A report by the Director of Regeneration, Housing and Planning sought authorisation to proceed with the demolition of ten buildings in Belmont, Birkenhead acquired by the Council and updated Members on the overall progress of the Belmont area appraisal.

The action supported ongoing work to seek the longer term comprehensive regeneration of the Belmont area, in line with the Council’s Corporate Priorities.

Members were informed that Demolition would reduce both the Council’s liability of ongoing security and maintenance and exposure to risk through anti-social behaviour, vandalism and theft.  They noted that Demolition was not a statutory duty.

RESOLVED: That

(1)  the demolition of numbers 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18 and 20 Belmont, Birkenhead be approved;

(2)  officers be authorised to consider additional demolition of the remaining nine units should any further agreements to acquire houses be reached; and

(3)  the progress with the area appraisal be noted, pending a further report detailing a more comprehensive regeneration proposal for the Belmont area as a whole.