Responding to the announcement by the Prime Minister Liz Truss of her plan to help people tackle the Cost of Living Crisis, Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Councilâs Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: âItâs good news that after a summer of inactivity on this front by the new Prime Minister and her predecessor that a plan that will go some way towards helping households across Sefton facing rocketing energy bills and prices in the shops rising steeply.
âHowever, energy bills of ÂŁ2,500 will still daunting for many people across the Borough, which is why we will be continuing to try and provide support and advice to individuals and businesses through this coming winter.
âIt is disappointing that while weâre told it means typical households will pay no more than ÂŁ2,500 a year for energy for the next two years, Ms Trussâs plan will see those same households having to pay back the extra costs in the long term, no matter what their ability to do so, while the fuel companies continue to enjoy huge windfall profits as a result of the enormous current price rises.â
Tickets still available for Southportâs spectacular September Musical Fireworks Festival
Tickets are still available for the 2022 British Musical Fireworks Championship in Southport, which takes place from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th September.
Pyrotechnic spectacular
Following the success of Southportâs Food & Drink Festival and Air Show, Sefton Council’s Tourism team are busy putting the finishing touches together for the return of the three-day pyrotechnic spectacular at the townâs Victoria Park.
Fireworks fans will be awed by breath-taking and colourful pyro displays, light shows and music throughout the competition, which will see seven pyrotechnic companies battle it out to be crowned champion of the resort.
Hugely popular
Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Labour Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, said: “The British Musical Fireworks Championship is the perfect way to round off an incredible summer of events and investment in Southport and Sefton.
“Having run for over 20 years, the Championship is always a hugely popular three days in Southportâs events calendar, which attracts crowds from across the North of England for a unique and stunning experience.
“Southport’s businesses really benefit from the added numbers of visitors to the town over the weekend and I am looking forward to seeing the quality of displays on show this time round.
“I would advise anyone wanting to come along to get their tickets in advance to avoid missing out as they do sell out!â
Under-5s free
Friday and Sunday tickets are from just ÂŁ8 and Saturday tickets start at ÂŁ10. Or you can enjoy a full weekend pass for ÂŁ22. Children aged under 5 are admitted FREE but do need an entrance ticket.
Some households in Sefton that have not received a one-off ÂŁ150 Energy Rebate payment can now apply online for a payment through a discretionary scheme.
Inviting
Sefton Council is inviting applications from residents of properties that have been excluded from the core scheme due to them not being liable for Council Tax.
This could include applicants who are directly responsible for energy costs but whose Council Tax is paid by someone else such as a housing provider, a charity or a non-resident owner. It also includes those who became liable for payment of Council Tax to Sefton Council on or after 2nd April 2022.
Completing their application will require them to provide evidence of occupation and direct payment of energy costs.
This means having their Tenancy Agreement, Rent Statement or Completion Statement and their energy bills.
They will also need to provide their Bank Sort Code and their Bank Account name and number.
Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Councilâs Cabinet Member for Regulatory Compliance and Corporate Services said: âHaving already paid out nearly ÂŁ15 million to over approaching 106,000 Band A to D households in Sefton through the original scheme, we are targeting households that may have missed out.
âThat includes those who do not pay their Council Tax directly, or who moved home during the qualifying period, who now have the opportunity to apply by visiting www.sefton.gov.uk/discretionaryâ.
Fixed fund
Sefton Council has a fixed fund available to allocate to Sefton households in need through discretionary funding. The application process will now be open until Monday 31st October.
It is also targeting Sefton households that are in need, as well as those that do not fall into the Council Tax bands A to D category
People living in Council Tax bands A to D will receive a further payment of ÂŁ20 on top of the ÂŁ150 they have already received making a total of ÂŁ170. Residents granted a full Council Tax exemption, due to being severely mentally impaired will receive ÂŁ170.
Additionally, the Council also plans to make a ÂŁ170 payment to Council Tax-payers in band E to H properties who are in receipt of means-tested Council Tax Reduction at that property.
And, payments will be made to households with children that are in receipt of Council Tax Reduction. Amounts would be ÂŁ20 for households with one or two children and ÂŁ30 for those with three or more children.
An easy-print factsheet detailing ways people worried about the national Cost of Living crisis can get support and advice is now on Sefton Councilâs website.
Available to download from www.sefton.gov.uk/factsheet, it contains information about help with Council Tax, paying fuel bills and rent.
There is also information about food banks and food pantries, free school meals and Healthy Start Vouchers and Vitamins. And it includes sections on Sefton Councilâs Emergency Limited Assistance Scheme, jobs and training, and health and wellbeing.
Free computer and Wi-Fi access
Where possible, the fact sheet contains phone numbers as well as website addresses for the various services. And it includes a reminder to people who do not have access to a smartphone, PC or an Internet connection, that there is free computer and Wi-Fi access at all Sefton Council Libraries. They just need to visit their local branch to find out more.
People can also call the Councilâs Contact Centre on 0345 140 0845 or visit one of its two One Stop Shops, in Bootle or Southport, for more information.
Support and advice
Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Councilâs Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, who recently described herself as âshocked and heartbrokenâ by the need for Cost of Living report to the Councilâs Cabinet meeting last week, said: âFaced with the hugely worrying questions about how they are going to pay rocketing gas and electricity bills and meet steeply rising prices in shops this winter, many households across Sefton will be wondering where they can find support and advice.
âWe have put the information in one place on our website at www.sefton.gov.uk/cost-of-living but we have also produced this printable fact sheet.
âWe have already distributed it to the network of volunteers who work tirelessly to support their communities across Sefton and to all councillors across the Borough.
âAnd we are asking anyone who knows relatives, friends, neighbours, or colleagues who might struggle to access information online to print a copy off for them.
âIt might help to take a weight off their minds when they are worried about feeding their families or keeping them warm.â
At last weekâs meeting, Cllr Hardy said Sefton Council was already working with partners to support local people in crisis.
Action Plan
She said: âNext monthâs Cabinet will be considering the Councilâs Child Poverty Strategy which will be underpinned by a partnership Action Plan.
âAnd we will do what we can to prevent organisations and businesses across our Borough crumbling under the weight of rocketing outgoings, which would further threaten local jobs and incomes.
âWe will also continue to work at the highest levels nationally to influence policies towards tackling poverty and highlight the harmful physical and mental health impacts that that poverty can have and how those young peopleâs long-term life chances are restricted as a result.â
At their meeting today, Sefton Councilâs Cabinet endorsed actions planned to help the Boroughâs residents and business cope with the growing Cost of Living crisis.
Sefton Council has already set up a dedicated Cost of Living section on its website, at www.sefton.gov.uk/cost-of-living where people can find quickly information on a range of topics including Fuel Bills and Energy Saving and help with Rent and Council Tax. Health & Wellbeing, Foodbanks & Food Pantries and Jobs & Volunteering are also covered.
Factsheet
It is also producing an accompanying easy-to-print factsheet detailing ways people can get support and advice. It also reminds readers there is free computer and Wi-Fi access at all Sefton Council Libraries for people who donât have access to an online computer or smartphone.
Additionally, the Council is committed to showing strong leadership and working with partner organisations to reduce the impact of the crisis on local people. It will work to protect local jobs and incomes by providing what support it can to companies and organisations across the Borough if they are struggling to stay in business in the face of steeply rising operational costs.
And the Council will continue to work at the highest levels nationally to influence policies towards tackling poverty. It will also highlight the harmful physical and mental health impacts that poverty can have and how young peopleâs long-term life chances are restricted as a result.
In addition, the Council is producing a quick reference fact sheet that can be printed off as well as downloaded, providing people with quick links on where to go for support and advice.
Heartbroken
Introducing the report to at todayâs meeting, Sefton Councilâs Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing Cllr Trish Hardy, said: âIâm shocked and heartbroken that Sefton Council has this report on the agenda today.
âFor years we have worked hard to mitigate Government policy that has hurt our communities â whether that has been the roll out of universal credit and the system failings leading us to support a network of food banks across the Borough, the systematic cuts in funding to public services, an NHS service in crisis that relies on our social services provision and of course supporting the most vulnerable children in this Borough.
âThe social security framework and welfare state in this country has been hollowed out â expecting people to survive on low paid, long hours with no protection and nothing more than a zero-hour contract. Incomes and prospects have been routinely downgraded â not matching prices and bills. Central Government safety nets have more holes than net.
Storm
âAnd now this cost-of-living crisis. We use the word crisis a lot in the UK â I feel we are teetering on the edge of a catastrophe. Some of the families and residents of this Borough cannot withstand this storm being unleashed on them.
âAs we meet today, inflation in the UK stands at around 10%, the highest level in 40 years, which means people across Sefton and the UK are facing steeply rising prices in shops, for basics and for vital services.
âIn April, households across Sefton and the UK faced a 54% price hike in their gas and electricity bills, the equivalent of an average ÂŁ700 extra per year. We havenât even had a Winter at these prices before we are told the cost must increase again.
âIn October, those bills are forecast to go up by a further 82% meaning the average energy bill could shoot up to ÂŁ3,582.
âA further rise in January could see those bills top ÂŁ4,000 next year.
Eye-watering
âThese are eye-watering figures that are going to affect the finances of all but the most affluent households across the country. And letâs not forget these so-called caps are no such thing – many households in Sefton will face bills much higher â not because of posh houses but because families with disabilities, babies living in poorly insulated homes will have to spend more to heat badly insulted homes. Letâs not forget that the Tories have also slashed funding for home insulations.
âIn Sefton, where over 20% – or around 58,000 residents – live in the poorest areas, those effects are going to be huge. In some cases, unthinkable.
âUnthinkable the pressure being felt by people who are already struggling to make ends meet and are having to make difficult decisions.
âBy people who use foodbanks but are worried about the cost of cooking the food they collect from them.
âBy people who have struggled to afford uniforms to send their children back to school in.
âBy pensioners where the cost of energy is over half the UK state pension by January.â
By businesses contemplating their survival and having to close businesses and lose local jobs
âWhen they know these frightening price hikes are just around the corner and that there is nothing, they can do about it.
Debt
âYesterday we found out that debt is already soaring on credit cards. I just pray that people donât turn to loan sharks and find themselves hocked up with debt with people who are mercenary at best and criminal at worst. But when you are cold and hungry with nowhere to turn, I can see how it will happen.
âThat is why it is vital that Sefton Council, working with its partners, does all it can to help and support our communities.
âOur officers and our partners are already working to develop a range of ideas and proposals to support local people in crisis.
âWe are working on ways through our website for instance to highlight the wide range of support that is currently available.
âNext monthâs Cabinet will be considering the Councilâs Child Poverty Strategy which will be underpinned by a partnership Action Plan.
âAnd we will do what we can to prevent organisations and businesses across our Borough crumbling under the weight of rocketing outgoings, which would further threaten local jobs and incomes.
Life chances
âWe will also continue to work at the highest levels nationally to influence policies towards tackling poverty and highlight the harmful physical and mental health impacts that that poverty can have and how those young peopleâs long-term life chances are restricted as a result.
âItâs disgusting that the effort here in Sefton doesnât seem to be being matched in both government and the Tory leadership hustings.
âWe havenât seen those at the highest levels of Government taking much interest in the survival of our communities facing a winter of misery.
âSince being deposed by his party, our Prime Minister has been even more notable by his absence than usual and has refused to get involved, beyond making some vague claims that âsomething must be doneâ. And as the newspapers reported with surprise on its front page recently, actually turning up for a meeting.
âMeanwhile, the two candidates battling to replace Mr Johnson as Conservative Party Leader and Prime Minister have not spelled out any specific measures to help households survive over the coming months.
âLetâs hope that when the 0.2% of the electorate – Conservative Party members â have voted and the leadership battle is resolved in a few daysâ time, Minsters will be able to stop accusing each other very publicly of their decade or more of failings in Government and focus on the people they are supposed to represent.
Investing
âIn this absence Labour has set out a very real plan to get us through the Winter â both to stop prices rising and investing in long term energy and insulation measures.
âSadly, we havenât got a Labour government.
âWe have got a Labour Council though.
âSo, in the meantime, I can assure people across Sefton, this Council and it partners do care â very much
âThroughout the pandemic, people and communities across the Borough have shown how they can stand together.
âI want to let them know that Sefton Council will be standing with them.â
Next monthâs Cabinet will also be considering the Councilâs Child Poverty Strategy which will be underpinned by a partnership Action Plan.
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