The Chair opened the meeting and reminded everyone that the meeting was being webcast and a copy would be retained on the Council’s website for two years.

Councillor Helen Raymond sent her apologies. Councillor Stuart Kelly substituted.

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 were asked to consider whether they had any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or any other relevant interest in connection with any items on this agenda and, if so, to declare them and state the nature of the interest.

No such declarations were made.

To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee held on 22 January 2024, attached.

Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 22 January 2024 be approved as a correct record.

Notice of question to be given in writing or by email by 12 noon, 22 March 2024 to the Council’s Monitoring Officer via this link: Public Question Form and to be dealt with in accordance with Standing Order 10.

For more information on how your personal information will be used, please see this link: Document Data Protection Protocol for Public Speakers at Committees | Wirral Council

Please telephone the Committee Services Officer if you have not received an acknowledgement of your question by the deadline for submission.

David Byrne was not in attendance and the Lead Principal Lawyer read his question on his behalf, He asked for details of the number of traders and the footfall of customers at Birkenhead Market.

The Chair responded that at the time of the meeting, there were 34 traders operating in the market, with a further 2 traders joining the market shortly. He also noted that there had been approximately 250,000 footfall events in the market for 2024 up to the meeting on 27 March 2024. There had been a total of 1.1 million footfall events for 2023.

Mr Joe Orr asked a question relating to the current area rented by stallholders at Birkenhead Market of 17,006 square feet and the proposed site at Princes Pavement having a much smaller retail space of 2163 square feet. He wished to know how there would be space to hold the current traders in the new site.

The Chair responded that the report on Birkenhead Market noted that the Princes Pavement option had a total of 11,528 square feet at the front of house, with 2163 allocated specifically to retail. He noted that it was suggested that smaller stalls would be used within the new site and that further consultation work was to be carried out with the public and market traders before a final design was settled on.

Mr Orr had a supplementary question, asking whether a final decision should be made before any consultation was made with traders.

The Chair responded Mr Orr would receive a written response within 10 working days.

Mr Terry O’Reilly asked whether the Chair felt it was fair or reasonable to expect traders to read a 144-page report, such as the Birkenhead Market Options report, within 2 days in order to be able to submit their questions to the committee.

The Chair responded that the level of detail within the report was necessary and that traders were aware of when the report would be brought to committee that a significant amount of work had been undertaken. Overall, it was preferable to present the committee with as much information as possible.

Mr O’Reilly had a supplementary question, he stated that a report on Birkenhead Market from October 2023 had been withheld from Councillors and asked why.

The Chair noted that this was not related to Mr O’Reilly’s original question, and was not therefore a supplementary question, however he stated that a written response would be provided for Mr O’Reilly within 10 working days.

Mr Mike Eccles stated that the Birkenhead Market Options report did not identify how the Council intended to work with its key stake holders going forward and asked the Chair to outline how market traders could trust council officers to communicate with them in future.

The Chair responded that the Birkenhead Market Options report was being brought to committee due to engagement between the Council and the Birkenhead Market Tenants Association (BMTA)and that their views were listened to. He noted that the Council had met  ...  view the full minutes text for item 71a

Notice of representations to be given in writing or by email by 12 noon, 22 March 2024  before meeting to the Council’s Monitoring Officer (committeeservices@wirral.gov.uk) and to be dealt with in accordance with Standing Order 11.1.

Petitions may be presented to the Committee. The person presenting the petition will be allowed to address the meeting briefly (not exceeding one minute) to outline the aims of the petition. The Chair will refer the matter to another appropriate body of the Council within whose terms of reference it falls without discussion, unless a relevant item appears elsewhere on the Agenda. Please give notice of petitions to committeeservices@wirral.gov.uk in advance of the meeting.

Mr Joe Orr presented a statement in respect of agenda item 10, Birkenhead Market Options. He stated that as Chair of the Birkenhead Market Tennants Association, he represented all of the market traders. He noted that the original announcement for a new market was for a state of the art new building and that traders now felt let down with the offer to re-house them in a site previously used as an Argos shop as it was not what was initially promised. He stated that the offered site was significantly smaller than what he felt was needed. He felt that communication from the Council had been poor and that information had been kept from the traders and Councillors. He felt that other viable options had been overlooked and asked the committee to consider delaying a decision on the future site of the Birkenhead market.

Mr Terry O’Reilly presented a statement in respect of agenda item 10, Birkenhead Market Options. He noted that as a representative of the Birkenhead Market Tenants Association, he spoke on behalf of all the traders there. He noted that many of the traders had contributed to the local economy for decades and felt sidelined by the proposed site of the market. He stated that traders felt betrayed by the decisions made to date relating to the market and felt that the full impact to the community’s heritage and economic diversity by the decision to move to the Princes Pavement site had not been fully considered. He asked the committee to reevaluate the proposed site for the Market. He also noted that Mick Whitley MP had echoed similar feelings in the press.

Mr Greg McTigue presented a statement in respect of agenda item 10, Birkenhead Market Options. He stated that he was Vice-Chair of the Birkenhead Market Tenants Association. He noted that the original announcement to re-house Birkenhead Market was to be a flagship development which was to kickstart the regeneration of Birkenhead. He stated that there had been a number of alternative proposals made since the original announcement, all at a significant cost, while he felt that the value of the offer had diminished with each new proposal. He felt that the Council did not see that many of the traders relied on their stalls for their livelihoods. He asked the committee to reconsider the proposals before them.

Questions by Members to be dealt with in accordance with Standing Orders 12.3 to 12.8.

The Chair noted that no such questions had been submitted.

The Assistant Director of Housing presented the report on behalf of the Director of Regeneration and Place. The report noted that in December 2023, a report was brought to the Committee on Selective Licensing Scheme (Scheme 4) in four Lower Super Output Areas (LSOAs) from 1st April 2024 until 31st March 2029. Paterson Street and Park Close were within one of these LSOAs, known as Birkenhead West (code E01007127 / Wirral 016B), however the whole of Paterson Street and the even numbered properties of Park Close were absent from the list of properties included in the report presented to Committee on 6th December 2023 and therefore were not included within the Scheme 4 area. As a result, there were a number of properties within the Scheme 4 Area which could not be subject to Selective Licensing requirements which would lead to an absence of Selective Licensing in part of the LSOA which had been identified through the evidence base previously presented to the Committee as a whole LSOA requiring a licensing scheme.

Due to the omission of Paterson Street and the even numbers of Park Close from the list of addresses presented to this Committee for inclusion in Scheme 4, a further decision by Committee was required to approve the application of Selective Licensing in these streets in a further Scheme (Scheme 4A) to ensure the designation applies under Section 80 of the Housing Act 2004.

The streets would be subject to a designation notice period to commence within 7 days of decision of Committee and would last for 3 months. The designation would commence immediately after this notice period ended and would end on 31 March 2029.

Resolved – That

1.  Delegated authority be granted to the Director of Regeneration and Place to take all necessary action to implement Selective Licensing Scheme 4A as set out in the report;

2.  Selective Licensing Scheme 4A shall run until 31st March 2029; and

3.  The selective licence fee shall be at the rate of £585.

The Assistant Director of Housing presented the report of the Director of Regeneration and Place. The report sought approval for the proposed revisions to both the Council’s Housing and Regeneration Assistance Policy (referred to as the Assistance Policy) and Policy on the test for meeting a fit and proper person and satisfactory management arrangements for the granting of a House in Multiple Occupation Licence and/or Selective Licence (referred to as the Fit and Proper Person Policy).

The report noted that the Council has had a Housing and Regeneration Assistance Policy providing a range of assistance, including grants and loans for over 20 years. As with any policy, it was considered best practice to review, monitor and update the policy considering changes in local circumstances, need, service demands and government policy and as such it was proposed the policy be updated to reflect the necessary changes identified within the report and ensure it was fit for purpose.

The report also noted that it was good practice to regularly monitor, review and amend (if necessary) both the Fit and Proper Person Policy to take into account changes in local circumstances, service delivery, increased needs and / or Government policy. The report set out the changes required to respond to those identified needs.

Members thanked the Assistant Director for the report. They queried the Fit and Proper Person Policy and what the criteria would be for revocation of a licence. Officers clarified that revocation would happen after an overall assessment of factors leading to it.

Members raised the Air Source Heat Pumps / Low Carbon Heating Systems Pilot and in particular the intention to provide 12 properties over the next 2 years with air source heat pumps. They asked how those properties were determined. Officers responded that it was not something that would be forced on anyone and would be done in consultation with potential owners and tenants of eligible properties. It was noted that any findings from this pilot scheme would be reported back to the Committee.

Resolved – That

1.  The proposed revisions to the Council’s Housing and Regeneration Assistance Policy as set out in Appendix 1 to the report be approved; and

2.  The Policy on tests for ‘fit and proper person’ and satisfactory management arrangements for a House in Multiple Occupation Licence and/or Selective Licence as set out in Appendix 2 to the report be approved.

The Assistant Director for Housing presented the report of the Director of Regeneration and Place. The report sought to inform members on the current picture regarding homelessness in the borough, and more specifically in relation to the rising number of households in Temporary Accommodation, Bed and Breakfast, and the financial pressures arising from this. The report also provided Members with an update on the progress made to respond to Homelessness in Wirral.

The increase in numbers of households in Temporary Accommodation was resulting in the need to review the existing service provision and had required the introduction of additional mitigating measures.

The report also informed Members of the initiatives taken to maintain the existing service provision, but also Wirral’s approach to reducing the need for Bed and Breakfast placements.

The report noted that In Wirral, the current homelessness situation was exacerbated by wider features of the national housing market and national policy context around housing. There was a national crisis in homelessness and rough sleeping that had seen a rise across the country with regard to homeless presentations and the use of temporary accommodation.

Members thanked the Assistant Director for a comprehensive report. The Chair raised the wording of recommendation three as referring to reports on Homelessness being “presented to future Committees…” and queried whether this implied that reports might be brought to committees other than the Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee, in particular, the Audit and Risk Management Committee. He stated that if this were the case, he would prefer the report to come before the Economy, Regeneration and Housing Report before any others.

The Lead Principal Lawyer stated that while this committee could not make decisions on the work programme of the Audit and Risk Management Committee, officers would discuss the Homelessness report with the Chair of the Audit and Risk Management Committee.

Officers further noted that the wording of recommendation 3 was intended to only refer to this committee and the following wording was suggested by the Lead Principal Lawyer to be included by the proposer of the recommendations to clarify the matter;

“3. Approve that a 6-monthly performance report on Homelessness to be presented to future meetings of the Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee as part of a wider Housing Services Update Report.”

Members queried whether there were details on the number of rough sleepers choosing not to engage with Council services. Officers stated that they would provide members with further information and that Outreach officers had a good handle on who is being offered help. Members requested further information on who in Wirral are most likely to become homeless, with a breakdown of age and demographics with a particular concern for the future of older people. Officers stated that this could be included in the next report to Committee.

Councillor mentioned the work done by the YMCA and noted that the work that they have done, as well as the work from Council officers was great,

On a motion by Councillor George Davies and seconded  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74.

The Principal Housing and Investment Officer presented the report on behalf of the Director of Regeneration and Place. The report was in response to a motion agreed at Council on 20^th March 2023 entitled “Greater Insulation Programme Needed for Wirral’s Housing” and also provided an update on a separated motion agreed by Council on 10^th October 2022 entitled “Energy Efficiency / Residential”.

Members discussed the responses to the Council Motions and stated that they were happy to see progress on the area but that quicker progress was needed. They noted that heating technology had moved on quickly in the past 4 years. Members queried the lines of communication between officers in Housing and Planning, particularly in relation to the planning requirements for cladding. Officers assured Members that communication was strong between the two departments.

Members queried who sat on the Residential Retro Fitting Task and Finish Group and were informed that there were members from Magenta Living housing association, Port Sunlight Village Trust, the Chair of the Wirral Private Landlords Forum, the Chief Executive of Projects Plus, the Retrofit Manager from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and the Principal Housing and Investment Officer from Wirral Council.

Members stated that they had reports from tenants of old, cold and mouldy properties and residents and landlords were struggling to access funding for improvements. Officers noted that funding was provided by national programmes but that Wirral officers were encouraging residents and landlords to take up any funding that’s on offer.

Resolved – That

1.  The asks of the Council Motions be noted; and

2.  The responses to the Motions as outlined in Section 3 of the report be approved.

The Assistant Director for Property and Regeneration presented the report of the Director of Regeneration and Place. The report noted that the current Birkenhead Market Hall was an aging building, operating inefficiently and the Council had been considering options to re-locate the market to an alternative market site for several years. The report noted that at a meeting of the Committee in December 2023, the Committee had agreed the recommendations of a report to progress the development of the design of the Princes Pavement option to RIBA Stage 3, appoint a market consultant to further develop the market operating model and then bring back the outcome of this work to the Committee for a decision. The report set out other options that had been considered in the past, discounting them for practical reasons. The Committee had also reviewed the capital cost of re-locating the existing market to a new purpose-built market hall on the site of the former House of Fraser Store (HOF). The capital cost of delivery for the HOF proposal was £31.6 million based on July 2023 figures and there was an emerging funding gap which could have a significant impact on the Council’s financial position. Furthermore, Policy and Resources Committee on 17 January 2024 resolved amongst other matters to reduce the capital budget for the new market project making the HOF proposal unaffordable. The report made recommendations regarding the feasibility of the House of Fraser options.

In recognition of recent engagement with Birkenhead Market Tenants Association, Committee also agreed that further feasibility work would be undertaken on two options, the St John’s Pavement option and a refurbishment of part of the existing Birkenhead Market site. The Committee also agreed to pause market development work on the House of Fraser site whilst this work was undertaken. Issues associated with the development of the HOF site for the purpose of a market were reported, including its financial viability.

The report considered by the Committee at this meeting reported back on those details.

Raymond Linch of Market North West Ltd, who had been employed as a market design consultant, attended the meeting and gave some personal background, noting that he had helped develop around 300 markets in the UK and had worked around markets for most of his life. He stated that looking ahead 10 to 20 years was important to how market design would be led. He noted that there was a smaller cohort of shoppers using markets currently and that it was important to try and increase appeal to a wider base of shoppers without alienating the current base. He summarised the findings of the report regarding the other potential sites for a market in Birkenhead and explained why they had been discounted in the recommendations due to size, logistics and money. He noted that the designs shown within the report were not final and that further consultation with traders would be made before a final design was agreed.

Members discussed the findings of the report, with some  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

The Head of Asset Management presented the report of the Director of Regeneration and Place. The report sought authorisation to further develop proposals for the development of a Maritime Knowledge Hub on the derelict Grade II listed hydraulic tower on Tower Road, Birkenhead.

The report noted that the site was the subject of a proposal that would generate some 56,000 sq. ft of accommodation to deliver a Maritime Knowledge Hub. It stated that bringing this building back into use was of significant value to the regeneration of the wider area. The development of the Maritime Knowledge Hub at this location presented a significant economic growth opportunity as it aimed to deliver approximately 58,756 sq ft of new commercial floorspace and generate additional business rates within the Wirral Waters Enterprise Zone from practical completion until 2037. The project had the potential to create up to 1,062 gross direct and indirect jobs, with 621 Full time equivalent (FTE) jobs following practical completion and 22 FTE jobs during the construction phases. These outputs were based on the original business plan of 2021 and needed to be reviewed; however significant change was not expected as the overall vision remained the same. Development of the building for other uses had previously been considered and ruled out. The landowner (Peel) had confirmed that the development of the Maritime Knowledge Hub was its priority, and it was not currently considering any other options.

Members noted that it was a difficult proposition, being a derelict, listed building in a unique position, they questioned whether designating it as a maritime hub restricted its likelihood of success as it would limit its use. Officers noted that a further business case would be brought back to committee before a decision was to be made.

Councillor Jo Bird asked the Head of Asset Management if he would consider other options to bring the listed building back into use that reduce financial risks to the Council, including a heritage solution, anchor tenants, increased rent headroom, asset acquisition, loan finance and special purpose vehicle in the event members endorsed the recommendation. The Head of Asset Management indicated that he would be prepared to consider these matters in the further developing the proposals.

Resolved – That the Director of Regeneration and Place be authorised to further develop the proposals for the development of a Maritime Knowledge Hub on the derelict Grade II listed hydraulic tower on Tower Road, Birkenhead within the parameters set out in sections 3.1 to 3.10 of the report with a view to bringing back a more detailed report to a future meeting of this Committee.

The Principal Housing and Investment Officer presented the report of the Director of Regeneration and Place. The report sought acknowledgement of Homes England’s Compliance Audit Report outcome. The audit was to ensure compliance with Homes England funding requirements for the 2021-26 Affordable Homes Programme. This related to a previous decision made by Housing Committee on 10th March 2021 to approve the purchase of six new Council homes in Rock Ferry. The Council was awarded grant from the above Homes England programme to support the development.

The report noted that Homes England required that the Council bring the outcome of this audit, any breaches, and recommendations to this committee’s attention within three calendar months of receipt of the report. The last date on which this could be done was 24th April 2024.

Resolved – That the outcome of the Homes England Compliance Report 2023/24 as outlined within the report be noted.

The Director of Regeneration and Place presented the report which set out the financial monitoring information for the Economy Regeneration & Housing Committee as at Quarter 3 (31 December) of 2023/24. The report provided Members with an overview of budget performance, including progress on the delivery of the 2023/24 saving programme and a summary of reserves and balances, to enable the Committee to take ownership of the budgets and provide robust challenge and scrutiny to Officers on the performance of those budgets.

The report noted that managing a budget required difficult decisions to ensure that a balanced position can be presented. Regular Member engagement, which the report formed part of, was considered essential in delivering effective governance and financial oversight.

At the end of Quarter 3, there was a forecast adverse position of £0.7m, with spend of £15.479m against the £14.779m budget.

Members noted that the Council had borrowed around £10 million to purchase the Grange and Pyramids shopping centres and asked when they would see the income and expenditure for this investment. Officers stated that there would be transparent reporting routes and that a report was being prepared on the income and expenditures of those sites, but that the committee it would be submitted to had not yet been decided but would likely be through the Policy and Resources Committee.

Resolved – That

1.  The adverse revenue forecast of £0.7m as at Quarter 3 be noted.

2.  The progress on delivery of the 2023-24 savings programme at Quarter 3 be noted.

3.  The level of reserves at Quarter 3 be noted.

4.  The capital programme of £49.556m for 2023-24 be noted.

The Lead Principal Lawyer presented the report on behalf of the Chair of the Committee. Members were informed that the work programme should align with the corporate priorities of the Council, in particular the delivery of the key decisions which are within the remit of the Committee.

Members raised some discrepancies with the name of officers listed against reports that had either left the authority or were due to shortly, as well as an item that was listed twice.

Resolved – That the Economy Regeneration and Housing Committee work programme for the remainder of the 2023/24 municipal year be agreed.

The following items contain exempt information.

RECOMMENDATION:  That, under section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined by paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A (as amended) to that Act. The Public Interest test has been applied and favours exclusion.

Resolved – That, under section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the following appendices be deemed to be exempt from publication on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined by paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A (as amended) to that Act.

Birkenhead Market Options - Exempt Appendix 3.

Maritime Knowledge Hub – Exempt Appendix 1.

Acknowledgement of Homes England Compliance Audit Report – Exempt Appendix 1.