Author: Ollie Cowan

Liverpool City Region has been nominated to host a new North West Energy Hub, which will help consolidate the region’s strengths as a leading player in sustainable energy.

Endorsed by the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Combined Authority Boards, the Hub will provide expertise and resources to help local authorities and LEPs across the North West prioritise and deliver local energy projects.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) is considering funding the Hub as part of its Local Energy programme, which was announced in the Clean Growth Strategy last October.

The Hub will cover the five LEP areas in the North West (Cheshire & Warrington; Cumbria; Lancashire; Greater Manchester and Liverpool City Region) who will work together to coordinate local action to support the energy agenda.

Steve Rotheram, Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor, said:

“This is great news for the Liverpool City Region and will enable us to further consolidate our reputation as one of the UK’s leading regions for sustainable energy.
“We are already home to a hugely important low-carbon cluster, with 1400 companies, employing 23,000 people and contributing £2bn to the city region economy. And through projects such as harnessing the power of the River Mersey, we will build on that in the years to come.
“Clean, low carbon energy production is the key to the future economic prosperity of our city region. Combining predictable and plentiful renewable energy with world-class digital connectivity will give us a unique competitive edge as a global investment destination.”

Welcoming the North West Energy Hub, Liverpool City Region LEP Chair Asif Hamid MBE, said:

“This is not just fantastic news for the City Region but also for the wider North West. For us, the opportunity to host the North West Local Energy Hub in the City Region is a chance to show national and regional leadership in the energy agenda that has been identified as a key priority of the City Region, for the LEP, Metro Mayor and the Northern Powerhouse.

“Importantly, the creation of a Local Energy Hub will also enable us to identify projects suitable for low carbon investment aligned with our city region strategic ambitions which, in turn, can enable our local economy to seize opportunities and implement projects that will deliver investment, jobs and local growth.”

The Local Energy Hub is expected to commence in April 2018. The appointment of the Liverpool City Region LEP as lead for the Local Energy Hub and associated funding are subject to Government approval.

Following discussions with the managing agents from the district leagues, matches on all Sefton Council playing fields have been postponed this weekend (Saturday, January 20, and Sunday, January 21, 2018).

 The decision has been taken due to the current ground conditions caused by the recent poor weather and the present forecast.

 The managing agents will notify relevant clubs and leagues affected.

Sefton continues to help vulnerable people get through winter by hosting a Keep Warm, Keep Well event next month.

The Local Authority, alongside Sefton OPERA are supporting the National Energy Action’s Warm Homes Campaign by organising an event at the Atkinson Arts Centre, Southport on February 19 from 11am.

A recent report highlighted that over a million families won’t be able to meet basic costs of living this winter, facing an income shortfall of up to £9,331 per year.

Many vulnerable people will be hit hard, including older people and those in ill-health, living in energy inefficient homes that are difficult and expensive to heat.

Cllr Catie Page, Sefton Council’s Fuel Poverty Champion, said:

“Living in a cold damp home can lead to extremely poor health, especially for the more vulnerable members of our community.

“There is however excellent work going on locally to tackle this problem. I urge anyone living in a cold home or concerned about their energy bills to come along to our Keep Warm, Keep Well on February 19.”

Information stands will be open between 11am and 12.30pm, followed by a free tea dance from 1.30pm.

If you are unable to attend but would like to know more about help with your energy bills, contact Sefton’s Affordable Warmth Team on 0151 934 2222.

Litter louts who have been caught irresponsibly disposing of rubbish in Sefton have been convicted in court this week, leading to fines totaling more than £1,000

Three people, all from the Southport area of Sefton failed to appear at South Sefton Magistrates court this week (Tuesday, January 16) after they were spotted by enforcement officers littering in the borough.

Phillip Coates, 57, of Scarisbrick New Road, Southport was found guilty in absence and fined £350.

Stephen Knight, 33, of Central Avenue, Birkdale was found guilty in absence and fined £350.

Malcolm Webb, 34, of Part Street, Southport was found guilty in absence and fined £350.

A spokesman for Sefton Council said:

“It’s simple. If you drop litter and our enforcement officers catch you, you will be fined £75.

“If you fail to pay and your case goes to court, then the fine can be considerably higher.

“It’s a criminal offence to litter and we will not hesitate to fine those who deliberately make our beautiful borough untidy.

“People need to think twice before just throwing their waste away and court cases like these highlight what can happen if you are caught. Either take it home or use a bin.”

For more information about litter, visit www.sefton.gov.uk/bins-recycling/litter-and-fly-tipping.

Switching your energy tariff with the Merseyside Collective Switch is both quick and easy, and it could save you hundreds of pounds a year.

Run in partnership with your local authority, the Merseyside Collective Switch aims to negotiate the cheapest energy tariff on the market, which will only be available to its members.

Registration is now open and the winning offers will be announced after February 14.

Two thirds of UK households are on their energy supplier’s standard (and often most expensive) tariff. There are savings to be made by shopping around, and you may find a better deal with your existing supplier with no disruption to your service or billing.  

Delivered by local charity, Energy Projects Plus, and the six Merseyside local authorities, the Merseyside Collective Switch has saved local people over £1.3 million on their energy bills so far.

Previous winning tariffs have included Big 6 suppliers such as British Gas, E.on, SSE and EDF Energy as well as smaller suppliers such as Ovo and Green Energy.

Offers have been included for prepayment meter (or pay as you go) customers as well as direct debit and pay on receipt of bill customers, so there’s something for everyone.

The winning tariffs have often been the cheapest on the market, so better than you could get elsewhere and exclusive to members.

The Merseyside Collective Switch also includes a full market comparison, so if the winning deals aren’t right for you, you can find one that is.

The service is free, and there’s no obligation to switch if you decide not to.

Help and support is available from Energy Advisors who can guide you through your top offers and help you complete your switch.

It only takes 15 minutes to switch and members saved an average of £260 a year on their energy bills in our last round.

By registering, you will have access to the exclusive offers and can make sure you’re not missing out on a great deal on your energy.

Registration closes at midnight on February 14.

To join the Collective Switch visit www.LCRenergyswitch.co.uk or call the local Save Energy Advice Line on freephone 0800 043 0151, where you can also get free and impartial advice about saving energy at home.