Wirral Council cuts: Plan to pull school crossing patrols

Wirral Council is proposing to remove some school crossing patrols and to reduce community library opening hours as part of a further £45m of cutbacks.

It is also considering charging for car parking at Fort Perch Rock and at countryside parks and for the NHS to provide some services at the council-run Girtrell Court respite home.

The proposals are going out to public consultation.

The council has already made £100m of cuts and announced up to 500 job cuts.

It has to save £18m next year and £27m in 2016-17.

The Labour-controlled authority said it has already identified around £15.5m of savings for next year, including job losses which will be implemented by the end of March.

It is now seeking the views of staff, residents, community groups and partner organisations on its proposals to address its remaining budget shortfall of £2.5m.

Graham Burgess, Wirral Council chief executive, said: "We strongly challenged how every service is delivered and as an organisation are now undertaking the biggest transformation in our history.

"The impact on our staff will be significant though we will seek to reduce our workforce through volunteers wherever possible.

"The staff who remain will be required to continue delivering services but with less resources than before."

Jeff Green, leader of the Conservatives on the council, said the proposals were "petty and vindictive" and had not been thought through.

"It is extraordinary to cut school crossing patrols when they have £80m of reserves earmarked for schools."

He said: "They want residents to pay council tax but not provide the services."

The public consultation ends on 31 October.