Frank’s Blog

The Birkenhead Soroptimists, part of an international network of professional women, celebrated 80 years of service to the local community on Saturday.  Birkenhead Town Hall was packed with guests. Exhibitions detailed the range of charities that the Soroptimists support.  They also brought a number of items from their archives. I was particularly interested in the work local Soroptimists are currently undertaking.  They told me of their efforts to…

There is, at last, good news about the Grange and Pyramids shopping centre. Last week a new £1m investment for regeneration work was announced during a meeting I had with the management company behind the centre. I’ve reported before on the purchase of this asset by the Mars Pension Fund. Let’s wind the clock back a bit.  Councillors Phil Davies and George Davies and I met the previous owners.  Their aim was to maximise returns, even if it…

Wirral Citizen’s Bureau has rightly called for major restrictions on payday lenders. With this unprecedented squeeze on living standards, I am not surprised that many of my constituents have had to borrow.  It’s the interest and other charges that are crucial. The Office of Fair Trading has investigated but MPs have seen this as a half-hearted effort to curb even the worst abuses.  But we need to stop the blame game and take action. There is of

Wirral Council is innovating.  I reported last week on their intention to begin looking at delivering Council services on a constituency basis. Wirral would have four committees shadowing our four constituencies. I welcome this move unreservedly.  The plan is to have these committees beginning to work in October. In order to hit the ground running I’ve already begun to ask for the key data to be presented on a constituency basis. On Friday I met John…