Decision

The Assistant Director – Chief Regeneration Officer has approved the process for the recruitment, selection and appointment of the independent Chairs of the three Neighbourhood Boards for Central Birkenhead, Seacombe and Woodchurch, as set out in Appendix 1, as part of the Pride In Place programme launched by Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in September 2025.

Reasons for the decision

In launching the Pride in Place programme MHCLG has set out that places are encouraged to undertake a public competition to recruit to the role of independent Chair of each Neighbourhood Board in order to ensure transparency and accountability. The Chair is to be appointed by the local authority following consultation with the local MP.

The Council is to receive £450,000 capacity funding from MHCLG. This will be received in January 2026.This funding can be used to support the establishment of the Neighbourhood Boards, including recruitment of the Chair, and for local community engagement.

Alternative options considered

The alternative option is to do nothing. In this case an independent chair would not be appointed, the Neighbourhood Board would not be set up, and the funding offered through the Price in Place programme could not be drawn down and spent for the benefit of local communities. This option has been discounted.