View source for Metropolitan Borough of Wirral

{{About|the local government district|other uses|Wirral (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2015}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Borough of Wirral
| settlement_type    = [[Metropolitan borough]]
| image_skyline      = Benkid77 Wallasey Town Hall 1 090809.JPG
| imagesize          = 
| image_alt          = 
| image_caption      = [[Wallasey Town Hall]]
| image_flag         = 
| flag_alt           = 
| image_seal         = 
| seal_alt           = 
| image_shield       = Coat of arms of Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council.png
| shield_alt         = 
| shield_link        = 
| image_blank_emblem = 
| blank_emblem_size  = 
| blank_emblem_type  = 
| blank_emblem_link  = 
| etymology          = 
| nickname           = 
| motto = {{force singular}} By faith and foresight
| image_map          = Wirral UK locator map.svg
| mapsize            = 
| map_alt            = 
| map_caption        = Wirral shown within [[Merseyside]]
| pushpin_map        = 
| pushpin_map_alt    = 
| pushpin_map_caption = 
| pushpin_mapsize    = 
| pushpin_label_position = 
| coordinates        = {{coord|53.3568|-3.0635|region:GB_type:adm2nd|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint      = 
| coordinates_footnotes = 
| subdivision_type   = [[Sovereign state]]
| subdivision_name   = [[United Kingdom]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[Countries of the United Kingdom|Country]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[England]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[Regions of England|Region]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[North West England|North West]]
| subdivision_type3  = [[Ceremonial counties of England|Ceremonial county]]
| subdivision_name3  = [[Merseyside]]
| subdivision_type4  = [[City region (United Kingdom)|City region]]
| subdivision_name4  = [[Liverpool City Region|Liverpool]]
| established_title  = Incorporated
| established_date   = [[Local Government Act 1972|1 April 1974]]
| established_title1 = 
| established_date1  = 
| named_for          = [[Wirral Peninsula]]
| seat_type          = Administrative HQ
| seat               = [[Wallasey Town Hall]]
| parts_type         = 
| parts              = <!-- Government -->
| government_footnotes = <ref name="Council leadership">{{cite web |url=https://www.wirral.gov.uk/councillors-and-committees |title=Councillors and committees |website=Wirral Council |access-date=15 December 2023}}</ref>
| government_type    = [[Metropolitan borough]]
| governing_body     = [[Wirral Council]]
| leader_title       = [[Executive arrangements|Executive]]
| leader_name        = [[Executive arrangements#Committee system|Committee system]]
| leader_title1      = [[Political make-up of local councils in the United Kingdom|Control]]
| leader_name1       = {{English district control|GSS=E08000015}}
| leader_title2      = [[Executive arrangements#Leader and cabinet|Leader]]
| leader_name2       = Paul Stuart ([[Labour Party (UK)|L]])
| leader_title3      = [[Mayor of Wirral|Civic Mayor]]
| leader_name3       = Jerry Williams
| leader_title4      = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|MPs]]
| leader_name4       = {{Collapsible list | title = 3 MPs
 | [[Angela Eagle]] ([[Labour Party (UK)|L]])
 | [[Alison McGovern]] (L)
 | [[Matthew Patrick (British politician)|Matthew Patrick]] (L)
 }}
<!-- Area -->| total_type         = 
| unit_pref          = Metric <!-- ALL fields with measurements have automatic unit conversion -->
| area_footnotes     = <ref>{{United Kingdom district population citation|area}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 253
| area_land_km2      = {{English district area|GSS=E08000015}}
| area_water_km2     = 
| area_rank          = [[List of English districts by area|{{English district area rank|GSS=E08000015}}]]
<!-- Population -->| population_footnotes = <ref name="popstats">{{United Kingdom district population citation}}</ref>
| population_as_of   = {{English statistics year}}
| population_total   = {{English district population|GSS=E08000015}}
| population_rank    = [[List of English districts by population|{{English district rank|GSS=E08000015}}]]
| population_density_km2 = {{English district density|GSS=E08000015}}
| population_demonym = {{unbulleted list | Wirralian | Wirralite ([[Colloquialism|colloq.]])}}
<!-- demographics (section 1) -->| demographics_type1 = Ethnicity <span style="font-weight:normal;">([[2021 United Kingdom census|2021]])</span>
| demographics1_footnotes = <ref name="2021 Nomis">{{NOMIS2021|id=E08000015|title=Wirral Local Authority|access-date=8 August 2023}}</ref>
| demographics1_title1 = [[Ethnic groups in the United Kingdom|Ethnic groups]]
| demographics1_info1 = {{Collapsible list
 | 95.2% [[White people in the United Kingdom|White]]
 | 2.3% [[British Asians|Asian]]
 | 1.5% [[Mixed (United Kingdom ethnicity category)|Mixed]]
 | 0.4% [[Black British people|Black]]
 | 0.6% [[Ethnic groups in the United Kingdom|other]]
 }}
<!-- demographics (section 2) -->| demographics_type2 = Religion <span style="font-weight:normal;">(2021)</span>
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref name="2021 Nomis"/>
| demographics2_title1 = [[Religion in England|Religion]]
| demographics2_info1 = {{Collapsible list
 | 55.0% [[Religion in England#Christianity|Christianity]]
 | 37.3% [[Irreligion in the United Kingdom|no religion]]
 | 1.0% [[Islam in England|Islam]]
 | 0.4% [[Hinduism in England|Hinduism]]
 | 0.3% [[Buddhism in England|Buddhism]]
 | 0.1% [[Sikhism in England|Sikhism]]
 | 0.1% [[History of the Jews in England|Judaism]]
 | 0.4% [[Religion in England|other]]
 | 5.3% not stated
 }}
| timezone1          = [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]]
| utc_offset1        = +0
| timezone1_DST      = [[British Summer Time|BST]]
| utc_offset1_DST    = +1
<!-- Codes -->| postal_code_type   = [[Postcodes in the United Kingdom|Postcode areas]]
| postal_code        = {{Hlist | [[CH postcode area|CH]]41–49 | CH60–63}}
| area_code_type     = [[Telephone numbers in the United Kingdom|Dialling code]]
| area_code          = 0151
| iso_code           = [[ISO 3166-2:GB|GB-WRL]]
| blank1_name        = [[GSS coding system|GSS code]]
| blank1_info        = E08000015
| website            = {{URL|wirral.gov.uk}}
| module             = 
| footnotes          = 
}}
The '''Metropolitan Borough of Wirral''' is a [[metropolitan borough]] of [[Merseyside]], in [[North West England]]. It has a population of {{English district population|GSS=E08000015}} ({{English statistics year}}),<ref name="popstats"/> and encompasses {{convert|{{English district area|GSS=E08000015}}|sqkm|sqmi|order=flip}} of the northern part of the [[Wirral Peninsula]]. Major settlements include [[Birkenhead]], [[Wallasey]], [[Bebington]], [[Heswall]], [[Hoylake]] and [[West Kirby]]. It is one of the six boroughs of the [[Liverpool City Region]], a combined authority area with a population of more than 1.5 million.

Wirral is [[England]]'s westernmost metropolitan borough, faced by the [[Liverpool|City of Liverpool]] to the northeast over the [[River Mersey]].

==Geography==
{{expand section|date=February 2020}}
Bordering is the [[River Mersey]] to the east, the [[Irish Sea]] to the north and the [[River Dee, Wales|River Dee]] to the west; the borough of [[Cheshire West and Chester]] occupies the remainder of the Wirral Peninsula and borders the borough of Wirral to the south.

It is the only [[Geographic contiguity|non-contiguous]] part of [[Merseyside]], being located west of the River Mersey and the remainder of the county. It is linked only by the two [[Mersey Tunnels]], the [[Wirral line]] of [[Merseyrail]], and the [[Mersey Ferry]].

== History ==
The borough was formed on 1 April 1974, under the [[Local Government Act 1972]], as a merger of the [[county borough]]s of Birkenhead and Wallasey, along with the [[municipal borough]] of Bebington and the [[Urban district (Great Britain and Ireland)|urban district]]s of [[Hoylake Urban District|Hoylake]] and [[Wirral Urban District|Wirral]].

== Governance ==
{{Further|Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council}}

===Liverpool City Region Combined Authority===

The Metropolitan Borough of Wirral is one of the six constituent local government districts of the [[Liverpool City Region]]. Since 1 April 2014, some of the borough's responsibilities have been pooled with neighbouring authorities within the metropolitan area and subsumed into the [[Liverpool City Region Combined Authority]].

The [[combined authority]] has effectively become the top-tier administrative body for the local governance of the city region and the leader of Wirral Borough Council, along with the five other leaders from neighbouring local government districts, take strategic decisions over economic development, transport, employment and skills, tourism, culture, housing and physical infrastructure.

As of July 2015, negotiations are currently taking place between the UK national government and the combined authority over a possible devolution deal to confer greater powers on the region. Discussions include whether to introduce an elected 'Metro Mayor' to oversee the entire metropolitan area.<ref>{{cite web |author=Liam Murphy |date=22 July 2015 |title=Liverpool city region to decide on devolution demands by end of summer |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/liverpool-city-region-decide-devolution-9711105 |access-date=26 July 2015}}</ref>

===Wirral Borough Council composition===
[[File:Wirral Council Chamber May 2023.svg|thumb|Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council composition, 2023]]
After the [[2008 United Kingdom local elections|local elections in 2008]] the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral was governed by a Labour Party/Liberal Democrat coalition, the second and third largest parties on the council respectively. Steve Foulkes of Labour was leader of the council. The [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]] was the largest party represented, and was in [[Opposition (politics)|opposition]] with its leader Jeff Green being leader of the opposition.

After the [[2010 United Kingdom local elections|local elections in 2010]] the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral was governed by a Conservative Party/Liberal Democrat coalition, which reflected the coalition at national level.<ref>{{cite web |last=Phibbs |first=Harry |date=25 May 2010 |title=Conservatives take over Wirral Council |url=http://conservativehome.blogs.com/localgovernment/2010/05/conservatives-take-over-wirral-council.html |access-date=11 December 2010 |publisher=Conservativehome.blogs.com}}</ref> The Conservative Party, continuing to be the largest party represented on the council increased its number of seats by 2 to 27 and has now entered into coalition government with the Liberal Democrats as the leading coalition partner with the leader of the Conservatives, Jeff Green, becoming the new leader of the council. The Labour Party increased its representation on the council by 4 to 24 and remained the second largest party though they are now in opposition with their leader, Steve Foulkes, who was leader of the council now leader of the opposition. The Liberal Democrats lost 4 seats decreasing their tally to 15 remaining the third largest party on the council but continuing to participate in the governing of the council as the junior coalition partner to the Conservatives. The one independent represented on the council lost their seat.

After the [[2011 United Kingdom local elections|local elections in 2011]] the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral was governed by a minority Labour Party administration. Foulkes was leader of the council with Phil Davies as deputy leader. The Liberal Democrats lost a councillor who switched to Labour, Steve Niblock shortly after the elections. There are now no independents on Wirral Council. Labour have 36 seats, Conservatives have 23 and the Liberal Democrats 7.

In February 2012 the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats defeated the Labour administration in a motion of no confidence and the two parties governed again until the May election.<ref>{{cite web |last=Murphy |first=Liam |date=14 February 2012 |title=Jeff Green is new leader of Wirral council after Labour group is kicked out |url=http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2012/02/14/jeff-green-is-new-leader-of-wirral-council-after-labour-group-is-kicked-out-99623-3032734 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217133740/http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2012/02/14/jeff-green-is-new-leader-of-wirral-council-after-labour-group-is-kicked-out-99623-30327349 |archive-date=17 February 2012 |access-date=29 February 2012 |work=Liverpool Daily Post}}</ref> Labour made gains in May 2012, gaining majority control of the council for the first time since local elections in 2002 saw Labour become a minority.

In [[2014 Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council election|2014]], the [[Green Party of England and Wales|Green Party]] gained their first seat on the council, defeating [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] in their typically safe seat of [[Birkenhead and Tranmere (ward)|Birkenhead and Tranmere]]. They retained it in [[2018 Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council election|2018]] with an increased vote share, albeit with a reduced majority. In the [[2023 United Kingdom local elections|2023 local elections]], the Green Party won 13 seats.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barnes |first=Edward |last2=Raynor |first2=Dominic |date=2023-05-06 |title=Huge gains for Labour and Greens in Wirral as Tories lose |url=https://www.liverpoolworld.uk/news/wirral-local-election-results-2023-labour-conservative-4131451 |access-date=2024-12-10 |website=LiverpoolWorld |language=en}}</ref> Since May 2023, the council has been led by Labour councillor Paul Stuart.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barnes |first=Edward |date=2023-05-24 |title=Tensions erupt as Wirral Council elects new leader |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/wirral-elects-new-council-leader-26987094 |access-date=2024-12-10 |website=Liverpool Echo |language=en}}</ref>

==Economy==
This is a chart of trend of regional gross value added of Wirral at current basic prices [http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/dcp171778_291684.pdf published] (pp.&nbsp;240–253) by ''Office for National Statistics'' with figures in millions of pounds.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year || Regional gross value added{{ref|fn_1|1}} || Agriculture{{ref|fn_2|2}} || Industry{{ref|fn_3|3}} || Services{{ref|fn_4|4}}
|-
| 1995 || '''2,089''' || 10 || 674 || 1,405
|-
| 2000 || '''2,609''' || 5 || 814 || 1,789
|-
| 2003 || '''3,020''' || 9 || 755 || 2,256
|}

* {{note|fn_1|1}} Components may not sum to totals due to rounding
* {{note|fn_2|2}} includes hunting and forestry
* {{note|fn_3|3}} includes energy and construction
* {{note|fn_4|4}} includes financial intermediation services indirectly measured

Plans were announced in 2006 for a  £4.5bn development around the docklands to be called [[Wirral Waters]].<ref>{{cite news |title=BBC - Liverpool - Capital of Culture - Wirral's skyline to rival New York |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/liverpool/content/articles/2006/09/06/wirral_waters_feature.shtml |access-date=13 August 2022 |work=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> The development is a mixture of industrial, office, residential and leisure facilities. Planning permission was granted in 2010 and work began on the site in 2011, with development work potentially lasting for 30 years.<ref>{{cite news |title=Approval for £4.5bn Wirral waterfront regeneration |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-11869051 |access-date=13 August 2022 |work=BBC News |date=29 November 2010}}</ref>

== Education ==
{{See also|List of schools in Wirral}}

When the borough was set up in 1974, it inherited [[Comprehensive school|comprehensive]] systems from the former [[county borough|County Boroughs]] of [[Birkenhead]] and [[Wallasey]]. In the part of Wirral formerly administered by [[Cheshire County Council]], it inherited a [[Selective school|selective system]] of [[Grammar school|grammar]] and [[Secondary modern school|secondary modern]] non-[[Roman Catholic]] schools and a comprehensive Roman Catholic school ([[St John Plessington Catholic College]]).

Until the implementation of the [[Education Reform Act 1988]], education in Wirral continued to be organised in four areas; Birkenhead, Wallasey and the former parts of Cheshire known for education purposes as "[[Bebington]]" and "[[Queensferry, Flintshire|Deeside]]". However this Act introduced "open enrolment", allowing parents from anywhere in the borough, and outside it, to apply for a place for their child at any secondary school. As a result, significant numbers of pupils from the former "comprehensive areas" attend schools in the former "selective areas" and vice versa. The distinction between different types of school was to an extent masked, as all secondary modern and most comprehensive schools were named "High School". As a further result of this Act, [[St Anselm's College, Birkenhead|St Anselm's College]] and [[Upton Hall School FCJ|Upton Hall School]], both within the Birkenhead education area, became the only [[independent school]]s in the country to become state funded [[grant-maintained school]]s, retaining selective admissions policies to become Roman Catholic [[grammar school]]s.

A further change came as a result of the [[School Standards and Framework Act 1998]], which effectively changed secondary modern schools into comprehensives as schools were no longer permitted to select by examination failure. In summary, Wirral now has a state secondary sector made up of 16 comprehensive schools (of which two are Roman Catholic) and 6 grammar schools (of which two are Roman Catholic).

==Political makeup==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!rowspan=3|  Year
!colspan=10| Party
!rowspan=3|  {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
! rowspan=2 style="background-color: {{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}; width: 3px;" |
| align="center" rowspan=2|[[Conservative Party (UK)|'''CON''']]
! rowspan=2 style="background-color: {{party color|Green Party of England and Wales}}; width: 3px;" |
| align="center" rowspan=2|[[Green Party of England and Wales|'''GRN''']]
! rowspan=2 style="background-color: {{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}; width: 3px;" | 
| align="center" rowspan=2|[[Labour Party (UK)|'''LAB''']]
! style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Party (UK)}}; width: 3px;" |
| align="center"|[[Liberal Party (UK)|'''LIB''']]
! rowspan=2 style="background-color: grey; width: 3px;" | 
| align="center" rowspan=2|{{abbr|'''OTH'''|Other}}
|-
! style="background-color: {{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}; width: 3px;" |
| align="center"|[[Liberal Democrats (UK)|{{nowrap|'''LDM'''}}]]
|-
|1973
| colspan=2|'''29'''
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|24
| colspan=2|13
| colspan=2|0
| align="center" rowspan=29|<ref name=comp>{{cite web|title=Council compositions|url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwA-5RleSBydOS11WmRkNk9MSkE/view?pref=2&pli=1|website=The Elections Centre|access-date=27 July 2018}}</ref>
|-
|1974
| colspan=2|'''29'''
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|24
| colspan=2|13
| colspan=2|0
|-
|rowspan=2|1975
| colspan=2|'''36'''
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|21
| colspan=2|9
| colspan=2|0
|-
| colspan=2|'''37'''
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|21
| colspan=2|8
| colspan=2|0
|-
|1976
| colspan=2|'''42'''
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|18
| colspan=2|6
| colspan=2|0
|-
|1977
| colspan=2|'''42'''
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|18
| colspan=2|6
| colspan=2|0
|-
|1978
| colspan=2|'''45'''
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|16
| colspan=2|5
| colspan=2|0
|-
|1979
| colspan=2|'''40'''
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|20
| colspan=2|6
| colspan=2|0
|-
|1980
|colspan=2|'''37'''
|colspan=2|0
|colspan=2|23
|colspan=2|6
|colspan=2|0
|-
|1981
|colspan=2|'''37'''
|colspan=2|0
|colspan=2|23
|colspan=2|6
|colspan=2|0
|-
|1982
| colspan=2|'''35'''
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|25
| colspan=2|6
| colspan=2|0
|-
|1983
|colspan=2|'''34'''
|colspan=2|0
|colspan=2|24
|colspan=2|8
|colspan=2|0
|-
|1984
|colspan=2|'''34'''
|colspan=2|0
|colspan=2|24
|colspan=2|8
|colspan=2|0
|-
|1985
|colspan=2|'''34'''
|colspan=2|0
|colspan=2|24
|colspan=2|8
|colspan=2|0
|-
|1986
| colspan=2|'''30'''
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|26
| colspan=2|10
| colspan=2|0
|-
|1987
| colspan=2|'''29'''
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|27
| colspan=2|10
| colspan=2|0
|-
|rowspan=2|1988
|colspan=2|24
|colspan=2|0
|colspan=2|'''32'''
|colspan=2|10
|colspan=2|0
|-
|colspan=2|24
|colspan=2|0
|colspan=2|'''29'''
|colspan=2|10
|colspan=2|{{abbr|3|3 {{party shortname|Independent Labour}}}}
|-
|1989
|colspan=2|24
|colspan=2|0
|colspan=2|'''29'''
|colspan=2|10
|colspan=2|{{abbr|3|3 {{party shortname|Independent Labour}}}}
|-
|rowspan=2|1990
| colspan=2|23
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|'''33'''
| colspan=2|7
| colspan=2|{{abbr|3|3 {{party shortname|Independent Labour}}}}
|-
| colspan=2|23
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|'''33'''
| colspan=2|8
| colspan=2|{{abbr|2|2 {{party shortname|Independent Labour}}}}
|-
|1991
| colspan=2|24
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|'''34'''
| colspan=2|7
| colspan=2|{{abbr|1|1 {{party shortname|Independent Labour}}}}
|-
|1992
|colspan=2|29
|colspan=2|0
|colspan=2|'''31'''
|colspan=2|6
|colspan=2|0
|-
|1993
|colspan=2|29
|colspan=2|0
|colspan=2|'''31'''
|colspan=2|6
|colspan=2|0
|-
|1994
| colspan=2|28
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|'''30'''
| colspan=2|8
| colspan=2|0
|-
|1995
| colspan=2|22
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|'''36'''
| colspan=2|8
| colspan=2|0
|-
|1996
|colspan=2|16
|colspan=2|0
|colspan=2|'''41'''
|colspan=2|9
|colspan=2|0
|-
|1997
|colspan=2|16
|colspan=2|0
|colspan=2|'''41'''
|colspan=2|9
|colspan=2|0
|-
|1998
| colspan=2|16
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|'''41'''
| colspan=2|8
| colspan=2|{{abbr|1|1 {{party shortname|Independent Liberal Democrat}}}}
|-
| rowspan=2|1999
| colspan=2|16
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|'''42'''
| colspan=2|8
| colspan=2|0
|align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|title=Lib Dem councillor switches sides
|date=17 June 1998 |url=https://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/7435379.lib-dem-councillor-switches-sides/|publisher=Wirral Globe|access-date=26 December 2018}}</ref>
|- 
| colspan=2|17
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|'''39'''
| colspan=2|10
| colspan=2|0
| align =" center"rowspan=3|<ref name=comp/>
|-
|2000
|colspan=2|20
|colspan=2|0
|colspan=2|'''34'''
|colspan=2|12
|colspan=2|0
|-
|rowspan=2|2001
|colspan=2|20
|colspan=2|0
|colspan=2|'''34'''
|colspan=2|12
|colspan=2|0
|-
| colspan=2|20
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|'''33'''
| colspan=2|12
| colspan=2|{{abbr|1|1 {{party shortname|Independent (politician)}}}}
| align="center" rowspan=2|<ref name=resign>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/7423966.second-councillor-quits/ | title=Second councillor quits| date=12 February 2002| publisher=Wirral Globe|access-date=26 December 2018}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan=2|2002
| colspan=2|20
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|'''32'''
| colspan=2|12
| colspan=2|{{abbr|2|2 {{party shortname|Independent (politician)}}}}
|-
| colspan=2|20
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|'''31'''
| colspan=2|14
| colspan=2|{{abbr|1|1 {{party shortname|Independent (politician)}}}}
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|title=Local Election - 02 May 2002|url=https://ww3.wirral.gov.uk/members/election.asp?date=20020502|publisher=[[Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council]]|access-date=27 July 2018}}</ref>
|-
|2003
| colspan=2|23
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|'''26'''
| colspan=2|16
| colspan=2|{{abbr|1|1 {{party shortname|Wirral Independent Network}}}}
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|title=Local Election - 01 May 2003|url=https://ww3.wirral.gov.uk/members/election.asp?date=20030501|publisher=[[Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council]]|access-date=27 July 2018}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan=2|2004
| colspan=2|21
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|'''26'''
| colspan=2|19
| colspan=2|0
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|title=Local Election - 10 June 2004|url=https://ww3.wirral.gov.uk/members/election.asp?date=20040610|publisher=[[Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council]]|access-date=27 July 2018}}</ref>
|-
| colspan=2|20
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|'''26'''
| colspan=2|19
| colspan=2|{{abbr|1|1 {{party shortname|Independent (politician)}}, later {{party shortname|UKIP}}}}
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/7419414._No_respect_for_mayor_/ | title=No respect for mayor | publisher=Wirral Globe}}</ref>
|-
|2005
| colspan=2|21
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|'''26'''
| colspan=2|18
| colspan=2|{{abbr|1|1 {{party shortname|Independent (politician)}}, later {{party shortname|UKIP}}}}
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/7418392.Why_I_jumped_ship_to_join_the_Tories/ | title=Why I jumped ship to join the Tories | publisher=Wirral Globe}}</ref>
|-
|2006
| colspan=2|21
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|'''26'''
| colspan=2|19
| colspan=2|0
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|title=Local Election - 4 May 2006|url=https://ww3.wirral.gov.uk/members/election.asp?date=20060504|publisher=[[Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council]]|access-date=27 July 2018}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan=3|2007
| colspan=2|21
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|'''25'''
| colspan=2|20
| colspan=2|0
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|title=Local Election - 03 May 2007|url=https://ww3.wirral.gov.uk/members/election.asp?date=20070503|publisher=[[Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council]]|access-date=27 July 2018}}</ref>
|-
| colspan=2|21
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|'''25'''
| colspan=2|19
| colspan=2|{{abbr|1|1 {{party shortname|Independent Liberal Democrat}}}}
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/1482046.councillors-also-have-a-third-duty/ | title=Councillors also have a 'third duty'}}</ref>
|-
| colspan=2|20
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|'''25'''
| colspan=2|29
| colspan=2|{{abbr|2|1 {{party shortname|Independent Liberal Democrat}};1 {{party shortname|Independent Conservative}}}}
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/1518279.Another_one_bites_the_dust/ | title=Another one bites the dust | publisher=Wirral Globe}}</ref>
|-
|2008
| colspan=2|'''24'''
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|21
| colspan=2|20
| colspan=2|{{abbr|1|1 {{party shortname|Independent Conservative}}}}
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|title=Election Result for 1 May 2008 2002|url=https://ww3.wirral.gov.uk/election/results/2008-05-01/|publisher=[[Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council]]|access-date=27 July 2018}}</ref>
|-
|2009
| colspan=2|'''25'''
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|20
| colspan=2|20
| colspan=2|{{abbr|1|1 {{party shortname|Independent Conservative}}}}
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/4377997.BREAKING_NEWS___Labour_councillor_Denis_Knowles_quits_and_joins_Tories_at_Wallasey_Town_Hall/  | title=BREAKING NEWS: Labour councillor Denis Knowles quits and joins Tories at Wallasey Town Hall| publisher=Wirral Globe}}</ref>
|-
|2010
| colspan=2|'''27'''
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|24
| colspan=2|15
| colspan=2|0
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|title=Election Result for 6 May 2010|url=https://ww3.wirral.gov.uk/election/results/2010-05-06/|publisher=[[Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council]]|access-date=27 July 2018}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan=2|2011
| colspan=2|27
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|'''29'''
| colspan=2|10
| colspan=2|0
| align="center" |<ref>{{cite web|title=Election Result for 5 May 2011|url=https://ww3.wirral.gov.uk/election/results/2011-05-05/|publisher=[[Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council]]|access-date=27 July 2018}}</ref>
|-
| colspan=2|27
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|'''30'''
| colspan=2|9
| colspan=2|0
| align="center" |<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-13416607| title=Wirral Lib Dem Steve Niblock defects to Labour Party| publisher=[[BBC News]]}}</ref>
|-
|2012
| colspan=2|22
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|'''37'''
| colspan=2|7
| colspan=2|0
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|title=Election Result for 3 May 2012|url=https://ww3.wirral.gov.uk/election/results/2012-05-03/|publisher=[[Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council]]|access-date=27 July 2018}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan=3|2013
| colspan=2|23
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|'''36'''
| colspan=2|7
| colspan=2|0
| align="center" |<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/10171043.Conservative_victory_in_Wirral_by_elections/ | title=Conservative victory in Wirral by-elections| publisher=Wirral Globe}}</ref>
|-
| colspan=2|22
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|'''37'''
| colspan=2|7
| colspan=2|0
| align="center" |<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/10260970.UPDATED__Labour_victory_in_Wirral_Council_by_election/ | title=UPDATED: Labour victory in Wirral Council by-election| publisher=Wirral Globe}}</ref> 
|-
| colspan=2|22
| colspan=2|0
| colspan=2|'''37'''
| colspan=2|6
| colspan=2|{{abbr|1|1 {{party shortname|Independent (politician)}}}}
| align="center" |<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/wirral-councillor-mark-johnson-quits-3572151.amp | title=Wirral councillor Mark Johnson quits Liberal Democrat Party| publisher=[[Liverpool Echo]]}}</ref>
|-
|2014
| colspan=2|21
| colspan=2|1
| colspan=2|'''38'''
| colspan=2|6
| colspan=2|0
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|title=Election Result for 22 May 2014|url=https://ww3.wirral.gov.uk/election/results/2014-05-22/|publisher=[[Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council]]|access-date=27 July 2018}}</ref>
|-
|2015
| colspan=2|21
| colspan=2|1
| colspan=2|'''39'''
| colspan=2|5
| colspan=2|0
| align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|title=Election Result for 7 May 2015|url=http://www.wirral.gov.uk/el/results/2015-05-07/|publisher=[[Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council]]|access-date=27 July 2018}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan=2|2016
| colspan=2|21
| colspan=2|1
| colspan=2|'''38'''
| colspan=2|5
| colspan=2|{{abbr|1|1 {{party shortname|Independent (politician)}}}}
| align="center" |<ref>{{cite web|title=Seven things to talk about after the Wirral local elections|date=6 May 2016 |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/seven-things-talk-after-wirral-11294215.amp|publisher=[[Liverpool Echo]]|access-date=27 July 2018}}</ref>
|-
|  colspan=2|21
|  colspan=2|1
|  colspan=2|'''39'''
|  colspan=2|5
|  colspan=2|0
| align="center" rowspan=2|<ref name=local>{{cite web|url=https://democracy.wirral.gov.uk/mgElectionResults.aspx?ID=2&V=0&RPID=506089514 | title=Election results by party, Local election - Thursday, 5 May 2016 | date=5 May 2016 | publisher=[[Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council]]}}</ref>
|-
|2017
|  colspan=2|21
|  colspan=2|1
|  colspan=2|'''39'''
|  colspan=2|5
|  colspan=2|0
|-
|rowspan=3|2018
|  colspan=2|21
|  colspan=2|1
|  colspan=2|'''39'''
|  colspan=2|5
|  colspan=2|0
|align="center"|<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/cewngre8686t | title=Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council Election 2018 Results| publisher=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> 
|-
| colspan=2|21
| colspan=2|1
| colspan=2|'''38'''
| colspan=2|5
| colspan=2|{{abbr|1|1 {{party shortname|Independent (politician)}}}}
|align="center"|<ref>{{cite web |url=http://labour-uncut.co.uk/2018/08/28/wirral-councillor-quits-party-blaming-hard-left-parasites/ | title=Wirral councillor quits party blaming hard left 'parasites'| publisher=Labour Uncut|access-date=29 August 2018}}</ref>
|-
|colspan=2|21
|colspan=2|1
|colspan=2|'''37'''
|colspan=2|5
|colspan=2|{{abbr|2|2 {{party shortname|Independent (politician)}}}}
|align="center"|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/senior-labour-politician-quits-party-15325015 | title=Senior Labour politician quits party after 40 years citing 'absolute aggression' of 'hard-left clique'| date=25 October 2018| publisher=[[Liverpool Echo]]|access-date=25 October 2018}}</ref>
|-
|2019
|colspan=2|22
|colspan=2|3
|colspan=2|'''32'''
|colspan=2|6
|colspan=2|3
|align="center"|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://democracy.wirral.gov.uk/mgElectionElectionAreaResults.aspx?EID=8&RPID=507106148 | title=Election results by wards| date=2 May 2019| publisher=Metropolitan Borough of Wirral|access-date=7 June 2019}}</ref>

|-
|2023
|colspan=2|17
|colspan=2|13
|colspan=2|'''30'''
|colspan=2|6
|colspan=2|0
|align="center"|<ref>{{cite web |title=Election results by party, 4 May 2023 |url=https://democracy.wirral.gov.uk/mgElectionResults.aspx?ID=15&RPID=15214304 |website=democracy.wirral.gov.uk |access-date=10 December 2024 |language=en-UK |date=4 May 2023}}</ref>
|}

== Members of Parliament ==
{{See also|List of Parliamentary constituencies on Merseyside}}

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! [[List of United Kingdom Parliament constituencies|Constituency]]
! [[List of MPs elected in the 2017 United Kingdom general election|Member of Parliament]]
! colspan="2" style="vertical-align:top;" | [[List of political parties in the United Kingdom|Political party]]
! Year first elected
! 
|-
| [[Wallasey (UK Parliament constituency)|Wallasey]]
| [[Angela Eagle]]
| style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}" |
| [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]]
| [[1992 United Kingdom general election|1992]]
| [[File:Official portrait of Ms Angela Eagle MP crop 2.jpg|80px]]
|-
| [[Birkenhead (UK Parliament constituency)|Birkenhead]]
| [[Alison McGovern]]
| style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}" |
| [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]]
| [[2010 United Kingdom general election|2010]]{{efn|First elected to Parliament as MP for Wirral South in 2010, this constituency was abolished in 2024 and McGovern stood and was elected MP for Birkenhead}}
| [[File:Official portrait of Alison McGovern MP crop 2.jpg|80px]]
|-
| [[Wirral West (UK Parliament constituency)|Wirral West]]
| [[Matthew Patrick (British politician)|Matthew Patrick]]
| style="color:inherit;background:{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}" |
| [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]]
| [[2024 United Kingdom general election|2024]]
| [[File:Matthew Patrick MP.jpg|80px]]
|}
{{notelist}}

==Places of interest==
Wirral Council maintains five designated [[Local Nature Reserve]]s: Bidston Moss, Dibbinsdale, [[Heswall Dales]], [[Hilbre Island]] and [[Thurstaston Common]].<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.wirral.gov.uk/my-services/leisure-and-culture/parks-beaches-and-countryside/parks-greenspaces-and-countryside/local-nature-reserves| title = Wirral Local Nature Reserves| publisher = Wirral council| access-date = 28 January 2011| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110212000928/http://www.wirral.gov.uk/my-services/leisure-and-culture/parks-beaches-and-countryside/parks-greenspaces-and-countryside/local-nature-reserves| archive-date = 12 February 2011| url-status = dead}}</ref> It also operates the Merseyside part of [[Wirral Country Park]], which was the first country park to be established in Britain.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wirral.gov.uk/leisure-parks-and-events/parks-beaches-and-countryside/wirral-country-park|title=Wirral Country Park|website=Wirral.gov.uk|access-date=11 November 2017}}</ref>

==Twin towns – sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in the United Kingdom}}

The Metropolitan Borough of Wirral is [[town twinning|twinned]] or has [[sister city]] relationships with:
*[[Lorient]], France<ref name="Archant twinning 3">{{cite web|url=http://www.completefrance.com/language-culture/twin-towns|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130705094933/http://www.completefrance.com/language-culture/twin-towns|title=British towns twinned with French towns|access-date=20 July 2013|archive-date=5 July 2013|work=Archant Community Media Ltd}}</ref>
*[[Gennevilliers]], France<ref name="Archant twinning 3"/>
*[[Midland, Texas]], United States
*[[Reno, Nevada]], United States<ref>{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Liam |title=Wirral and Reno twinned - but what have they got in common? |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/wirral-reno-twinned-what-common-10151262 |access-date=10 July 2022 |work=Liverpool Echo |date=28 September 2015 |language=en}}</ref>
*[[Sibiu, Romania|Sibiu]], Romania<ref>{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Liam |title=Wirral and Sibiu twinned- but what have they got in common?}}</ref>

==Freedom of the Borough==
The following people, military units, organisations and groups have received the [[Freedom of the City|Freedom of the Borough]] of Wirral.<ref>{{cite web |title=Civic recognition and awards |url=https://www.wirral.gov.uk/about-council/civic-recognition-and-awards |website=Metropolitan Borough of Wirral |access-date=10 February 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

{{Incomplete list|date=February 2022}}

===Individuals===
* [[Lieutenant commander|Lieutenant Commander]] [[Ian Edward Fraser]]: 1993
* Joseph Lynch: 1996
* [[Ray Holmes|Raymond Holmes]]: 2005
* Reverend [[David Urquhart (bishop)|David Urquhart]]: 2006
* [[Michael Chan, Baron Chan]]: 2006
* Stephen Maddox: 2010
* [[Constable|Police Constable]] David Phillips: 21 May 2016 (awarded posthumously)<ref>{{cite news |title=Killed PC Dave Phillips receives freedom of Wirral |work=BBC News |date=21 May 2016 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-merseyside-36347240 |access-date=10 February 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Frank Field, Baron Field of Birkenhead]]: 16 February 2022<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/terminally-ill-ex-mp-lord-26261637 |title=Terminally ill ex-MP Lord Frank Field awarded freedom of town he served for 40 years  |last=Riches |first=Chris |date=17 February 2022 |website=The Mirror |access-date=18 February 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/borough-honours-frank-field-freedom-23123002 |title=Borough honours Frank Field with Freedom of Wirral  |last=Morgan |first=George |date=16 February 2022 |website=The Liverpool Echo |access-date=18 February 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Lord Field: Veteran politician awarded Freedom of Wirral |work=BBC News |date=17 February 2022 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-merseyside-60401998 |access-date=17 February 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Paul O'Grady]]: 8 June 2023 (awarded posthumously)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/read-this/paul-ogrady-given-wirral-councils-freedom-of-the-borough-4173949 |title=Paul O'Grady: Comedian given freedom of the borough in posthumous honour from Wirral Council  |last=Millar |first=Will |date=8 June 2023 |website=The Edinburgh Evening News |access-date=30 June 2023 }}</ref>
* [[Glenda Jackson]]: 9 October 2023 (awarded posthumously)<ref>{{cite web |title=Glenda Jackson posthumously awarded freedom of Wirral |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-merseyside-67063802 |website=BBC News Liverpool |date=10 October 2023 |access-date=17 October 2023 |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Patricia Routledge|Dame Patricia Routledge]]: 17 January 2025<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/24868830.dame-patricia-routledge-receives-wirrals-highest-honour/ |title=Dame Patricia Routledge receives Wirral's highest honour  |last=McGrath |first=Rebecca |date=20 January 2025 |website=The Wirral Globe |access-date=20 January 2025 }}</ref>

===Military units===
* The [[Cheshire Regiment]]: 1996
* The [[Royal Marines]]: 1998
* 1st Battalion The [[Mercian Regiment]]: 2009
* [[156 Regiment RLC|234 (Wirral) Transport Squadron]], [[Royal Logistic Corps|RLC]] [[Army Reserve (United Kingdom)|(Volunteers)]]: 18 February 2012
* [[Royal Engineers|107 (Lancashire and Cheshire) Field Squadron]] [[Army Reserve (United Kingdom)|(Volunteers)]]: 18 February 2012<ref>{{cite web|url=http://democracy.wirral.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?AIId=16069|title=Decision – Freedom of Entry|date=2 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://democracy.wirral.gov.uk/documents/s50001783/Freedom%20of%20Entry%20Report.pdf|title=Consideration form |date=2 February 2012 |website=democracy.wirral.gov.uk |access-date=2020-12-07}}</ref>
* {{HMS|Astute|S119|6}}, [[Royal Navy|RN]]: 6 July 2015
* [[Sea Cadet Corps (United Kingdom)|Wallasey Sea Cadet Corps]]: 6 July 2015
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2015/september/23/150923-hms-astute-freedom-of-wirral|title=Submariners proudly parade as HMS Astute receives Freedom of Wirral – Royal Navy|website=royalnavy.mod.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/12976594.HMS_Astute_and_Wallasey_Sea_Cadets_to_be_offered_freedom_of_the_borough/|title=UPDATED: Councillors vote in favour of granting HMS Astute and Wallasey Sea Cadets freedom of the borough|website=Wirral Globe|date=6 July 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wirral.gov.uk/about-council/civic-recognition-and-awards|title=Civic recognition and awards – www.wirral.gov.uk|publisher=Government of the United Kingdom}}</ref>

===Organisations and groups===
* The [[Hillsborough disaster|96 people killed at the Hillsborough disaster]]: 15 September 2017<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/hillsborough-96-awarded-freedom-wirral-13293199 |title=Hillsborough 96 to be awarded freedom of Wirral in tribute to victims and campaigners  |last=Thomas |first=Joe |date=15 September 2017 |website=The Liverpool Echo |publisher= |access-date=10 February 2022 |quote=}}</ref>
* Andrew Devine (97th Hillsborough Victim): 21 March 2021<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wirralglobe.co.uk/news/19987792.freedom-wirral-97th-victim-hillsborough-disaster/ |title=Freedom of Wirral for 97th victim of Hillsborough Disaster  |last=Manning |first=Craig |date=11 March 2022 |website=The Wirral Globe |publisher= |access-date=11 March 2022 |quote=}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Geographic Location
|title = '''Neighbouring ceremonial/preserved counties and principal areas'''
|Centre    = Wirral
|North     = ''[[Irish Sea]]''
|Northeast = '''[[Merseyside]]'''<br />[[Sefton, Merseyside|Sefton]]<br />''Irish Sea''
|East      = '''Merseyside'''<br />[[Liverpool]]<br />''[[River Mersey]]''
|Southeast = '''[[Cheshire]]'''<br />[[Cheshire West and Chester]]
|South     = '''Cheshire'''<br />Cheshire West and Chester
|Southwest = '''[[Clwyd]]'''<br />[[Flintshire]]<br />''[[River Dee, Wales|River Dee]]''
|West      = '''Clwyd'''<br />[[Flintshire]]<br />''River Dee''
|Northwest = ''Irish Sea''
}}

{{Merseyside}}
{{NW England}}
{{Metropolitan districts of England}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wirral, Metropolitan Borough Of}}
[[Category:Metropolitan Borough of Wirral| ]]
[[Category:Metropolitan boroughs of Merseyside]]
[[Category:Liverpool City Region]]
[[Category:NUTS 3 statistical regions of the United Kingdom]]