Having declared prejudicial interests, Councillors Tony Jones and Tom Usher left the room.

The Leader of the Council introduced a report which sought approval for the Wirral Growth Company Y1-3 Partnership Business Plan (PBP) and draft indicative Site Development Plans (SDPs) for initial priority sites.  In support of the PBP a full business case was also presented to seek approval for the Council to invest (through a forward funding annuity lease arrangement) in the first 2 office buildings (total 150,000 square foot) which formed part of Birkenhead town centre masterplan, referred to as ‘Birkenhead Commercial District’ (BCD).

The Leader stressed that it was an important milestone in Wirral’s regeneration journey, and would deliver benefits for the culture, environment and economy as well as benefitting Council finances. He thanked officers and other parties for their support and work.

The next steps would be the public outreach consultation and then planning applications.

Resolved - That:

(1)  the Wirral Growth Company Y1-3 Partnership Business Plan be approved, noting that it will be updated and reviewed on an annual basis.

(2)  the draft indicative Site Development Plans be approved for initial priority sites, which are; Moreton (Pasture Road), Moreton (Foxfield), Bromborough (Old Hall Road) and Birkenhead Town Centre, noting that these were indicative and final SDPs would be prepared and submitted for approval in line with the agreed site development process.

(3)  following approval of the PBP, it be noted that planning applications would be taken forward as appropriate for initial priority sites. No work on site (other than site investigations and enabling work) would take place until an approved final SDP was in place.

(4)  it be noted that the Birkenhead Commercial District ‘redline’ for town centre site development had been extended to include Birkenhead Market, recently acquired land (B&M stores) and land which the Council was in the process of acquiring (Milton Pavements). This was attached as Appendix 3 to the report.

(5)  the Birkenhead Commercial District Full Business Case be approved, specifically:

·  approves funding arrangements set out in the report (annuity lease) as the preferred funding route;

·  delegates authority to the S151 Officer, through the Wirral Growth Company, to appoint a commercial investment advisor to commence marketing of the investment opportunity; and

·  notes the use of forecast business rates income generated from the BCD phase 1 as a funding contribution to the project.