logo
Wirral leader says 'nothing swept under carpet' in regeneration probe

Wirral leader says 'nothing swept under carpet' in regeneration probe

BBC News3 days ago
"Nothing will be hidden" from investigators probing a council's troubled regeneration programmes, its leader has said. Paula Basnett, who became leader of Wirral Council in May, announced an internal investigation of the Birkenhead town centre project early into her leadership.The regeneration works in the town are behind schedule and over budget, with the council expected to borrow £8m to cover a rise in costs to £24m. Ms Basnett, who is a councillor for Rock Ferry, said the council needed to get a grip on the situation.
"I do think that we have to understand why it's been delayed and why there was an overspend. Our residents are entitled and should be made aware," Basnett said."I walk up Grange Road and I see the work taking place. I see the impact it's having on our businesses. I see the impact it's having on our residents."They want to be able to enjoy shopping and browsing around the shops."
The Local Democracy Reporting Service said the works, taking place across the entire town centre, were £2.8m over budget the day a contract was signed.Councillors were so concerned that on 21 July they decided not to approve any further funding until investigations had finished.Basnett said on her election as leader that improving neighbourhoods, sorting out the council's finances, and getting regeneration back on track were her three main priorities."I won't be brushing anything under the carpet," she said."[The investigation] will be open and transparent. We will be holding officers to account."Our residents are entitled to hear what has been going on and I fully appreciate that once we do have those findings, it will be out in the public domain."The findings are expected later this year. Basnett said she hoped the outcome of a wider review would set out realistic timelines and costs, allowing councillors to prioritise projects.
Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Why Starmer has more to worry about than his inability to play golf when he meets Trump at Turnberry
Why Starmer has more to worry about than his inability to play golf when he meets Trump at Turnberry

The Independent

time11 minutes ago

  • The Independent

Why Starmer has more to worry about than his inability to play golf when he meets Trump at Turnberry

Keir Starmer has confided that he has never played golf before, which may prove to be a problem when he holds a bilateral with Donald Trump at the US president's Turnberry course in Scotland on Monday. The location partially explains the nervous energy around the prime minister when he discusses this last-minute arranged meeting as Trump spends a few days relaxing at his own Scottish courses. 'Golf is not something you can pick up in a weekend,' a source close to the PM said, envisaging the two holding their bilateral around 18 holes on the championship course. But a potential crash course in golf is the least of Sir Keir's concerns as he prepares for yet another crucial bilatera l with a US president he has struck up a politically unlikely friendship with. Top of the agenda will be the steel industry followed by Ukraine and Gaza - all issues where Sir Keir and Trump still seem far apart. Men of steel If sorting out the trade deal was the equivalent of a green on a golf course, Starmer would be on his third attempt with the putter trying to sink a ball which initially rolled invitingly near to the flag. Already we have effectively had two signing ceremonies for a trade agreement to tackle Trump's 'freedom day' tariffs. The first occasion in May when it was described as 'the big and beautiful deal' seemed to have resolved almost everything. Then nothing happened until the two men appeared together in Canada last month with a signed deal which the president almost immediately fumbled on to the floor. But even after that there was one crucial issue left over - steel. Trump put tariffs of 25 per cent on steel and then increased them to 50 per cent for the rest of the world, with a threat that the UK would go from 25 to 50 per cent if it did not sort the issue out. Time is running out and with the taxpayer now in hock to the future of British Steel and the entire industry staring at a precipice, Starmer needs to get the zero per cent tariff he was promised back in May. Unfortunately, there appears to be no immediate sign of that happening. Palestinian recognition There is a lot of speculation within Labour this weekend that Keir Starmer wants to recognise the state of Palestine as French president Emmanuel Macron did on Thursday. But he cannot do it until after he has had his meeting with Trump - otherwise the inevitable row over it would dominate proceedings. US secretary of state Marco Rubio made it clear that the US was disgusted with France and thought Macron was 'rewarding terrorism' by Hamas. A similar angry view would be taken with the UK. But the two do need to discuss the issues with the crisis coming to a head. Somehow Trump's enthusiasm for brokering a ceasefire there needs to be renewed and some think Starmer is the man to do that. His ability to boost the president's ego has become the blueprint for international leaders to deal with the second Trump term. Without US leadership there is a danger that the war will just go on and thousands of people trapped in Gaza will simply starve to death. In many ways Starmer will be speaking for the so-called E3 group of UK, France and Germany on the issue after the emergency phone call with Macron and German chancellor Friedrich Merz on Friday. Not forgetting Ukraine The Middle East may not even be Starmer's biggest international priority in these talks. He is desperate for a solution to the Ukraine problem and recently with Macron and Merz has been pushing ahead with the 'coalition of the willing' to provide a safeguard for Ukraine after a peace deal. He and Macron announced new details and plans for the coalition of the willing after the French president's recent state visit. But they are moving ahead without the one thing they need - a promise by the US to back them up militarily if things go wrong. Trump has resisted this idea, much preferring to get a share of Ukraine's mineral resources. He has shown no interest at all in Starmer's plan. But the British prime minister needs to somehow to get him on side on Monday. The State Visit While this is a private trip for Trump to look at his personal business interests (play golf on his own courses), it is a precursor to a much bigger visit in September. The invitation for a state visit came from the King and was delivered by his prime minister but details of the political side of the historic trip will be discussed. There may be an awkward moment regarding why Macron got to address a joint sitting of the Houses of Parliament and Trump will not. The excuse that it is the day after Parliament rises does not hold water because MPs and peers came back to hear the late Pope Benedict address them in 2010 in identical circumstances. There will be no shortage of rightwing British Trump friends visiting him over the next few days, including Nigel Farage and fellow Brexit bad boy Andy Wigmore, who will point out that others were treated better. How Starmer can win over Trump It is understood that the prime minister came up with a solution to deal with the diplomatic problem of having to play golf, at a recent social event in Westminster. 'We toss a coin. If the president wins we play golf, if I win we play football,' the PM is understood to have suggested. Given how much Trump enjoyed himself with Chelsea players after presenting the World Club Cup to them, that may be a solution. But it is going to take more than a coin flip for Sir Keir to persuade the president on these other issues. The one thing that matters though is that Trump values relationships and trusts people who are straight with him and give him their trust. Back at the G7 in Canada Trump made it clear that the UK will do well with him because he likes Starmer. He said: 'The UK is very well protected. You know why? Because I like them. The prime minister has done a really good job. He has done what other people have been talking about for six years and he has done it.' Starmer is going to need all the charm that he seems to have reserved for his international duties to get what he wants on Monday. But recent history suggests that it could all be within his grasp.

Gregg Wallace apologises but says he is ‘not a groper, a sex pest or a flasher'
Gregg Wallace apologises but says he is ‘not a groper, a sex pest or a flasher'

BreakingNews.ie

time12 minutes ago

  • BreakingNews.ie

Gregg Wallace apologises but says he is ‘not a groper, a sex pest or a flasher'

Former MasterChef host Gregg Wallace has again apologised to anyone hurt by his behaviour, but insisted he is 'not a groper, a sex pest or a flasher'. In an interview with The Sun, the British TV presenter also defended his sacked former co-host John Torode, telling the paper he is 'not a racist'. Advertisement Torode was the subject of an allegation about using racist language that was upheld as part of a review carried out by law firm Lewis Silkin into the alleged behaviour of co-presenter Wallace. Torode said he had 'no recollection of the incident' and was 'shocked and saddened' by the allegation. In November 2024 it was announced that Wallace would step away from his role on the BBC cooking show while historical allegations of misconduct were investigated. Wallace issued an apology saying he was 'deeply sorry for any distress caused' and that he 'never set out to harm or humiliate' in the wake of the Lewis Silkin review that saw 45 out of 83 allegations made against him upheld. Advertisement The review concluded that the 'majority of the substantiated allegations against Mr Wallace related to inappropriate sexual language and humour', adding that 'a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated', with 'one incident of unwelcome physical contact' also substantiated. Gregg cries about allegations made against him — The Sun (@TheSun) July 25, 2025 In fresh comments to The Sun, Wallace acknowledged that he had said things that 'offended people, that weren't socially acceptable and perhaps they felt too intimidated or nervous to say anything at the time. 'I understand that now – and to anyone I have hurt, I am so sorry.' Wallace added: 'I'm not a groper. People think I've been taking my trousers down and exposing myself – I am not a flasher. Advertisement 'People think I'm a sex pest. I am not.' Wallace also said his recent autism diagnosis means he struggles 'to read people'. 'I know people find me weird,' he said. 'Autism is a disability, a registered disability.' Advertisement Pointing to the allegation against Torode, Wallace told the paper: 'I've known John for 30 years and he is not a racist. John Torode began presenting MasterChef alongside Gregg Wallace in 2005 (BBC/Shine TV) 'And as evidence of that, I'll show you the incredible diversity of the people that he has championed, MasterChef winners, over the years. 'There is no way that man is a racist. No way. And my sympathies go out to John because I don't want anybody to go through what I've been through.' It was announced this week that a series of MasterChef filmed last year before allegations against Wallace and Torode were upheld will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from August 6th. Advertisement A decision on airing the celebrity series and Christmas special has not been decided, with plans to be confirmed later in the year, the BBC said. Both presenters will still feature in the upcoming series, but the edit will be looked at in light of the findings of an investigation, with focus being given to the contestants, the PA news agency understands. A BBC spokesperson said: 'After careful consideration and consultation with the contestants, we have decided to broadcast the amateur series of MasterChef on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 6 August. 'MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the amateur chefs taking part. The focus of it has always been their skill and their journey. 'This has not been an easy decision in the circumstances and we appreciate not everyone will agree with it. 'In showing the series, which was filmed last year, it in no way diminishes our view of the seriousness of the upheld findings against both presenters. 'We have been very clear on the standards of behaviour that we expect of those who work at the BBC or on shows made for the BBC. 'However, we believe that broadcasting this series is the right thing to do for these cooks who have given so much to the process. 'We want them to be properly recognised and give the audience the choice to watch the series. Entertainment John Torode says he was not informed of MasterChef... Read More 'At this stage we have not taken a decision on the celebrity series and Christmas special, which was filmed earlier this year, and we will confirm our plans later in the year. 'Most importantly MasterChef is a brilliant, much-loved programme which is bigger than any one individual. 'There are many talented, dedicated and hard-working people who make the show what it is. It will continue to flourish on the BBC and we look forward to it returning stronger than ever in the future.'

UK and Australia sign Aukus treaty to build nuclear submarines as Lammy downplays US doubts
UK and Australia sign Aukus treaty to build nuclear submarines as Lammy downplays US doubts

The Guardian

time12 minutes ago

  • The Guardian

UK and Australia sign Aukus treaty to build nuclear submarines as Lammy downplays US doubts

Australia and the UK have signed a 50-year treaty to cement the Aukus pact to design and build a new class of nuclear-powered submarine. Australia's defence minister, Richard Marles, and the UK's defence secretary, John Healey, signed the deal – dubbed the 'Geelong Treaty' – in Geelong on Saturday, with Marles saying it was among the most significant treaties between the two nations. It came as the US, which is not a party to the treaty, wavers on its own role in the trilateral Aukus agreement, after the Trump administration launched a review to examine whether it aligns with his 'America first' agenda. A joint statement released by the UK and Australia said the treaty would enable cooperation on the SSN-Aukus submarine's design, build, operation, sustainment, and disposal, as well as workforce, infrastructure and regulatory systems. The SSN-Aukus is intended to incorporate technology from all three Aukus nations. It will be built in northern England for the UK Royal Navy, and Australia plans to build its own in South Australia for delivery to the Australian navy in the 2040s. The treaty is yet to be released publicly and will be tabled in parliament next week. Marles told reporters the treaty will underpin how the UK and Australia work together to deliver the submarines. He said there were three parts to the treaty, including training in the UK for Australian submariners and other required roles, and 'facilitating the development' of infrastructure at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide. 'And finally, what the treaty does is create a seamless defence industrial base between the United Kingdom and Australia. This project is going to see Australian companies supplying into Great Britain for the building of submarines,' he said. 'It will see British companies supplying to Australia for the building of our own submarines here in Adelaide. Healey said the treaty would support tens of thousands of jobs in both Australia and the UK. 'It is a treaty that will fortify the Indo-Pacific. It will strengthen Nato and we're the politicians signing it today. But this is a treaty that will define the relationship between our two nations and safeguard the security of our country for our children and our children's children to come,' he said. Marles said the deal was 'another demonstration of the fact that Aukus is happening, and it is happening on time, and we are delivering it'. 'It's a treaty which will last for 50 years. It is a bilateral treaty which sits under the trilateral Aukus framework.' As part of the existing Aukus agreement, Australia will pay about $4.6bn to support British industry to design and produce nuclear reactors to power the future Aukus-class submarines. It will pay a similar amount to the US to support America's shipbuilding industry. Under the $368bn Aukus program, Australia is scheduled to buy at least three Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines from the US from the early 2030s. Earlier on Saturday, the UK foreign secretary, David Lammy, appeared at an event in Sydney run by the Lowy Institute. Asked by the presenter if the UK was 'coming to the rescue because America is losing interest in Aukus', he said that wasn't the case, and that the deal was about '20,000 jobs between our two countries' and a secure partnership well into the future. Lammy dismissed concerns over the Trump administration's Aukus review, saying it would 'flush out any issues for them'. He said both the UK and Australian governments had also undertaken a review of the pact. 'All governments do reviews, and should do reviews, particularly when they involve big aspects of procurement and defence,' he said. Lammy said the world had entered a 'new era' of instability and that 'investing in defence is an investment in peace' because opponents 'realise that you are armed and capable'. The Trump administration's review is being headed by the Pentagon's undersecretary of defence policy, Elbridge Colby, who has previously declared himself 'sceptical' about the deal, fearing it could leave US sailors exposed and underresourced.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store