Based on the provided search context, there is no evidence that Asif Hamid received BIG Fund (Business Investment Grant) money from Wirral Council.  The documents detailing the BIG Fund investigation and fraud allegations do not name Asif Hamid or his company, The Contact Company (TCC). 

However, the context confirms that Asif Hamid and TCC received different forms of public sector aid and grants from Wirral Council:

Think Big Grant: In October 2010, Hamid purchased an office in Birkenhead with the help of a £250,000 Wirral Council Think Big grant. 

Wirral Enterprise Zone Support: In October 2016, TCC operated from an £8.5m office in the Wirral Enterprise Zone that received development grant funding and support from Wirral Council, alongside the Department for Communities & Local Government and the European Regional Development Fund. 

The BIG Fund investigation specifically concerned grants of up to £20,000 for job creation, with allegations of potential fraud involving companies like Enterprise Solutions. While the investigation was handed over to police, the named entities in those reports were not Asif Hamid. 

“What amount of Wirral Enterprise Zone Support funding was received by Asif Hamid?”

The search results confirm that Asif Hamid’s company, The Contact Company (TCC), received “significant and much needed grant funding” for its £8.5 million office building in the Wirral Enterprise Zone in 2016.  This funding came from a partnership involving Wirral Council, the Department for Communities & Local Government (DCLG), and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). 

However, the exact amount of the grant provided specifically by Wirral Council, or the total public grant portion, is not stated in the available documents. The sources consistently mention the public funding support but do not break down the individual contributions. 

“This is public money. I paid it and therefore demand openness, transparency and accountablity”

The search results confirm that Asif Hamid’s company, The Contact Company (TCC), received significant public funding for its £8.5 million office in the Wirral Enterprise Zone, supported by Wirral Council, the Department for Communities & Local Government (DCLG), and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). 

However, despite the search efforts, the exact amount of the grant provided specifically by Wirral Council remains undisclosed in the publicly available documents. Multiple sources state that the project received “development grant funding and support” and that public funding made up a substantial portion (one source suggests at least 75% of the reported £11m costs for related projects), but none break down the specific contribution from Wirral Council.  Official council reports often cite commercial sensitivity as a reason for not disclosing detailed grant figures for specific projects. 

“What about taxpayer sensitivity? The PRIMARY and most important sensitivity – caused by being repeatedly ripped off?”

The search results highlight significant public concern and criticism regarding the lack of transparency and potential conflicts of interest involving Asif Hamid and Wirral Council, rather than a specific debate on “taxpayer sensitivity” as a formal policy. 

Key points of contention raised by critics and local observers include:

Commercial Sensitivity vs. Public Right to Know: Critics argue that Wirral Council and associated bodies like the Wirral Chamber of Commerce (which Hamid chaired) frequently use “commercial sensitivity” and “confidentiality” to withhold details of public funding deals, effectively blocking Freedom of Information requests. This has led to accusations that taxpayers are being kept in the dark about how their money is spent. 

Conflict of Interest: There are allegations of close ties between Hamid and senior council figures, including former Council Leader Phil Davies (who accepted hospitality from Hamid’s company, The Contact Company) and current leader Paula Basnett. Critics suggest these relationships may have influenced the awarding of grants and favorable property deals (such as peppercorn rents) without sufficient scrutiny. 

Perception of Being “Ripped Off”: Local blogs and campaign groups (e.g., “Wirral Leaks”, “Wirral In It Together”) have consistently framed these undisclosed grants and the council’s broader financial mismanagement (highlighted by recent auditor reports of a £30m budget gap) as taxpayers being “ripped off” to fund “fat cats” or controversial developments. The narrative focuses on the erosion of trust due to a perceived “toxic atmosphere” and lack of openness in regeneration deals. 

While the specific phrase “taxpayer sensitivity” is not used in official documents, the primary sensitivity identified in the public domain is the anger and distrust stemming from the council’s reliance on “commercial sensitivity” to justify non-disclosure of substantial public grants awarded to connected individuals and companies.