Appendix 1 to follow. Information awaited from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

The Assistant Director: Chief Regeneration Officer presented the report of the Director of Regeneration and Place, which sought approval for the amendment of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) Simplification Pathfinder Investment Plan, and the inclusion of the Liscard Levelling Up Fund allocation.

The report also sought authority for the Director of Regeneration & Place to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding which includes the Liscard Levelling Up Fund allocation within its scope.

This report was intended to be taken to the Council’s Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee, with recommendations given to a subsequent Policy & Resources Committee. However, due to the timetabling of the Council Committees, and to prevent delays to programme delivery, the Director of Regeneration & Place had consulted with the Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee Chair and Party Spokespersons prior to this Committee.

Members noted their approval of the report and noted that the community attended the meetings on the project and looked forward to progress updates, especially around the Community Wealth Building implications. Members also sought clarity around the governance of the project. 

The Chair then moved the recommendations as set out in the report with some minor additions to recommendations 1 and 2, this was due to the fact that the final template document from DLUCH is still awaited.

On a motion by Councillor Paul Stuart, seconded by Councillor Jean Robinson it was,

Resolved – that,

1. the draft addendum to the Simplification Pathfinder Investment Plan included in Appendix 1 to this report be approved;

2. the Director of Regeneration and Place be authorised to submit the final addendum to the Simplification Pathfinder Investment Plan to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and enter into a Memorandum of Understanding which includes the Liscard Levelling Up Fund allocation within its scope, in consultation with the Director of Law and Corporate Services;

3. the renaming of the Birkenhead Wallasey and New Ferry Simplification Pathfinder Pilot Board to the Simplification Pathfinder Pilot Board be approved; and

4. the inclusion of the Liscard Levelling Up Fund programme within the Simplification Pathfinder Pilot Board’s remit be approved.