The report of the Director of Regeneration and Place stated that the Council had been successful in progressing to the final stage of the government Future High Streets Fund (FHSF) Programme for both Birkenhead and New Ferry. Officers were working on the development of Treasury Green Book compliant Full Business Cases, with a submission deadline of 30 April 2020. The report provided an overview of the development of the bids to date and recommended the Director for Regeneration and Place provided final sign-off in April 2020, therefore allowing Officers to maximise the bid writing timescale within the submission deadline.

Resolved – That,

·  the content of the report and the importance of Future High Streets Fund to the regeneration of Birkenhead and New Ferry town centres, be noted;

·  the Director of Regeneration and Place be authorised to provide final sign-off for the Future High Street Fund applications to the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government in respect of New Ferry and Birkenhead Town Centres, and

·  it be noted that should the Council be successful in securing Future High Streets Funds then a future report will be brought back to the appropriate Committee for approval in relation to the full terms and conditions of the grant funding agreement.

The Future High Street Fund can support the Council to access significant funding to regenerate and revitalise Birkenhead and New Ferry Town Centres.