Globe News
Public consultation on future of Wirral cultural services
8:00am Saturday 4th February 2012
A PUBLIC consultation is underway to gather views on what improvements could be made to Wirral's most popular cultural services.
Wirral Council is putting together plans for the future of Libraries and the Parks and Countryside service and wants to hear from you.
The libraries consultation is based upon a draft strategy which details how the service looks to tackle the challenges presented by new technology, customer demand and budgetary constraints, while still maintaining the expected high standards of service.
The survey wants to hear from library users about what they expectat from the service in future and what they think of the changes proposed in the strategy.
Among the planned changes are extending the opening of all 24 Wirral libraries to six days a week. They currently do not open on Wednesdays.
In addition, the four main libraries in Birkenhead, Wallasey, West Kirby and Bebington will be open into the evening.
The Parks and Countryside survey comes after the council decided it would continue to manage the service in-house.
The Council is looking to develop a long-term plan for the service and ensure that this meets the needs of local people, residents views are needed.
Cllr Chris Meaden, Wirral's cabinet member for culture, tourism and leisure said: "We're asking you to tell us what your local parks, beaches, countryside and open spaces should be like.
"What do you like about them? If you could change anything what would it be?
"This survey, and the libraries one which we are running side by side, is your chance to have your say on how the Council manages these well-loved facilities.
"Your views are important because any changes that are proposed will only be successful if they meet the needs of the people who use the service."
Links to both surveys are available on www.wirral.gov.uk.
Hard copies of the questionnaires are available at all libraries and One Stop Shops, and copies of the parks survey can be picked up from parks' visitor centres.
The closing date for the libraries consultation is February 29, while the parks survey runs until March 12.