The Assistant Director for Property and Regeneration Investment presented the report of the Director of Regeneration and Place. Members were informed that, the report sought approval to fund additional resourcing requirements that had been identified following a comprehensive review of regeneration projects and processes.

The requirement was for a mix of internal fixed-term roles and externally procured disciplines over a period of 2 years. Funding had been identified from Wirral Growth Company profits and where possible, capitalisation of costs. The Regeneration Programme was a core part of the Council Plan supporting Brownfield First and the Local Plan. The Council had been successful in securing over £150 million of funding for the regeneration of the borough. As a result, there was a need to prioritise delivery of numerous projects by March 2026 which required additional skills and capacity. The Birkenhead 2040 Framework detailed a comprehensive regeneration vision that would deliver 21,000 new homes and 6,000 new jobs in Birkenhead over the next 20 years and transform Birkenhead and parts of Wallasey and New Ferry.

This builds on Government funding support secured over the past 3 years to support infrastructure improvements and town centre intervention, creating new neighbourhoods, and driving economic growth. A Framework of this scale and the emerging Masterplans required a joined-up approach to a number of regeneration-based activities.

 As the Council moves into delivery it is imperative to have the appropriate resources in place to deliver this programme of work to March 2026, and beyond. By shifting to an Intelligent Client model (which refers to the capability and capacity to translate policy to outcomes), existing teams need to be strengthened and technical design teams, need to be procured where appropriate, to support the Council’s vision and delivery programme.

The Council Plan 2023-2027 had been developed and the recommendations within this report support the delivery of the following themes: People focused regeneration. The recommendations in this report focus on the Birkenhead 2040 Framework. This meant that the matter more immediately affected Birkenhead and Birkenhead & Tranmere, Bidston & St James, Seacombe and Liscard Wards, but in the longer term may potentially impact on other wards in the Borough.

Members discussed the complexity and pressures of regeneration and building projects, especially keeping to prescribed timescales and possible clawback of funding. Members were assured that the report contained a prioritisation matrix applied against projects based on investment confidence, legal commitment, strategic value, and delivery confidence. Members noted their appreciated that the report included regeneration in New Ferry and sought further assurance regarding funding arrangements and the use of Wirral Growth Company funding.

It was noted that the regeneration programme in Wirral was one of the largest in the Country and officers provided assurance that it was an attractive borough to work in.

Resolved – that

1. the Director of Finance be authorised to allocate Council reserves arising from Wirral Growth Company profits and/or Capitalisation totalling £2.7m for the use of additional Regeneration Delivery resources to March 2026.

2. the use and impact of the newly allocated additional resources (up to £2.7m) will be overseen by the Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee.