The Chair welcomed Members of the Housing Committee, Officers and viewing members of the public to the online meeting.

The Chair announced that apologies had been received from Councillor Michael Sullivan, and Councillor Moira McLaughlin was deputising for him.

Members are asked to consider whether they have any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or any other relevant interest in connection with any item(s) on this agenda and, if so, to declare them and state the nature of the interest.

Members of the Committee were asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests, in connection with any item on the agenda, and to state the nature of the interest.

No such declarations were made.

To approve the accuracy of the minutes of the meeting held on 28 October 2020.

Resolved – That the accuracy of the minutes of the meeting of the Housing Committee held on 28 October 2020 be approved and adopted as a correct record.

The Chair reported that no questions or statements from members of the public had been submitted.

Sally Shah, Chief Regeneration Officer, introduced a report which updated Members on the progress made on bringing forward brownfield land for residential development at Wirral Waters, Northbank site with the support of Housing Infrastructure Funding grant from Homes England.

The report also provided an update on the forthcoming Strategic Housing Infrastructure Fund announced by Government in March 2020. It set out actions being taken to ensure that the Council, working with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, is well placed to secure potential Strategic Housing Infrastructure Fund funding once the details of the funding are confirmed.

Resolved – That the progress to date in delivering the Housing Infrastructure Funded activity at the Wirral Waters, Northbank site in order to bring forward the agreed number of homes be noted. That it also be noted that this supports the delivery of the Wirral Plan 2025 strategic ambitions, specifically with regard to driving forward the ‘Inclusive Economy’ theme, which seeks to generate inclusive and sustainable growth.

In addition, the opportunities for future Strategic Housing Infrastructure grant and the actions being taken to secure this funding in support of wider housing delivery targets be noted.

Members gave consideration to a report of the Director of Law and Governance that set out the proposed Housing Committee Work Programme 2020/21 as detailed in the appendix to the report.

The report advised that the Housing Committee, in co-operation with the other Policy and Service Committees, was responsible for proposing and delivering an annual committee work programme. This work programme should align with the corporate priorities of the Council, in particular the delivery of the key decisions which were within the remit of the Committee.

It was envisaged that the work programme be formed from a combination of key decisions, standing items and requested officer reports. The report provided the Committee with an opportunity to plan and regularly review its work across the municipal year.

Resolved – That the Housing Committee Work Programme for the remainder of the 2020/21 municipal year be noted.