A report by the Interim Director of Corporate Services set out the Governments New Homes Bonus Scheme, Wirral Council’s New Homes Bonus Allocation for 2011-2012 and sought Members approval for the use of the allocation as set out in the report.  The New Home Bonus had been reported to the Cabinet at its meeting on 2 June 2011 (Minute No. 11 refers.) as part of the Government Grants 2011/12 report.  The new Homes Bonus was a general grant and the Council was able to determine what it was used for, therefore, the proposal set out in the report was for the reward grant to be used to support bringing empty properties back into use and delivering new supply which was in line with the Council’s Corporate Priorities.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)  the use of the New Homes Bonus Allocation 2011-2012 to support bringing empty homes back into use and the delivering of new supply as set out within the report be approved; and

(2)  the capital receipt generated from the sale of the properties sold through the HOUSED programme, estimated to be in the region of £0.5m, be used as match funding for the bid for Housing Market Renewal Transition Fund.