Author: Bridie Finnan

Sefton Council is launching Ask SARA, a new online self-assessment tool and guidance tool, to allow people to browse a range of products and services to suit their needs and help them to live independently for longer.

Ask SARA is designed to provide individuals, their families and carers, with advice and guidance to access equipment for independent living. Easy to navigate, Ask SARA asks individuals to choose from a wide range of topics, answer a series of questions and then view a personalized report including local signposting that links to a catalogue of suppliers that can provide over 10,000 products to support and facilitate independence at home including falls alarms, walking frames and even smart speakers!

Ask SARA helps people to maximise the use of aids, adaptations and technology and it offers individuals the facility to access information and guidance to assist them in decision making and purchasing their own aids and equipment by either self-funding or utilising Direct Payments.  Digital and Supported Self-Assessment will also be facilitated with information offered around personal budgets and how to apply for Direct Payment Grants.

The launch of ASK SARA is in response to Sefton’s wider Digital offer and is a facility that supports some of the aims of Sefton’s newly published Technology Enabled Care Solutions Strategy 2021-24, which was approved towards the end of 2021.  Sefton’s Technology Enabled Care Solutions Strategy supports the Council to promote and support independent living and improve health and well-being in all our families, neighbourhoods, workplaces and communities. The intention is to continue to improve the experience of people who use services and for staff. Ask SARA can support independent living and self-care and empowers residents to own their own care.

Cllr Paul Cummins, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care said:

“I am thrilled to see the Ask SARA tool live on our website and ready to use. It is important that people in Sefton can access the best support for their own individual needs and can refer in to us in a range of different ways. This is exactly what this new portal allows people to do.

“I would urge anyone who may be concerned about a friend or relatives ability to cope at home or anyone who may be concerned about their own ability to live independently in future to browse Ask SARA to get familiar with types of support available.

“Everyone needs a little help at home sometimes and small technological solutions can make our lives richer, easier and safer.”

To access the ASK SARA portal, go to our website.

Two months on from the international environment summit COP26, Sefton Council is pledging that 2022 will be the greenest year yet!

2022 will see a number of key projects reach or move towards completion and significantly reduce the carbon footprint generated from Council operations.

Work due to be completed later this year at Bootle and Southport town halls will result in carbon savings. It has consisted of new energy-efficiency measures such as double glazing and insulation , which will result in a 32% reduction in gas consumption. Across the Borough the installation of LED street lights is continuing with 3,311 lanterns installed so far along with 213 full column replacements. This has meant a saving 148,852 kWh of electricity already.

After significant progress towards a net zero carbon target of 2030 over the past two years, the Council is set to embark on key projects this year to reduce emissions Borough-wide.

Sefton Council recently approved plans for over £3 million to be spent on retrofit measures in over 500 homes in the Borough which will make homes more energy efficient, cheaper to run and better for the planet. Schools in Sefton are also getting involved in green projects like the AirWatch project to monitor air quality it playgrounds and set about improving it.

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Cabinet Member for Regulation, Compliance and Corporate Services said: “I am extremely excited to see all the projects and initiatives we have planned to combat the climate emergency in 2022.

“Every year we get closer to our target date of net zero carbon by 2030 for our own operations and to see progress continue steadily towards this target is fantastic and a testament to our commitment to eliminate our net carbon footprint.

“I was so proud to see all the efforts and pledges right across our Borough during COP26 and it seems that spirit has followed us into 2022. I know this year will be productive in reducing borough wide emissions and our work with residents, businesses, partners and schools will make Sefton cleaner, greener and healthier.”

The Council, alongside partners, businesses and schools will honour those pledges made during COP26 as part of the Council’s #IPledge campaign which saw over 50 business and schools make pledges towards a greener future.

You can find the latest Sefton Climate Emergency Annual Report here. 

Sefton Council’s brand-new hospitality company is embarking on a recruitment drive.

Sefton Hospitality Operations Limited (or SHOL for short) is looking for local Sefton residents to fill a range of vacancies.

SHOL is a private company set up to create and operate hospitality outlets offering exciting, diverse, and accessible options for their customers. From hotels through to bars and restaurants, as well as outside catering, food delivery and events, SHOL aims to provide unique experiences for both its guests and employees.

SHOL may be the new kid on the hospitality industry block, but don’t be fooled – the management team has big plans! While its main operations will be focused on the newly-refurbished Crosby Lakeside, the team at SHOL has its sights set on other opportunities to grow the company, and is in talks to provide services at Bootle Canalside and a number of other potential concessions.

The roles being recruited to are permanent employment opportunities, with all roles paying a real living wage or above. There will be guaranteed interview opportunities to groups that may have previously faced barriers to employment (for example care leavers, or young people not in education, employment or training), with SHOL keen to cultivate a diverse and inclusive workforce.

This strategy is to be presented to Sefton Council’s Cabinet meeting next week and reflects the Council’s vision and values for its organisation and the borough, as well as for SHOL, a company wholly owned by Sefton.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, says:

“We formed the hospitality company to deliver career opportunities just like this. Although it’s still early days for Sefton’s Hospitality company, the focus for SHOL will be on being an employer of choice in the hospitality sector. The industry leading terms and conditions will be one part of an attractive offer to employees, ensuring that the company will be able to attract, develop and retain staff.  In short, if you treat your staff well, they will deliver high quality, memorable customer experiences.”

Training and development are paramount to the team at SHOL with “People First” being one of the company’s core values. The SHOL Academy will see us partnering with local education providers, alongside industry partners to create a program of training and experience to invest in our staff, so that by year 3 we’re appointing to 80% of our management positions from within.

Ben Hedley, Managing Director of SHOL, says:

“We have a number of immediate vacancies in all areas of the business, ranging from business development and finance, through to management and events. So whatever point you are at on your career journey, there will be an opportunity, and a career pathway, for you at SHOL.  You may well be brand new to working in hospitality, but we will invest in you, in your training and development so that you can carve yourself a long-term career in this industry.  I’m really keen that with initiatives such as the SHOL Academy we create a culture of opportunity and progression; so, as the business grows, so too will your career grow.”

If you would like more information about the job opportunities available at SHOL visit www.seftonatwork.net

ENDS –

Sefton Council is reminding people in the Borough living on low incomes and facing rising energy bills that they can find help, support and advice through its Affordable Warmth Team this winter

With the energy price cap predicted to rise in April, Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing has warned that some people in Sefton may be forced to choose between heating or eating.

The energy price cap is the maximum amount a utility company can charge an average customer in the UK per year for the amount of electricity and gas they use and is reviewed every six months. The next review is in February, with any changes set to be introduced from 1 April.

The current cap is £1,277, which was set last August – a 12 per cent rise on the previous price. There are fears the February increase could be by as much as 50 per cent, pushing the cap up towards £2,000.

The Affordable Warmth team can help with energy efficiency measures, support and advice for anyone struggling to heat their homes this winter.

People can contact the team at energy@sefton.gov.uk or by calling 0151 934 2222, for assistance and advice on a range of topics.

Depending on their circumstances, people may be eligible for support through:

• Warm Home Discount Scheme
• Cold Weather Payments
• Winter Fuel Payments

The Council are also reminding the Borough’s landlords that they should advise tenants facing difficulties with the cost of heating their homes to visit the Simple Energy Advice website at www.simpleenergyadvice.org.uk or call their helpline on 0800 444 202.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities said:

“Many families across Sefton will already have been feeling the effect of higher domestic fuel charges, as well as rising prices in the shops. And for a large number of households, many of them working, this will have been combined with the Government’s £20 per week cut in Universal Credit in November.

“The energy cap was raised to £1,277 and the next is expected to push it up to around £2,000 from April when the Government will also be introducing increases to National Insurance payments.”

Cllr Hardy continued:

“With the Government looking reluctant to help out hard-hit households, having just recently voted down a Labour party plan to remove VAT from domestic energy bills for a year, we are reminding people who think they will struggle, that Sefton Council’s Affordable Warmth Team can provide advice and support.”

Additionally, people facing housing difficulties that could put their home at risk, who have received an eviction notice or have rent arrears should get in touch with our Homeless Prevention Service at homeless.prevention@sefton.gov.uk or by calling 0151 934 3541.

The Homeless Prevention team works with tenants to help them maintain their tenancy or with moving on to more affordable and suitable accommodation, and they can also assist landlords that are facing issues such as rent arrears and late or inconsistent rent payments.

Landlords who have concerns about vulnerable tenants can also contact the team for support in resolving the situation.