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Have your say on Sefton’s brand new Physical Activity Strategy

24 April 2023
Ollie Cowan
No comments
Categories: Borough Of Culture, Business and Economy, Essential Sefton, Front Page, Health, InvestSefton, Latest News

Residents across Sefton are being asked to share their physical activity lifestyle habits as part of a new consultation.

As part of a project to create its Physical Activity Strategy, Sefton Council’s is asking people to reveal, anonymously, the physical activity they take part in.

The Council is keen to know the current levels of physical activity in Sefton’s. It also wants to identify any barriers that may be preventing people from taking part in activities that help their physical and mental wellbeing.

Results from the consultation, which runs until Friday 30th June, will be used to develop a special new Physical Activity Strategy designed to better understand physical activity habits and increase participation for those who need it most.

Questions in the consultation are varied and ask people about their lifestyles, how major life changes have affected their levels physical activity and more.

Simon Burnett, Sefton Council’s Assistant Director for People, said:  “We know that good physical activity is vitally important for our health and wellbeing, and we want to ensure that our residents have access to the best possible services and programs to support them.

“This consultation is an important step in ensuring that we are meeting the physical health needs of our residents, as well as finding out what may be discouraging people from using the services and facilities that we do offer.”

“We are committed to providing a wide range of services that best support our communities, ultimately creating a positive environment that promotes healthy and active lifestyles. 

“By gathering information through this consultation, the council can better understand the needs and behaviours of our communities.

“The data will then help us to tailor our physical activity services to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to lead an active and healthy lifestyle.”

Residents across Sefton are being encouraged to take part in the consultation, which is open until Friday 30th June.

To complete the survey please visit https://tinyurl.com/SeftonActivityStrategy

Sefton Council announces Philip Porter as new Chief Executive

20 April 2023
Ollie Cowan
No comments
Categories: Essential Sefton, Front Page, Latest News

Sefton Council has tonight (20th April 2023) announced Philip Porter as its new Chief Executive.

Recommendation

Leader of the Council, Cllr Ian Maher, as Chair of the Employment Procedure Committee provided Sefton’s Councillors with a briefing and recommendation that the Council approve the appointment of Philip Porter as Chief Executive.

Philip is currently Corporate Director of Adult Social Care and Health for Brent Council. He has worked for Brent Council since 2011 and has carried out several senior management roles.  Philip will be relocating to take the helm at Sefton once the current Chief Executive, Dwayne Johnson, retires over the summer, after more than 4 decades in local government.

Many excellent applications

Leader of Sefton Council and Chair of the Employment Procedure Committee, Cllr Ian Maher, said: “We received many excellent applications, and the Employment Procedure Committee (EPC) were very impressed with the calibre of the shortlisted candidates.  This certainly wasn’t an easy decision.

“Philip impressed the panel with his many and varied skills, and I look forward to working with him once he has taken up his new post.”

Delighted

Speaking about the appointment of Mr. Porter, Dwayne Johnson said: “I am delighted to be handing over the reins to Philip.

“I have no doubt he will do a fantastic job at Sefton and joins at an exciting time, given the scale of the regeneration programmes starting shortly, and I’m sure he will build on the progress we have been making over the last few years.”

Philip Porter brings with him extensive experience of local government, having worked for 9 years in Kent, 2 years as a consultant across England and Scotland, and 12 years in Brent. 

Philip has led a range of services in Brent including Adult Social Care, Housing (including housing management, housing supply, housing needs and private housing services), Public Health, Leisure and Culture building strong relationships with partners in the private, public and voluntary and community sectors across all of these areas.

Outside of work Philip spends most of his free time with his young family, but he is also a keen cyclist, cross country runner (with his dog) and swimmer, and is really looking forward to open water swimming at the Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre and along the Sefton coast when he can. 

Connection

Speaking about his appointment, Philip Porter said: “I am very excited, and feel enormously privileged, to have been offered this opportunity.  I have a connection to the local area; my sister and her family moved to Crosby in 2013, and so I have been visiting the borough for the last 10 years and enjoying what Sefton has to offer.  I am looking forward to seeing much more in the coming years.  

“I have been really impressed by the Council’s commitment to improve core services now, particularly Children’s Services, as well as its ambition for the future, from Bootle to Southport.  I am excited to meet and work closely with new colleagues, Councillors, partners, and residents because I am passionate about the difference we can make, working together, in Sefton.”

 

 

 

 

 

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The Atkinson to light up in Union Flag colours to celebrate King’s Coronation

20 April 2023
Ollie Cowan
No comments
Categories: Borough Of Culture, Business and Economy, Essential Sefton, Front Page, Latest News

Communities across Sefton will be flying the flag and raising a tea cup or glass for the King’s Coronation next month, with more than 40 community-led street parties around the Borough.

Union flags will also fly from Southport, Waterloo and Bootle Town Halls while The Atkinson, Southport will be illuminated in the iconic red, white and blue colours of the UK.

Forty-eight of Sefton’s residential streets will be closed off as neighbourhoods come together in a show of community spirit to mark the Coronation of King Charles III.

From Southport to Seaforth and Blowick to Bootle, streets will be decorated in patriotic colours over the Bank Holiday weekend, which takes place from Saturday 6th to Monday 8th May.

Many other informal gatherings are also being planned in cul-de-sacs, driveways and gardens.

Sefton Council’s Highways team have been working hard to process and approve the 48 street closures. This involves a detailed traffic assessment to ensure any disruptions to the network are kept to a minimum.

Andrea Watts, Sefton Council’s Executive Director for People, said: â€œThe Bank Holiday provides a fantastic opportunity for our wonderful and caring communities to come together and celebrate a once in-a-lifetime occasion.

“I know that many of our street parties will also be about coming together to celebrate Sefton’s wonderful community spirit and the kindhearted nature of our neighbours, as well as marking the King’s Coronation.

“I hope everyone enjoys themselves celebrate while staying safe and respecting the beautiful Borough that we call home.”

Peter Moore, Sefton Council’s Head of Highways and Public Protection, said: â€œI am very proud of our hard-working Highways Team who have processed and detailed all of these applications so that street parties can take place safely while at the same time minimising the impact any closures may have on traffic.

“Organisers have been given lots of advice and toolkits on how to host a successful street party and we cannot wait to see lots of pictures of people enjoying themselves.

“All I would ask is anyone attending a street party makes sure they look after the area where they live and clean up any litter that may get left behind.”

The deadline to apply for a Coronation street party has now passed.

May Living Well bus stop in Sefton mean more chances to get a free health check and COVID-19 vaccine

18 April 2023
Martin Driver
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News

Living Well Bus information panelThe ‘Living Well’ bus service is returning to Sefton this month to offer residents a free health check and the opportunity to catch up on first and second COVID-19 vaccines.  Third primary doses will also be available for people who are immunosuppressed.

Operating as a drop-in service, the bus offers a range of physical health checks, COVID-19 vaccinations, and referrals to talking therapies.

No appointment needed

The bus will be at the following location from 10:30am-4pm, with no appointment needed:

  • Former H Samuel unit – Strand Shopping Centre, Bootle – Friday 28 April.

    Maghull Lidl Car Park, North way, Maghull Wednesday 10th May.

The service, which is delivered by the Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, was launched in June 2022 to offer a consistent health and care approach across communities across Cheshire and Merseyside. All activity is recorded and shared with your GP, ensuring ongoing understanding and support for your health is in place.

Find out more about the service on the Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust website.

 You can find out more about the COVID-19 vaccine, who is eligible, and to book an appointment online or find other walk-in vaccination sites on the NHS website.

Sefton residents being urged to apply to Open Access Household Support Fund

18 April 2023
Martin Driver
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Latest News

Wall mounted thermostatSefton residents struggling to afford energy, food and water bills are being urged to apply to the Open Access Household Support Fund.

Financial help

Open to low income households, the Open Access Household Support Fund can provide financial help which does not have to be paid back. Neither will it be treated as income for tax or benefit purposes.

To apply, households have to show they need immediate financial help towards energy, food, and essential household bills. This means showing they are on a low-income and are struggling to pay their bills.

Utility bills

Applicants must be able to show they are Sefton residents and that they are responsible for utility bills.

They also need to show that either they earn less than ÂŁ20,000 a year if they are single or ÂŁ30,000 as couples with or without children, they receive Universal Credit and earnings below ÂŁ10,000 or that a resident in the household is in receipt of either Attendance Allowance, Carers Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment or is a Care Leaver.

Or they need to show they have not been eligible for other government support with the cost-of-living crisis or if you have received government support, they can demonstrate that they need further support.

ELAS

The scheme is not open to households that have received support towards utility bills from the Council’s Emergency Limited Assistance Scheme (ELAS) in the last six months.

Find out more and apply here.

Free Internet & Wi-Fi access 

There is free computer, Internet and Wi-Fi access at local Sefton libraries for those who have  difficulty accessing online services. Additionally, anyone struggling to apply online can contact the Council’s Contact Centre on 0345 140 0845.

Applications will be cross-checked to other services including where applicable to data held by the Department for Work and Pensions.

 

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