Wirral embarks on Localism experiment
Wirral Council has started consultation over its Neighbourhood Plan initiative as one of the coalition government's pilot areas for the Localism Bill.
The Merseyside authority is holding a series of Area Forum meetings throughout the borough to consult residents over where new shops, offices and housing should be located.
Council leader Cllr Steve Foulkes said: "We understand that Wirral is an extremely diverse place, and communities have different needs, aspirations and expectations.
"That is why we need to ensure that we become more local, and more in tune with what our local communities and neighbourhoods actually need – almost on a street-by-street basis. That is why we are launching Neighbourhood Plans.
Wirral's consultation programme for Neighbourhood Plans will run throughout the summer, and will consist of a series of events, presentations and focus groups in every community throughout the borough. The council said further detail would be published soon.
Seventeen pilot areas received £20,000 to draft plans that may be enacted once the Localism Bill becomes law.