The purpose of this report is to seek approval for the amendment of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) Simplification Pathfinder Investment Plan, to include the Liscard Levelling Up Fund allocation, and to seek authority for the Director of Regeneration & Place to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding which includes the Liscard Levelling Up Fund allocation within its scope.

This report was intended to be taken to the Council’s Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee, with recommendations given to a subsequent Policy & Resources Committee. Due to the timetabling of the Council Committees, the next Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee is on 27 March 2024 and the following Policy & Resources Committee is on 12 June 2024.

To prevent delays to programme delivery, the Director of Regeneration & Place has consulted with the Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee Chair and Party Spokes prior to this Committee.

This proposal directly supports the ‘People Focused Regeneration’ theme in the Council Plan 2023-2027 and will help to deliver the following outcomes:

· More investment secured and created to deliver regeneration in Wirral;

· More jobs created and more people in good quality, sustainable work; and More quality, environmentally sustainable and affordable homes.

This is a key decision due to the value of the funding allocation exceeding £500,000. The report primarily impacts on the Liscard Ward.