A report by the Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Services sought Cabinet’s approval to:

(1)  Wirral’s Housing Investment Programme for 2010-11, subject to the completion of a Deed of Variation between Newheartlands and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to secure Housing Market Renewal funding for 2010 -11;

(2)  Delegate authority for programme management and delivery and completion of the Deed of Variation to the Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Services and the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management;

(3)  Underwrite from HMRI funds, if required, Keepmoat Homes’ reasonable costs up to a maximum of £150,000 to enable the momentum of Housing Market Renewal new build in Birkenhead to continue in advance of securing legal agreement between the Council and Keepmoat Homes.

RESOLVED: That

(1)  following the recent announcement of a grant reduction for the National Housing Renewal Programme of £50m against a budget of £311m in the financial year 2010/11, and as it is not known how this grant reduction will be made and the implications that this may have on Wirral’s Housing Investment Programme in 2010/11, it is recommended that officers prepare a further report on this matter for consideration by Cabinet in July 2010.

(2)  authority for programme management and delivery and completion of the Deed of Variation be delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Services and the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management with future progress reports being presented to the Cabinet; and

(3)  Keepmoat Homes’ reasonable costs be underwritten, if required up to a maximum of £150,000 to enable the momentum of Housing Market Renewal new build in Birkenhead to continue in advance of securing legal agreement between the Council and Keepmoat Homes.