A report by the Interim Director of Corporate Services updated Members on the progress being made towards a new policy and guidance on environmental responsibility linked to support provided under the Council’s Private Sector Housing and Regeneration Assistance Policy (referred to as “the Assistance Policy”). The draft policy sought to encourage environmental responsibility amongst both beneficiaries of assistance and contractors implementing associated works.  Beneficiaries would be encouraged to participate in the CRed Wirral initiative, and contractors asked to demonstrate their commitment to environmental good practice.

Members were requested to agree the draft policy as detailed in the report and note that work would continue on the associated guidelines. Both the policy and the guidelines would be introduced following the next review of the Assistance Policy, due to take place early in 2011.

RESOLVED: That

(1)  a new policy on environmental responsibility in relation to the support provided through the Private Sector Housing and Regeneration Assistance Policy, as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report, be agreed;

(2)  supporting guidance for the Private Sector Housing and Regeneration Assistance Policy be approved in due course by delegated authority to the Cabinet Member for Housing; and

(3)  the full policy with amendments be presented to the Cabinet in early 2011.