Decisions, decisions, decisions
What’s coming up across Merseyside (and an apology from the Monitor)
If you’re new here, welcome. If not, hello again. The Mersey Monitor is a little independent public-interest newsroom in and about Merseyside. We’re focused on the communities that make our region what it is, the institutions that shape how things operate and the decisions that affect our lives.
We’ve had a busy old time this past week, embracing the somewhat volatile weather to bounce all over the show chatting to local residents, campaigners, councillors and officers about issues affecting people on Merseyside.
(We also had a slightly testy afternoon midweek due to the Monitor’s cat caucus - did you know more than half our team are currently cats? - who conducted a visit to the highly fictional Association of Modern Methods for Catnip Growers.
It appears some of the team had tasked themselves with demanding to know ‘why they don’t grow catnip like they used to’ but would accept no cogent explanations. Tails were twitched, claws were sharpened - it all turned into a bit of a paw story if we’re honest, so we’ll leave that update there for now, especially after taking legal advice.)
Part of our work this week has been involved in dusting down the cobwebs of council meeting archives and, in the process, learning there’s a perhaps surprisingly large amount to understand about bins. We’ll give you more on that genuinely fascinating aspect of civic life very soon.
We’ve also been keeping a keen eye on St Helens, particularly on the practical realities of political change, in the aftermath of several extreme proclamations from the new Reform leadership that didn’t quite fully translate into municipal momentum. For example, ‘cease all engagement’ with Pride became an order ‘not to promote or fund’ an event the council wasn’t even funding anyway.
The situation echoed earlier attempts by the council leader to pull ringfenced funding for Refugee Week, attempts which were also only partly successful (and a fundraiser to help fill the gap has been growing steadily ever since the situation became public.) Are you interested in where pointed political will meets administrative guardrails, particularly in St Helens? So are we! Get in touch, we’d love to chat.
A few other things we’ve been keeping an eye on this week:
- Last week we wrote about a half-built spine road that’s part of the East of Maghull development in Sefton. We’ve since been talking to people in the area about Sefton planning committee’s decision to allow more houses to go ahead on the massive development before the road is finished. We’ll hopefully have an update on the wider issues raised this coming week. If you think there’s something we should know, please do get in touch.
Lisa Rand
- We also looked at why Sefton’s licensing service has become so ‘attractive’ to drivers recently. Officers say it’s not the cost.
Lisa Rand
- We had an update on mental health beds temporarily lost to staff shortages that look like they’ll be going for good, a situation discussed by Wirral councillors last week.
Lisa Rand
The Monitor’s also been starting to get to grips with the important but arguably often underreported Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority, where some councillors have been trying a new approach to containing encroachment by the far right.
A group of councillors from Your Party, Community Independents, the Greens and the Lib Dems from across the city region have formed a Progressive Alliance to stop Reform becoming the main opposition on the authority. Could such alliances be a potential model for the future within this fragmented political ecosystem? Let us know if you’ve got any thoughts on this.
We’ve been picking at a few loose threads too, such as exploring things that can happen when information seems to stubbornly want to remain hidden, finding out how third sector groups are navigating the fickle world of funding, and examining how a regional level housebuilding strategy could potentially impact different boroughs. We’ll have more on these issues and even more besides, hopefully in the coming weeks. If you’ve got something to say about any of it, just give us a shout or leave a comment.
But now onto this week’s meetings. If you’re new here, the Monitor will be producing this indispensable digest of Merseyside local democracy-related events and meetings on a regular basis, hopefully weekly, to drop in your inboxes on a Sunday evening. Essential bedtime reading, of course, so don’t miss your email by signing up (it’s completely free) here.
Don’t forget to check back on the site during the week too for new stories we’ll be publishing, once we’ve managed to successfully distract the cats from their legal woes, probably with a bit of flowing fabric on a stick.
*The Monitor would also like to take this opportunity to apologise to the chair of the Association of Modern Methods for Catnip Growers for any confusion caused earlier this week. Hissing can mean many different things. The feline members of our team are big fans of catnip and were mostly vocalising their thoughts. There’s no need whatsoever to sue, we promise they’ll never be back.
Now we’ve got that hastily prepared legal statement out of the way, enough chatter, time to synchronise our diaries …
Decisions, decisions, decisions
This guide is not exhaustive, but we would like to be as comprehensive as possible, so if we’ve overlooked something important, please do get in touch and we can add it to this live diary. You can email themerseymonitor@outlook.com or drop us a text on 07442 402 023.
Just click on an event to see more details, including any booking links. All events listed are free to attend. We have not verified the information in the events listings, so please do get in touch if something appears amiss.
Eagle-eyed readers may have noticed a few amendments last week - we will also update this page if we discover new information, so do let us know if we don’t spot it first.
Monday 15 June
Wirral Environment, Climate Emergency and Transport Committee, 6pm, Wallasey Town Hall
What’s being discussed: A review of the borough’s electric vehicle charging strategy, an update on coastal defence and flood risk management and reports on environmental and transport work programmes.
How to get involved: It’s a public meeting, so can be attended in person, or watched online. Details here
Southport Town Deal Board, 10am, remote meeting
What it does: Oversees projects funded through the government’s Town Deal programme, aimed at regenerating Southport.
What’s being discussed: Updates on the Marine Lake Events Centre, review of feedback on the Southport 2026 events programme, the future direction of the board and governance matters.
How to get involved: You can’t, the meeting is not open to the public, although minutes are published afterwards. Agenda is here.
Knowsley Governance and Audit Committee, 6pm, Huyton Municipal Building
What is being discussed: The council’s annual governance statement, the audit of the 2024/25 statement of accounts, the council’s strategic risk register, treasury management and internal audit progress. Heady.
How to get involved: Watch in person (bring ID) or online, where you can also find the agenda, here.
Combined Authority business exchange, 12pm, Mann Island
What is it: A business networking event hosted by the combined authority. Billed as ‘not your traditional sit-down networking session’ there is talk of business cards going in a hat. Those chosen at random will be given the opportunity to present about their business.
How to book: Online, here
Tuesday 16 June
Sefton Licensing (sexual entertainment venues) sub-committee, 10.30am, Bootle Town Hall
What’s being discussed: Just the one item on the agenda - a licensing application for Eccentric Gents Club in Southport.
How to get involved: You can watch in person, agenda here.
Wirral Early Years and Schools Forum, 5pm, Wallasey Town Hall
What’s being discussed: Updates on support for children unable to attend school because of health needs, alternative education provision for excluded pupils and a request for £64k to continue a mental wellbeing programme in primary schools. Members will also discuss high needs funding, school balances, budgets and changes to school funding rules.
How to get involved: You can attend in person or watch online. Details, including agenda, here.
Wirral Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee, 6pm, Wallasey Town Hall
What’s being discussed: The launch of the process of creating a new Wirral Local Plan - yes, again, already! This is because of new government housing supply targets. Also, the borough’s housing strategy and budget updates.
How to get involved: People can attend in person or watch online. More details here.
Sefton Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Adult Social Care and Health), 6.30pm, Bootle Town Hall
What’s being discussed: A new three year adult safeguarding strategy, performance updates from NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, a future vision for care in people’s homes and adult social care and public health performance updates.
How to get involved: You can attend in person, more details here
Knowsley Health and Wellbeing Board, 3pm, Huyton Municipal Building
What’s being discussed: A new health protection assessment, Knowsley’s developing Dementia Strategy, and plans for integrated neighbourhood health services and the Better Care Fund, as well as progress on a new Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy for the borough.
How to get involved: You can attend in person, but you need to bring ID, or can watch online. Details here
Guided Walking Tour: Baltic Triangle, 6pm, Flint Street
What is it: Part of Liverpool Architecture Festival, a guided tour by Baltic Triangle Area CIC, exploring the past, present and future of an historic area that’s been undergoing rapid transformation.
How to book: Online, here
St Helens Refugee Week Fashion Show, 12pm, Wonderland Community Centre
What is it: A vibrant celebration of culture, creativity, inclusion, and community through fashion. The event also highlights refugee stories, sustainability, creativity, and empowerment. Involves live African music, free food and drink and a ‘welcoming community atmosphere’.
How to book: Online, here
Ahead of the Game: Liverpool Euro 2028 Community Discussion, 5.30pm, Dock Wall Bar
What is it: Organised by Engage Liverpool in support of researchers at LJMU, this event is billed as a public meeting to share views on Liverpool hosting Euro 28 and potentially contribute to research focused on community outlooks and legacy.
How to book: Online, here
Anti-Apartheid Struggle: visual legacies and aesthetics of freedom, 6pm, Exhibition Research Lab
What is it: A conversation between Christine Eyene, Gavin Jantjes, and Gideon Mendel followed by a screening of Biko's Children by Breeze Yoko. ERL Gallery is hosting the evening event in remembrance of the Soweto Uprising of 16 June 1976. The event is supported by LJMU’s Institute of Art and Technology (IAT) and Enhancing Research Culture.
How to book: Online, here
Wednesday 17 June
Wirral Children, Young People and Education Committee, 6pm, Wallasey Town Hall
What’s being discussed: A new two-year Children’s Plan with priorities for improving outcomes, performance reports on children’s services, a new Domestic Abuse Strategy and progress on SEND improvements.
How to get involved: You can attend in person at Wallasey Town hall, and can also watch online. Details of that, complete with agenda, can be found here.
Sefton Audit and Governance Committee, 3pm, Bootle Town Hall
What’s being discussed: It’s a pretty busy agenda, including a review of contracts awarded without competition, proposed reforms to the planning system that could significantly reduce applications decided by councillors, a review of the councillor code of conduct, updates on whistleblowing and audit work, the council’s annual counter fraud report, its corporate risk register, treasury management and financial management arrangements, phew.
How to get involved: That would involve attending in person, more details here
Maghull town council, 6.30pm, Maghull Parish Hall
What’s being discussed: The town hall rebuild and MAC lease.
How to get involved: Press and public look likely to be excluded for much of it. Agenda here.
Thursday 18 June
Wirral Tourism, Communities, Culture and Leisure Committee, 6pm, Wallasey Town Hall
What’s being discussed: Not the busiest of agendas we’ve looked at this week, but includes the appointment a new heritage champion, appointments to the Birkenhead Park Advisory Committee, and consideration of whether to set up a cross-party policy development group. So yes, in part a meeting about whether to have other meetings. Also, will look at the budget, which ended up with a £300k underspend.
How to get involved: Like most Wirral council meetings, you can attend in person or watch online. Agenda here.
Halewood Town Council HR Committee, 6.30pm, the Arncliffe
What’s being discussed: The appointment of a chair for the committee is the top and bottom of it, by the looks of it. The calendar does say there’s a full council meeting but the agenda page refers to a HR meeting. Having wasted fifteen minutes last week waiting for a meeting that no longer exists (not in Halewood, we should add) we’re following the agenda for this one, so reckon HR seems likely.
How to get involved: That would mean going to the Arncliffe. Agenda, we think, here.
Knowsley’s Growth Journey, 5.30pm, Shakespeare North Playhouse
What is it: Part of the Liverpool Architure Festival, Knowsley’s regeneration team will be providing a guided building tour, presentation and walkabout promising a ‘fascinating insight into Knowsley’s growth journey’. Hosted at the Shakespeare North Playhouse, the visit includes seeing the Cockpit theatre and also involves taking a walkabout in Prescot Town Centre.
How to book: Online, here.
Soil, soul and the rekindling of community, 5.30pm, Everton Nature Garden
What is it: Organised by Scouse Flowerhouse, the event is billed as ‘an inspirational talk on community and land reform from Alastair McIntosh, followed by a community debate, some food and music and good craic.’
How to book: Online, here
'Warm Homes, Healthy People, Cool Planet', 6.30pm, Wirral Environmental Network
What is it: Part of a regular event by Wirral Environment Network, this month involves a free talk from Energy Projects Plus about the ‘ongoing gas crisis and talk about the practical steps you can take to reduce your bills and lessen your reliance on fossil fuels.’ There will be refreshments, after the event.
How to book: Online, here
Friday 19 June
Merseyside Police and Crime Panel annual meeting, 3pm, Huyton Municipal buildings
What’s being discussed: Appointments of chair and vice chair, panel arrangements and procedural rules, and the procedure for complaining about the Police and Crime Commissioner.
How to get involved: You can attend in person, but have to bring photo ID, or watch online here
Saturday 20 June
Community update, 2pm, Woolton Picture House
What is it: One of several dates available for people to attend and get an update on work and give feedback relating to endeavours to reopen the historic picture house as a community cinema.
How to book: Online, here.
Runcorn Shopping City tour, 2pm, Halton Lea Library
What is it: Part of Liverpool Architecture Festival, the event involves a presentation and guided walking tour about the past, present and future of what was once Europe’s largest covered shopping centre.
How to book: Online, here
before you lob your diary …
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