Finally the Council have announced that they will call ‘Special Area Forums’ as part of the consultation process into the proposed cuts. The Dates and venues are: 

1. Special Area Forum Conference for Birkenhead, Tranmere, Rock Ferry, Bidston, Claughton, Oxton and Prenton – this will be held at the Lauries Centre on 5 January 2009 at 7:00 pm.

1. Special Area Forum Conference for Heswall, Pensby, Thingwall, Bebington, Clatterbridge, Bromborough and Eastham – this will be held at Hulme Hall on 6 January 2009 at 7:00 pm.

1. Special Area Forum Conference for West Wirral (Hoylake and Meols, West Kirby and Thurstaston), Greasby, Frankby, Irby, Upton and Woodchurch – this will be held at West Kirby Concourse on 7 January 2009 at 7:00 pm.

1. Special Area Forum Conference for Leasowe, Moreton and Saughall Massie, New Brighton, Wallasey, Liscard and Seacombe – this will be held at the Floral Pavilion on 8 January 2009 at 7:00 pm.

With 3 closures in Upton & Woodchurch (Library, Leisure Centre and Community Centre) why on earth will the Upton Woodchurch consultation take place at West Kirby Concourse?  Could it be that the council wishes to hold it as far away as possible from the area that is affected most? Local Upton Conservative Cllr Tom Anderson did request that there be a separate Area Forum for Upton to be held in the Leisure Centre, but was ignored by council officers as they blindly pressed ahead with their own arrangements.

Leisure Cuts: Conservatives call public meeting

Cllr. John Hale is the Conservative Councillor for Hoylake & Meols and Chairman of the Council’s committee that scrutinizes the work of the Cabinet Member for Culture.  He has called a special meeting which will be open to the public to look at the Council’s cuts to libraries, leisure centres and the other amenities set for closure

It takes place on Wednesday 10 December, 6pm, at Wallasey Town Hall.  You can email your questions to alisonmountney@wirral.gov.uk and, if you belong to any of the groups affected, also ask to be considered as a ‘witness’ to give evidence to the Committee.