The Deputy Chief Executive/ Director of Corporate Services reported upon proposals for the allocation of government grant of £6,332,389 to the Mersey Heartlands Partnership for the years 2009/10 (£2,466,176) and 2010/11 (£3,866,213 subject to Parliamentary approval).

The funding would be used to help deliver additional homes before 2016/17 and in Wirral it was focused on Wirral Waters and the surrounding Housing Market Renewal Initiative Area.  Direct housing provision was limited in the current economic climate and Wirral’s projects aimed to support new homebuyers in the HMRI area, strategic acquisitions and the planning of infrastructure to put in place the conditions for new development when the market improved.

Cabinet was asked to agree (i) the allocation of grant between Liverpool City Council and Wirral Council in the proportion 60:40, reflecting the relative population of the City and Wirral, and; (ii) an allocation of £150,000 revenue funding to Peel Holdings (a capital funding allocation of £150,000 is to be made by the City Council).

Cabinet was also asked to agree the prioritisation of projects set out in the Appendix to the report, recognising that re-prioritisation might occur.  These projects would also to be incorporated within relevant Council revenue or capital programmes.

Resolved –

(1)  That Cabinet agree the distribution of New Growth Point Grant allocation at a ratio of 60:40 between Liverpool City Council and Wirral Council respectively.

(2)  That Cabinet agrees an allocation of £150,000 revenue funding to Peel Holdings, £60,000 in year 2009/10 and £90,000 in year 2010/11 (the latter subject to CLG confirmation) and note that Liverpool City Council is to make an allocation of £150,000 capital funding from year 2009/10.

(3)  That Cabinet agrees the prioritisation of projects as set out in this report, subject to variation due to re-prioritisation within Liverpool or Wirral being delegated to the Steering Group and that re-prioritisation is reported to the next available meetings of the Executive Group and Wirral Cabinet.

(4)  That Cabinet agrees that Wirral projects will be incorporated within the relevant Council revenue or capital programmes.