During the 2020/21 financial year Covid Outbreak Management Fund (COMF) funding has been utilised to increase the capacity of the community IPC Service. This additional funding included resourcing for additional posts to support care homes in improving infection prevention and control (IPC) standards and their response to outbreaks of COVID-19.

This enabled each care home to have a link IPC Project Nurse. Having a link IPC Project Nurse has enabled easy access to support via one key person. The IPC Project Nurses have enabled a robust communication channel between care homes and quickly developed strong relationships with each home allocated to them. They have provided face to face and virtual support dependent upon allocated levels within the improvement model which has been reviewed every 4 weeks and support tailored to meet each individual care home needs.

It is proposed that during the 2021/22 financial year additional COMF funding is used to continue this IPC support to care homes through investment in 3 WTE IPC Project Nurses and x1 WTE Project & Business Lead.

Resolved – That £220,740 of Covid Outbreak Management Funding be utilised from 01.04.21- 31.03.22 to provide enhanced infection prevention and control (IPC) support to care homes settings as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.

This report seeks approval for the publication of the Draft Birkenhead Regeneration Framework for consultation.  The Framework is a key evidence document which will inform the emerging Local Plan and sets out the most comprehensive land use proposals for Birkenhead since 1947.

Resolved – That the publication of the Draft Birkenhead Regeneration Framework main document, summary and accompanying appendices for public consultation between 24th March and 19th May 2021 (8 weeks) be approved.

Resolved – That,

(1)  the Director of Law and Governance, be authorised, in consultation with the Director of Resources, to enter into a grant agreement with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to secure up to £2,109,000 of funding to re-imburse the Council’s costs for the acquisition of 92 Grange Road Birkenhead; and

(2)  it be agreed that given that the funding offer is conditional on formal acceptance by 31 March 2021, this decision is urgent and not subject to call in.

Resolved – That,

(1)  the Director of Law and Governance be authorised, in consultation with the Director of Resources, to:

(a)  provide a letter of comfort to Edsential that financial support will be provided to the company over the forthcoming period, in the form of Covid related funding support and/or a commercial loan, to be offered in conjunction with Cheshire West & Chester Council and subject to approval by this Committee; and

(b)  consider such a request for assistance from Edsential to this Council, which shall only be granted subject to the approval of this Committee and which consideration should include assessment of the request (due diligence), revised business plan(s) and any conditions considered appropriate to be applied at the point of offer.

(2)  the Director of Law and Governance be authorised, in consultation with the Director of Children’s Services, to appoint a replacement officer as a director of Edsential.

Resolved – That,

(1)  the Director of Law and Governance, in consultation with the Director of Regeneration and Place, be authorised to negotiate the acquisition of six new social rented housing properties from Lovell Partnerships Ltd and to finalise all necessary associated legal documentation; and

(2)  the Director of Regeneration and Place be authorised to enter into negotiations with Lovell Partnerships Ltd to negotiate an enhanced energy efficiency specification which may include the installation of solar photovoltaics for such properties.

Approval of the Council Pay Policy statement for the year 2021 - 2022

Resolved  – That the Pay Policy Statement for the financial year 2021/22, be approved.