Need to knowAn area of Merseyside with 12 Ofsted-rated outstanding schools, the dismissal of 14 Merseyside Police officers this year, and public reaction to changes in bin collection schedules are among the stories we have published today
Derek Cowley said if the council did move to collections every three weeks for green bins, an extra bin would help. Credit: LDRS(Image: Copyright Unknown)Here are five stories published by the Liverpool Echo you may have missed today.
1) ‘The rats, that’s what worries me. Three weeks seems like chaos’
The people of Wirral appear to be split on major changes that could be coming to their bin collections. To balance its budget from April 2026, Wirral Council has been looking at a number of options for cost-cutting. This includes a review of bin collections in light of government-mandated changes to include the recycling of more dry materials as well as food waste. A recent council report said: “This review will consider operational savings, environmental impact, and resident needs, supported by a comprehensive communications and engagement plan.” Food waste collections are being brought in across England and have to be provided from April 2026. The additional cost of this is expected to be £2.9m though the council has been supported with some extra government funding. READ HERE.
2) 14 police officers who let down community they were entrusted to serve
Every week the ECHO covers dozens of cases in the city’s criminal courts that have only got to that point due to the dedication of the region’s police officers. But while investigations that have put murderers, drug dealers, violent sex offenders and arsonists behind bars deserve to be praised, the ECHO also believes it’s important for open justice that Merseyside Police’s serving officers are held to the same standards that they enforce. Throughout the year the ECHO covers a number of misconduct hearings where officers have appeared before a senior officer such as the chief constable to face allegations that they have breached the standards of professional behaviour to the level of gross misconduct. READ HERE.
3) Merseyside area has 12 Ofsted outstanding schools
Twelve schools and colleges in Wirral are currently considered outstanding following inspections by Ofsted which saw them given the highest possible rating. Every year, Ofsted inspects schools across England looking at the quality of education, behaviour, the development of pupils, school leadership, and safe guarding. However the government watchdog recently changed the way it reports the findings of inspections with different areas graded on a new scale. READ HERE.
4) Mum and daughters’ ‘please don’t be mad’ plea as they give apology
A mum and daughter have said to their thousands of customers “please don’t be mad at us” as they issued an apology. Cornhill Coffee is located behind the Baltic Fleet pub in Liverpool city centre and boasts an army of loyal regulars who enjoy its coffee, croissant and cakes. The truck opened last summer after Prenton mum Julie Broom and her daughter Rosie Holt quit their jobs. However, Cornhill Coffee announced on Instagram that the truck would temporarily close for the whole of January. The business pledged to customers for their understanding, saying “please don’t be mad at us”, before revealing they would be open once again on Wednesday, February 4. READ HERE.
5) Full list of cruise ships confirmed for Liverpool in 2026
Liverpool has welcomed many spectacular ships through the years. From the iconic Cunard ships to magical Disney cruise liners, plenty of luxurious names have sailed across the Mersey and into Liverpool’s cruise terminal. Cunard’s Queen Anne is set to make her fourth visit to the city in 2026. The luxury liner previously came to the city in August 2025 as part of Liverpool’s commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of VJ Day. Queen Anne led all vessels on the River Mersey in sounding their whistles to mark the end of a two-minute silence being observed. READ HERE.
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