Metropolitan Borough of Wirral

The Metropolitan Borough of Wirral is a metropolitan borough of Merseyside, in North West England. It has a population of 321,238,[1] and encompasses 60 square miles (160 km2) of the northern part of the Wirral Peninsula. Major settlements include Birkenhead, Wallasey, Bebington, Heswall, Hoylake and West Kirby. The city of Liverpool faces the northeastern side of Wirral over the Mersey.

This article is about the local government district. For other uses, see Wirral (disambiguation).

Wirral
Metropolitan borough
Wallasey Town Hall
Wallasey Town Hall
Official logo of Wirral
Coat of arms
Wirral shown within Merseyside
Wirral shown within Merseyside
Sovereign state United Kingdom
Constituent country England
RegionNorth West England
City regionLiverpool
Ceremonial countyMerseyside
Historic countyCheshire
Established1 April 1974
Administrative HQWallasey (Town Hall)
Government
 • TypeMetropolitan Borough
 • BodyWirral Council
 • LeadershipLeader and cabinet
 • ExecutiveLabour
 • LeaderJanette Williamson
 • Civic MayorGeorge Davies
 • Deputy Civic MayorJeff Green
Area
 • Total62.1 sq mi (160.9 km2)
 • Rank161st
Population
 (2021)
 • Total320,600
 • RankRanked 38th
 • Density5,160/sq mi (1,992/km2)
 • Ethnicity
98.3% white
Demonym(s)Wirralian,
Wirralite (informal)
Time zoneUTC+0 (Greenwich Mean Time)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+1 (British Summer Time)
Postcode area
CH
Dialling code0151
ISO 3166 codeGB-WRL
GSS codeE08000015
NUTS 3 codeUKD74
ONS code00CB
Websitewww.wirral.gov.uk

Geography

Bordering is the River Mersey to the east, the Irish Sea to the north and the River Dee to the west; the borough of Cheshire West and Chester occupies the remainder of the Wirral Peninsula and borders the borough of Wirral to the south. The borough of Wirral has greater proportions of rural areas than the Liverpool part of Merseyside.

History

The borough was formed on 1 April 1974, under the Local Government Act 1972, as a merger of the county boroughs of Birkenhead and Wallasey, along with the municipal borough of Bebington and the urban districts of Hoylake and Wirral.

Economy

This is a chart of trend of regional gross value added of Wirral at current basic prices published (pp. 240–253) by Office for National Statistics with figures in millions of British Pounds Sterling.

YearRegional Gross Value Added4Agriculture1Industry2Services3
19952,089106741,405
20002,60958141,789
20033,02097552,256

^1 includes hunting and forestry

^2 includes energy and construction

^3 includes financial intermediation services indirectly measured

^4 Components may not sum to totals due to rounding

Plans were announced in 2006 for a £4.5bn development around the docklands to be called Wirral Waters.[2] The development is a mixture of industrial, office, residential and leisure facilities. Planning permission was granted in 2010 and work began on the site in 2011, with development work potentially lasting for 30 years.[3]

Education
See also: List of schools in Wirral

When the borough was set up in 1974, it inherited comprehensive systems from the former County Boroughs of Birkenhead and Wallasey. In the part of Wirral formerly administered by Cheshire County Council, it inherited a selective system of grammar and secondary modern non-Roman Catholic schools and a comprehensive Roman Catholic school (St John Plessington Catholic College).

Until the implementation of the Education Reform Act 1988, education in Wirral continued to be organised in four areas; Birkenhead, Wallasey and the former parts of Cheshire known for education purposes as "Bebington" and "Deeside". However this Act introduced "open enrolment", allowing parents from anywhere in the borough, and outside it, to apply for a place for their child at any secondary school. As a result, significant numbers of pupils from the former "comprehensive areas" attend schools in the former "selective areas" and vice versa. The distinction between different types of school was to an extent masked, as all secondary modern and most comprehensive schools were named "High School". As a further result of this Act, St Anselm's College and Upton Hall School, both within the Birkenhead education area, became the only independent schools in the country to become state funded grant-maintained schools, retaining selective admissions policies to become Roman Catholic grammar schools.

A further change came as a result of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, which effectively changed secondary modern schools into comprehensives as schools were no longer permitted to select by examination failure. In summary, Wirral now has a state secondary sector made up of 16 comprehensive schools (of which two are Roman Catholic) and 6 grammar schools (of which two are Roman Catholic).

Local government
Further information: Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority

The Metropolitan Borough of Wirral is one of the six constituent local government districts of the Liverpool City Region. Since 1 April 2014, some of the borough's responsibilities have been pooled with neighbouring authorities within the metropolitan area and subsumed into the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

The combined authority has effectively become the top-tier administrative body for the local governance of the city region and the leader of Wirral Borough Council, along with the five other leaders from neighbouring local government districts, take strategic decisions over economic development, transport, employment and skills, tourism, culture, housing and physical infrastructure.

As of July 2015, negotiations are currently taking place between the UK national government and the combined authority over a possible devolution deal to confer greater powers on the region. Discussions include whether to introduce an elected 'Metro Mayor' to oversee the entire metropolitan area.[4]

Wirral Borough Council Composition
Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council composition, 2018

After the local elections in 2008 the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral was governed by a Labour Party/Liberal Democrat coalition, the second and third largest parties on the council respectively. Steve Foulkes of Labour was leader of the council. The Conservative Party was the largest party represented, and was in opposition with its leader Jeff Green being leader of the opposition.

After the local elections in 2010 the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral was governed by a Conservative Party/Liberal Democrat coalition, which reflected the coalition at national level.[5] The Conservative Party, continuing to be the largest party represented on the council increased its number of seats by 2 to 27 and has now entered into coalition government with the Liberal Democrats as the leading coalition partner with the leader of the Conservatives, Jeff Green, becoming the new leader of the council. The Labour Party increased its representation on the council by 4 to 24 and remained the second largest party though they are now in opposition with their leader, Steve Foulkes, who was leader of the council now leader of the opposition. The Liberal Democrats lost 4 seats decreasing their tally to 15 remaining the third largest party on the council but continuing to participate in the governing of the council as the junior coalition partner to the Conservatives. The one independent represented on the council lost their seat.

After the local elections in 2011 the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral was governed by a minority Labour Party administration. Foulkes was leader of the council with Phil Davies as deputy leader. The Liberal Democrats lost a councillor who switched to Labour, Steve Niblock shortly after the elections. There are now no independents on Wirral Council. Labour have 36 seats, Conservatives have 23 and the Liberal Democrats 7.

In February 2012 the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats defeated the Labour administration in a motion of no confidence and the two parties governed again until the May election.[6] Labour made gains in May 2012, gaining majority control of the council for the first time since local elections in 2002 saw Labour become a minority. Wirral is led by Phil Davies.

In 2014, The Green Party gained their first seat on the council, defeating Labour in their typically safe seat of Birkenhead and Tranmere. They retained it in 2018 with an increased vote share, albeit with a reduced majority.

Political makeup
Year Party Ref.
CON GRN LAB LIB OTH
LDM
1973 29 0 24 13 0 [7]
1974 29 0 24 13 0
1975 36 0 21 9 0
37 0 21 8 0
1976 42 0 18 6 0
1977 42 0 18 6 0
1978 45 0 16 5 0
1979 40 0 20 6 0
1980 37 0 23 6 0
1981 37 0 23 6 0
1982 35 0 25 6 0
1983 34 0 24 8 0
1984 34 0 24 8 0
1985 34 0 24 8 0
1986 30 0 26 10 0
1987 29 0 27 10 0
1988 24 0 32 10 0
24 0 29 10 3
1989 24 0 29 10 3
1990 23 0 33 7 3
23 0 33 8 2
1991 24 0 34 7 1
1992 29 0 31 6 0
1993 29 0 31 6 0
1994 28 0 30 8 0
1995 22 0 36 8 0
1996 16 0 41 9 0
1997 16 0 41 9 0
1998 16 0 41 8 1
1999 16 0 42 8 0 [8]
17 0 39 10 0 [7]
2000 20 0 34 12 0
2001 20 0 34 12 0
20 0 33 12 1 [9]
2002 20 0 32 12 2
20 0 31 14 1 [10]
2003 23 0 26 16 1 [11]
2004 21 0 26 19 0 [12]
20 0 26 19 1 [13]
2005 21 0 26 18 1 [14]
2006 21 0 26 19 0 [15]
2007 21 0 25 20 0 [16]
21 0 25 19 1 [17]
20 0 25 29 2 [18]
2008 24 0 21 20 1 [19]
2009 25 0 20 20 1 [20]
2010 27 0 24 15 0 [21]
2011 27 0 29 10 0 [22]
27 0 30 9 0 [23]
2012 22 0 37 7 0 [24]
2013 23 0 36 7 0 [25]
22 0 37 7 0 [26]
22 0 37 6 1 [27]
2014 21 1 38 6 0 [28]
2015 21 1 39 5 0 [29]
2016 21 1 38 5 1 [30]
21 1 39 5 0 [31]
2017 21 1 39 5 0
2018 21 1 39 5 0 [32]
21 1 38 5 1 [33]
21 1 37 5 2 [34]
2019 22 3 32 6 3 [35]

Members of Parliament
See also: List of Parliamentary constituencies on Merseyside
Constituency Member of Parliament Political party Year first elected
Birkenhead Mick Whitley Labour Party 2019
Wallasey Angela Eagle Labour Party 1992
Wirral South Alison McGovern Labour Party 2010
Wirral West Margaret Greenwood Labour Party 2015

Places of interest

Wirral Council maintains five designated Local Nature Reserves: Bidston Moss, Dibbinsdale, Heswall Dales, Hilbre Island and Thurstaston Common.[36] It also operates the Merseyside part of Wirral Country Park, which was the first country park to be established in Britain.[37]

International relations
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in the United Kingdom

Twin towns – sister cities

The Metropolitan Borough of Wirral is twinned or has sister city relationships with:

Freedom of the Borough

The following people, military units, organisations and groups have received the Freedom of the Borough of Wirral.[40]

Individuals

Military units

[47][48]

[49][50][51]

Organisations and groups

References
  1. "Wirral population estimate (mid 2016)". Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
  2. "BBC - Liverpool - Capital of Culture - Wirral's skyline to rival New York". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  3. "Approval for £4.5bn Wirral waterfront regeneration". BBC News. 29 November 2010. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
  4. Liam Murphy (22 July 2015). "Liverpool city region to decide on devolution demands by end of summer". Retrieved 26 July 2015.
  5. Phibbs, Harry (25 May 2010). "Conservatives take over Wirral Council". Conservativehome.blogs.com. Retrieved 11 December 2010.
  6. Murphy, Liam (14 February 2012). "Jeff Green is new leader of Wirral council after Labour group is kicked out". Liverpool Daily Post. Archived from the original on 17 February 2012. Retrieved 29 February 2012.
  7. "Council compositions". The Elections Centre. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  8. "Lib Dem councillor switches sides". Wirral Globe. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  9. "Second councillor quits". Wirral Globe. Retrieved 26 December 2018.
  10. "Local Election - 02 May 2002". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  11. "Local Election - 01 May 2003". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  12. "Local Election - 10 June 2004". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  13. "No respect for mayor". Wirral Globe.
  14. "Why I jumped ship to join the Tories". Wirral Globe.
  15. "Local Election - 4 May 2006". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  16. "Local Election - 03 May 2007". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  17. "Councillors also have a 'third duty'".
  18. "Another one bites the dust". Wirral Globe.
  19. "Election Result for 1 May 2008 2002". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  20. "BREAKING NEWS: Labour councillor Denis Knowles quits and joins Tories at Wallasey Town Hall". Wirral Globe.
  21. "Election Result for 6 May 2010". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  22. "Election Result for 5 May 2011". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  23. "Wirral Lib Dem Steve Niblock defects to Labour Party". BBC News.
  24. "Election Result for 3 May 2012". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  25. "Conservative victory in Wirral by-elections". Wirral Globe.
  26. "UPDATED: Labour victory in Wirral Council by-election". Wirral Globe.
  27. "Wirral councillor Mark Johnson quits Liberal Democrat Party". Liverpool Echo.
  28. "Election Result for 22 May 2014". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  29. "Election Result for 7 May 2015". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  30. "Seven things to talk about after the Wirral local elections". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
  31. "Election results by party, Local election - Thursday, 5 May 2016". Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council.
  32. "Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council Election 2018 Results". BBC News.
  33. "Wirral councillor quits party blaming hard left 'parasites'". Labour Uncut. Retrieved 29 August 2018.
  34. "Senior Labour politician quits party after 40 years citing 'absolute aggression' of 'hard-left clique'". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 25 October 2018.
  35. "Election results by wards". Metropolitan Borough of Wirral. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  36. "Wirral Local Nature Reserves". Wirral council. Archived from the original on 12 February 2011. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
  37. "Wirral Country Park". Wirral.gov.uk. Retrieved 11 November 2017.
  38. "British towns twinned with French towns". Archant Community Media Ltd. Archived from the original on 5 July 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  39. Murphy, Liam (28 September 2015). "Wirral and Reno twinned - but what have they got in common?". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  40. "Civic recognition and awards". Metropolitan Borough of Wirral. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  41. "Killed PC Dave Phillips receives freedom of Wirral". BBC News. 21 May 2016. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  42. Riches, Chris (17 February 2022). "Terminally ill ex-MP Lord Frank Field awarded freedom of town he served for 40 years". The Mirror. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  43. Morgan, George (16 February 2022). "Borough honours Frank Field with Freedom of Wirral". The Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  44. "Lord Field: Veteran politician awarded Freedom of Wirral". BBC News. 17 February 2022. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
  45. Millar, Will (8 June 2023). "Paul O'Grady: Comedian given freedom of the borough in posthumous honour from Wirral Council". The Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  46. "Glenda Jackson posthumously awarded freedom of Wirral". BBC News Liverpool. 10 October 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  47. "Decision – Freedom of Entry". 2 February 2012.
  48. "Consideration form" (PDF). democracy.wirral.gov.uk. 2 February 2012. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  49. "Submariners proudly parade as HMS Astute receives Freedom of Wirral – Royal Navy". royalnavy.mod.uk.
  50. "UPDATED: Councillors vote in favour of granting HMS Astute and Wallasey Sea Cadets freedom of the borough". Wirral Globe.
  51. "Civic recognition and awards – www.wirral.gov.uk". Government of the United Kingdom.
  52. Thomas, Joe (15 September 2017). "Hillsborough 96 to be awarded freedom of Wirral in tribute to victims and campaigners". The Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  53. Manning, Craig (11 March 2022). "Freedom of Wirral for 97th victim of Hillsborough Disaster". The Wirral Globe. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
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