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Tickets are still available for the 2022 British Musical Fireworks Championship in Southport, which takes place from Friday 23^rd to Sunday 25^th September.

Pyrotechnic spectacular

Following the success of Southport’s Food & Drink Festival and Air Show, Sefton Council’s Tourism team are busy putting the finishing touches together for the return of the three-day pyrotechnic spectacular at the town’s Victoria Park.

Fireworks fans will be awed by breath-taking and colourful pyro displays, light shows and music throughout the competition, which will see seven pyrotechnic companies battle it out to be crowned champion of the resort.

Hugely popular

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Labour Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, said: “The British Musical Fireworks Championship is the perfect way to round off an incredible summer of events and investment in Southport and Sefton.

“Having run for over 20 years, the Championship is always a hugely popular three days in Southport’s events calendar, which attracts crowds from across the North of England for a unique and stunning experience.

“Southport’s businesses really benefit from the added numbers of visitors to the town over the weekend and I am looking forward to seeing the quality of displays on show this time round.

“I would advise anyone wanting to come along to get their tickets in advance to avoid missing out as they do sell out!”

Under-5s free

Friday and Sunday tickets are from just £8 and Saturday tickets start at £10. Or you can enjoy a full weekend pass for £22. Children aged under 5 are admitted FREE but do need an entrance ticket.

You can find out more and to book tickets here. 

Some households in Sefton that have not received a one-off £150 Energy Rebate payment can now apply online for a payment through a discretionary scheme.

Inviting

Sefton Council is inviting applications from residents of properties that have been excluded from the core scheme due to them not being liable for Council Tax.

This could include applicants who are directly responsible for energy costs but whose Council Tax is paid by someone else such as a housing provider, a charity or a non-resident owner. It also includes those who became liable for payment of Council Tax to Sefton Council on or after 2nd April 2022.

You can find out more and apply here.

Evidence

Completing their application will require them to provide evidence of occupation and direct payment of energy costs.

This means having their Tenancy Agreement, Rent Statement or Completion Statement and their energy bills.

They will also need to provide their Bank Sort Code and their Bank Account name and number.

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regulatory Compliance and Corporate Services said: “Having already paid out nearly £15 million to over approaching 106,000 Band A to D households in Sefton through the original scheme, we are targeting households that may have missed out.

“That includes those who do not pay their Council Tax directly, or who moved home during the qualifying period, who now have the opportunity to apply by visiting www.sefton.gov.uk/discretionary”.

Fixed fund

Sefton Council has a fixed fund available to allocate to Sefton households in need through discretionary funding. The application process will now be open until Monday 31st October.

It is also targeting Sefton households that are in need, as well as those that do not fall into the Council Tax bands A to D category

People living in Council Tax bands A to D will receive a further payment of £20 on top of the £150 they have already received making a total of £170. Residents granted a full Council Tax exemption, due to being severely mentally impaired will receive £170.

Additionally, the Council also plans to make a £170 payment to Council Tax-payers in band E to H properties who are in receipt of means-tested Council Tax Reduction at that property.

And, payments will be made to households with children that are in receipt of Council Tax Reduction. Amounts would be £20 for households with one or two children and £30 for those with three or more children.

You can find out more and apply here.

On World Suicide Prevention Day Sefton Council is launching this year’s 30 Days of Sefton in Mind campaign.

Now in its sixth year, 30 Days of Sefton in Mind happens during the 30 days that fall between World Suicide Prevention Day on Saturday 10th September and World Mental Health Day on Monday 10th October.

During this time, we will be promoting positive mental health across the Borough by highlighting the many services available across social media using the hashtag #SeftonInMind.

Various organisations that offer a range of mental health services will be tweeting out with the #SeftonInMind hashtag, and we will be sharing them to help spread awareness of the help available. Organisations from Samaritans to Listening Ear to Alzheimer’s Society will be participating.

The campaign is being undertaken with the hope it starts a conversation about stress or anxiety linked to various issues.  For example, residents might be worried about financial hardship due to energy bills rising and prices going up in the shops as a result of the national cost of living crisis. Additionally, they may be concerned about issues regarding employment, social isolation or a lack of support. The campaign will provide information about local solutions to problems, such as financial support, friendship groups, or ideas for physical activities which can reduce feelings of isolation.

Led by Sefton Council, the campaign is supported by Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, NHS Cheshire and Merseyside and Sefton Council for Voluntary Service.

Cllr Paul Cummins, Mental Health Champion for Sefton Council said:

“With many still feeling the impact of COVID19, and facing hardship owing to the cost of living crisis, we need to promote ways to achieve and maintain positive mental health in Sefton now more than ever.”

“As we adapt to a world altered by the pandemic, levels of isolation, distress and financial anxiety have increased, and it is vital that we continue work together with our partners to provide services for people struggling with mental health and make sure that people know there is lots of support for them.”

People can get involved in 30 Days of Sefton in Mind and share your own posts on both Twitter or Facebook throughout the campaign using #SeftonInMind.

An easy-print factsheet detailing ways people worried about the national Cost of Living crisis can get support and advice is now on Sefton Council’s website.

Available to download from www.sefton.gov.uk/factsheet, it contains information about help with Council Tax, paying fuel bills and rent.

There is also information about food banks and food pantries, free school meals and Healthy Start Vouchers and Vitamins. And it includes sections on Sefton Council’s Emergency Limited Assistance Scheme, jobs and training, and health and wellbeing.

Free computer and Wi-Fi access

Where possible, the fact sheet contains phone numbers as well as website addresses for the various services. And it includes a reminder to people who do not have access to a smartphone, PC or an Internet connection, that there is free computer and Wi-Fi access at all Sefton Council Libraries. They just need to visit their local branch to find out more.

People can also call the Council’s Contact Centre on 0345 140 0845 or visit one of its two One Stop Shops, in Bootle or Southport, for more information.

Support and advice

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, who recently described herself as ‘shocked and heartbroken’ by the need for Cost of Living report to the Council’s Cabinet meeting last week, said: “Faced with the hugely worrying questions about how they are going to pay rocketing gas and electricity bills and meet steeply rising prices in shops this winter, many households across Sefton will be wondering where they can find support and advice.

“We have put the information in one place on our website at www.sefton.gov.uk/cost-of-living but we have also produced this printable fact sheet.

“We have already distributed it to the network of volunteers who work tirelessly to support their communities across Sefton and to all councillors across the Borough.

“And we are asking anyone who knows relatives, friends, neighbours, or colleagues who might struggle to access information online to print a copy off for them.

“It might help to take a weight off their minds when they are worried about feeding their families or keeping them warm.”

At last week’s meeting, Cllr Hardy said Sefton Council was already working with partners to support local people in crisis.

Action Plan

She said: “Next month’s Cabinet will be considering the Council’s Child Poverty Strategy which will be underpinned by a partnership Action Plan. 

“And we will do what we can to prevent organisations and businesses across our Borough crumbling under the weight of rocketing outgoings, which would further threaten local jobs and incomes. 

“We will also continue to work at the highest levels nationally to influence policies towards tackling poverty and highlight the harmful physical and mental health impacts that that poverty can have and how those young people’s long-term life chances are restricted as a result.”

You can find online information about support and advice here.