The Director of Regeneration submitted a report seeking approval for the appointment of the legal firm Hill Dickinson and cost consultants Tweeds, using HMRI funding to assist in securing a successful appointment of Keepmoat Homes as the Council’s preferred private developer for Housing Market Renewal in Birkenhead.

RESOLVED: That

(1)  the services of Hill Dickinson and Tweeds be retained to support the Council in concluding negotiations with Lovell and opening formal legal negotiations with Keepmoat Homes via a new contract in line with 5.2 of the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules. The new contract to be based on existing rates procured via competitive tendering and providing continuity in the Council’s dealings with private developers;

(2)  £50,000 from the HMRI Programme (Resources) for 2009/10 and 2010/11 approved by Cabinet 9th July 2008 (minute 121) be used to retain Hill Dickinson’s services and the previously agreed budget of £25,000 be used from the same HMRI Programme to retain Tweeds; and

(3)  the retention of Hill Dickinson and Tweeds be reviewed in 2011 when the future of housing market renewal funding beyond March 2011 becomes known.