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At today’s Cabinet Meeting (November 3^rd) Sefton Council’s Cabinet Members approved a revised Housing Strategy which sets out the vision, key themes and strategic housing priorities for Sefton over the next five years.

The Housing Strategy looks at ensuring that housing needs are met over the next 5 years, with the right type of housing in the right locations. The Council will continue  to work closely with private sector providers and social landlords, as well as through the Council’s wholly owned company, Sandway Homes.

Focus

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities says: “Many of the housing priorities in the 2016-2021 Housing Strategy have been successfully implemented, and with the housing market and the way in which housing services are delivered having changed considerably over the last five  years, now is the perfect time for a refreshed Housing Strategy.

“The Housing Strategy focuses on a range of housing issues around five key themes and I am confident this will improve the local environment and quality of life for the benefit of all residents.

“We recognise that housing is one of the main producers of greenhouse gases, so we have made long-term resolutions to tackle our climate emergency head on by working with private property owners and registered providers of social housing to help retrofit homes across Sefton to reduce carbon emissions.

“The aim is to enable people to live independently, to tackle the barriers of accessing quality housing, and drive sustainable communities and develop neighbourhoods in a way that people enjoy being part of, and take pride living in.”

Economic growth

While Cllr Hardy acknowledges that there is a clear need for more housing, including both affordable properties in areas of high demand and a more balanced housing offer across the Borough, she says that the Housing Strategy also contributes to economic growth.

She adds: “We’ll be facilitating local employment opportunities and workforce development in construction. And we’re hopeful that by developing aspirational homes will also attract and retain people to live in our clean, green and beautiful Borough.”

You can find details of today’s Cabinet Meeting here.

Sefton Council is reminding households across the Borough who have prepayment meters to ensure they use vouchers sent through the Government’s Energy Bill Support Scheme.

Vouchers worth £66 were sent out by SMS text, email or post to prepayment meter customer from the start of October, as the first instalment of the Support Scheme.

Vouchers

Most households will have £400 automatically taken off their electricity bills in six instalments across the winter. However, those on prepayment meters need the vouchers to get the discount.

For most suppliers the vouchers, which can be redeemed at a Post Office or other locations such as PayPoint shops, should arrive in the post by 17th of each month but they are only valid for 90 days.

With PayPoint reporting that only around a third of the expected number of vouchers have been cashed so far, the Council wants to make sure that Sefton households don’t miss out.

Families hit hard

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: “With average energy bills reaching £2,500, which is going to hit many families very hard this winter, we don’t want anyone to miss out on the help available.

“I would urge any households in Sefton who have a pre-payment to check whether they have been sent a voucher and use it, and also to keep an eye out for the following vouchers when they arrive.”

Payments of £67 in December, January, February and March will follow the £66 payments for October and November. Households with smart prepayment meters will be credited directly in the first week of each month.

Disappointing

When the Government’s Energy Bill Support Scheme was announced Cllr Hardy said: “It is disappointing that while we’re told it means typical households will pay no more than £2,500 a year for energy for the next two years, Ms Truss’s plan will see those same households having to pay back the extra costs in the long term, no matter what their ability to do so, while the fuel companies continue to enjoy huge windfall profits as a result of the enormous current price rises.”

People struggling with the Cost of Living crisis can find advice and support at:

• www.sefton.gov.uk/cost-of-living;
• www.sefton.gov.uk/seftonsupporthub;
• https://helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk

Bootle’s Washington Parade is getting a greener and cleaner new look thanks to ward councillors and the area’s community gardeners.

Linacre Ward elected members, Cllrs John Fairclough and Christine Maher have joined forces with the Taking Root in Bootle Network to fund the installation of 16 new planters on this busy road behind the town’s Strand shopping centre.

Taking Root – which is co-ordinated by Bootle-based social enterprise Regenerus – aims to create more local green spaces, grow food, promote biodiversity and build friendships between the people involved.

The new planters – which will complement the existing living wall nearby – are part of plans to create a green corridor from Bootle Canalside to North Park, enhancing the look of the area as well as improving air quality.

They were installed this week with the help of children from local school All Saints Catholic Primary who were delighted to come along and get involved with the planting, as they know how important the role of nature is in enhancing air quality.

The pupils had even made signs for the planters to get this important message across to passers-by.

The hedging plants in the new containers have been chosen following careful research into which types are best for absorbing carbon.

They have been planted in a special mixed medium which includes Carbon Gold Enriched Biochar, an organic product which allows trees to build up their own natural resilience and helps with water retention and drainage.

In addition, every kilogram used sequesters around three kilograms of carbon, making an important contribution to improving air quality.

Cllr Christine Maher commented: “On behalf of my fellow Linacre Ward members I’d like to say how delighted we are that together with Taking Root and the children from All Saints Catholic Primary we are adding more planting along Washington Parade.

“It’s great that this community installation will increase biodiversity and boost air quality, and we hope that local residents will enjoy the greener feel as they walk along the road in the months and years ahead.”

You can find out more about Regenerus and Taking Root here.