Leader's update: Looking ahead together to a positive future

As Leader of Wirral Council, I spend a lot of time thinking about the future of our borough, not because the past isn’t important, but because we can’t change what has happened in the past. What we can do is shape the future we want for Wirral.

And there is so much to look forward to.

Over recent months I have been meeting with local businesses, developers, housing associations, and community partners, listening to their aspirations for Wirral. What is clear is that people see our borough as a place full of potential — a place to live, work, invest, create, and grow. Their energy is infectious, and it reinforces something I’ve always believed: Wirral has all the ingredients to thrive.

But to realise that potential, our council needs, and deserves, stability. Stability allows us to plan long‑term, make smart decisions, attract investment, protect vital services, and support the communities who rely on us day in and day out. It means focusing on what really matters, not being blown off course by distractions or speculation.

I know it can be all too easy to get caught up in the click‑bait headlines about the council. They often tell only one small part of the story. Behind the scenes, across our services, in our communities, and through our partnerships, there is so much good work happening that does not make the front page but absolutely deserves to be seen and celebrated.

And that’s something I want to change.

In the months ahead, I’ll be shining a brighter light on the progress we are making, from improvements in local services to investment in our towns, from regeneration projects to community‑led initiatives that bring people together. I want residents to feel proud of what is happening here, because the truth is: Wirral is on the up.

There’s a lot of good coming, and I cannot wait to share more of it with you.

Cllr Paula Basnett
Leader of Wirral Council