WIRRAL PLAN 2020 · 2017. 6. 30. · THE WIRRAL PLAN 2020: ANNUAL REPORT 2017 5 The Wirral Plan was an ambitious agenda. It set out 20 Pledges to transform Wirral, and the lives of

1THE WIRRAL PLAN 2020: ANNUAL REPORT 2017

TITLE

THE WIRRAL PARTNERSHIP

WIRRAL PLAN 2020:ANNUAL REPORT 2016/17


CONTENTS

FOREWORD 3

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS 5 STATISTICS 6

PEOPLE 7 CASESTUDY-ThisGirlCaninWirral 8 HIGHLIGHTS 10

BUSINESS 14 CASESTUDY-TheWirralGrowthCompany 15 HIGHLIGHTS 17

ENVIRONMENT 20 CASESTUDY-The‘LOVE’WirralStars 21 HIGHLIGHTS 23

KEY PRIORITIES 27

CONCLUSION 30

THE WIRRAL PLAN 2020: ANNUAL REPORT 2017 3

FOREWORD

While we are not without our challenges, it is clear we are making a huge difference to people’s lives all across the borough, and we are finding ever more imaginative ways to do more with less

ItisnowtwoyearssincewefirstcreatedtheWirralPlan–thefirsteversharedsetofprioritiesandgoalswhichtheCouncil,theprivate,publicandvoluntarysectorscommittedtoownanddelivertogether.

Iamincrediblyproudofwhatwehaveachievedsincethen.

Whilewearenotwithoutourchallenges,itisclearwearemakingahugedifferencetopeople’slivesallacrosstheborough,andwearefindingevermoreimaginativewaystodomorewithless.

WemadeacommitmentwhenwefirstagreedthisPlantoreportbacktoWirralresidents–tokeepresidentsinformed,andgiveopen,honestappraisalsofourprogresssowecanbeheldtoaccountonthepromiseswemade.

Iamdelightedtoreportmorethan2,000jobscreated,1000newbusinesses,ourhighest-everlevelofemploymentforpeoplewithdisabilities,morethan1500homesimprovedorbroughtbackintouse,and9outof10schoolsbeingrated‘good’orbetterbyOfstedamongmanyotherachievements.

Itisabsolutelyclear:the20Pledgesaremakinganimpact.

InthisreportyouwillseecountlessexamplesofhowourPledgesaremakingarealdifferencetopeople’slives.

4THE WIRRAL PLAN 2020: PROGRESS REPORT 2016

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communitysafetyservicesarenowprovidedinpartnershipwithMerseysidePolice.

Iamdemandingwebuildonthesesuccessesandcontinuetoseeinnovativeandimaginativenewmodelsputinplacetomakesurethat,eveninthesechallengingfinancialtimes,Wirralresidentsseetheirservicesimproveandbecomemoreabletomeettheirneeds.

AsIhavesaidtimeandagainsince2015,theWirralPlanisourcontractwiththepeopleofWirral;mypersonalpledgetoeveryWirralresidentistocontinuetospendeverydayworkingtomakeWirralabetterplace.

Iamproudofourperformancethisyear.IencourageyoutoreadthisdocumentandseeforyourselfhowtheWirralPlanischangingandimprovingourboroughforeveryresident.

Youwillseehowbyworkingwithpartners,residentsandcommunitiesweareseeinglastingimprovementstotheboroughandyouwillseeever-increasingevidenceofaCouncilwhichisbecomingmoremodern,flexibleandabletomeetpeople’schangingneeds.

Thereporthighlightsandcelebratesthemanyachievementsofwhichwearerightlyproud,butitdoesnotshyawayfromthoseareaswherechallengespersistandwherewestillneedtoimproveandfocusmoreattention.

Duringthecomingyearwewilldelivermajor,sustainedimprovementsinservicesforchildrenandfamilies.OurresponsetotheOfstedinspectionlastyearhasbeenpositive,andwehavemadesignificantprogress,butIknowwestillhavemuchtodo.Wewillnotrestuntiltheservicesprovidedtoprotectourchildrenareoftheveryhighestquality.Nothingelseisgoodenough.

Wewillalsousethisyeartogoevenfurtherinredesigningourservices–ensuringtheservicesavailabletoourresidentsmeettheirneeds,arefitforpurposeandarefinanciallysustainable.Justthispastyear,wehavedonemoreinthisareathaneverbefore.

SocialcareservicesinWirralarebeingfullyintegratedwithhealthservicesprovidedbytheNHS–creatingthemostseamless,joinedupserviceforresidentsanywhereintheLiverpoolCityRegion.Similarly,our

Cllr Phil DaviesLeaderofWirralCouncilandChairoftheWirralPartnership


TheWirralPlanwasanambitious

agenda.Itsetout20Pledgesto

transformWirral,andthelives

ofitsresidents,duringatime

ofunprecedentedchangeand

uncertaintywithinthepublicsector.

Thenextfewsectionsofthisdocument

areourreportcard:theyshowyoujust

whatwehaveachievedtowardsour

20Pledgessincefirstagreeingthem

inJulylastyear.Itshowssomereal

lifeexamplesofwherewearealready

makingadifference,itishonestabout

whereourissuesandchallenges

remainandittellsyouwhatweare

goingtodonext.

44%HIGHEST-EVER LEVEL OF EMPLOYMENT

fOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

70% Of cHILdREN REAcHINg A GOOD

LEVEL OF DEVELOPMENT by AgE 5

90% Of scHOOLs RATEd ‘GOOD OR

OUTSTANDING’ by OfsTEd

£386 MILLION FROM TOURISM

ECONOMY


2081 1025IN WIRRAL

1907 REdUcTION IN ANTI-SOCIAL

BEHAVIOUR INcIdENTs

597 EMPTY PROPERTIES

bROUgHT bAcK INTO UsE

980 HOMES

IMPROVEd

7

Wirral is a place where the vulnerable are safe and protected, every child gets a good start in life and older

residents are respected and valued.

Ensuring the most vulnerable among us are safe, and feel safe, is perhaps our most important responsibility. We will work across Council and agency boundaries to promptly

identify and tackle problems before they develop.

7

Young people areready for work and

adulthood

People withdisabilities liveindependently

Zero toleranceto domestic

violence

Children areready for school

Reduce child and family poverty

Older peoplelive well

Vulnerablechildren reach

their full potential

PEOPLE

PEOPLE

THE WIRRAL PLAN 2020: ANNUAL REPORT 2017

Wirral’sversionofSportEngland’s‘ThisGirlCan’campaignhaslaunchedwithanexclusivepartywelcoming30teenagerswhowillbeitsofficialambassadors.

ThisGirlCaninWirralcampaignisaimedspecificallyatgirlsaged13-16afterresearchshowed85%werenotdoingtherecommendedamountofexerciseaweek.Thecampaignwillfocusonhelpinggirlsintheareafeelmoreconfidentandboostingtheirself-esteemwithfunactivities.

Theinvitation-onlypartytookplaceatTheYogBar,Hoylakeandtheeveningcelebratedthegirlsnowhelpingtoleadthecampaignandinchargeofgettingtheirfriendsmoreactive.

ThenightsawavarietyofspecialguestspeakersincludingHollyoaksactress,NadineMulkerrin(CleoMcqueen),MissTeenGreat

BritainAshleighWildandMissGalaxyEnglandZaraNortley.Theguestswereabletohelpinspireandempowerthegirlswiththeirownpersonalexperiencesandprofessions.

WirralCouncilhaspartneredupwithTheYogBarforthecampaignwithsistersandownersofthelocalbusiness,StephanieandCharlotteHodson,pledgingtosupportthecampaignandfutureactivities.

AlongwiththeThisGirlCanWirralteamthe30ambassadorswillhelptoplaneventsforthecomingmonthsthatwillhelpencourageothergirlstheiragetogetinvolvedandfindthesportsandactivitiesrightforthem.

Follow @thisgirlcaninwirral on Instagram for updates.

This Girl Can


PEOPLE PLEDGES


AcompellingexampleistheworkwhichhasbeendonetointegratehealthandsocialcareservicesinWirral,whereresidentswillnowenjoytheamongthemostseamless,joineduphealthandsocialcareservicesintheUKaftermajorintegrationprojectsweresuccessfullydeliveredthisyear.

Challengesdoofcourseremain.WirralisoneofmanyboroughsintheUKwhichisfacinguptotheimplicationsofhugelyincreaseddemandforchildren’ssocialcareservices.AninadequateOfstedratinglastyearhasfocussedattentiononmakingabsolutelysureourvitalchildren’sservicesquicklyimproveandbecomethebestpossiblequality.

EveryorganisationintheWirralPartnershipisworkingtogethertoimprovethelivesofchildren,familiesandolderpeopleintheborough.Weareseeinganimpactinmanyareasalready.

Older people live well Agreedinearly2016,theAgeingWellinWirralStrategyhasledtomajorimprovementsinhowservicesforolderpeoplearedesignedanddelivered.OrganisationssuchasAgeUKareworkingalongsidepublicagenciestosupportolderpeople,tacklesocialisolationandensuretheycanplayanactiveroleinstrong,thrivingcommunities.

Agoodexampleofinnovative,simpleinterventionswhichhaveresultedinabigimpactonpeople’slivesistheprogrammeof‘doorknock’eventsthroughout2016.Theseeventshaveseenallagenciesworkingtogethertoreachoutdirectlytomorethan2,000localresidents,referringover300peopleforfurtheradviceorsupport,resultedinanewbereavementsupportgroupbeingcreatedandprevented6peoplefrombeingaloneonChristmasDayandsetupabereavementpeersupportgroup.

People want services tailored to meet their individual needs. They expect services which help them in their individual circumstances, and which have an impact in improving their lives.

44%HIGHEST-EVER LEVEL OF EMPLOYMENT

fOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

70% Of cHILdREN REAcHINg A GOOD

LEVEL OF DEVELOPMENT by AgE 5

90% Of scHOOLs RATEd ‘GOOD OR

OUTSTANDING’ by OfsTEd


Children are ready for schoolAlmost70%ofyoungchildrenarenowreachinga‘good’levelofdevelopmentbyage5:thisisthehighesteverlevelinWirralandamongthehighestintheregion.Thisisfantasticnews,butthereisstillmoretodo.

Moreandmorechildrenaretakingadvantageoftheearlyyears’servicesandsupportwhichisavailabletothem,includingdevelopmentchecks,healthvisitorreviewsandarangeoftargetedservicestailoredtoindividualneedsbeingprovidedatlocationsthroughouttheborough.Parentsarebeingprovidedwithsupport,bothtohelpthemcarefortheirchildrenbutalsofortheirowndevelopment,withemploymenttrainingbeingofferedtonewparentsallacrossWirral.

Young people are ready for work and adulthood90%ofWirralschoolsarenowratedbyOfstedasbeinggoodorbetterand63%ofchildrenachieved5ormore‘good’GCSE’s(includingEnglishandMaths).Performanceintheseareascomparesfavourablytothenationalpictureof89%and53.5%respectively.TheYoungChamberprogrammeisamongthemostsuccessfulandinnovativeintheUK,workingwithchildrenateveryWirralprimaryschooltohelpdeveloptheirskillsandencouragethemtobeenterprisingandentrepreneurialwhenplanningtheirfuturecareers.Morethan600youngpeople

attendedWirralCareersandSkillsShowearlierthisyear,meetingwitheducationproviders,largeemployersandlocalentrepreneurs.

Vulnerable children reach their full potentialLikemanyareasthroughouttheUK,Wirralhassomechallengestoovercomeintryingtoensuregoodservicesinthefaceofhugelyincreaseddemandforchildren’ssocialcare.AfteraninadequateratingfromOfstedin2016,adetailedImprovementPlanisinplace,alongsidesupportfromindustryexperts,newpoliticalandofficerleadershipandmajorinvestmentintheservices.

Majorfocusremainsonenablingchildrenandyoungpeopletoliveinstable,supportivehomeswhichhelpthemreachtheirfullpotential.Wehavemorechildreninthecareofthelocalauthoritythaneverbefore,whichmeansencouragingfostercareandadoptiveplacesismoreimportantthanever.WirralCouncilisnowa‘FosteringFriendly’employer–thefirstLocalAuthorityinMerseysidetobecomeso.We’reworkingwithourpartnersandreachingouttoallemployersinWirraltoencouragethemtofollowsuittohelpfindfosterparentstohelpourchildreninneedofthisveryspecialsupport.

Makingsureservicesforvulnerablechildrenandfamiliesdeliverfast,sustainableimprovementisWirral’sbiggestchallengeanditsnumberonepriorityforthecomingyear.


Evolutions,thecouncil-ownedcompany–providingservicesforpeoplewithlearningdisabilities.

Therehasbeenasignificantincreaseintheemploymentrateforpeoplewithadisabilityorlongtermcondition,andtargetswereexceededinrelationtothequalityoflifeforpeoplewithlongtermconditionsandtheproportionofpeoplewhofeelsupportedtomanagetheircondition.

AnewAdvocacyHubhasbeenlaunchedtodeliverarangeofnewandimprovedservices,includingadvocacyrelatedtoIndependentMentalCapacityandHealth,theCareActandthepromotionofselfandpeeradvocacy.Theseserviceswillensurethatpeoplewithdisabilitiesareeffectivelyrepresentedandsupportedinrelationtodecisionsmadeaboutthemandtheircareprovision.

Zero tolerance to domestic violenceTacklingdomesticabuseisvital,tosupportvulnerableresidentstolivehappyandsafelives–protectingandsupportingthevictims,andensuringtheperpetratorsdonotrepeatviolentbehaviour.Wemustcontinuetofocusonthisareaas,despitemanypositiveinitiativesandhardworkfrommanyorganisations,wearenotyetseeingtheimpactinreducinginstanceswhichweareallaimingfor.Tomorrow’sWomenWirralarejustoneexampleofacommunity

Reduce child and family povertyMakingsurechildrenandfamiliesdonotliveinpovertyisincrediblyimportant.ThisPledgehastriggeredarangeofnewapproachestoraiseaspirationsandprovideintensivesupporttovulnerableresidentsacrosstheborough.‘CommunityConnectors’havebeenemployedinkeyareasthroughouttheborough,whoseroleistohelpresidentsaccesstheservices,supportandadviceavailabletohelpthem.Adirectoryoflocalserviceshasbeenproducedanddistributedintargetedcommunitiesandamongfrontlinestafftoraiseawarenessofsupportwhichisavailable.

SomeotherexamplesofsupportincludetheBirkenheadConstituencyCommitteeprovidingholidayfoodthroughfoodbanksinthearea,and‘HisChurch’deliveringa40,000tonneslorrytoBirkenheadfullofcerealforgroupsandschoolstoprovidebreakfastclubs.TheBeechwoodCentre,whichhasbeenrefurbished,isprovidingarangeofactivitiesandsupporttolocalpeopletoimprovetheirlifechancesandincreaseaspirations.

People with disabilities live independentlyMorepeoplewithdisabilitiesinWirralarenowemployedthaneverbefore,whichistestamenttotheworkdeliveredbyallagenciesinvolvedaswellasWirral

Newserviceshavebeencommissionedtoprovidesupportandcounselling,staffhavebeenretrainedandgiventheskillstheyneedandthenewservicehasbeencommendedbytheButlerTrustforitsinnovativeandsuccessfulapproach.Together,byworkingacrossthefullWirralpartnershipandwithexpertsinthecommunity,arealdifferenceisbeingmadetovulnerableresidents’lives.

orcharitableorganisationintheboroughwhohavedeliveredfantastic,innovativeandimportantworktosupportresidents.

Justinthepastyear,theyhaveprovidedintensivesupporttomorethan250womenacrosstheborough.Afurther32womenhavebecomefullyqualifiedpeermentors,25havebecomequalifieddomesticabusementorsand100womenhave–forthefirsttime–disclosedtheyhadbeenvictimsofdomesticabuse,andbeenprovidedthesupporttheysodesperatelyneeded.



BUSIN

ESS

BUSINESS

Increaseinward

investment

Workforce skills match

business needs

Technologyand Infrastructure

Greater job opportunities

in WirralCreate 5,000

new jobs

Thriving smallbusinesses

Vibrant tourismeconomy

£450million

Assets andbuildings are

fit for purpose

Wirral is a place where employers want to invest and businesses thrive. We must seize the opportunities before us, and work hard to create new ones

to transform Wirral’s economy for this generation and the next.

We will focus on Wirral’s priority growth sectors to promote and grow jobs in the visitor economy, advanced manufacturing, maritime and renewable energy sectors. We will work with our partners to deliver these ambitions for Wirral and

ensure our plans are both economically and environmentally sustainable.

FirstannouncedatinternationalpropertyconferenceMIPIMearlierthisyear,theWirralGrowthCompanywillnowofficiallygotomarketseekinganinvestmentpartnerforapotential£1bndevelopmentprogramme.

CouncilleaderPhilDaviessaystherehasalreadybeeninterestfrommajorglobaldevelopersandheisconfidentthatresidentswillsee‘spadesintheground’onnewschemeswithinthenexttwelvemonths.

CllrDaviessaid:“FollowingtherecentsuccessesofLiverpoolandManchester,IamproudtobeputtingWirralforwardasthenextgreatNorthernregenerationopportunity.

“Onlyafewmonthsagowewenttotheworld’slargestpropertyanddevelopmentconferencetointroduceWirraltotheglobe’sbiggestinvestorsanddevelopers.Wesharedourvisionfor£1bnworthofdevelopmentopportunitiesbutwealsoknewweneededtoputamodern,commerciallyviableorganisationinplacetohelpusdeliverourgoal.

Localarchitects,developersandurbanplannershavealreadycontributedideasastowhatWirralcouldlooklikeinthefuture.ImagesandmoreinformationabouttheWirralGrowthCompanyisavailablenowatwirralwellmade.com

The Wirral Growth Company


BUSINESS

Therecently-createdWirralGrowthCompanywilltakeourambitionsfortheboroughandtransformthemintobricksandmortardevelopments,economicgrowthandjobs–workingwithaprivatesectorpartnertobringtheexpertiseandcapitalwhichWirralneedstotransformitseconomy.

Sustainedsuccessfromourlocalbusinessesinthepasttwoyears,withsupportfromtheUK’sfastestgrowingChamberofCommerce,arecombinedwiththisambitiousandradicalplanforeconomicgrowthandregeneration,providingaonce-in-a-generationopportunitytocreatethousandsofgoodjobsforWirralresidents.

Greater job opportunities in WirralSincethestartoftheWirralPlan,almost2100jobshavebeencreatedbyWirralbusinesses–aclearexampleofabusiness-basewhichisambitious,talentedanddeterminedtosucceed.Thecouncillauncheda£6.5m‘WaystoWork’programme,whichhashelpedalmost

350intoworkortraining;andthepioneeringHealthRelatedWorklessnessprogrammehasworkedwithmanyofourmostvulnerableandisolatedunemployedresidentstohelpthembackintotraining,educationandwork.

Wirral’sGVAcontinuestogrow,andtheearningsforfull-timeemployeesinWirralarehigherthantheNorthWestaverage.ThroughtheworkoftheWirralGrowthCompany,wehavetheopportunitytodrivethecreationofthousandsmorejobsacrossarangeofsectorsinthebiggestregenerationdriveWirralhaseverembarkedupon.

Increase inward investmentInvestmentinWirralisthriving.Morethan£65millionhasbeeninvestedintoprojectsandbusinessesinWirralsincethestartoftheWirralPlan,includingmajordevelopmentssuchasthenewDongEnergyOffshoreWindOperationsandMaintenanceBaseintheBirkenheaddocklands.

Following the successes in Liverpool and Manchester, Wirral is firmly positioned as the next great Northern regeneration opportunity

1025NEW BUSINESSES

IN WIRRAL

£386 MILLION fROM TOURISM ECONOMY

2081 jOBS cREATEd



AnexcitingpartnershipbetweenWirralCouncilandGlasgowbasedStreamMarineTrainingwillseefurtherinvestmentintheoffshoresectoratBirkenhead,withanewdevelopmentcreatingupto25newjobswithinthethrivingMaritimeKnowledgeHub.TheinvestmentwasmadepossiblethroughtheinnovativeWirralWatersInvestmentFund,whichusesincreasedlevelsofbusinessratestokick-startfurtherregenerationinthearea.

ThousandsmorejobsaresettobecreatedthroughoutWirralasthecouncil’sambitiousregenerationplanstakeanimportantstepforward.TheWirralGrowthCompanywillhelpdriveforwardexcitingplansandopportunitiesforapotential£1billioninregenerationatkeysitesallacrosstheborough.Therehasalreadybeeninterestfrommajorglobaldevelopersinpartneringwiththecouncilandthereisahighlevelofconfidencethatwewillsee‘spadesintheground’onnewschemesbyearly2018.

Thriving small businessMorethan1,000newbusinesseshaveopenedtheirdoorsintheboroughsincethestartoftheWirralPlan,withalmost8500employersnowoperatingfromthepeninsula.ThesebusinessesaresupportedbytheUK’sfastestgrowingChamberofCommerce,whoareprovidingexpert,tailoredsupport

AnewBusinessSupportServicelaunchesinsummer2017,deliveredbyWirralChamberandprovidinghelpforstart-ups,expandingsmallbusinesses,businessre-locatingtoWirralandsupportwithworkforcedevelopment.

EntrepreneursinWirralalsonowhaveaccesstoaninnovative,uniqueworkingspace–theShedsatPacificRoad.TheShedsatPacificRoadallowsfreelancers,temps,independentcontractorsandsolopreneurs,tojoinathrivingcommunity,tapintonewnetworks;interactwithnewpeople;makenewfriends–andstumbleacrosstherandomopportunitiesyouwouldn’tencounterifyouwereworkingfromhome.TheonlyspaceofitskindinWirral,TheShedsbenefitsfromexcellenttransportlinks,withtwoMerseyFerryTerminalsandHamiltonSquaretrainstationwithinwalkingdistance.

Workforce skills match business needWelaunchedSkillsforGrowthAdvisersacrosstheCityRegiontoworkwithourBusinessGrowthHubAdvisers,sofarproviding30Wirralbusinesseswithskillsfundingandadvice,andup-skillingalmost350employees.

Wehavereviewedpost-16educationprovisionacrosstheCityRegiontoensureitcanmeetthechallengesanddemandsofthefutureworkforce;becauseofthiswewillhavegreaterlocalcontroloffuturegovernmentskillsfundingtomeetourworkforceneeds.

MajorcapitalinvestmentsintofacilitiessuchastheWirralMetSTEMCentre,EngineeringCollegeareallowingmanyresidentsgettheskillstheyneedtobuildapositivecareer.Soon,wewillcreateaSkillsCommissiontoworkwithbusinesses,learnersandeducationprovidersandoverseeaSkillsStrategyfitforcommissioningourlocallydevolvedAdultSkillsbudgets.

Wewillalsoworkwithourpartnerstorealisenewmajorskillsinfrastructureprojects,includingtheMaritimeKnowledgeHubandtheManufacturingTechnologyCatapultCentre.

Vibrant tourism economyThefirst-ever‘RiverofLight’eventsawmorethan50,000visitorsflocktoWirral’scoasttoenjoyaspectacularfireworkshow.Thiswillbefollowedupthroughout2017withaprogrammeofhigh-profileevents,attractinghundredsofthousandsofpeopletoWirral.

WirralremainsthefastestgrowingdestinationintheLiverpoolCityRegion,withmoreandmorepeopleeveryyeardiscoveringallWirralhastooffer.ThetourismeconomyinWirralisnowworthanestimated£385million–upfrom£355millionin2014–andemploysmorethan5,000peopleintheborough.

ThePledgecommittedtoincreasingthisvalueto£450millionand,togetthere,adetailedplan,developedbyindustryexpertsandproposingaseriesofactionsandnewpromotionshasbeenagreedatCabinetinJune2017.ThisstrategywillguidetheworkoftheWirralPartnershipthroughto2020andensurethefantasticsuccessinthissectorisbuiltonandmaximisedtocreatemorejobsandensureWirralcontinuestogrowasavisitordestination.

Technology and infrastructureOurresidents’surveyin2015toldusclearlythattransportnetworks–roadsandpavements,specifically–areextremelyimportantforresidentsacrosstheborough.

Thecouncilisinvestinginitshighwayinfrastructure,withmorethan£4millionbeingspentin2015-16aloneonimprovingroads,fixingpotholesanddoingeverythingpossibletocreateahigh-qualitytransportnetwork.

AmajorinvestmentiswellunderwayinupgradingtheDockBridgeslinkingBirkenheadandWallasey–acriticallinkwhichwillallowforquicker,moreefficienttravelthroughouttheboroughbutalso,crucially,providingthesupportforBirkenheaddockstocontinuetoexpand.Continuingtoimproveourroadsand,inparticular,roadsafetyintheboroughisextremelyimportantandinvestmentsareinplacetoreplaceandrepairstreetlightsaswellasimproveresidentialstreetsineverywardinWirral.

Assets and buildings are fit for purposeOurambitionremainstocreate‘onepublicestate’,wherepublicservicesfromallagenciesareavailable,asmuchaspossible,fromthesamebuildings,co-locatingtomakesureresidentsreceivethebets,mostjoinedupservice.

Goodprogressisbeingmade.Therearenowfewerbuildings,runningcostshavebeenreduced,andmanymorepublicservicesarenowco-locatingandprovidingintegratedservices.

Inthecomingyear,muchmorewillbedonewithservicesthroughoutthepublicsectorworkingclosertogether,sharingofficespaceandensuringamoreefficientuseofland,buildingsandpublicassets.



Wirral is a place where employers want to invest and businesses thrive. We must seize the opportunities before us, and work hard to create new

ones to transform Wirral’s economy for this generation and the next.

We will focus on Wirral’s priority growth sectors to promote and grow jobs in the visitor economy, advanced manufacturing, maritime and

renewable energy sectors. We will work with our partners to deliver these ambitions for Wirral and ensure our plans are both economically and

environmentally sustainable.

Leisure and culturalopportunities for all

Wirralresidents livehealthier lives

neighbourhoodsare safe

CommunityServices are joinedup and accessible

Attractive localenvironment

Good qualityhousing

7,000new and

improved homes

Wirral’s

Residentsaregettingonboardour‘LoveWirral’campaignandgivingtheirneighbourhoodsomeTLC.VolunteersatWallaseyBreckarejustonegroupwhoaremakingadifferenceintheirpartoftheborough–getinspiredat#LoveWirral’

The BreckTheoldsandstonequarryonTheBreckhasviewsovertothewelshhillsandisrumouredtohavetakenitsnamefromVikingsettlers.

Onceafavouriteplaceforpicnicsandblackberrying,TheBreckfellonhardtimesbuthasnowbeenadoptedbyvolunteerswhoturnoutweeklytocareforthewoodedsandstoneoutcrop.

Withfantasticviewsofthecoast,TheBreckincludesGranny’sRock,alargesandstoneoutcrop,usedbygenerationsforrockclimbingandbouldering.

TherestorationhasbeenledbyWirralCouncilrangerPaulSinclair,whopaidtributetovolunteers.‘Injustoverayear,thishiddengemisagainbeingusedbythecommunity,fromdogwalkerstorockclimbers,andfamilieswithyoungchildren.’TheBreckhasalsobeensubmittedforGreenFlagAward.

PlansincluderestoringandturningtheformalshrubberyatthemainentranceintoamemorialgardenforAlanRouse,theWallasey-bornmountaineerwhoclimbedhereasateenagerandbecamethefirstBritishmountaineertosummitK2,theworld’ssecondhighestpeak,beforebeingkilledonthemountaindayslaterin1986.

Moreinformationaboutthegroup’sworkisavailableonTheBreck’sFacebookpage.

The ‘LOVE Wirral’ Stars


ENVIRONMENT

Hugeprogresshasbeenmadeinimprovinghousingoptionsforresidents,incontinuingtoinvestinensuringqualityleisurefacilitiesandonhelpingresidentslivehealthierlives.

MakingWirralasaferplacetoliveandvisithasalsobeenatthetopoftheagenda,withanew,innovativeintegratedcommunitysafetyserviceabouttolaunch–makingWirralthefirstareaintheregiontofullycombinePoliceandCommunitySafetyservices.

Leisure and culture opportunities for allTheHiveopenedinBirkenheadandwithinlessthanamonthhadgeneratedover3,000members,exceedingthefirstyearmembershiptarget.Thisnewfacilityforyoungpeopleoffersupto20activitiespernightandincludesa4Gfootballpitch,fourcourtsportshall,iconicclimbingwall,fullyfittedgym,skatepark,musicroom,mediaroom,artsandcraftsareas,dancestudio

andevenaboxinggymandrecordingstudio.TheHivewilldeliverlotsofpositiveoutcomesforyoungpeopleasaplacetodeveloptheirsportingandartistictalentsforthefuture.

Wecontinuetodevelopourparksandopenspacesandhaveexceededourtargetforqualityawardsin2016/17withWirralnowhavingmoregreenflagawardsforitsparksthananyotherlocalauthorityintheNorthWest.WallaseyisalsonowproudlyflyingthefirstBlueFlaginWirralattheHarrisonDrivebeach,testamenttothehardworkofeveryoneinvolved.

Avibrant,packedprogrammeofhigh-profileeventsiscomingtogether–withWirralplayingaleadingroleacrosstheregionincreatingaculturalandleisureprogrammewhichissecondtonone.EventssuchastheRiverofLight,RiverFestival,VintageFair,ArmedForcesDaycelebrationsandmanymorethroughouttheyearwillbeenjoyableeventsforfamiliesthroughoutWirral.

Wirral residents told us clearly what their priorities were; they told us what was important to their lives and what brings the biggest impact on their quality of life. Focussing on the environment, and on making Wirral safe, was top of the list for residents and must be top of the list for the Wirral Partnership too.

1907 REdUcTION IN ANTI-SOCIAL

BEHAVIOUR INcIdENTs

597 EMPTY PROPERTIES

bROUgHT bAcK INTO UsE

980 HOMES

IMPROVEd


Wirral residents live healthier livesThisyearwehavemanycommissionedmanynewandimprovedservicestohelppeoplelivehealthierlives,includinginnovativeusesofcommunityfunding,workingwithbusinessesinnewwaysandintegratingmorewithpartners..

OurpartnersABL,forexample,havedeliveredtargetedsmokingcessationservicestoyoungpeople,longtermsmokers,andpregnantwomen.Continuingsuccessfromour‘ReducingStrengthCampaign’hasseenretailerssigninguptotheinitiativetostopsellingsuperstrengthalcohol.We’vealsocommissionedSlimmingWorldtohelpresidentslearnhowtomanagetheirweightlossambitions.

Newstrategiestoimprovehowwesupportpeopletostopsmokingandtoreducealcoholrelatedillnesshavealsorecentlybeendeveloped,inpartnershipwitheverypublicagencyintheborough.

Anew“MoveOnUp”servicestartedin2017,toincreasetheavailabilityofnon-medicalrecoveryservicesforlowlevelmentalhealthconditions.Thiswillimprovepeople’sreadinessforemploymentandmovethemtowardsmoremainstreamservicesspecificallyemploymentsupportprogrammes.

Community services are joined upand accessibleMakingsureresidentscanaccessserviceseasilyandquicklyisvital.Itisincrediblyfrustratingforresidentstonothaveeasyaccesstoinformation,tonotbeabletoquicklyandsimplycontactthecounciloranypublicagencytogetadviceorrequestaservice.

During2017,thefirststagewascompletedinamajoroverhaulandimprovementinaccessingservices.TheAccessWirralprogrammewillnowcompletelyredesignandsimplifyhowresidentscanaccessservices–frompayingabill,throughtoaskingforapotholetobefilled,applyingforajoborbecomingafostercarer,allwillbeavailableonlineinaquickandeasymethod.

Good quality housingJustinthepastyear,morethan£7millioninfundingwassecuredtobuild280newaffordablehomesintheborough,and144havebeenbuiltinthepasttwelvemonths.

Abidfor£2.66millionfundingforExtraCareschemeshasbeensecuredthroughtheHomesandCommunitiesAgency;thiswillhelptosupportsomeofourmostvulnerableresidents.Wirralnowhasfivepurpose-builtextracareschemesfundedbytheCouncil,providing193generalunitsand10specialistdementiarelatedunitsofaccommodation,allofwhicharenowoccupied.


onkeyroutesandshoppingareasacrosstheborough.Thoseareaswhichresidentstoldusweredamagingtheircommunities...upof26individualareas.’-Thesecleanupswerefundedthroughreinvestingsomeoftheproceedsfromlitteringfixedpenaltynotices.

WirralCouncilwasshortlistedforanationalAssociationforPublicServiceExcellence(APSE)“MostImproved”Councilawardattheendof2016andwereshortlistedagaininFebruary2017foraKeepBritainTidyQualityImprovementaward.

Unfortunately,recyclinghasdecreasedfrom37.3%in2014/15to36.4%in2015/16andcontinuestodecreasein2016/17.Thisisinlinewiththenationaltrendofincreasingresidualwastetonnagesandmoreworkwillneedtobedoneinthecomingyeartoencourageandenableresidentstorecyclemore.

Wirral’s neighbourhoods are safeWirralnowhasthelowestcrimerateperpopulationinMerseysideandisthe3rdlowestwithintheHomeOfficedefined‘family’of15demographicallysimilarareas.Incidentsofanti-socialbehaviourbeingreportedtothePolicehavefallenby16%comparedto2014/15.

TheseachievementsareatestamenttotakingtheleadacrosstheCityRegiononthesuccessfulimplementationofPhase1ofthe‘SaferWirralHub’,anoperatingmodelintegratingcommunitysafetyrelatedservicesandagenciesintoasingleresource,totackle

TheDisabledAdaptationsServicehasexceededitsannualtargetofdeliveringadaptationsintoresidents’homes;3,000homeadaptationshavebeendeliveredduring2016-17todisabledchildrenandadultstohelpthemtoliveindependentlyathome.

TheHomelessnessandHousingOptionsTeamhasintervenedtoprevent1,291householdsfrombecominghomelessduring2016-17byworkingwithotherrelevantlocalagencies,leadingtotheearlyidentificationofhouseholdsandindividualswhoarelikelytobevulnerabletohomelessness.

Attractive local environmentLitterandenvironmentalcrimeisablightonthelandscape.Wirralresidentssaidtheywantedazerotoleranceapproach,whichisexactlywhathasbeendelivered.Morethan20,000fixedpenaltynoticeshavebeenissuedtopeopledroppinglitterornotcleaningupaftertheirdogssincethestartoftheWirralPlan.Aswellastheenforcementactivity,weinstallingbagdispensersinsomeofourparksandcoastalareassopeoplecanobtainabagtocleanupaftertheirdogiftheyhaveforgottentobringoneoutwiththem.

Thoseareaswhichresidentstoldusweredamagingtheircommunities–thegrotspots–havebeentackled;withthesuccessfulclean-upof26individualareas.LocalEnvironmentalQualityisexceedingthetarget(93%ofstreetscleansedtoagoodstandard)at95.2%in2016/17meaningwearemaintainingahighlevelofcleanliness


TheWirralYouthZone‘TheHive’openedinApril2017,andhasarangeofhightech,highprofilefacilitiestoensureitspopularity,includingaskatepark,climbingwall,gymequipment,boxingring,sofas,pooltables,desktopandcomputers.Thisfacility,coupledwithits100strongvolunteersareengagingwithWirral’sYouthtogivethemaplacetorelax,learn,playandenjoythemselves.

crimeandanti-socialbehaviourandreducestatutoryfrontlineservicesdemands.Wirralhasturnedacornerineffectivelyreducingcrimetosupportthemostvulnerablevictimsandreducerepeatvictimisation.Thishasbeenachievedbyworkinginpartnership,applyinginterventions,targetingvictims,locationsandoffenders;supportingthepreventionanddeterrenceofrepeatoffendingandrepeatvictimisation;andconcentratingonrestorativejusticepractices.



EveryoneassociatedwiththeCouncil

andWirralPartnershipshouldbe

proudoftheprogressthisdocument

hasdescribed,andpossessashared

determinationtocontinueour

improvementsanddeliverytocreate

theWirralresidentsdeserve.

Thissectionofthereportdescribes

themainprioritiesfortheWirral

Partnershipoverthenexttwelve

months–thekeythingswhichwillbe

deliveredtomaintainthemomentum

towardsachievingthe20Pledgesby

2020.

KEY PRIORITIES

Securing excellent servicesChildren’sserviceswillquicklyimprove.A£10millioninvestmentintotheservicehasbeendelivered,andmoresocialworkerswillsoonbeinpost,moreandbettertraininghasbeenandwillbedelivered,andprocessesandsystemsarebeingsystematicallyredesignedtodeliverarobust,sustainableimprovementwhichwillleadtochildrenreceivingbetterservices.ThereisnohigherpriorityfortheCouncil–thisisatthetopofthelistandwillbedeliveredthisyear.

Itisalsoimportantwedon’tforgetthesimple,every-dayservicessuchasstreetcleanliness,roadmaintenanceandstreetlightingwhichsometimesgounnoticed,butareincrediblyimportanttothequalityoflifeeveryresidentenjoys.Wewillredoubleoureffortstoimprovethepublicrealm,roadsafetyandworkwithresidentsineverycommunitytoensuretheirconcernsarelistenedto.

MakingsureWirralCouncilisacustomerfocussedorganisation,whichiseasytocontact,workwithanddobusinesswith,willbeamajorfocusofattentioninthecomingtwelvemonths.Investmentsinourcustomerserviceswillhelpresidentsworkwiththecouncilmuchmorequicklyandeasily.

Improving Wirral for every residentEveryoneofthe20Pledgesisimportant.Wehaveasetofstrategies–designedbyexpertsintheirfield,andcontainingsharedgoalswhichallpartnersareworkingtoachieve.Itisimperativewedonotlosefocusonthese,andcontinuetodeliveronourpromisestoWirralresidents.

Wecontinuetomakefast,excitingprogressonimprovingWirral’seconomy.Moreresidentsareinwork,morebusinessesareopeningtheirdoorsandmoreinvestmentisflowingintotheboroughthaneverbefore.TheWirralGrowthCompany,alongsideourotherregenerationandskillsplans,willencourageevenmoregrowthandensurewecapitaliseontheonce-in-a-generationopportunitiesbeforeus.

Wemustmakesurewecontinuetotalktoresidents–wemustconstantlyaskforviews,andempowerlocalpeopletoshapetheservicesanddecisionswhichaffectthem.TheResidents’Surveyof2015willsoonberepeated,andwewillalsolaunchanew,completelyredesignedapproachtocommunityengagementandworkingwithcommunities.


Creating a well-run, efficient and modern councilThecouncilandallofitspartnersmustdeliverabalancedandsustainablebudget.Lastyear,thecouncildeliveredan‘underspend’ofalmost£3million–afantasticachievementinsuchdifficulttimesandmoneywhichisnowavailabletobereinvestedintosecuringthefinancialpositionofpublicservices.

Itisclearhoweverthatwiththeongoing,massivefinancialchallengeswhichthecouncilanditspartnersface,thatnewsolutionsareneededtocontinuetoprovidetheserviceswhichresidentsrelyon.Wemustbereadytohaveadultconversationsanddifficultdebatesaboutthefutureofsometraditionalcouncilservices,andfindwaysofdeliveringwhatresidentswantinnewways.

Hugeprogressisalreadybeingmade.WirralhasgonefurtherinNHS-socialcareintegrationthanalmostanywhereintheUK.Inthisborough,residentswillmoreandmorebenefitfromjoinedup,seamlessservices,withonenumbertocallandonepersontospeaktowhenarrangingcareforthemselvesortheirfamily.Wemustfindmoreofthesesolutions,andreviewallofourservicestoensuretheyaremodern,fitforpurposeandmeettheneedsofourresidents.


“We are all proud of Wirral. It is a great place to live, to work and to grow up.”

CONCLUSION


• We will create a council which is modern, fit for purpose and which meets residents’ needs. Our services are, by and large, still traditional in how they are set up and delivered. We will review everything we provide, and ensure it is the best, most appropriate and sustainable service for the Wirral of 2017 and beyond.

• We will continue to ensure Wirral Council is a well-run organisation – financially secure, investing in the right areas, and using 100 per cent of its resources to invest in improving this borough for every resident.

Icommittoensuringthesepointsaredeliveredinthecomingyear.

Iamproudofwhatwehaveachievedsofar,andremainexcitedaboutthefutureofWirral.

Cllr Phil DaviesLeaderofWirralCouncilandChairoftheWirralPartnership

Wirralbringstogetherbeautiful,ruralcountrysidewithcuttingedgetechnologyandithasaculturalandeconomichistorywhichissecondtonone.

TheWirralPlan,andthe20Pledgeswehavecommittedto,areaboutitsfuture.TheyareaboutdeliveringonthepromiseswhichhavebeenmadetoWirralresidents.

Wehaveachievedalotalready,butweknowthereisstillmuchtodo;

• We must continue to ‘get the basics right’, and make sure Wirral residents can enjoy the best possible quality of service – from the quality of our local environment, through to social care services, street lighting, highway maintenance and everything in between.

• We have got to be ambitious for Wirral, and never settle for second best. The Wirral Growth Company is, I believe, the vehicle which will translate our ambitions for Wirral into the vibrant local economy we all want.


TITLE

WIRRAL PLAN 2020:ANNUAL REPORT 2016/17

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THE WIRRAL PARTNERSHIP

WIRRAL PLAN 2020 · 2017. 6. 30. · THE WIRRAL PLAN 2020: ANNUAL REPORT 2017 5 The Wirral Plan was an ambitious agenda. It set out 20 Pledges to transform Wirral, and the lives of

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