The Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Finance provided an update on the latest position regarding the Community Fund, which was established as a consequence of the transfer of the bulk of the Council housing stock to Wirral Partnership Homes (WPH) in February 2005. The Fund was administered by WPH as was overseen by a Joint Working Group. The Director commented that the Fund could only be used for activities that complied with the Objects of WPH and he set out details of Council submissions for funding for the 2012/13 financial year, which included Housing Support Services (£400k per year); Private Sector Housing (£600k per year) and Vulnerable Families (Community Safety) (£500k per year). The Director commented also that the Community Asset Transfer Programme was continuing and whilst commitments may have been made by the original end date of 31 March 2012, the spend would not have been incurred. He therefore recommended that WPH be asked to extend the time period to 31 March 2014 to allow for completion of the programme.

Resolved –

(1)  That officers make the appropriate submissions to Wirral Partnership Homes (WPH) for funding from the Community Fund in respect of the items detailed in section 4.12 of the report now submitted.

(2)  That approval be sought from WPH to extend the use of the Community Asset Transfer funding allocation to 2013/2014.

(3)  That WPH be advised that the Council supports the continuation of the Your Wirral scheme for 2012/2013 at the previously agreed level of £250,000.