Notice of question to be given in writing or by email by 12 noon, 19 July 2023 to the Council’s Monitoring Officer via this link: Public Question Form 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 advised that 17 public questions had been received.

Catherine Evans asked a question relating to Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, stating that she had submitted a Freedom of Information request regarding the trial LTN for Grange Road West and suggested that the response was not comprehensive. Ms Evans requested that the Council scrap LTN.

The Chair responded to say that the Grange Road Scheme was due to be implemented using an experimental Traffic Order which would be in place for 18 months. Feedback would be welcomed from businesses. During the development of the scheme to date the Council engaged with businesses, and prior to the public consultation also undertook a separate consultation for local businesses. There is significant evidence to demonstrate that increasing pedestrian and cycling activity can boost a second consultation has just ended on the 19th July and therefore until the feedback from this has been reviewed it would be inappropriate to pre-determine the outcome and recommendations regarding the scheme.

A question was read on behalf of Keith Randals, who asked if an Equality Impact Assessment had been conducted in respect of the cessation of maintenance on Hoylake Beach.

The Chair responded to say that an Equality Impact Assessment was carried out before the Cabinet Member Decision to pause spraying and raking was taken, and an EIA will definitely be part of the process of deciding a final beach management plan for Hoylake Beach.

A question was received from Linda Ferrie who asked what proposals will the Council have for enforcing the 20mph speed restrictions, who was going to enforce these restrictions and by what means.

The Chair responded to say that the Police are the only people who can enforce speed restrictions and the Council work closely with Merseyside Police, noting that Merseyside Police support Road Safety work the Council are undertaking.

Anthony Pritchard asked a question regarding 20 mph zones, asking if the committee considered that consultation regarding the 20mph scheme, carried out October / November 2022, was fair and inclusive of all Wirral residents.

The Chair responded to say that consultations on 20mph are carefully done in line with legal requirements and are promoted via multiple channels including the local press, social media, emails to residents and the Council website.

Catherine Kelly asked a question relating to 20 mph zones, stating that this could have an impact on carers, district nurses, and emergency services. Ms Kelly asked the chair to confirm what risk assessments had the Council carried out pertaining to people waiting in their homes for carers as well as confirming whether any consultations had taken place with Home Care Agencies.

The Chair responded to confirm that an equality impact assessment was carried out before the recommended 20mph policy was agreed by the committee and subsequently by Full Council.

Charlotte Smith asked a question relating to the removal benches along the prom at Hoylake refurbishment and to accommodate buses/coaches during the Open.  Has the council ever considered an Equality Impact Assessment in making this decision and noted that in her opinion the council is in breach of the Equality Act 2010 by not providing temporary seating to accommodate people with disability/mobility needs.

The Chair responded to say that she had been informed that the benches were in need of refurbishment and repair to keep them safe and fit for use.

Elaine Revans asked a what was the Councils opinion on keeping the 20mph limits to necessary areas such as around schools and nurseries whilst allowing drivers to exercise common sense in 30mph areas and could the Council provide the sources of the statistics from their own research for accidents and fatalities in the Wirral zones they are targeting for the new restriction.

The Chair responded to say that 20mph zones were not introduced to reduce pollution but to reduce road danger and numbers killed and seriously injured. The Chair also noted that it would be helpful to explain the benefits of 20mph more and confirmed that officers are working on this right now.

Rosie Evans asked a question stating that the Birkenhead 2040 Framework clearly stated that the Wirral Council’s preference for the Birkenhead tunnel is to become not for cars but public transport only and asked if the Council would be engaging with the Liverpool City Region, as owners of the tunnel, to facilitate a feasibility study.

The Chair responded to say that the Council are not aware of any immediate proposals form the LCR for changes to the Birkenhead tunnel.  Any proposals would have to be led by the LCR as owners of the asset and would be subject to com-prehensive feasibility studies and consultation with all affected parties. The Chair also noted that, the 2040 Framework recognised that the Queensway tunnel pro-vide strong strategic highway links that are essential for the flow of people and goods but does note that the infrastructure has a lifespan which naturally requires its renewal, replacement, or change of use in the future to extend the economic life of the tunnel.

Derek Holmes asked why could the Council send out letters to residents to let them know about the Open Golf, not one letter was sent out about the Beach Management consultation.

The Chair responded to say that letters were sent to residents close to the golf event who were likely to be disrupted by it. Letters cannot be sent to all people that use the beach as it is an open space available to all Wirral residents and visitors and that would be too many people to write to.

Colin Roper stated that The Department of Transport plans to close all its managed train companies’ ticket offices across the Country. He also stated Mersey Ferries have become cashless, and many of the street parking machines in Birkenhead and beyond have also become cashless. Mr Roper asked what initiatives are the Council taking to protect the use of cash on the Wirral, ensuring the public can use it to travel and park.

The Chair responded to state that she would ask officers to respond to Mr Roper’s concerns and that they are shared with the LCRCA, who are responsible for the tunnels, ferries and local trains.

Sandra Richards asked a question relating to 20mph zones, stating that the zones will increase fuel usage and asked as the Committee is charged with environmental matters, how did it justify the fact this decision would adversely affect pollution, or is this a plan to stop private car ownership. Had a risk assessment been undertaken in respect of this and are these risks covered in the Council’s public indemnity insurance.

The Chair responded to say that there is evidence that reduced speeds reduce fuel use unless people drive erratically. Risks are assessed for all policy decisions and with evidence that 20mph is much safer than 30mph, the council believe it will be of benefit in reducing risk.

David Felton asked a question relating to 20mph zones, asking what is the exact number of people needed to object, or the exact proportion of respondents required, to stop further MPH zones from being introduced?

The Chair responded to state that the decision to proceed with 20mph was made by elected members of the Council before the recent local elections. It was not raised as a concern at the local elections and many of us received messages of support for 20mph. The Chair noted that the figures showed that during consultation 0.002% of residents opposed 20mph zones and that consultation objections are always taken seriously and if valid, they are acted upon.

Dermot Bolger stated that numerous surveys, including a recent 2023 IMF survey on Public Perceptions of Climate Mitigation Policies, indicate that the vast majority of everyday people do not want to pay for climate mitigation policies. Mr Bolger asked if the Council planned comprehensively survey the Wirral public to ascertain if they support climate policies and if the public do not support such policies, will the council withdraw from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Five Year Climate Action Plan.

The Chair responded to confirm that she very much supported the idea of comprehensive engagement with residents on the issue of climate change and climate change policies and asked far greater urgency in communicating with residents across the city region.

Monika Skinner asked if the Council planned to be upfront about the medium to long term target in regard to private car ownership.

The Chair responded to state that Wirral has a close working relationship with the rest of the Liverpool City Region. However, the city region is not alone in wanting to enable as many people as possible to choose to travel by public transport and active travel, noting that the aim was to give people more choice.

Jeremy Cook asked a question relating to 5G, asking if the Council claimed that the real nature of the 5G deployment process underway in Wirral is one of telecommunications only.

The Chair responded to state that the answer was, yes. 

The Chair read out a question on behalf of Sally Scott, who asked how many Councillors had undertaken training in environment issues, asking for the list of carbon literate councillors to be made public and that Council consider increasing its climate communications with the public and

greater levels of public consultation beyond just ‘Have your Say’.

The Chair responded to state that the list will be updated and made available, and the Climate Emergency team will consider your suggestions for increased communications and engagement.