Simplification Pathfinder Pilot

On 4 July 2023 the government announced the launch of the Simplification Pathfinders Pilot. The Department of Levelling up Housing and Communities (DLUHC) now known as the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) invited a small number of local authorities across England to pilot a simplified approach to funding. Wirral Council was one of 10 local authorities invited to participate.

A timeline of approvals for this approach is detailed below:

Committee minutes meetings and reports

• 13 September 2023 - Policy and Resources Committee agreed to approve this approach and enter the Simplification Pathfinder Pilot Programme
• 4 October 2023 - Policy and Resources Committee authorised the Director of Regeneration and Place to submit the Investment Plan
• 27 October 2023 - Director of Regeneration and Place approved the investment plan to be submitted to DLUHC (now MHCLG)

The Simplification Pathfinder Pilot aims to give councils increased decision-making ability, ensuring more flexibility when it comes to effectively responding to changing economic conditions. The pilot brings together three different steams of funding which are:

• Levelling up Funding (LUF)
• Future High Street Funding (FHSF) 
• Town Deal Funding 

All funds must be spent by March 2026 with outputs continuing to be monitored until March 2031. 

What will be delivered?

Wirral Council’s investment plan submitted on 27 October 2023 details our plan to spend the allocated funding to deliver the outcomes and outputs listed in the pathfinder investment framework. The five key intervention themes monitored are:

• enhancing sub-regional and regional connectivity
• unlocking and enabling industrial and commercial development
• strengthening the visitor and local service economy
• improving the quality of life of residents
• employment and education

Simplification Pathfinder Pilot Board

The Simplification Pathfinder Pilot Board is responsible for providing strategic oversight of the funding allocated to Wirral Council. This board replaces previous governance of individual funding streams such as the Town Deal, which has now been dissolved. 

• View Terms of Reference
• View Simplification Pathfinder Pilot Board meeting notes
• View Town Deal meeting notes

Membership:

Related Documents 

• Town investment plan
• Town Deal board page
• Regeneration at Wirral Council  
• Simplification Pathfinder Pilot