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At their meeting next week, Sefton Council’s Cabinet members are being provided with an update of how its’ arm’s-length development company is delivering new homes.

Sandway has now sold properties on its Crossens and Ainsdale developments to 36 families, couples, and first-time buyers. Twenty-three plots on the two developments, Hey Farm Gardens and Sandy Brook, have been completed.

First-time buyers

Several first-time buyers have secured plots through Sandway’s involvement in the Government’s Help to Buy scheme and the company is also providing homes for shared ownership. And the 13 apartments it will provide to Sefton Council are the Borough’s first new council housing since 2006.

The update on Phase 1 of Sandway’s business plan at next week’s meeting explains that despite the good progress with sales, industry-wide supply chain issues has resulted in delays for both sites. Hey Farm Gardens’ 30 properties will now be completed by May and the 48 new homes at Meadow Lane’s will be finished by July.

Work on the 63 new homes at Sefton Grange in Netherton will now start in April next year with completion expected by April 2026.

September budget statement

Next week’s report also highlights the impact that external economic factors including that rising interest rates resulting from central Government’s September budget statement combined with the highest inflation rates for 40 years are having on Sandway’s business plan. Unsurprisingly, higher mortgage rates, lenders’ withdrawal of mortgage products and people having less money in their pocket is having an impact on the housing market. Additionally, inflation is pushing up construction costs and causing supply chain issues.

In an updated financial forecast, the report says that the overall profit that would be payable to the Council remains in line with that of the original approved business case in 2019. Capital receipts of £2.2 million for the three development sites would still be payable to the Council.

Recognising the ongoing volatility of the UK economy resulting from the September budget statement, the report says it is important that the Council is provided with “comprehensive risk-assessed reports”.

Correct decision 

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing said: “Hearing one of the people moving into their new home through a shared ownership scheme say it is a dream she thought was beyond her grasp demonstrates that our decision to develop housing across the Borough by creating Sandway was correct.

“However, like so many aspects of life for people across Sefton, the widely-acknowledged disaster that was the previous Prime Minster’ September Budget statement is now having a negative impact.

“Understandably, the perilous state of the British economy is having an effect on Sandway’s business plan and as this report highlights, while profit levels remain at the forecast 2019 levels, we will continue to work hard with the company to monitor the ongoing situation”

You can find out more about Sandway Homes’ developments here. 

You can find the agenda for next week’s Cabinet meeting here.

At a meeting next week (1^st December) Sefton Council’s Cabinet will be asked to approve a new strategy and three-year business plan for the hospitality company running The Lake House in Crosby.

The Lake House

Sefton Hospitality Operations Limited (SHOL), wholly owned by Sefton Council, operates the hospitality offer at The Lake House, as well as a unit at the successful Southport Market.

This new Business Plan follows on from a previous business plan presented to Cabinet in February 2022 and reflects the good start that The Lake House has made, despite the challenges the wider hospitality sector faces at this time, including recovery from the pandemic and the cost of living crisis.

Employment opportunities

However, Sefton Council, and the SHOL Board, remain committed to attracting the very best staff by offering quality full-time, permanent employment opportunities, with all roles paying a real living wage or above, and a wide range of employee support and career development opportunities.  This is reflected in the low turnover of staff, at less than 15%, that is far lower than the present industry average.

Working with the Council’s Sefton@Work team this summer to host a recruitment day attended by 90 people, SHOL were able to recruit 40 new staff. Already 46 new jobs have been created, 83% of whom are Sefton residents. 

Passionate and dedicated team

Speaking about the success of SHOL and The Lake House so far, Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, said: “The Council is delighted with the quality of The Lake House; not just in terms of the food, drink and accommodation on offer at this fantastic location, but also with the quality of customer experience being offered by a passionate and dedicated team.

“The pandemic hit the hospitality sector hard, with many businesses struggling to survive, and to retain their staff. So of course, I’m thrilled to see that our staff turnover is low, and that other businesses in the sector are adopting a similar strategy in terms of working conditions to ensure they are able to attract and retain new talent.  

 “This proves what we’ve been saying all along –  that financial sustainability, a quality customer offer, excellent customer service, and first rate employment opportunities do not have to be mutually exclusive – we don’t believe that we need to have one at the expense of the other, and so far we’re being proved right.

“SHOL is going from strength to strength and has so much more to offer, both for its customers and the local community – demonstrated by the range of exciting events and opportunities in the pipeline for Christmas, and for 2023”

Find out more about The Lake House.

You can find the agenda for next week’s Cabinet meeting here.