Wirral Council proposes "rebalancing" of economy
WIRRAL Council’s cabinet has said that its controversial budget proposals will help to “rebalance” the borough’s economy.
The proposed 2010/11 budget, which will be put before the council today (March 1), includes measures to shed around 1,100 of the council’s 6,000-strong workforce over the next four months as it attempts to save £340 and a freezing of council tax rates.
However, it argues that is protecting areas that will stimulate jobs growth and lever in around £16m-worth of private sector investment.
The cabinet – a Tory/Lib-Dem coalition lead by council leader Cllr Jeff Green – is proposing an increase in the Wirral Apprentice Programme.
It will help to fund an extra 142 posts, bringing the total number of apprentices in work through the scheme to 313.
It also said that it would continue to provide dedicated business support via its Invest Wirral scheme to the area’s 6,755 SMEs, developing a Wirral Business Angels programme to invest an extra £2m in in local firms and providing £1.5m to a scheme to help people on long term sick leave back into work.
Wirral Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and planning strategy, Cllr Andrew Hodson, said: “We have put forward a budget that supports the creation of private sector employment and the rebalancing of Wirral’s economy.
“Jobs matter and the prudent steps we have put forward will ensure that we can continue to support our local employers to create job opportunities, particularly for our young people, to rebalance our local economy for the benefit of families in every part of Wirral.”
