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Check to see if your Photo ID is acceptable under new Voter legislation

22 March 2023
Ollie Cowan
No comments
Categories: Essential Sefton, Front Page, Latest News

Voters across Sefton are being reminded of the need for valid photo ID if they wish to vote in person at the upcoming May election.

Everyone wanting to cast their vote at a polling station in Mays local elections will be required to show valid photographic identification following new legislation via the Elections Act 2022.

If they have them, people can use a driving licence or passport as photo ID at a polling station but if they donā€™t have these or one of the other accepted documents, they can get a free Voter Authority Certificate online.

Acceptable

However while there are over 20 different forms of acceptable ID, there are still a number of identification cards which polling staff can’t accept.

Voters in Sefton will, for example, not be able to use their Merseytravel 60+ card as it is not classed as an acceptable form of ID.

Information on what is required and how to apply, along with details of registering to vote and getting a postal vote can be found at www.sefton.gov.uk/voterid.

Voters who do not want to vote in person at a polling station can apply to cast their vote by post.

To help ensure everyone is aware of the new requirements and encourage them to exercise their democratic right to vote, Sefton
Council is running a Borough-wide advertising dubbed ‘IDeal Time’ on high streets and public transport.

Cllr Lappin, Sefton Councilā€™s Cabinet Member for Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Resources said: ā€œWe want to ensure that everyone can prepare now to ensure they donā€™t miss out.

ā€œThatā€™s why we are running our high-profile IDeal Time campaign to highlight what they need to do and by when they need to do it.

ā€œAnyone without a valid photo ID can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate up to six working days (5.00pm on Tuesday 25 April 2023) before the elections on Thursday, May 4th.

ā€œAnd the cut-off date for registering to vote is midnight on Monday 17 April 2023 , and the deadline for receipt of all postal vote applications is 5.00pm on Tuesday 18 April 2023.ā€

Elections Act

Passports, driving licences and parking Blue Badges, along with older and disabled peopleā€™s bus passes are among the types of photo ID people can show to be allowed to vote under the Election Act 2022.

Cllr Lappin continued: ā€œOur teams are already working extremely hard to ensure everything is in place to meet the new requirements, but this is the time for voters across Sefton to make sure they are prepared too so we are not forced to turn anyone away on May 4th.ā€

For more information about the upcoming elections and rule changes please visit www.sefton.gov.uk/elections .

/Ends

Sefton Council’s Housing Standards Enforcement Policy update approved

22 March 2023
Sian McCosh
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Sefton Council

Sefton Councilā€™s Housing Standards Enforcement Policy, which sets out the Councilā€™s continued commitment to improving housing standards across all tenures has been updated and approved.

The Policy sets out how the Councilā€™s Housing Standards Team can ensure that tenants of private landlords and Registered Providers of Social Housing live in homes free from significant hazards that pose a risk to their health, safety and wellbeing.

It also states how the Enforcement Team can ensure properties do not present a statutory nuisance and do not present an unacceptable risk to health and safety.

It enables them to ensure houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) are safe and well managed and where necessary, properties are licensed. And it makes sure all properties in Sefton comply with the legal requirements in relation to Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm regulations.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Councilā€™s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: ā€œThis policy update ensures our Enforcement teams are able to go out and work to ensure that tenants in all types of housing are safe and that landlords are meeting their requirements.

ā€œThe Policy covers all categories of rented accommodation and all landlords including social landlords and we have reviewed it as part of our response to the to the tragic death of Awaab Ishak in Rochdale from mould inhalation.

ā€œUpdating the policy is part of Sefton Councilā€™s ongoing commitment to working with landlords to ensure tenantsā€™ safety and follows on from recent five-year extension of our successful Selective and Additional (HMO) Licensing schemes, which have helped us remove over 3,000 serious health and safety hazards from rented homes since 2018.ā€

You can find out more about housing in Sefton at www.sefton.gov.uk/housing

Sefton communities invited to hold street parties in honour of King Charles III’s Coronation

21 March 2023
Ollie Cowan
No comments
Categories: Borough Of Culture, Essential Sefton, Front Page, Latest News

Community spirited Sefton residents thinking of hosting a street party for the Coronation of King Charles III are being asked to contact the Council as soon as possible.

While food, drink and tablecloths may be high on any party planner’s list for the celebrations on Saturday May 6th, many residents may not be aware of the legal need to close off their street.

If a street party is going to affect vehicle access, organisers need to apply to Sefton Council by filling out a Road Closure Request. 

Request

A formal closure allows provisions to be put in place to reduce the amount of disruption to vehicle access and pedestrians.

There is no cost involved for this service but party organisers will need to let Sefton Council know of their plans by Friday 14th  April. This gives the Council the time to put the required measure in place.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: 
“Sefton Council is keen that as many people as possible enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime special occasion and we know that for many closely knit communities, that means a street party!

“In order for street parties to take place, Sefton Council has a legal duty to formally publish notice of any road closures required.

“Already we have been contacted about a number of Coronation celebration road closures and we would urge anyone thinking of doing the same to get in touch with us as soon as possible to avoid being disappointed.

Warm-hearted

“Organising a street party has many different rewards and brings together neighbours and local communities, showing off Sefton at its very best as a warm-hearted and caring Borough.

It will not be possible to process any street closure requests for the Coronation celebrations after the Friday 14th April deadline.

A new community grant scheme for Sefton-based voluntary, community and faith (VCF) sector groups who wish to host a range of activities and events is also due to be announced.

The fund is a joint initiative between Sefton Council, Sefton Council for Voluntary Service (CVS), local fundraising platform Sefton 4 Good and Living Well Sefton.

Organisers will need to provide their contact details, proposed closure dates and the road or section of road they wish to close.

Although application will be assessed on a case-by-case basis event organisers  are reminded that all parties should take place away from busy roads, such as main roads and bus routes.

Anyone wanting to apply for a temporary road closure in Sefton, should visit www.sefton.gov.uk/coronation2023 or call 0345 140 0845.

Your help wanted to shape the Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership Strategy

20 March 2023
Martin Driver
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News

Cover of Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership Interim Strategy.Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership wants the views of its partners, people and communities on the priorities within its Interim Strategy. 

You can find the Interim Strategy here.

The development of the Cheshire and Merseyside Health and Care Partnership provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to combine efforts and resources to make real improvements to people’s lives.

They want to hear your thoughts on their priorities and experience of living and accessing services in Cheshire and Merseyside.

You can review the interim strategy and answer some simple survey questions here.

Your feedback will be reviewed and uses to finalise the Partnership’s strategy and develop a more detailed delivery plan (a Joint Forward Plan) by the end of June 2023.

As well as providing your own feedback, the Partnership wants you to help spread the word and gather as many views as possible by sharing widely within your organisation, networks, and communities.

Think Twice, Think Abuse this Child Exploitation Awareness Day

18 March 2023
Bridie Finnan
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Latest News

Sefton Council are marking Child Exploitation Day by promoting a national campaign aimed at encouraging people to ā€˜think twice, think abuseā€™ in their everyday life to ensure abuse does not go unrecognised, unchallenged or unreported.  

The campaign highlights the issues surrounding Child Exploitation; encouraging everyone to think, spot and speak out against abuse and adopt a zero tolerance to adults developing inappropriate relationships with children or children exploiting and abusing their peers.

The focus this year is Child Sexual Exploitation, a type of abuse that has significant impact on a child for the rest of their life, causing intense trauma and can impact future development and relationships.

Communities can tackle exploitation together and should know the signs to look for and the vulnerabilities that put young people at risk. The right support at the right time can be crucial in preventing abuse. Child Exploitation Awareness Day aims to promote the message that safeguarding is a concern of everyone in the community. If you have concerns, contact the police or the local authority who will work together to follow up those concerns. If you see something, say something.

This type of abuse is just one form that will be the focus of work for the MySpace team based in Sefton Council and including professionals from health, police and other agencies. Named by cared for young people, the new team (Sefton Protection and Child Exploitation) will work on preventing abuse and safeguarding children. The team will be holding an official launch in May where professionals will gather together with the sole objective of improving preventative services and the services they offer to those suffering abuse.

 

Cllr Mhairi Doyle, Cabinet Member for Childrenā€™s Social Care:

ā€œChild exploitation is an awful thing that can be happening to children and young people with very few obvious signs. It is heartbreaking to think that abuse can go unchallenged and unreported for a long time and the impact this has on individuals and families can extend for decades.

ā€œAll of us in Sefton are throwing our weight behind this campaign and urging people in the community to consider safeguarding as a top concern in their day to day life. We all have a part to play and if we ā€˜think twice, think abuseā€™ then I know we can all make a difference in our communities.ā€

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