This report seeks approval to fund additional resourcing requirements that have been identified following a comprehensive review of regeneration projects and processes. The requirements are for a mix of internal fixed-term roles and externally procured disciplines over a period of 2 years.

Funding has been identified from Wirral Growth Company profits and where possible, capitalisation of costs. The Regeneration Programme is a core part of the Council Plan supporting Brownfield First and the Local Plan. The Council has been successful in securing over £150 million of funding for the regeneration of the borough. As a result, there is a need to prioritise delivery of numerous projects by March 2026 which requires additional skills and capacity.

The Birkenhead 2040 Framework details a comprehensive regeneration vision that will deliver 21,000 new homes and 6,000 new jobs in Birkenhead over the next 20 years and will transform Birkenhead and parts of Wallasey and New Ferry, building 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 requires 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 has 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 means that this matter more immediately affects 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