A loan of £1m to develop children’s homes is set to be agreed by Wirral Council, after councillors approved to the move in principle last night.

The local authority’s Children, Young People and Education Committee discussed the benefits of the proposal and the need to address a lack of places for looked after children in the borough.

Anne-Marie Carney, Wirral Council’s Children’s Commissioning Manager, explained that the committee was being asked to approve a £1m loan in principle to develop children’s residential homes in the borough.

Ms Carney said one goal of the plan was to improve the number and quality of residential places for children.

Another key aim was to strengthen the voluntary and non-profit sector in the market.

The council officer confirmed that work is already underway to open a six-bed home for children with disabilities, as well as detailing the next step that the committee was being asked to help drive forward.

This was a plan to deliver four new children’s homes in Wirral with places for 16 children.

These additional place were needed due to rising demand, partly caused by other local authorities using Wirral’s children’s care places.

Liberal Democrat councillor Chris Carubia thought it was a “brilliant plan” and said he highly recommended the project.

Cllr Paul Stuart, who represents Labour, wanted to be clear on why the committee was being asked to approve the funding before due diligence had been done.

However, he was assured that the £1m loan was only being approved in principle by the committee. Council officers must undertake due diligence procedures before the plan is finalised.