Doubts over changes to Wirral Partnership Homes

Sep 26 2012 by Liam Murphy, Heswall News

DOUBTS and delays continue to surround the appointment of a Wirral MP’s husband as chairman of a major housing organisation.

Tory Wirral West MP Esther McVey had heavily criticised the choice of Ashwin Kumar to lead Wirral Partnership Homes (WPH), alleging a “conflict of interest”.

Mr Kumar, who is married to Wirral South MP Alison McGovern, was due to be made a board member at the organisation’s AGM last Monday, but his nomination was not on the agenda. A new meeting will now have to be held to make the appointment.

It is understood an emergency board meeting was held after Ms McVey raised her objections, with further meetings due to take place between Mr Kumar and the board.

The housing organisation, which looks after former Wirral council housing, also faces problems with its plan to change its board to nine board members chosen for their “skills and experiences”. At present it has tenants and councillors among its 15 members.

The AGM was also told WPH is waiting for Wirral Council’s approval for this as it also looks to change its name to Magenta Living Ltd.

WPH said in a statement it wants “a brand which expresses our core values and ambitions” and added part of the reason for the change was because it is also now looking to expand beyond Wirral.