Wirral Council’s leader hits back at calls to stand aside in ’embarrassing’ emergency meeting

Wirral: So, there was this emergency meeting at Wallasey Town Hall where Councillor Paul Stuart really had to defend himself. The Green Party was pushing him to step down, calling the whole situation “embarrassing.”

Things got pretty heated as they discussed the council’s finances, which are in a bit of a mess. Auditors had just released a report highlighting some serious issues, and it was clear the council needed to get its act together.

Stuart didn’t hold back. He told everyone that the Green Party was just shifting blame instead of owning up to their part in the mess. He pointed out that every councillor had a role in the decisions that led to this crisis.

The council is facing a potential bankruptcy situation, and they might need a £40 million bailout soon. The government has already given them some funds, but it’s not enough.

Stuart argued that the council’s funding has been slashed while costs keep rising. He also mentioned that the decisions about their office buildings were made based on advice from the past, not the current situation.

Cllr Jo Bird from the Green Party was pretty vocal, saying the council needs a new leadership style focused on positive outcomes. She criticized both the Conservatives and Labour for their past decisions, claiming they’re wasting money while essential services are at risk.

But Stuart fired back, saying the blame game isn’t helping anyone. He emphasized that they need to work together to tackle the financial crisis instead of pointing fingers.

The meeting was a real eye-opener, showing just how divided things are. Some councillors are worried that if they don’t sort this out soon, they might lose control over key services.

It’s a tough spot for Wirral Council, especially since they’ve had to ask for emergency support in the past. They’re really hoping to avoid declaring bankruptcy this time around.