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

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Ian Lewis

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.

Councillor Jean Robinson disclosed a personal interest in respect to her position on Wirral Growth Company in respect of agenda item 48 Budget Setting 23/24. She indicated that she would remain in the chamber during the discussion and voting of the agenda item

To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Economy, Regeneration and Development Committee held on 7 December 2022, attached.

Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 7 December 2022 be approved as a correct record

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

No questions, statements or petitions from the public or Councillors had been received.

Notice of question to be given in writing or by email by 12 noon, Monday 23 January 2023 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.

Statements

Notice of representations to be given in writing or by email by 12 noon, Monday, 23 January 2023 to the Council’s Monitoring Office (committeeservices@wirral.gov.uk) and to be dealt with in accordance with Standing Order 11.1.

Petitions

Petitions may be presented to the Committee if provided to Democratic and Member Services no later than 10 working days before the meeting, at the discretion of the Chair. The person presenting the petition will be allowed to address the meeting briefly (not exceeding three 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. If a petition contains more than 5,000 signatures, it will be debated at a subsequent meeting of Council for up to 15 minutes, at the discretion of the Mayor. Please telephone the Committee Services Officer if you have not received an acknowledgement of your statement/petition by the deadline for submission.

The Head of Regeneration Delivery presented the report of the Director of Regeneration and Place.

This report sought members’ approval to authorise the Director of Regeneration and Place to utilise the Procure Partnerships Framework to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced main contractor to develop the design and carry out the construction works in relation to two major schemes. These were the highways, public realm and active travel schemes across the Birkenhead Waterfront Programme and in Birkenhead Town Centre via the Conway Street / Europa Boulevard and Grange Road / Charing Cross / Grange Road West Movement Projects.

The project’s aim was to create an environment that is safe and attractive for both pedestrians and cyclists in order to support modal shift and address the environment and climate emergency. These infrastructure improvements would be a critical pump priming element to the ongoing regeneration plans for Birkenhead and contribute significantly to creating a platform for further investment.

Members queried the Procure Partnerships scoring in regards to social and environmental considerations and if consideration was given to local suppliers. The Head of Regeneration Delivery responded to confirm that there is a standard weighting in the procurement process  of 10% in respect of  social value waiting as well as consideration of environmental credentials. Members were also informed that the Council put emphasis on ‘meet the supplier’ days with a focus on employment and educations days. The Head of Regeneration Delivery  agreed to circulate to members the relevant criteria.

Resolved - that Director of Regeneration and Place be authorised to

(1) commence a procurement exercise by way of a mini tendering process via the Procure Partnerships Framework for the appointment of a main contractor to develop the design and carry out the construction works in relation to the highways, public realm and active travel schemes across the Birkenhead Waterfront Programme and in Birkenhead Town Centre via the Conway Street / Europa Boulevard and Grange Road / Charing Cross / Grange Road West Movement Projects; and

(2) appoint of a main contractor under a pre-construction services agreement following completion of a tender submission.

The Director of Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee introduced the report which enabled the Committee to consider feedback and outcomes from the Budget Workshops which had been held in recent months to facilitate discussion on the proposed budget options. The report also provided an update on the 2023/24 budget setting process with details on the most recent budget options, which were developed in response to the previously outlined budget position.

Members queried the Merseytravel Levy and asked if any representation was being made by the Council to the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) regarding reduced train services. Officers assured Members that the budget setting process or the Merseytravel Levy was undertaken by the LCRCA and that representation was made by all 5 constituent Local Authorities.

Resolved – That

(1)  the Budget Workshop feedback and outcomes, as detailed appendices 2 and 3, be reported to Policy and Resources Committee for consideration.

(2)  the latest budget information provided to Policy and Resources Committee in January 2023 be noted.

The Lead Principal Lawyer introduced the report which reminded members that the Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee was responsible for proposing and delivering an annual committee work programme. This work programme was to align with the corporate priorities of the Council, in particular the delivery of the key decisions which were within the remit of the Committee.

Resolved - that the content of the Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee work programme for the remainder of the 2022/23 municipal year be noted

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.

Minutes:

Resolved – That, under section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business on the grounds it involves 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 the exempt appendix be noted.

The Head of Regeneration Delivery introduced the report.

Resolved – That the recommendations as detailed in the report be approved.

The Head of Regeneration Delivery introduced the report.

Resolved – That the recommendations as detailed in the report be approved.