The Policy and Resources Committee met to discuss the Central Birkenhead Programme, strategic asset disposals, and the procurement of property consultants. The committee recommended halting further work on the Birkenhead Market relocation to the former Argos site and requested a workshop to explore alternative options. Additionally, the committee agreed to declare the Heswall Day Centre and former public conveniences on Meols Parade as surplus to requirements.

Birkenhead Market Relocation

The committee recommended that no further steps be taken to relocate Birkenhead Market to the former Argos unit on Princes Pavement. This decision follows a recommendation from the Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee on 4 September 2025, which cited concerns that the proposed site was unsuitable to deliver a successful market, and a lack of support from traders and the wider community.

The committee also requested that the Chief Executive arrange a workshop for the Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee members to explore alternative options for a future market.

The Assistant Director of Property and Investments had introduced a report to the Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee that recommended halting the relocation. The report noted that the deadline for the delivery of Simplification Pathfinder Pilot funding had been extended from March 2027 to March 2028. The Chair summarised feedback from the Simplification Pathfinder Pilot Board, noting the consensus that a market in Birkenhead was pivotal and should remain within the Pathfinder programme.

Central Birkenhead Programme

The committee discussed the Central Birkenhead Programme, which includes works to Conway Street, Europa Boulevard, the Europa /Boulevard project, the Charing Cross and Grange Road project, and Grange Road West. The committee was asked to recommend to the council the most suitable options for resource allocation to mitigate the adverse budgetary position of the regeneration works within Birkenhead town centre.

The report noted that the council had been alerted to the requirement to increase funding to meet its legal and contractual obligations. As a consequence, the committee had previously recommended that an additional £8 million of resource be incorporated into the Capital Programme.

The report presented two options to reduce the additional £8 million being financed by new council borrowing:

• Option 1: Re-allocate already approved capital resources within the Regeneration & Place and Neighbourhoods Directorates to narrow the funding gap. This would involve reallocating £2.686 million from schemes such as Strategic Transport – Active Travel, The Hythe, Birkenhead Regeneration Framework, and Road improvement and safety -City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements.
• Option 2: Borrow the full £8 million, which would incur a revenue cost over 20 years of approximately £15.2 million.

The approval route for any proposed financial adjustments to the Capital programme will be as follows:

1. Pathfinder Board
2. Economy, Regeneration & Housing Committee
3. Policy & Resources Committee
4. Full Council

Strategic Asset Disposals

The committee agreed to declare the Heswall Day Centre and former public conveniences on Meols Parade as surplus to the council's requirements.

The committee authorised the Assistant Director of Property and Investment to arrange a member workshop to understand the possible options on future use of Heswall Day Centre, including the viability for the provision of Extra Care Housing, either general, specialist or a mixed model, or progressing a sale on the open market. The outcome of the workshop is to be reported to a future meeting of the committee.

The committee also authorised the Assistant Director of Property and Investment to progress and conclude the sale of Hamilton Building and Conway Centre, subject to a condition that planning consent for a residential scheme be obtained, and to progress the sale of the former public conveniences on Meols Parade on the best terms obtainable.

A list of completed disposals was set out in Appendix 1. Asset Disposals.

Procurement of Property Consultants

The committee agreed to authorise the Assistant Director of Property and Investment to proceed with a procurement exercise to appoint a property consultant for a period of two years, with the potential to extend by a further two years at an estimated overall cost of £2.5 million. The consultant will provide a full range of property management support, including asset management and facilities management functions for properties including the Vue Cinema, The Europa Centre, Mallory and Irvine Buildings, The Hythe and Birkenhead Shopping Centre.

The committee also agreed to appoint the preferred tenderer on the basis of the most economically advantageous tenderer criteria.

Work Programme Update

The committee was asked to comment on and note the proposed Policy and Resources Committee work programme. The work programme aligns with the priorities of the council and its partners, and is informed by:

• The Council Plan
• The Council's transformation programme
• The Council's Forward Plan
• Service performance information
• Risk management information
• Public or service user feedback
• Referrals from Council

The Work Programme Report Policy Resources 10.09.2025 noted that the Policy and Resources Committee has two main areas of responsibility: to provide strategic direction to the operation of the council, and to maintain a strategic overview of outcomes, performance, risk management and budgets.

Senior Officer and Appointments Sub-Committee

The committee noted the minutes of the Senior Officer and Staffing Sub-Committee meeting held on 12 August 2025.