This report provides a project overview and detail of the terms of the Grant Funding Agreements received from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) in respect of funding to deliver a two-year test & trial maritime accelerator project titled: Port City Innovation Hub Development.

A report to Economic Regeneration & Development Committee on 4^th March 2021: http://democracy.wirral.gov.uk/mgIssueHistoryHome.aspx?IId=50038799&Opt=0

outlined the proposed project and authorisation was approved for the Director of Regeneration & Place, in consultation with the Director of Law & Governance and the Director of Resources, to accept the terms of the Grant Funding Agreements and to commence necessary procurement exercised to enable delivery.

Resolved – That

(1)  the Grant Funding Agreement from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government be accepted.

(2)  the terms of the Grant Funding Agreement from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority be accepted.

(3)  the Chief Regeneration Officer be authorised to proceed with the necessary procurements and partner Grant Funding Agreements required to progress delivery of the project in line with the funders guidance and as set out in the funding submission.

Delivery of a pre-test and trial Maritime Accelerator Project presents an ideal opportunity to pilot sector growth and innovation activity in advance of the scheduled launch of one of the Council’s key economic recovery projects, Maritime Knowledge Hub.

Successful delivery of the project will support new business growth and investment and reaffirm Wirral’s position as a hub for maritime innovation.

Director of Regeneration and Place has taken into account the risks to the Council set out in section 7 of this report. In particular the potential to repay a substantial proportion of the grants if for reasons beyond the reasonable control of the Council and the delivery partners the required outputs relating to the creation of jobs, and products are not achieved and the delivery partners are not able to compensate the Council for its resulting financial loss. Those risks can to some extent be mitigated but not entirely in these uncertain economic times. The Director of Regeneration and Place has consulted the Director of Resources.

The council could choose not to accept the grant offers. 

The Council has explored options to further limit the risk of liabilities incurred through acceptance of the Grant Funding Agreements by requesting the addition of a ‘reasonable endeavours’ clause in respect of output performance. Both MHCLG and LCRCA are unwilling to proceed on this basis.