"Thank you Madam Mayor,
Regeneration Plans affect the whole of the Wirral. When done in accordance with the 2040 framework, they will make a huge difference to the residents of those areas where the regeneration is actually happening. They will also protect the greenbelt, which us of benefit to us all, and as we create destinations as well as great places to live, we increase the health and wealth of all of our residents. I don’t have to remind members that there is a 12 year life expectancy gap between residents on the East and West, The residents I represent are fortunate to have the longest life expectancy, and I want to see that gap closed by improving the prospects of the everyone else, not dragging down Greasby, Frankby & Irby.
On 19th August, 3 party leaders endorsed investigation into the benefits that New Town status could bring, while the 4th did not commit either way.
At full Council on the 7th October, I asked the Leader of the Council what progress had been made in getting New Town status for Birkenhead and Wallasey. I was told that ‘talks are ongoing’.
On 2nd December, Cllr Jason Walsh-MacDonald asked what was being done in anticipation of the 13th December deadline for New Town applications. He got his reply on 17th December, 4 days after the deadline and also 4 days after a general statement was sent out.
For such important decisions – ones that so fundamentally affect the lives of all our residents, decisions that affect not just our current residents but the ones that will be living here in 2125, even 2225, we need to have complete transparency. Members are entitled to be able to scrutinise such decisions before they are made… in the interests of residents across the borough.
It is, of course, fantastic news that the Inspectorate has approved us having a groundbreaking brownfield-only Local Plan, and I want to pay tribute here to the architects of that plan and the campaigners who fought so hard over so many years.
It turns out that that battle was only the start. We cannot let that work go to waste. We have another challenge, but one that we almost anticipated: to implement the whole of the 2040 framework (plus a little bit more) in 20 years, but now by regulation rather than by choice.
We need to make sure that Vision happens. We don’t want the big developers coming in to develop on our greenbelt because we have not been able to achieve our increased housing targets. Nor do we want to create developments that do not fit with our vision in any area.
We have a revolutionary vision with plans already produced. A vision that was agreed by all political parties. We have to do all that we can to preserve it, implement it and look forward, whether in our dotage, or in the lives of the next generations, to the benefits to their lives that can be made. And why else are we Councillors other than to make a better future for our residents?
Such an important task must take advantage of any funding opportunities that will help us achieve the best version of it we can. As a Council, the scope of the regeneration is massive, and we are only going to be able to achieve it with external funding. We want that funding to come from benign sources: the government, Liverpool City Region, Housing Associations, and yes, private developers, as long as they are working towards the Birkenhead and Wallasey that we foresee, the best outcomes for our residents, not based on the profit that can be turned by building on our natural resources and pretending that a corridor of green through a housing development compensates for the loss of field upon field upon field.
To achieve all this, means incorporating as many talents and ideas as we can, and that includes representation from across the political spectrum. It means consulting on funding opportunities as they arise, and as bids are ongoing.
It is our future and the future of every single Wirral resident. It must be given the very best chance to succeed.
Информация по комментариям в разработке