Author: Martin Driver

At their meeting next week, Sefton Council’s Cabinet members are being provided with an update of how its’ arm’s-length development company is delivering new homes.

Sandway has now sold properties on its Crossens and Ainsdale developments to 36 families, couples, and first-time buyers. Twenty-three plots on the two developments, Hey Farm Gardens and Sandy Brook, have been completed.

First-time buyers

Several first-time buyers have secured plots through Sandway’s involvement in the Government’s Help to Buy scheme and the company is also providing homes for shared ownership. And the 13 apartments it will provide to Sefton Council are the Borough’s first new council housing since 2006.

The update on Phase 1 of Sandway’s business plan at next week’s meeting explains that despite the good progress with sales, industry-wide supply chain issues has resulted in delays for both sites. Hey Farm Gardens’ 30 properties will now be completed by May and the 48 new homes at Meadow Lane’s will be finished by July.

Work on the 63 new homes at Sefton Grange in Netherton will now start in April next year with completion expected by April 2026.

September budget statement

Next week’s report also highlights the impact that external economic factors including that rising interest rates resulting from central Government’s September budget statement combined with the highest inflation rates for 40 years are having on Sandway’s business plan. Unsurprisingly, higher mortgage rates, lenders’ withdrawal of mortgage products and people having less money in their pocket is having an impact on the housing market. Additionally, inflation is pushing up construction costs and causing supply chain issues.

In an updated financial forecast, the report says that the overall profit that would be payable to the Council remains in line with that of the original approved business case in 2019. Capital receipts of £2.2 million for the three development sites would still be payable to the Council.

Recognising the ongoing volatility of the UK economy resulting from the September budget statement, the report says it is important that the Council is provided with “comprehensive risk-assessed reports”.

Correct decision 

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing said: “Hearing one of the people moving into their new home through a shared ownership scheme say it is a dream she thought was beyond her grasp demonstrates that our decision to develop housing across the Borough by creating Sandway was correct.

“However, like so many aspects of life for people across Sefton, the widely-acknowledged disaster that was the previous Prime Minster’ September Budget statement is now having a negative impact.

“Understandably, the perilous state of the British economy is having an effect on Sandway’s business plan and as this report highlights, while profit levels remain at the forecast 2019 levels, we will continue to work hard with the company to monitor the ongoing situation”

You can find out more about Sandway Homes’ developments here. 

You can find the agenda for next week’s Cabinet meeting here.

At a meeting next week (1^st December) Sefton Council’s Cabinet will be asked to approve a new strategy and three-year business plan for the hospitality company running The Lake House in Crosby.

The Lake House

Sefton Hospitality Operations Limited (SHOL), wholly owned by Sefton Council, operates the hospitality offer at The Lake House, as well as a unit at the successful Southport Market.

This new Business Plan follows on from a previous business plan presented to Cabinet in February 2022 and reflects the good start that The Lake House has made, despite the challenges the wider hospitality sector faces at this time, including recovery from the pandemic and the cost of living crisis.

Employment opportunities

However, Sefton Council, and the SHOL Board, remain committed to attracting the very best staff by offering quality full-time, permanent employment opportunities, with all roles paying a real living wage or above, and a wide range of employee support and career development opportunities.  This is reflected in the low turnover of staff, at less than 15%, that is far lower than the present industry average.

Working with the Council’s Sefton@Work team this summer to host a recruitment day attended by 90 people, SHOL were able to recruit 40 new staff. Already 46 new jobs have been created, 83% of whom are Sefton residents. 

Passionate and dedicated team

Speaking about the success of SHOL and The Lake House so far, Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, said: “The Council is delighted with the quality of The Lake House; not just in terms of the food, drink and accommodation on offer at this fantastic location, but also with the quality of customer experience being offered by a passionate and dedicated team.

“The pandemic hit the hospitality sector hard, with many businesses struggling to survive, and to retain their staff. So of course, I’m thrilled to see that our staff turnover is low, and that other businesses in the sector are adopting a similar strategy in terms of working conditions to ensure they are able to attract and retain new talent.  

 “This proves what we’ve been saying all along –  that financial sustainability, a quality customer offer, excellent customer service, and first rate employment opportunities do not have to be mutually exclusive – we don’t believe that we need to have one at the expense of the other, and so far we’re being proved right.

“SHOL is going from strength to strength and has so much more to offer, both for its customers and the local community – demonstrated by the range of exciting events and opportunities in the pipeline for Christmas, and for 2023”

Find out more about The Lake House.

You can find the agenda for next week’s Cabinet meeting here.

Merseyrail has announced it will be running trains every day over the festive period, except on Christmas Day.

Once again Boxing Day trains will be running with a limited service between 09:00 and 18:30, calling at selected stations across the network, in collaboration with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

Boxing Day Services will run every 30 minutes calling at the following stations.

Southport line: Southport, Birkdale, Ainsdale, Formby, Blundellsands and Crosby, Waterloo, Sandhills, Liverpool Central.

Ormskirk line: Ormskirk, Maghull, Aintree, Orrell Park, Kirkdale, Sandhills and Liverpool Central

Kirkby line: Kirkby, Fazakerley, Kirkdale, Sandhills and Liverpool Central

Hunts Cross line: Liverpool South Parkway, St Michaels and Liverpool Central

Chester and Ellesmere Port lines: Services will start and terminate at Hooton calling at Bromborough, Bebington, Rock Ferry, Birkenhead Central, James St and Liverpool Central. There will no services between Ellesmere Port or Chester and Hooton.

New Brighton line: New Brighton, Birkenhead North, Conway Park, James St and Liverpool Central.

West Kirby line: West Kirby, Leasowe, Birkenhead North, Conway Park, James St and Liverpool Central.

On New Year’s Day a 30-munute Sunday service will run.

As has been the case in previous years, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve will see services finish at approximately 20:00.

A normal timetable will be in place on all other days.

A range of festive surprises also await those travelling over the Christmas period. From a bauble wall at Liverpool Central to Father Christmas and festive carol singers, Merseyrail will be going all out to spread festive cheer at its stations.

Suzanne Grant, Commercial Director at Merseyrail, said: “As people across the Liverpool City Region prepare to enjoy the festive season, we are thrilled to be able to offer Boxing Day services this Christmas.

“Only a very limited number of trains operate nationally on Boxing Day, and I’d encourage those thinking of travelling to the Boxing Day sales, festive or sporting events to consider using our services to get there”

Cllr Liam Robinson, Transport and Air Quality Portfolio Holder for the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority said: “We’re really pleased that we’ve been able to work with Merseyrail once again to ensure a timetable will be operating on Boxing Day this year.

“By running these services, it allows city region residents the chance to travel for whatever reason, whether it’s shopping, leisure, sporting events or just to visit friends and family.

“We would encourage rail users to plan ahead for their journey and make the most of these services that don’t operate in many parts of the country on Boxing Day.”

You can find full Christmas timetable information, Christmas shopping and event guides here.

Sandway Homes has welcomed its first homeowners to properties at its prestigious Hey Farm Gardens and Meadow Lane developments in Sefton.

Completed

Twenty-three plots have now completed at its Hey Farm Gardens development in Crossens and at its Sandy Brook site in Ainsdale. Thirty-six have been sold to a range of buyers including families, couples, and first-time buyers.

As well as open market homes, Sandway is also providing homes for shared ownership and rent, which are managed by Registered Provider Together Housing. The company has been registered as part of the Government’s Help to Buy scheme, which has also assisted first-time buyers secure a number of plots on its developments prior to the scheme ending in December.

Dream

Among the first to move in is one of the shared ownership residents Jackie who said: “I cannot say how thankful I am to Sandway Homes, Together Housing, and Dashing Mortgages for helping me to achieve a dream I thought was beyond my grasp – finally having a place to call my own. It has been life changing.

“As with everything in life, it wasn’t all plain sailing but Together Housing and Sandway were always there, at the end on the phone, with positive encouragements.

“Turning the key, opening the door, and stepping into my new life at Sandy Brook, made the journey worthwhile. Thank you all, again, from the bottom of my heart.”

Thrilled

Sandway Head of Business Operations and Marketing, Sandra Coventry said: “We are thrilled to finally be handing our customers the keys to their brand new homes.

“Volatility within the construction sector has been a challenge at times, with some homes being delayed, but the team continues to work around the clock to ensure that completions are taking place as quickly as possible.

“It is rewarding to have received some great feedback from our customers, and we look forward to the sites further contributing to the thriving communities within Sefton.”

Award

In recognition of the popularity of its first phase of homes, the Company has been shortlisted for the ‘Emerging Developer of the Year award’ at the forthcoming Your Move Awards in Liverpool at the end of November. The Emerging Developer category recognises the rising stars of property development, who have started in the industry in the last three years and gone on to deliver new homes within the region.

In July, Sefton Councils confirmed that it will acquire 13 apartments from Sandway homes as part of its next scheme. These will be the first new properties to be used as council housing since 2006.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing said:“I am pleased to see Sandway Homes reaching another key milestone by providing people with keys to new, high-quality homes in Sefton.

“It confirms that the Council’s decision to establish Sandway to redevelop sites across the Borough to provide new and affordable housing, including properties for those taking their firsts steps onto the property ladder was the right one.”

Sandway’s approach is to provide a variety of house types for the modern-day buyer featuring open-plan layouts, contemporary fitted kitchens and bathrooms, home office space, as well as turfed gardens, e-charging points, and well-proportioned parking throughout.

You can find out more about Sandway Homes’ developments here.