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Author: Ollie Cowan

Businesses booming thanks to InvestSefton funding

9 August 2018
Ollie Cowan
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Local Consultation

Two Sefton businesses that have benefited from European funding and local growth hub support along with assistance from InvestSefton and Sefton@Work were recently visited.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Labour Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, along with support staff from InvestSefton dropped in to Morgan Hope Industries Ltd and Immersive Interactive Ltd to see how both businesses are booming.

Morgan Hope Industries Ltd, based at the Blowick Industrial Park, Southport manufactures, supplies and installs lighting and electronic energy control systems, which reduce energy consumption.

InvestSefton has assisted the business by helping them tender for public sector contracts, and linking them to support and commercial opportunities through the Liverpool City Region.

Also on the agenda was a trip to Immersive Interactive Ltd who are based on Princes Street in the town centre.

The company offers futuristic learning spaces which can be used in both mainstream and special needs education establishments and simulation training for the emergency services.

The local business was supported by InvestSefton through grant application work.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Labour Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, said: “Getting out and visiting local businesses is a great way to see how the support offered to them has enabled them to grow and move forward.

“Both businesses have been supported by InvestSefton and Sefton@Work and it is great to see local companies doing so well and expanding in their respective fields.

“Success stories like these really show how Sefton is open for business and supports our local companies.”

Peter Salt, from Immersive Interactive Ltd, said: “Our initial inquiry was in relation to the purchase of new premises in Southport and our advisor, Colin Hickey, guided us successfully through the Merseyside Growth Fund application.

“Since that initial experience Colin and Invest Sefton have become an integral part of Immersive Interactive’s success and progress, with both sound advice and networking opportunities. I would recommend any SME to take advantage of this fantastic resource.‘’

Stephen Fisher of Morgan Hope Industries Ltd, added: “We design and manufacture our range of lighting products in house as a bespoke solution, with savings of up to 80% achieved.

“Saving energy and reducing costs is important for businesses, and we have developed valuable new commercial opportunities in the Liverpool City Region, through working with InvestSefton.”

Southport firm Cumfybus to run Park & Ride services

8 August 2018
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Active Sefton, Business and Economy, Essential Sefton, Front Page, Latest News, Merseytravel

Sefton Council is delighted to announce a brand new partnership with Southport company Cumfybus to run the town’s Park and Ride service.

Running from the Esplanade, through the Town Centre and to the Southport Eco Centre, at just £2 per car, the regular 10 minute loop service is incredibly popular with tourists, shoppers and commuters alike.

Cumfybus will run buses specially equipped with hybrid technology to reduce emissions and compliments Sefton Council’s action plan to help minimise the impact of of air pollution across the borough.

Cllr John Fairclough, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Locality Services, said: “This is a fantastic partnership with a local Southport company who have hit the ground running and are already offering a great service.

“The eco friendly busses which run every ten minutes are actively combatting air pollution and helping keep our borough clean, green and beautiful.

“We are delighted to be working with Cumfybus and we are confident that people who use the facility will be really impressed with its value for money and how quick and efficient the service is.”

“We would also like to place on record our thanks to Arriva who previously ran our Park and Ride service for many years.”

Cumfybus Managing Director, Marshall Vickers, added: “As a Southport company it gives me great pleasure to be operating the Park and Ride service in the town and we are delighted to be working in partnership with Sefton Council.

“To be able to use two of our fleet of Eco-friendly hybrid buses is the icing on the cake.”

The service runs from 7.30am to 6.30pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 6:30pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

The Sovini Group is first housing group awarded Gold for supporting the Armed Forces

8 August 2018
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News

Sefton-based Sovini Group the Gold Award, their highest honour, in recognition for the Group’s outstanding support of the Armed Forces community.

The Sovini Group is the first housing group in the country to be awarded Gold since the scheme’s inception in 2014. The accolade follows their Bronze Award win in 2016 and the Silver Award in 2017.

The ERS recognises employers who actively support Reservists, Service leavers, wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women, the Cadet organisations and service families, as well as inspire other organisations to follow their lead.

The property management and development group has long standing relationships with the Armed Forces community. They work in close partnership with Army Reserve unit 156 Regiment RLC and local organisations, Liverpool’s Veterans HQ and Veterans in Sefton, providing ex-service personnel with housing, training and employment opportunities.

A recent initiative between The Sovini Group with Veterans HQ has led to six local veteran families being rehomed and saved from homelessness since the start of 2018.

The company offers a volunteer placement programme, which supports veterans with their transition from the Armed Forces into employment within civilian life. Some of those who took part in the programme have gone on to get jobs within the Group, such as at Sovini Trade Supplies in Aintree.

The Sovini Group also employ a number of Reservists and provides tailored support including an additional 10 days leave for training and unlimited unpaid leave if they are mobilised.

Dr Roy Williams, CEO of The Sovini Group said:

“It’s an honour to be the first housing group to achieve the Gold Award. By adopting the Armed Forces Covenant we help to make sure the people who make huge sacrifices on our behalf receive the recognition and support they deserve in the workplace and the wider community”

Private Tracy Newman, Customer Empowerment Officer, The Sovini Group said:

“The Sovini Group has been fantastic from the very beginning supporting me in my Army Reserves journey. The flexibility they have given me has been invaluable. When I talk to other Sovini staff during Armed Forces partnership events I see real interest from colleagues and going forward I hope to encourage more staff to get involved.”

Tobias Ellwood, The Minister for Defence People and Veterans said:

“The breadth and diversity of this year’s winners shows how business support for the Armed Forces continues to flourish. Their commitment is a testament to the fantastic contribution our serving personnel, veterans and their families can make to any organisation. We all have a role to play in ensuring that the Armed Forces community is not disadvantaged by service, and each of these employers is a setting an example as meaningful advocates for those protecting the nation.”

 

For more information about The Sovini Group, visit sovini.co.uk

Scheduled IT Maintenance Works – August 16

8 August 2018
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Essential Sefton, Front Page, Latest News

Scheduled ICT works to Sefton Council’s servers may mean that some electronic forms will not be available between 6.30pm and 7pm on Thursday August 16.

This may include reporting highways defects, street lighting issues and missed rubbish collections. 

The e-form service is expected to be back online shortly after 7pm. 

We apologise for any disruption this may cause. 

Sefton implements new domiciliary care contracts across the borough

7 August 2018
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Uncategorized

Sefton Council is currently in the process of implementing new contracts for Domiciliary Care services.

The new contracts will be with CRG Homecare, ICare and Local Solutions and we welcome them as new providers and are excited about how they will assist the Council to deliver an improved model of service for the next three years.

In terms of the changes and impacts, we are aware that most people are generally concerned about ensuring they have the same staff team delivering their care.

All staff who are currently working with existing providers delivering the Council’s contract will be able to automatically transfer to these new providers and retain their existing employment terms and conditions. This will enable service users to continue having their service provided by the same staff team they know.

Last week Sefton Council successfully transferred services in the north of the borough to one of these new providers with more than 150 service users and 50 staff transferring over as well. This ensured that staff have guaranteed employment and that service users’ normal care support was not disrupted.

Sefton Council will continue to work closely with the remaining services which are to transfer on September 1 alongside new and former providers to ensure as little disruption as possible.

Anyone who requires further assistance in relation to this should call 0151 934 3744.

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