Commiserations to colleagues who also lost; Denis Knowles and Tony Pritchard and to Leasowe candidate, Steve Smith – great people (and friends) who did a wonderful job and who will be missed, particularly by the people who they helped over the years.  But, congratulations to Cllr Steve Williams in Moreton and Wallasey Councillor Paul Hayes.

Thank you also to the Council officers; the organisations I have worked with; the residents who have supported me and my fellow Conservative Councillors over the last four years.

I’m now going to have some time off and catch up on everything I’ve put to one side during the campaign…….

Today, I started calling on people who have previously agreed to have a window poster, ahead of the election on Thursday.

If you would like to show your support, please drop me an email at karenhayes@wirral.gov.uk and I’ll pop a window poster through your door!

But it’s been a really frantic Bank Holiday weekend; I’ve been out in Liscard delivering leaflets from Mosslands Drive to Egremont Prom and of course Liscard Town Centre – although I will admit to having a few hours off, with my feet up, on Friday morning, watching the Royal Wedding – what a wonderful day and I wish William and Catherine all the best for the future!  But it was soon back to reality and my thanks to Leah, James, Paul, Natalie and Lucy for all their help, not forgetting my agent, Ian Lewis.

Me with Leah Fraser, Sayeeda Warsi and Cllr Jeff Green - Leader of the Council

Earlier today, I was delighted to meet Sayeeda Warsi, Co-Chairman of the Conservative Party at the Town Hall.  Other Conservative Councillors as well as candidates were also invited to came along to talk about some of the issues facing local government as well as the AV Referendum and local elections next Thursday.

Later, I was happy to take Sayeeda to a meeting at the Royal British Legion in Wallasey, along with Councillor Jeff Green (Leader of the Council) and Leah Fraser, for veterans and their families organised by Combat Stress – the UK’s leading military charity specialising in the care of veterans’ mental health.

Wirral’s veterans and their families are about to receive extra support in a new initiative – the ‘Armed Forces Community Welfare Pathway’ will see a new service set up to help veterans returning to Wirral after service overseas.  The meeting gave us the change to talk about the support Wirral will be giving to our veterans and their families – this was following initial meetings we have held with Simon Johnston, himself a veteran living in Liscard, and armed forces welfare organisations.

I’m really pleased that Wirral Council is working to improve the lives of veterans returning to the Borough.  So many families have relatives serving in the Armed Forces – I believe this new service will be widely welcomed.  It really is good news.

I spoke against the application at the Planning Committee at the Town Hall and my colleague Cllr James Keeley voted against the plans.  Thankfully, the application was defeated at the Planning Committee.

Further good news today - the planned Licensing application was cancelled because the applicant has withdrawn his application.

I will keep you updated of any further plans that may be discussed for this former restaurant.

We have written to the Labour Councillor and Labour candidate asking them to stop circulating these false claims – local people must not be mislead about the further of our town, no matter how desperate a candidate may be for votes!

Indeed, when the extra cas was proposed by us, it was Liscard’s Labour Councillor who voted against.  Sadly, they forgot to tell you that bit in their leaflet!

However, I do not intend to get into a row with the Labour candidate.  If Labour believes that reintroducing car parking charges after 3pm and scrapping the deep clean will help Liscard, I am afraid I disagree.

The plans for Liscard include:

• Scrapping car parking charges after 3pm during the week in council car parks.  DONE!
• Reintroducing daytime cover of the town’s anti crime cameras.  DONE!
• Money to tackle empty shops, Liscard Ward receives double the allocation of other areas.  Area Forum to decide how it is spent.
• Deep clean of the shopping area to remove years of grime and dirt.  Starts May 16th.

1. At the top of St Elmo Road (on King Street)
2. Next to the bus stop on King Street, at the top of  St Brides Road
3. At the junction of Love Lane and Greenheys Road

These will now be installed by Streetscene under the ‘You Decide’ funding stream.  I will also make sure they’re added to the Biffa collection – no point having new bins if they don’t empty them!

NB  talking of emptying bins the Council have advised that bin collections will take place as normal on April 29, designated a Bank Holiday for the Royal Wedding

Anyone who has their bin emptied on that day will receive a collection as usual, and should put the appropriate bin out as they would any other week.

If your road is closed for a street party on that day, but your bin collection takes place on a Friday, a Council officer will visit the location to arrange an alternate location, liaising with the named road closure applicant.

Further enquiries should be directed to Streetscene on 0151 606 2004.

I went out this evening and walked around Liscard with traders and a council officer, pointing out the worst areas and discussing what exactly was needed.  As well as the jet washing; railings will be repainted and bins and benches repaired.

Parking is now free after 3pm in Liscard during the week and soon there will be the re-introduction of daytime CCTV (it was scrapped under Labour) –  not only to discourage crime but also to identify those who drop litter and do not pick up after their pets.

Photos:  with local traders and businessmen and my colleague, Cllr James Keeley.

We have a really strong network of Sure Start Centres in Wirral and as I’ve visited each one they’ve said how pleased and relieved they are that the Conservative-led Council kept their pre election promise to protect Sure Start.  They’re also delighted to have the extra funding of £2,000 per centre for new equipment and activities.

We also discussed (and argued) a debate I bought before Council about ’Real Help for Liscard’.  Sadly, Cllr Darren Dodd did not apologise for the falsehood that we have cut help for Liscard (when, in fact our deep clean, free parking and empty shops cash is the biggest-ever package of support, which incidentally Cllr Dodd opposed.)  Sadly, this may now mean legal action ( following the advice of the Council’s head of law) but I’m not sure if the legal action is against Cllr Dodd (again) or Labour’s candidate for Liscard.

I’m delighted that Liscard and the package we’ve put forward was discussed at Council, I have a meeting tomorrow night with traders and an officer from the Council to discuss what we want to do in Liscard.  More on that tomorrow…..

The ‘all inclusive’ Easter Lunch includes sandwiches and cakes, tea and coffee and afterwards, bingo.   Of course it wouldn’t be a fundraiser without a raffle – with all proceeds going towards my election campaign leaflets.

Thanks to all those who supported me last time and I look forward to seeing you again this Saturday. 

Everyone’s welcome, and if you’d like to come just turn up at 12 noon!  Look forward to seeing you.