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Sefton Council are delighted to announce details for the reopening of Bootle One Stop Shop.

The Stanley Road One Stop Shop has been closed for nearly 6 months, since the national lockdown in March. However, with the introduction of a range of new measures designed to keep customers and visitors safe, and a comprehensive risk assessment in place, the One Stop Shop will now reopen on Monday 14^th September.

New opening hours (10am – 4pm, Monday to Friday) and an appointment only system won’t be the only changes customers will notice.

There will no longer be a cash or card facility at payment kiosks, card payments can be made using the Council’s automated phone service or online payment facility. Direct Debits can be set up for Council Tax payments.

The One Stop Shop will also not be offering any taxi licencing appointments in the first weeks following reopening. However significant improvements have been made to the online service on the Council website and anyone who has any questions or issues in relation to taxi licencing can email taxiapplication@sefton.gov.uk Colleagues at the Sefton Council contact centre cannot assist with taxi licencing queries.  The Council Taxi Licencing Team have had ongoing conversations with Trade Representatives to make them aware of these changes.

Fewer booths (down to 6 from 11) mean customers will no longer be allowed to drop in – all visitors must pre-book a 30-minute appointment by calling 0345 140 0845.

72 appointments are available each day with the last appointment at 3.30pm. Appointments will be focussed on supporting vulnerable customers wishing to claim Benefits and Emergency Limited Assistance Scheme (ELAS).

Visitors are asked to be on time, any late arrivals may risk losing their appointment slot, and with no waiting area available, visitors are asked not to arrive too early and to attend alone where possible.

Public toilets will not be available.

Visitors will be required to wear a face covering and ensure social distancing; hand sanitiser stations will be provided, and anyone with any covid symptoms, including a temperature, is asked not to enter the building.

The Council appreciates that some of these changes may cause frustration for some customers, but ask that One Stop Shop staff are treated with respect. Please be patient, be kind.

Plans are in place to reopen a One Stop Shop service in Southport soon, and details of the reopening will be available in the coming weeks.

As part of Sefton Council’s commitment to promote responsible dog ownership, we are consulting on the reintroduction of dog control measures.

Consultation on introducing a new look Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) across the whole of the borough will start on the 7th September and will last until 5th October.

A Public Space Protection Order is an official measure that is an enforceable part of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

PSPOs can be used to protect the public from behaviour that is having or is likely to have a harmful effect on the quality of life of those in an area. To ensure that orders introduced are proportionate and have the support of local residents councils must hold a public consultation.

We began a consultation in March 2020 but unfortunately this was interrupted by the impact of COVID-19.

This consultation did run for 2 weeks and we received over 180 responses. We are taking all of these responses into account and combining the results with those of the new consultation.

We would like as many people as possible to respond to the new consultation so that we can ensure that any new order is in line with the views of all of our residents.

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Cabinet Member Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services, said: “This is just the start of the process to consult on a new PSPO in Sefton. Many other local authorities across the country have introduced similar orders to great effect, encouraging greater responsible dog ownership and promoting a cleaner and greener environment which everyone can enjoy.

She added: “The proposed order would continue the dog control requirements that were in place in Sefton for three years up to July 2020. Most dog owners across the borough already understand and do most of the things in the proposed order anyway, so if introduced it will have very little or no impact on them at all.

“Please take the time to read about the proposed order and tell us what you think about it.”

To complete the survey, visit https://yourseftonyoursay.sefton.gov.uk.

Should anyone require any assistance in completing the form over the telephone then they can call the contact centre on 0345 140 0845.

For a hard copy version and a freepost envelope for return an email can be sent to ETSContact@sefton.gov.uk

We will try to meet any other requirements that anyone may have that will allow them to engage in the consultation process. Any requests/requirements such as this can be sent to ETSContact@sefton.gov.uk

Although the Government has extended the Eviction Ban it brought in in response to the coronavirus pandemic until Sunday 20 September, Sefton Council’s Homeless Prevention Service are keen to contact tenants and landlords who may be anticipating issues now.

By contacting the team at homeless.prevention@sefton.gov.uk or by calling 07966 698 065 or 07870 379586, private rented and social housing tenants can get support to help them maintain their tenancy. The Team can also provide assistance with moving on to more affordable, and suitable accommodation if required.

Landlords facing issues such as rent arrears and late or inconsistent rent payments or who have concerns about vulnerable tenants can also contact the team for support in resolving the situation.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing said: “We know that COVID-19 has had an impact on many people’s circumstances and has had a negative effect on many households’ incomes, which could make housing costs a problem.

“The sooner tenants facing problems contact us, the better the chance that we can work with them to find practical solutions that avoid conflicts, evictions and the costs of legal proceedings.

“And by working with landlords facing difficulties, we can also help them reach solutions without the legal costs and lost rent that can arise from disputes and evictions.”

Sefton Council wants to hear from tenants who have received an eviction notice or have rent arrears, who are managing outstanding and current debts and who are trying to reduce their expenses or get the most from their income.

People having problems applying for Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) and with concerns about their own or family members’ mental health, drug or alcohol issues affecting your tenancy should also contact the service.

Landlords who contact the team may be concerned about affordability issues due to a change in circumstances, anti-social behaviour, their tenant’s mental health, addiction or other vulnerabilities that are affecting the tenancy.

Cllr Hardy added: “There are a wide range of issues some of which are very difficult for any of us to face up to and talk about but our Homeless Prevention Service is there to make that initial conversation easier and then to find constructive ways to overcome the problems.

“Despite this last-minute and short-term hold on evictions for a month by the Government, I would urge any tenants who are worried to get in touch with the Team at homeless.prevention@sefton.gov.uk or on 07966 698 065 or 07870 379586, today.”

Visit the Housing section of the Sefton Council website.