Sefton council savings decisions latest

Possible closure of all public toilets and charging for emptying garden waste green wheelie bins were among ideas rejected by councillors at recent meetings.

The council, like local authorities throughout the country, is having to make savings totalling millions of pounds, as its share of the essential nationwide reduction in public spending to put our country's finances back into shape.  The previous government was spending £400 million more each day than it could afford, putting us deeper and deeper into debt and landing us with huge unsustainable interest repayments.

Local media have recently reported details of a huge list of potential Sefton council savings ideas which were put before councillors.  Here we bring you up-to-date with what has actually been decided regarding the main headline, most controversial, proposals:

Agreed by Lib Dem & Conservative councillors (Labour refused to take part)

The Mayor and Civic Services: A reduction in hospitality and cutting twinning arrangements.  The traditional role of Mayor will continue, including the usual round of community engagements.

Bowling greens:  Reducing the number of bowling greens from 22 to approximately 16. The exact details of which greens could be affected to be discussed with bowlers.

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra: Cease £22,350 grant.

Close Botanic Gardens plant-growing nursery.   But the idea of a "workers co-operative" taking over the operation, first suggested by the Lib Dems at a previous decision-taking meeting, has been given strong council backing. This could, for example, develop the current plant sales shop into a successful fully-stocked Garden Centre etc.

Closing the nursery does not affect Botanic Gardens renowned colourful flower beds.
The nursery staff grow plants in the green houses and produce hanging baskets etc
As elsewhere in all the borough's parks, roundabouts and open spaces (e.g. Promenade)  the actual planting, weeding and quality maintenance of all the flower beds in Botanic Gardens has been carried out for many years by a private contractor and is not done by the council's nursery staff.
 
The estimated savings achieved by buying-in plants from major commercial suppliers, instead of the council growing them in-house, is approx £100,000. Councils throughout the country who traditionally also used to have their own plant-growing nurseries have closed them in favour of purchasing plants because it is cheaper.

Not agreed

Close all public conveniences

Reduce the amount of flower bedding in parks and open spaces.

Close mobile library service (This will be examined as part of a general review of libraries)

Charge for the council's bulky items collection service and for clinical waste.

Charge for emptying garden waste green wheelie bins.