Decision details

Mersey Heartlands New Growth Point Funding bid - Growth Fund Programme of Development 2008/09 to 2010/11

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: For Determination

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

Development of approved Growth Point bid for Wirral.

Decisions:

In October 2007, Wirral Council, in partnership with Liverpool City Council and Peel Holdings, submitted a joint Growth Point bid, following an invitation from the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) (Cabinet 18th October 2007, Minute 312 refers).  The Government sought bids from areas outside the South East of England, which could bring forward a significant increase in new housebuilding in the period to 2016.  The joint bid was focused on the Wirral Waters project and the surrounding Housing Market Renewal Initiative area in Wirral and North Liverpool.  The Wirral Waters and Liverpool Waters projects were both included, although in Liverpool, a larger group of neighbourhoods, landowners and developers would be involved.

 

The joint bid was approved by CLG in July 2008.  An initial sum of £200,000 from a national Growth Fund pot of £3 million (2008/09) had been awarded to assist in preparing a full bid into the national fund of £97 million (2009/10 – 2010/11).  The Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Corporate Services presented a report which outlined the bid submitted by Wirral Council, Liverpool City Council and Peel Holdings for between £3 million and £6 million of the remaining £97 million Growth Fund.  Growth Fund was announced by Government in December 2007 to support the delivery of infrastructure in local areas subject to high rates of housing growth over the Comprehensive Spending Review period 2008 to 2011.

 

An operational group of Wirral, Liverpool officers and Peel representatives had been set up, overseen by a Steering Group of senior Council officers and a Director of Peel Holdings to prepare the Programme of Development and manage Growth Fund spending.  The senior steering group was to make recommendations to an Executive Board of two Wirral and two Liverpool Members.

 

Cabinet were asked to agree the submission of a Programme of Development for the joint Wirral Council, Liverpool City Council and Peel Holdings New Growth Point bid 2008/09 – 2010/11 and to nominate two Members to attend the Growth Point Executive Board.  Cabinet was also asked to endorse the use of the first tranche of Growth Fund for joint work on transport modelling and housing land availability assessment.  Finally, Cabinet was asked to agree that the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council, signs off the submission in conjunction with the Chief Executive of Liverpool City Council, in accordance with Department of Communities and Local Government requirements, in order that the Programme of Development can be submitted by 27th October 2008.

 

Resolved – That

 

(1)  the submission of a Programme of Development for the joint Wirral Council, Liverpool City Council and Peel Holdings New Growth Point bid be agreed;

 

(2)  the use of first tranche Growth Fund for joint commissioning with Liverpool City Council of transport modelling and a Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment for the Growth Point area be endorsed;

 

(3)  Council be recommended that the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council be nominated to attend the Growth Point Executive Board; and

 

(4)  the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader and Deputy Leader, be authorised to agree the final content of the Programme of Development and that the Chief Executive signs off its submission in conjunction with the Chief Executive of Liverpool City Council.

Publication date: 22/10/2008

Date of decision: 16/10/2008

Decided at meeting: 16/10/2008 - Cabinet

Effective from: 30/10/2008

Accompanying Documents: