Wirral Council is facing one of its most turbulent periods in recent memory, following the departure of its three most senior figures against a backdrop of mounting financial pressure and faltering regeneration plans.

The authority staved off bankruptcy with the aid of a government loan and news emerged that debt ballooned £233m in six months. Several key regeneration projects in Birkenhead and beyond now face delays or restructuring.

The most high-profile of the stalled projects is the transformation of central Birkenhead, where one major road scheme has already exceeded its £12 million budget. Funds have reportedly been reallocated from the struggling Birkenhead Market redevelopment to keep the project afloat.

The leadership changes began in May with the resignation of council leader Paul Stuart, who faced growing criticism, including from within his own Labour group. In June, chief executive Paul Satoor—on a reported salary of £218,000—went on sick leave just weeks after declaring the council was well placed to deliver on its ambitious regeneration plans.

Wallasey Town Hall, home of Wirral Council.

placeholder image — Wallasey Town Hall, home of Wirral Council.

This week, director of regeneration Marcus Shaw—Wirral’s fifth regeneration lead in just three years—was also placed on extended leave.

Green Party councillor Jo Bird said: “We have warned repeatedly that lavish spending on vanity projects and poor financial management have left council finances in a dangerous position. Sadly, Labour, with Conservative backing, has persisted with this reckless course that has brought us close to bankruptcy.”

With senior leadership depleted, cabinet member Cllr Paula Basnett has stepped in to help steer the council forward, supported by interim officers while long-term solutions are sought.

She said "When I became Leader of the Council, the town centre scheme was at the top of the list of projects to be looked into. This is because it was clear from what businesses and residents were saying, that the works needed to be urgently reviewed.

"The early results are shocking, with indications that the project is going to take even longer than we were told, and costs spiralling.

"This is completely unacceptable, and further work will be undertaken to consider the information revealed by the initial audit findings."

Roads are blocked off around key routes as building work has been halted on one of Birkenhead's flagship schemes.