Councillor George Davies introduced a report by the Strategic Director -Regeneration and Environment which sought the Cabinet’s approval for the use of £1.5 million of Council resources which had been approved by the Council at its meeting on 25 February 2014 (Minute No. 76 refers.) to bring forward an accelerated development programme of up to 100 new affordable homes in Wirral.

Councillor Phil Davies had included in his Budget Resolution to the Council that local authorities had a proud tradition of investing in physical assets which were essential to improving the quality of life for local residents.  He had informed that there would be challenging house building targets over the next five years.  He had also referred to the huge challenges in those disadvantaged areas of the Borough which lost out on new housing when the Government cut the Housing Market Renewal Programme.  The Council, therefore, intended to invest £1.5 million to kick-start a substantial programme of affordable housing to be targeted at areas with the highest levels of deprivation.  Councillor Phil Davies had requested that a report be presented to the Cabinet setting out how such a programme could be delivered. 

The Cabinet was informed that this initiative supported the Council’s vision in a number of ways.  New housing, in particular, the provision of affordable housing provided opportunities for residents to remain in the Borough in the type of housing that suited their needs.  The physical development of the new homes would help to stimulate economic growth as well as provide opportunities for the local labour force and new apprenticeships and training places, thereby “driving growth and aspiration”.

Councillor Phil Davies informed that he was delighted to see the report on the agenda and that it was about a very important project.  It illustrated the role the local authority could play in addressing the issues and it was vital to raise living standards in the disadvantaged areas of the Borough.  He was pleased to see that the proposal would have an impact on Church Road which was in his own Ward and was delighted that it would deliver the new housing and have spin off benefits.

RESOLVED: That

(1)  the framework for the use of the £1.5m allocated to stimulate affordable housing building in Wirral and supporting the local economy be approved; and

(2)  the Cabinet Portfolio Holder be granted delegated authority to approve the use of funding on an individual scheme by scheme basis and report the outcome retrospectively and progress being made to future Cabinet meetings.