins, and agreed by assent, it was therefore -

Resolved – Thatthe outcomes of all public consultation exercises for Leisure & Library Services as contained in the “Have Your Say” consultation reports at Appendix 1-4 (Leisure) and Appendix 8 (Libraries) be noted.

Recommendation 2 was moved by Councillor Helen Cameron, seconded by Councillor Mike Collins that the recommendations detailed within the report be agreed with subject to the inclusion of –

the implementation of Option 3, as amended and agreed by Council be approved as the new core operating model for Wirral’s Library Service with a detailed implementation plan to be presented back to a future meeting of this Committee in September 2022

It was then moved by Councillor Naomi Graham, seconded by Councillor Judith Grier, that the recommendations within the report be agreed, subject to the inclusion of the following –

The £162,000 identified by Policy and Resources be used to permanently support library serviced provision across the Wirral based on greatest demonstrative need and the ease of access assessment.

Further information was sought from the officers regarding the agreement at P&R regarding ringfencing of money, for asset transfer of the libraires. Officers gave clarification on this.

The motion moved by Councillor Graham was put and lost (3:8) 

The original motion was therefore put and agreed (1:8) with 2 abstentions. It was therefore –

Resolved – that the implementation of Option 3, as amended and agreed by Council be approved as the new core operating model for Wirral’s Library Service with a detailed implementation plan to be presented back to a future meeting of this Committee in September 2022

Recommendation 3 was put by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Ivan Camphor, seconded by Councillor Mike Collins, and agreed by assent. It was therefore - –

Resolved – That the permanent closure of the leisure pool at Europa Pools, with alternative provision and pool-based activities for children and young people within the main competition pool (and other sites where permissible) be approved.

Recommendation 4 was moved by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Mike Collins seconded by Councillor Mike Collins, and agreed by assent. It was therefore–

Resolved – That the retention of the alternative fitness offer within the space previously occupied by the leisure pool at Europa Pools be approved.

Recommendation 5 was moved by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Paul Martin, seconded by Councillor Mike Collins, and agreed by assent, it was therefore -

Resolved – That, the permanent closure of Woodchurch Leisure Centre be approved.

Recommendation 6 was moved by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Ivan Camphor, seconded by Councillor Mike Collins, and agreed by assent. It was therefore  –

Resolved – That the permanent closure of Brackenwood and Hoylake Golf courses, and the closure of Kings Parade and Wallasey Beach pitch n putt golf courses be approved.

Recommendation 7 was moved by the Chair, seconded by Councillor Allan Brame, seconded by Councillor Mike Collins, and agreed by assent. it was therefore–

Resolved – That the reinstatement of the tennis offer, and development of community offer at the Wirral Tennis & Sports Centre (WTSC) subject to the implementation of a new model for tennis at the site, established through a partnership agreement with the Lawn Tennis Association as contained in Appendix 5, and with the development proposal submitted by Alliance Leisure in Appendix 6 that will continue to achieve the agreed budget savings for 2022/23 be approved