In light of there being an appendix to Item 8 that included exempt information, the Committee confirmed that it could consider the item without discussing the content of the exempt appendix.

The Assistant Director for Parks and Environment introduced the report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services which sought the Committee’s approval for the acceptance of grant funding from the Environment Agency and award of a contract for the reinforcement of the toe of Wallasey Embankment to tackle erosion.

The Wirral Coastal Strategy had identified that ongoing erosion at the base of Wallasey Embankment required the intervention to prevent further erosion and reduce the risk of failure of the flood defence which protected large areas of Meols, Moreton and Leasowe from flooding from the sea. It was reported that an outline business case had been approved with grant funding secured, and a procurement exercise for the construction of the works had also been completed.

In response to several questions in relation to the Social Value Statement of the winning bidder for the contract, officers undertook to provide further information to members. It was confirmed that if agreed, construction work would commence in mid-July to be completed by the end of August 2022, and would not affect access to the promenade.

Resolved – That

(1)  the Environment Agency’s Grant in Aid Award of £1,358,000 be accepted.

(2)  a contract be awarded to Jones Bros Ruthin (Civil Engineering) Co Ltd with a value of £721,277.52 for the delivery of the Wallasey Embankment Toe Reinforcement Scheme.