Purpose

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

Decision

Resolved –
that
 
1. the Director of
Finance be authorised to allocate Council reserves arising from
Wirral Growth Company profits and/or Capitalisation totalling
£2.7m for the use of additional Regeneration Delivery
resources to March 2026.
 
2. the use and impact of the newly
allocated additional resources (up to £2.7m) will be overseen
by the Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee.