Issue - meetings

MILTON PAVEMENTS BUSINESS CASE (Call Over 29/8/19)

Meeting: 04/11/2019 - Cabinet (Item 50)

50 MILTON PAVEMENTS BUSINESS CASE pdf icon PDF 121 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Pat Hackett introduced a report which sought approval of a strategic acquisition of property by the Council (referred to in the report as “Milton Pavements”) in the heart of Birkenhead town centre.  The report also sought approval to the incorporation of this site into the Wirral Growth Company Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) Option Agreement on appropriate terms at an appropriate time.  The Cabinet was informed that acquiring and assembling this land would contribute significantly towards town centre regeneration aspirations.

 

Additionally, the report also sought approval for a key, Council owned, neighbouring site, Birkenhead Market building, to be transferred into the Wirral Growth Company Option Agreement on appropriate terms and subject to the approval of the LLP.  The Cabinet was requested to give its approval for the site referred to as ‘Allport Lane – Bromborough’ to be removed from the Wirral Growth Company Option Agreement in line with the Board decision of the LLP.

 

The regeneration of the town centre was a long-standing priority for the Council and was reflected in The Wirral Plan: A 2020 Vision.  This Plan had set out the vision for the borough and had economic growth at its heart to ensure residents would be able to access good, high paying jobs in a stable and thriving economy.  The Plan had identified 20 key pledges that the Council, and its partner agencies, must deliver and the proposals in the report directly supported the following pledges:

 

·  Increase inward investment;

·  Greater job opportunities; and

·  Thriving small businesses.

 

The matter affected all Wards within the Borough and was a key decision. 

 

Appended to the report were:

 

Appendix 3 – Redline boundary for ‘Milton Pavements’.

Appendix 4 – Redline boundary for ‘Birkenhead Market’.

Appendix 5 – Redline boundary for ‘Allport Lane Car Park, Bromborough.

 

However, Appendix 1 – Acquisition Full Business Case and Appendix 2 – Acquisition Heads of Terms were exempt by virtue of Paragraph 3, part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and were included at Agenda Item No. 9 on the agenda.  (Minute No 55 refers.)

 

Councillor Hackett informed that given the well reported decline of the high street nationally and a challenging retail market, it was the responsibility of the Council, as long term stakeholder and investor, to take greater control of the area and ensure that future developments had a positive impact in terms of place making and broader regeneration.

 

The Council’s plans for economic growth were about creating community wealth.  They were about creating opportunities for local people, regenerating commercial areas and inspiring ambition. Prosperous communities were happier, healthier and better places to live.

 

This report set out the Council’s initial plans for the much-needed regeneration of Birkenhead’s commercial town centre and beyond.  It specifically focused on the Council’s vision and ambition to see Birkenhead, once again, become a thriving town with neighbourhoods of choice and a strong commercial heart, generating footfall and visitors alongside a revitalised retail and leisure provision with new streets and squares.

 

Councillor Hackett stated that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50