The Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee met on 15 September 2025, and approved recommendations regarding the Liverpool City Region Spatial Development Strategy and the Get Britain Working programme. The committee also received updates on the Birkenhead Central Works, and on housing.

Get Britain Working

The committee approved recommendations to accept funding from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) to deliver elements of the Get Britain Working agenda¹. The funding allocation from the LCRCA is up to £5,040,092, which will be used to deliver the Individual Placement Support element of the Connect to Work programme in Wirral.

The committee approved the following recommendations:

• To note the council's allocation of funding from the LCRCA, up to £5,040,092, to deliver the Individual Placement Support element of the Connect to Work programme in Wirral.
• To note that future updates will be brought back to the Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee as part of the scheduled performance updates.
• To delegate authority to the Assistant Director: Chief Regeneration Officer to agree the council's finalised allocation with the LCRCA, and to commence an open procurement process to secure an external provider to deliver the Individual Placement Support element of the Connect to Work programme in Wirral.

The Connect to Work programme is designed to support individuals with disabilities, health conditions, or complex barriers into employment. Participation in the programme is voluntary. The programme is built around the evidence-based Supported Employment model, often referred to as place, train and maintain, which aims to have participants job-seeking within four weeks of joining the programme.

Spatial Development Strategy

The committee approved recommendations to fully engage with the Liverpool City Regional Spatial Development Strategy (SDS). The committee agreed to endorse the council's full engagement in the process of shaping and influencing the Spatial Development Strategy.

The SDS will affect all themes in the Council Plan. Preparation and adoption of the SDS is a statutory requirement of the LCR devolution deal. Once adopted, the SDS will become part of Wirral's Development Plan and will be a material consideration which will attract significant weight in the determination of planning applications. SDS policies could supersede strategic policies in the current Wirral Local Plan where there is a conflict.

The LCRCA is proposing the following broad timetable for the preparation process of the SDS:

• Ongoing up to June 2026: extensive further SDS evidence base preparation to respond to recently announced and still emerging policy.
• Summer 2026: LCRCA approval of the SDS for consultation and subsequent submission to the Planning Inspectorate for Examination.
• Late 2026: 12-week statutory public participation consultation stage.
• Early 2027: submission of SDS to the Planning Inspectorate, starting the formal examination process.
• Adoption of SDS to follow close of examination, subject to it being found sound.

Birkenhead Central Works Update

The committee received an update on the ongoing works in Birkenhead Central, specifically the works on Grange Road and Charing Cross, and Europa Boulevard & Conway Street. The report noted the changes in management and supervision arrangements, the progress made in progressing the works, an overview of the current financial position, and an update on contractual matters.

The original funding for the scheme was £11,893,304, but has been increased to £16,643,304. The project manager consultant's financial report for July 2025 reported a forecast total cost of £24,329,655.

Housing Update

The committee received a housing update report, informing the Housing annual work programme. The report primarily links and supports the Wirral Plan themes of people focussed Regeneration and promoting independence and healthier lives.

As of June 2025, 4,990 households were registered on Property Pool Plus², with 638 listed in the highest priority – Band A. The number of households in Band A has been increasing since September 2024, adding to the pressure for more social homes.

The Council has taken proactive and impactful steps to bring empty properties back into use. The last financial year saw 630 long term empty properties returned to use across council services, which was an increase from the previous year of 344.

The Council continues to support residents and institutional property owners, including private sector landlords and registered providers of social housing, to improve the energy efficiency of their housing stock. The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) 4 programme in Wirral has seen a large increase in measures installed in 2024/5 - 4,841 measures installed, an increase of 41% since the previous year.

Temporary accommodation continues to be a challenging area for housing with the need to place in temporary accommodation continuing to increase per quarter over the last few years. The number of applicant households in Temporary accommodation as at 1st August 2025 was 199, and continues to grow each quarter. The Council's gross spend for 2024-25 was £2,499,333 and the projected cost for 2025-26 will be £3,000,000 against a projected income of £2,600,000 to offset this, although this is subject to fluctuation.

Work Programme

The committee noted and commented on the proposed Economy Regeneration and Housing Committee work programme for the remainder of the 2025/26 municipal year. The work programme should align with the priorities of the council and its partners, and will be 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