Notice of question to be given in writing or by email by 12 noon, Friday 7March 2025, to the Council’s Monitoring Officer via this link: Public Question Form and to be dealt with in accordance with Standing Order 10. Questions must be no longer than 100 words in length.

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.

Anthony Wright submitted a question, which was read on out by the Lead Principal Lawyer on his behalf which asked:

“What is the cost to taxpayers and the projected time scale for the work on Birkenhead Market? As a local resident who visits frequently and witnesses the rapid decline of shops closing weekly or monthly, I question whether the cost and timeline justify the market’s ongoing decline.”

The Chair responded that Information on the cost to taxpayers was set out in the decision made by the ER&H committee on the 27^th March 2024.  The project used Grant Funding provided by central government.  The timeline for the completion of the physical works to the new market was early 2026.

John Heath asked the following question on behalf of the Wirral Green Space Alliance:

“In the light of the Council's current financial difficulties and its possible temptation to either encourage or allow by default, early Green Belt release to boost revenues, will the Committee assure us that the Council will continue both to make every effort to:

1. demonstrate it has a robust 5-Year Housing Supply, and also

2. pursue by all means at its disposal, its Urban Regeneration Strategy, as set out in the Local Plan, given this is the only foreseeable opportunity there will be to regenerate Birkenhead?”

The Chair responded that the Council fully intended to robustly maintain a 5-year housing supply of land to support the delivery of the Local Plan and was therein committed to delivering the regeneration of Birkenhead.  

Mr Heath asked a supplementary question which queried when the Council was going to deliver projects as planned, to cost and on time in order to build public confidence.

The Chair responded that an answer would be provided to Mr Heath in writing.

Rodd Tann asked the following question on behalf of the

Wirral Green Space Alliance:

“The Wirral Regeneration Partnership Board (WRPB) is set to meet on a quarterly basis. If its role is set to be a key part of a dynamic structure to approve bringing multiple projects, it seems this would slow rather than accelerate delivery.

What progress is being made in completing the WRPB Membership in accordance with its Terms of Reference, which makes provision for - a) a Voluntary Organisation representative, and b)...other members to be recruited, quote ToR...' to support the Board in areas of business, placemaking, inward investment & communications?”

The Chair responded that the Wirral Regeneration Partnership met in shadow form in March 2024, following this a thorough recruitment process was undertaken resulting in the appointment of a highly experienced regeneration professional.  There had now been three meetings of the Partnership the focus has been on the development of the Outline Business Case being presented to the Policy and Resource Committee next week at its meeting on 19^th March. The Partnership recognise the need to undertake further recruitment to compete its membership and will commence this process following consideration of this report next week. 

Whilst the Terms of Reference set out regularity of meetings being quarterly, this is a minimum and the partnership are committed to a dynamic approach to business, additional meetings will take place in response to business need. 

Mr Tann asked a supplementary question which asked whether is was essential for Wirral Council to follow Liverpool City Council’s lead in establishing a private sector led regeneration partnership and Urban Development Corporation to advise on how best to deliver the many regeneration opportunities set out in the Birkenhead 2024 document and to safeguard the greenbelt.

The Chair responded that an answer would be provided to Mr Tann in writing.