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Sefton Council still urging continued COVID caution

12 July 2021
Martin Driver
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News, Sefton Council

Recognising the concern expressed by many about the Government’s decision to scrap all COVID restrictions from Monday 19th July, despite growing infection rates locally and nationally, Sefton Council is recommending continued caution.

This approach is in line with the Prime Minister’s expected advice later on today.

It is advising people should continue wearing face coverings in busy indoor spaces where social distancing isn’t possible, continue getting tested if they do or don’t have coronavirus symptoms and continue getting vaccinated as soon as they can.

Safer

By wearing masks, we can protect ourselves but also those around us while we are carrying COVID but not showing symptoms. And we can do this even if we have had both vaccine jabs. Buses, trains shops, supermarkets GP surgeries and hospitals are all places where mask-wearing might make people feel safer.

Everyone who doesn’t have COVID symptoms should undertake free, rapid Lateral Flow Tests twice a week. These help confirm they are not among the people who carry COVID but don’t show the symptoms, which includes those who have been fully vaccinated, who can infect others.

Anyone who does show the coronavirus symptoms of a new persistent cough, raised temperature or loss of taste or smell should take a rapid Lateral Flow Tests and follow up with a PCR test if the LFT test is positive. The should stay home and self-isolate until they have the PCR test.

Safest

Vaccination is still the safest and most effective way of avoiding COVID infection and potential serious illness. It also helps prevent you passing the virus on to someone else, although not 100%.

Anyone aged 18 or over can now book a vaccination appointment or go to one of Sefton’s walk-in sites or vaccine centres.

Safe

In addition to individuals continuing mask-wearing, testing and getting vaccinated, organisations and employers should continue to ensure workplaces are as safe as they can be with hand washing facilities and proper ventilation with external fresh air in place.

And, maintaining existing COVID-control measures in settings such as care homes could help to protect vulnerable people.

Margaret Jones, Sefton Council’s Director of Public Health said: “COVID-19 continues to be with us in Sefton and that presence will continue after Monday 19th July but if we all continue to take the precautions that could protect ourselves and others, we can carefully continue down the path back to normality.”

Don’t leaf it to a stranger! Remember your Rubbish Responsibilities

9 July 2021
Ollie Cowan
No comments
Categories: Essential Sefton, Front Page, Green Sefton, Latest News

Sefton Council is once again reminding residents of their rubbish responsibilities or risk prosecution after tonnes of household garden waste were flytipped in Southport.

Officers discovered the waste, which includes heavy tree stumps and garden cuttings, on the former Kew Park & Ride site, following the removal of a travelling community from the land.

It’s understood members of the community had approached residents on their doorstep offering cut price garden maintenance, before illegally dumping the waste on the council’s land – potentially leading to unwitting residents being heavily fined or even prosecuted.

While many residents hire third parties to take away household waste and large bulky items from their properties, most do not know the rules and regulations that cover these types of waste disposal.

There are a number of things you should do to avoid unscrupulous individuals:

– Ensure that the individual or firm is registered with the Environment Agency as an official waste carrier
– Avoid accepting random doorstep collections from individuals or firms
– Keep the name and address and vehicle details of the individual or firm who dispose of your waste
– Ask for a proper invoice or receipt
– Get more than one quote and expect to pay a reasonable fee

 

If flytipped waste is traced back to your property, you could be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of up to ÂŁ400 if you cannot properly identify who you used to get rid of your waste. More serious instances could resort in prosecution.

There are many reputable firms who can disposed of your waste responsibly and the Council offer a collection service if people wish to dispose of bulky items, alternatively, items in good condition can be donated to local charities. You can find details on our website.

Each year Sefton’s cleansing teams have to remove thousands of tonnes of rubbish from alleyways across the borough, costing the Council more than ÂŁ800,000 a year to dispose of properly, these funds could be used to support vital local services.

A spokesperson for Sefton Council said: “People illegally dumping rubbish costs the council hundreds of thousands of pounds a year to clean up and dispose of.

“No matter if its a small bin bag or a huge pile of garden waste, it’s still flytipping and you will be fined heavily for irresponsibly disposing of your rubbish.

“This includes hiring unlicensed third parties – if you cannot identify who you have hired, you may well be liable for a fine or face prosecution. Make sure you check who you are hiring to dispose of your waste.

“Please dispose of your waste in the proper fashion and make Sefton a cleaner and greener place to live, work and visit.”

If any residents have any concerns regarding flytipping or wish to report an offence, they should contact us on 0345 140 0845 or report it via our website www.sefton.gov.uk.

It will cost the council at least ÂŁ2,400 to remove the dumped garden waste from Kew Park & Ride.

Residents can also check the legitimacy of a licensed waste carrier by visiting https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers or call the Environment Agency hotline 03708 506 506

Mobile testing dates and locations for July – latest update

9 July 2021
Martin Driver
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News, Sefton Council
One again in July, drive-through Mobile Testing Units will be available across the Borough.
These sites are for people with symptoms – a new persistent cough, a high temperature or a loss of sense of taste or smell – and can be booked by calling 119 or visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.
Planned dates and sites may be subject to change if testing is required in other locations:

Remaining dates and locations for July 2021

  • Friday 9 Maghull Town Hall
  • Saturday 10 Maghull Town Hall
  • Sunday 11 Maghull Town Hall
  • Monday 12 Litherland SP
  • Tuesday 13 Litherland SP
  • Wednesday 14 Southport Eco Centre
  • Thursday 15 Southport Eco Centre
  • Friday 16 Southport Eco Centre
  • Saturday 17 Maghull Town Hall
  • Sunday 18 Maghull Town Hall
  • Monday 19 Maghull Town Hall
  • Tuesday 20 Southport Eco Centre
  • Wednesday 21 NO MOBILE TESTING
  • Thursday 22 Maghull Town Hall
  • Friday 23 Litherland SP
  • Saturday 24 Litherland SP
  • Sunday 25 Litherland SP
  • Monday 26 Litherland SP
  • Tuesday 27 Southport Eco Centre
  • Wednesday 28 Maghull Town Hall
  • Thursday 29 Litherland SP
  • Friday 30 NO MOBILE TESTING
  • Saturday 31 Maghull Town Hall

Our mobile Swab Squads are out over the next week

Walk-through test centres

In addition, local walk-through test centres are open every day from 8am to 8pm, providing easy access to COVID-19 tests for people who do not have access to a car and for those who have symptoms and should not travel by public transport.

The four local test centres are located at:

  • Bootle Town Hall, L20 7AA
  • Crosby Library Car Park, Haigh Road, L22 OLQ
  • Netherton Activity Centre, Glovers Land, L30 3TL
  • Southport Town Hall, PR8 1DA

Those with symptoms wanting tests, need to book ahead of going to either the walk-through or drive-through sites. It’s quick and easy to book by calling 119 or going online at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.

RAPID testing and home tests

RAPID testing for people without symptoms continues at Bootle Strand and Southport’s Splash World. The Splash World site, mopwlocated in the centre’s car park,  is open from 8am to 6pm seven days a week. The Bootle Strand site, the former H Samuel unit, is open 8am to 6pm Monday to Saturday and from 10am to 4pm on Sundays.

And, home test kits are widely available, from test centres, from all Sefton’s pharmacies as well as online from www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests

RAPID tests provide a result in as little as 30 minutes. A rapid test at home involves taking a throat & nasal swab, dropping the sample into the container supplied and then checking for the result after 20 to 30 minutes.

Self-isolation

It is important that anyone who gets a positive result from a rapid test or who develops coronavirus symptoms begins self-isolates for 10 days and immediately books a PCR test by calling 119 or visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus. A negative result from a PCR tests means they can stop self-isolating.

Eligible individuals who test positive are entitled to the ÂŁ500 Test and Trace Support Payment in the same way as a regular swab test through NHS Test and Trace.

Vaccination

Vaccinations have played a key role in preventing the spread of coronavirus and it is vital that people go and get their first and second jabs when they are invited.

Vaccinations are now available to anyone who is :

  • aged 30 or over;
  • will turn 30 before 1 July 2021.

Book your vaccination now.

Sefton Council reports best performing Council Tax collection rate across Liverpool City Region

8 July 2021
Martin Driver
No comments
Categories: Business and Economy, Front Page, Latest News

Sefton Council is thanking the Borough’s residents and businesses for their prompt payment of Council Tax and non-domestic rates, making the Borough’s collections the highest across the Liverpool City Region.

The Council remains committed to collecting all debts, as it pays for facilities and services including to some of the most vulnerable in our communities such as safeguarding children and providing vital support through Adult Social Care provision.

Despite the challenging circumstances that the health crisis has created, communities across Sefton have supported the Council in its collections during the last financial year, while the authority has also offered help to those struggling financially.

Sefton Council’s Council Tax collection rate stands at 95% and non-domestic rates at 96.4% for the year 2020/21. While both have decreased compared to the previous year as a result of the pandemic, the reduction is less than the average nationally, and put Sefton top across the Liverpool City Region according to latest figures published by the Government.

However, anyone continuing to face hardship is assured that there are solutions and advice available to support those struggling to pay their Council Tax or Business Rates.

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regulation and Compliance, said: “These high levels of collection will ensure we can continue to deliver vital services Borough-wide, for the residents and businesses paying them, despite the rollercoaster of a year we’ve all just faced.

“We will always fulfil our duty to collect fairly what is owed to us through Council Tax and Business Rates and we use that income to offer many valuable services. This remains a key issue for the Council and we will continue to work with our residents to get collections rates and incomes back up to pre-pandemic levels over the coming months.

“We do recognise that some people struggle to pay their Council Tax bills. If this is the case, please don’t suffer in silence and contact us as early as possible. This is particularly pertinent given the difficulties many have facing job uncertainty and reduced incomes owing to the pandemic.

“Help is available, and the earlier people get in touch regarding their debts, the quicker we can assist them.”

A wide range of advice and support is available to people facing difficulties paying Council Tax and other household bills. Council staff can put people in touch with organisations providing free, independent financial advice such as Citizens Advice Sefton, Sefton Advice Services, Sefton Credit Union, National Debt Line and the Step Change Debt Charity.

There are also a number of ways that people can reduce their Council Tax liability. These include the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme for people on a low income and the Exceptional Hardship Fund. And there are several discounts and exemptions including for people who are sole occupiers.

Similarly, eligible businesses have received Business Rates discounts and holidays during the last financial year, with further automatic discounts already applied in line with Government guidelines for the current year.  

Cllr Lappin added: “Every 1% of Council Tax we collect, results in about £1.4m being spent on vital services that support our communities. It makes sense that the more we collect then the more we have to spend in the future.”

For more information, including help and advice on paying your council tax, please call 0345 140 0845 or visit www.sefton.gov.uk/counciltax

Information for businesses can be found on the dedicated support page of the Council’s website www.sefton.gov.uk/business/business-rates/covid-19-business-support-for-202021-202122/

Plans for construction of Sefton’s first new council homes for 30 years get go-ahead

8 July 2021
Martin Driver
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Sefton Council

Sandway hard hatInnovative plans by developer Sandway Homes Ltd will see the building of the Borough’s first new council homes in almost three decades.

Sefton Council-owned company Sandway Homes’ plans to include council apartments as part of the its Buckley Hill Lane development have been approved by the authority’s Planning Committee. The development will also contribute to the affordable housing provision on the wider open market housing site.

1990s

Construction of the nine council flats will be first to take place in Sefton since the 1990s.

Located in Sefton Grange, the Buckley Hill Lane site on the edge of Netherton will see the construction of 69 new properties. They will be two, three and four-bed homes and one and two-bed apartments, the majority of which will be for sale. The scheme will see the redevelopment of land previously occupied by tower blocks, known as the Z Blocks.

Sandway Homes Ltd.’s new Managing Director Louise Davies welcomed the decision by Sefton Council’s Planning Committee to give the go-ahead for the Buckley Hill Lane site.

Exciting & historic

Louise, who joined Sandway in May, said: “This is an exciting period for Sandway Homes Ltd and the construction of these nine, new council apartments at Buckley Hill Lane, the first in Sefton for almost 30 years, makes it a historic one too.

“Our aim is to develop high-quality, mixed-tenure homes, to meet Sefton’s housing requirements. I am pleased to have joined the company at a time when our early developments are taking shape and the next phase of sites are coming on stream.”

In June, Sefton Council’s Cabinet also agreed the disposal of three new sites for development by Sandway Homes. The former Bootle High School site in Netherton, and land at Bentham’s Way and Foul Lane in Southport, will form the second phase of Sandway’s development programme.

Challenging

Louise continued: “An important part of Sandway’s business model is to target challenging brownfield sites, in locations where new homes are in high demand to complement other schemes being delivered across the Borough.”

Over the next five years, Sandway Homes’ Business Plan will ensure that Sefton Council receives income from land disposal receipts, with all sites being acquired at full market value. In addition, the Council will receive sales income as well as planning gain through Section 106 and increased Council Tax revenue. And, it will introduce new, high-quality housing in areas of the Borough were new build-homes may have not been provided before.

Return

 Louise added: “Sandway will generate a financial return and added value to the Council through a number of routes.  As with any development programme, investment to date has included the pre-construction associated works and obtaining planning consent and financial approval for the Council to raise borrowing in order to invest in this first phase of development.”

Sign at Sandway siteConstruction of Sandway Homes Ltd.’s first two developments of 78, high-quality two, three & four-bed homes at Sandy Brook, Ainsdale and Barton’s Close, Crossens is already underway. Both schemes include affordable housing as part of the mix, with 25 of the 78 properties allocated for a combination of affordable rent and shared ownership.

With support from Homes England and the Liverpool City Region Brownfield Land Fund, main contractors Barnfield Construction Limited are on site and the groundworks phase for both sites are almost complete.  Property handovers are scheduled to commence in early 2022, and the Company and their appointed agent Abode, have received extensive sales interest for the first release of homes.

Far-sighted

Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Trish Hardy added: “Increasingly Councils are turning to development partnerships such as we have created in Sefton and there are some very successful examples of where these far-sighted, symbiotic relationships are working very successfully. 

“I look forward to working with Louise, the Sandway Team and a range of partners to continue to provide people in Sefton with high-quality housing, which meets their needs and supports the Council’s ambitious 2030 vision.”

More information and details of the high-quality, contemporary homes Sandway is constructing can be found at www.sandwayhomes.co.uk

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