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People could face stark choice between staying warm or eating this winter warns Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities

2 December 2021
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities has said that rocketing energy bills could result in some of the Borough’s families making the stark choice between eating and heating their homes this winter.

Cllr Trish Hardy
Cllr Trish Hardy

Cllr Hardy said:

“We’ve already experienced freezing temperatures this week, and I know those struggling to make ends meet, will be grappling with difficult choices.

“They will be trying to decide which bills they prioritise, and for some that may mean going without a decent meal.

“Energy price rises, combined with the Government’s cutting of £20 per week from Universal Credit in October, has resulted in families across Sefton facing a tough winter ahead.

“I want to reassure our communities that our dedicated Affordable Warmth Team are here to help.

“They can help you to heat your home more efficiently and make your bills more affordable. The team are there for people in Sefton dealing with fuel poverty concerns and can help prevent them having to choose between putting food on the table and heating their home.”

In October, the national energy price cap increased by 12% which resulted in an estimated ÂŁ100 increase on fuel bills each year. The recent gas crisis has pushed those bills up further to well over ÂŁ200 more compared to last winter. At the same time, people relying on Universal Credit have faced a ÂŁ1,040 annual drop in their income.

With this in mind, Sefton Council is using Friday’s Fuel Poverty Awareness Day to remind the Borough’s families on low incomes to contact the Council’s Affordable Warmth Team by email at energy@sefton.gov.uk or by calling 0151 934 2222, for assistance and advice on a range of topics.

Advice includes support for first time gas central heating, cavity wall insulation, boiler replacements and loft insulation. Smart meters are also available to all homes to help families monitor their energy usage.

Friday 3rd December is Fuel Poverty Awareness Day, spearheaded by National Energy Action (NEA), the national fuel poverty charity. It works across England, Wales and Northern Ireland to tackle the root causes of fuel poverty and supports those experiencing it to be able to live in a warm and safe home.

The charity reports that around 10,000 people die across the United Kingdom each year, simply because they are unable to keep their homes warm. And that over 4 million households across the UK are in fuel poverty.

Enjoy a living history lesson on Lord Street

2 December 2021
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Borough Of Culture, Front Page, Latest News

Shoppers along Southport’s famous boulevard are being given a fantastic history lesson as they pass the iconic Grade II listed 509-515 Lord Street building, which is currently undergoing a huge restoration project.

Contractors have recently fitted Information Boards describing the background to this ambitious scheme which is part of the wider Southport Townscape Heritage Project.

Council Officers have developed the Boards which have been put together following meticulous research of the building’s history by looking through dusty old files and documents at various libraries.

Cllr Daren Veidman, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Building Control, said: “It’s really interesting to watch the re-development of this iconic building and I am delighted that we have these Information Boards.

“What we wanted is a clear way to tell the incredible story behind the journey this building has gone on, welcoming in a brand new chapter in the history of Lord Street.”

The ÂŁ1m renovation, which is taking place thanks to a significant grant contribution from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, will see the building’s heritage features restored as well as nine high specification apartments and two ground floor retail units being brought back into use.

Paul Halsall of building owners, Lord Street Developments, added: “The Information Boards have really caught the attention of passers-by and they do make a good read, especially with the images of old posters and flyers relating to former occupiers, you can really become immersed in the history of the building”.

“This high-quality refurbishment due for completion next Spring sets a high standard for subsequent design in Southport town centre and will provide nine self-contained apartments in addition to high quality retail space in the twin shops”.

For further information about the Southport Townscape Heritage project, to follow progress on individual buildings and to learn more about further grant opportunities, take a look at the Southport Townscape Heritage project Facebook page or the dedicated www.southporttownscape.org.uk website.

You can also follow updates via Twitter on @SouthportTHP

Sefton Cabinet agrees ‘Dynamic Purchasing’ system for residential rehabilitation services

2 December 2021
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News

Sefton Council’s Cabinet today approved a Dynamic Purchasing System for commissioning Residential Rehabilitation for drug treatment and recovery.

Service providers will be invited to join the new system which, by fixing prices for similar client groups will cut down the time and cost of placement negotiations. Costing ÂŁ270,000 for three years from April 2022, the Dynamic Purchasing System will also enable the Council to take advantage of changes in the marketplace which may take place over the coming years.

Completion rate

Sefton Council sees Residential Rehabilitation as an integral part of any drug treatment and recovery system and a vital option for some people requiring treatment for substance dependency. Between June 2019 and March 2021, Sefton saw a completion rate of 78% of placements.

The number of admissions almost doubled, from 34 in 2019/20 to 64 in 2020/21, in line with the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, which is thought to have resulted of behaviour change and greater vulnerabilities during the pandemic. The increased rate was sustained, with 33 placements in the first six months in 2021/22.

Specialist interventions

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing said: “Dependent drug and alcohol users require a range of services and interventions that can include residential rehabilitation, along with specialist clinical and medical programmes and psychosocial interventions.

“Our Integrated Substance Misuse: Assessment, Treatment and Recovery Service provides these users with a care pathway, which starts with community rehabilitation but can require residential rehabilitation. This enables people to make a sustained recovery in a safe and therapeutic setting.

“It is a cost-effective service that delivers results, but it comes at a price.

“Today’s decision has put the Council in a position where we can continue achieving positive results but also, with the Dynamic Purchasing System in place continue commissioning services flexibly, while also taking advantage of potential changes in the marketplace over the coming years.”

Further information

Further information about local services for drug treatment and recovery can be found at www.merseycare.nhs.uk/our-services/south-sefton/ambition or by calling Ambition Bootle on 0151 9445334 or Ambition Southport on 01704 534759.

Council’s Green Sefton service celebrates National Tree Week with 1,000 new trees

1 December 2021
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Green Sefton, Latest News

Sefton Council’s Green Sefton service is marking National Tree Week by planting 1,000 new trees across the Borough.

Three new trees planted by Sefton Council
New trees planted by Sefton Council in 2020/21 planting season

The trees have been donated by The Mersey Forest, one of 13 Community Forests across England. They will be planted in the coming months with support from community groups.

The announcement coincides with the start of the planting season during which the Council is hoping to plant around 270 large ‘standard’ trees. They will also be working with The Mersey Forest to plant thousands more saplings.

During the last planting season, Green Sefton Tree and Woodland officers oversaw the planting of 3,230 new trees that branched across 19 of the Borough’s wards in parks, woodland areas and along its highways.

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said:

“Sefton is a clean, green and beautiful place to live in and to visit. The Council is dedicated to maintaining its green spaces, which includes looking after 90,000 trees in our parks and on the highway, as well as countless more on the coast.

“I’d like to celebrate our small but expert Tree and Woodland team this National Tree Week, as they continue to do a sterling job overseeing the planting of thousands of new trees across our Borough every year.

Tree uprooted by Storm Arwen
Tree uprooted by Storm Arwen

“Just last weekend the team were working through the night managing more than 100 incidents of damage and fallen trees as a result of Storm Arwen. The aftermath of the storm was heart-breaking to see, with many mature trees falling victim to the extreme winds. I would ask residents to be patient as our small team coordinate the clear up, which is likely to take several weeks.

“We will do all we can to ensure that new trees are planted for those sadly lost to the storm, within resources and funding available, but this additional workload will inevitably have an impact on the forthcoming planting season. That is why it is vital that we continue to work alongside community groups and partners to drive forward more planting year on year.”

Paul Nolan, Director of The Mersey Forest, said:

“Sefton is a key Partner in the Mersey Forest and we are pleased to be supporting the Council team to plant even more trees across the area this tree planting season. Trees provide a range of benefits for both the climate, environment and residents, helping people to connect with nature and the many health and wellbeing benefits that this provides.”

New trees planted on Waterloo high street
New trees planted on Waterloo high street

Sefton Council has also been successful in a bid for Government funding, thanks to its proactive efforts seeking out and submitting applications for investment in tree planting initiatives.

It will soon receive £41,873 as part of the Urban Tree Challenge Fund (UTCF), which will support the planting of 44,000 large ‘standard’ trees across the UK by 2023. In Sefton, the additional funds will support the planting of 100 trees.

National Tree Week is the UK’s largest annual tree celebration, running from Saturday 27 November to Sunday 5 December. The week is coordinated by the Tree Council.

Tree planting plays a significant role in carbon capture and reducing the impact of climate change on the planet.

Cllr Moncur added:

“With an average tree storing around a tonne of carbon in its lifetime, our annual tree planting schedule contributes meaningfully towards our continued action on climate change. It has a vital role to play in ensuring that the Council reaches it net zero carbon target by 2030.

“Tree planting can also help to significantly improve air quality. The health and wellbeing of our residents is our main priority and air pollution is a growing public health concern, particularly for our most vulnerable residents. More trees can only be a positive contributory factor to improving the air we all breathe.”

Local businesses can also pledge to support the planting of more trees across the Borough, as well as a host of other activities and green initiatives, as part of the Green Sefton Business Supporter Scheme. The variety of ways businesses can get involved, can be found on the Council’s website at www.sefton.gov.uk/around-sefton/green-sefton/become-a-business-supporter/

If residents would like to know more about the work of the Tree and Woodland team, or have a request or question about tree planting in their ward, they can email trees@sefton.gov.uk or visit the Council website at www.sefton.gov.uk/around-sefton/green-sefton/trees-in-sefton/

There may be a slightly delayed response from the team at present as they manage an unprecedented workload as a result of Storm Arwen. 

 

Statement by Cheshire and Merseyside’s Directors of Public Health on the emergence of the new Omicron Variant

1 December 2021
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News

Cheshire and Merseyside’s Directors of Public Health have issued a joint statement on the emergence of the new Omicron Variant and the ‘difficult winter’ we all face.

In their statement, the nine Directors of Public Health stress that Omicron is an emerging situation, but say it is best to remain cautious. The go on to say we should work together to ensure that the impact can be minimised as much as possible.

They say the most important thing is that people continue to do many of the things they’ve already been doing, such as getting both doses of the vaccine, getting a booster shot, wearing a mask, getting tested, ventilating spaces and self-isolating when required.

These measures will ensure that the infection rate in Cheshire and Merseyside doesn’t get out of control.

And they thank the people of Merseyside and Cheshire for their efforts so far and say they ‘blown away’ by the resilience, kindness, and commitment seen from our local communities.

You can read the full statement by Cheshire and Merseyside’s Directors of Public Health here.

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