A copy of the report to the September meeting is attached for information. The report will be updated verbally at the meeting with the latest available information.

The Director of Regeneration presented a report supplemented by a presentation to provide  Members with an update on the progress of the Housing Market Renewal Initiative in Wirral for the period April 2009 to December 2009.

 Of the total allocation to Newheartlands of £152 m for 2008/2011,  Wirral's share was £29.53m, which was matched by £10.7m Regeneration Capital Programme funding and some £60m invested by the private sector, Housing Corporation and Registered Social Landlords (RSL's).  The funding had allowed Wirral to continue its successful HMRI programme which, by the end of 2009 had enabled more than 1140 homes to be acquired, 825 homes cleared and a number of key strategic sites to be assembled. 963 homes had been renovated through the use of grant funding or via the Group Repair Scheme and the “Living Through Change” programme had helped residents to live through large scale change brought about by the HMRI programme. It had enabled the maintenance of neighbourhood stability, community safety and environmental standards in areas of acquisition and clearance.

The HMRI programme for 2008 - 2011 would complete the clearance programmes in Rock Ferry, Tranmere and Egremont and make a major positive difference to local communities, through the building of new homes on cleared sites. The main focus of the clearance programme for 2008-11 would be in North Birkenhead.

The Director gave a presentation detailing the funding allocations for the HMRI Programme for 2010/11, achievements to date and the progress by Area, the future of HMR and longer term challenges in terms of continuing to make the case for funding the various initiatives. 

The Director responded to questions from members relating to:

-  the use of Council House Building Challenge Funds as a mechanism to bring forward new development

-  development agreements and the development of the Construction Employment Integrator to facilitate the use of local labour and training opportunities on major building projects

-  job opportunities associated with Neptune Development scheme, New Brighton

-  development of the Private Landlord Accreditation Scheme

-  measures to improve the efficiency rating of new build housing

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

The Director of Regeneration reported upon the progress of the Housing Market Renewal Initiative in Wirral for the period April 2008 to March 2009.  Of the total allocation to Newheartlands of £152 m for 2008/2011,  Wirral's share was £29.53m, which was matched by £10.7m Regeneration Capital Programme funding and some £60m invested by the private sector, Housing Corporation and Registered Social Landlords (RSL's).  The funding had allowed Wirral to continue its successful HMRI programme which, by the end of 2008/2009 had enabled more than 1080 homes to be acquired, 800 homes cleared and a number of key strategic sites to be assembled. He also reported that 942 homes had been renovated through the use of grant funding or via the Group Repair Scheme and the “Living Through Change” programme had helped residents to live through large scale change brought about by the HMRI programme. It had enabled the maintenance of neighbourhood stability, community safety and environmental standards in areas of acquisition and clearance.

The Director reported that the HMRI programme for 2008 - 2011 would complete the clearance programmes in Rock Ferry, Tranmere and Egremont and make a major positive difference to local communities, through the building of new homes on cleared sites. The main focus of the clearance programme for 2008-11 would be in North Birkenhead.  He reported upon progress on each of the initiatives contained within the 2008/2011 programme, and provided details of target and actual funding used in the period April 2008 to March 2009.

Resolved – That the committee note the progress of the Housing Market Renewal Initiative in Wirral in the period April 2008 to Mar 2009.