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Sefton Council

Sefton Council urges businesses to apply for Business Grants

1 May 2020
Jo Dwyer
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Sefton Council

Sefton Council is urging businesses in the Borough to ensure they are applying for the Business Grants that are currently available for small businesses and those in the retail, leisure and hospitality sector.  These are available from Sefton Council to provide financial assistance to businesses, impacted by the disruption and difficulties caused by Covid-19.  The grants are simple to apply for and businesses will not have to repay them.

Two grants are available for businesses that were rate payers in Sefton before 11 March 2020:

  • Small Business Grants are for businesses who are based in a premises with a rateable value up to ÂŁ15,000 and are in receipt of Small Business Rate Relief. The grant these businesses are entitled to is ÂŁ10,000.
  • Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Grants operate at two levels. Businesses based in a premises with a rateable value of up to, and including, ÂŁ15,000 and are eligible for the Expanded Retail Discount are entitled to a grant of ÂŁ10,000.  Businesses based in a premises with a rateable value of over ÂŁ15,000 but less than ÂŁ51,000 and are eligible for the Expanded Retail Discount are entitled to a grant of ÂŁ25,000.

 

Cllr Ian Maher, Sefton Council’s Labour Leader, says, “We urge all business that fall into these categories to follow the simple processes that are in place so that they can receive these grants as quickly as possible.  To date we are pleased to say that ÂŁ28million has been distributed to businesses across Sefton, but we know there are more that have not yet applied and we would encourage them to do so without delay.  These grants are designed to give small businesses some much needed financial support at this very challenging time and we want to ensure that all businesses that are eligible receive them.”

 

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, says, “The system that has been put in place to give small businesses in Sefton this financial support has been made as straightforward as possible so that the Council can distribute grants to businesses as a key priority and within a short space of time.  The application process itself doesn’t take long, so if any business is not sure whether they are eligible or not, we’d urge them to check.”

 

How to apply

To apply for one of these grants from Sefton Council you will need your Business Rates Account Number and Unique Property Reference Number (UPRN), which can be found on the bills sent out in March 2020.  If you do not have your bill you need to email business.rates@sefton.gov.uk and ask for your bill to be re-issued.

Along with your UPRN you will simply need to enter your business bank account, VAT Registration Number (if VAT registered) and Companies Number (if a Limited Company) onto the online portal, which can be accessed via https://forms.sefton.gov.uk/covid19businessform/

If you have been in occupation of your current premises since before 11 March 2020, but did not let Sefton Business Rates know this you will not be on the rates system and will be required to provide evidence that you are the occupier.

Ongoing business support and advice for all businesses across Sefton is available via InvestSefton, which leads on the Council’s business support.  It has dedicated information available on all of the latest Covid-19 updates and support available to businesses in Sefton.  To access this information visit: www.investsefton.com.

Be a Care Hero for Sefton

22 April 2020
Jo Dwyer
No comments
Categories: Business and Economy, Essential Sefton, Front Page, Latest News, Sefton Council

Be a #CareHero – #SupportingSefton 

Sefton Council is joining authorities across the North West to send out an urgent plea for people to step forward to Be a Care Hero, and help provide essential services for those that need them most.

The combined effort by the adult social care organisations behind the recruitment drive of North West councils is of a scale never seen before.  The result is a simple recruitment process to ensure people can be placed into practical roles providing care and assistance as quickly as possible.

Sefton Social Care Providers has a variety of roles available, for which experience is not always necessary, but a kind, caring, friendly and compassionate outlook is essential. Sefton Social Care Providers is hoping that those with transferable skills will respond to the plea, with the training provided meaning that those applying don’t need any previous experience of working in adult social care for some of the roles.

Current roles within the Borough of Sefton include Care Assistants, Cooks and Kitchen Assistants, Cleaners and Maintenance workers, Administrators, Qualified Social Workers and Qualified clinical roles such as Nursing, Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists.


Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills said: “Through the Be a Care Hero campaign we want to build upon the fantastic reaction we have already seen across Sefton in the face of COVID-19.

“We have a range of essential roles and we are looking for caring and compassionate people with great communications skills to fill them. We will provide training, so they don’t need previous experience working in adult social care but what they do need to be able to do is engage with and listen to people, ensuring the best possible outcomes for them.”

 

Cllr Paul Cummins, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care said: “Every day, those working in adult social care across our Borough are doing an incredible job, providing people with essential support, and our whole community thanks these Care Heroes for everything that they are doing.

“Now, through the Be a Care Hero campaign we are looking for more people to take on these vital roles that give the adults in our care across the Borough the support that they need, and will give those already working in the sector the additional help that they need during these unprecedented times.”

 

The recruitment process has been kept as simple as possible, with one portal for all council’s across the North West, which can be accessed via: https://greater.jobs/content/10231/be-a-care-hero

To go straight to Sefton Social Care Provider’s recruitment information visit: https://greater.jobs/search-and-apply/job-details/37711/

Interviews will take place over the phone or via Skype / Facetime.

Cllr Cummins added: “One of the uplifting things that these extraordinary times have highlighted is the true warmth, kindness and community spirit of people.  Adults in social care are among the most vulnerable in our society, and we hope that people will respond and will want to Be a Care Hero.”

For further information email CareInSefton@sefton.gov.uk or call 0151 934 2610.

#SeftonSaysThanks – to our teachers

16 April 2020
Charlene Smith
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News, Sefton Council, Young People, Your Sefton

Here in Sefton we know that our teaching staff are doing an amazing job in continuing to work in schools across the borough, teaching vulnerable children and children of key workers.

Teachers and teaching assistants play a massive role in our children’s educational and emotional development and of course, many young people who are at home may now be missing them dearly.

So, to let them know how much we are missing them and to show we appreciate what they are doing, we’re asking your children to make a ‘Thank you’ card for their favourite teacher/s and teaching assistants remembering to include a special message.

Be it a painting or drawing, when it’s finished simply take a photo and share it with us.

You can email your picture to communications@sefton.gov.uk. You can also use our social media channels to share with us remembering to tag us, Facebook/ Sefton Council, Twitter/@seftoncouncil, Instagram/@sefton_council

When sharing via Social Media, please also use the hashtag #SeftonSaysThanks which will make sure we don’t miss any of your masterpieces!

Don’t forget to include your child’s name, the teacher’s name & what school they teach at so we can make sure your school and teachers will see them.

Park visitors reminded of life saving Social Distancing measures

3 April 2020
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Essential Sefton, Front Page, Latest News, Sefton Council

Officers from Sefton Council’s Green Sefton team have taken the decision to temporarily remove playground equipment from the Botanic Gardens in Southport.

Despite clear guidance from Public Health England and the Government, a small number of people have been found to ignore social distancing warnings by continuing to use playground facilities.

While Sefton Council have closed public playgrounds to help tackle the spread of COVID-19, we have received reports of people continuing to access these facilities by climbing over barriers.

As a result steps will now be taken to temporarily decommission and remove play equipment during the enforcement of social distancing.

A spokesman for Sefton Council said: “The message could not be more clear.

“Residents are advised to follow stringent social distancing measures in order to protect themselves, vulnerable members of the community and the NHS during this time.

“To ignore these rules is quite simply life threatening and we will not hesitate to remove park equipment to deter further irresponsible actions.

“We have already begun decommissioning works at the playground in Botanic Gardens and will do so elsewhere if necessary.”

For the full rules and advice on social distancing, please visit www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Message from Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council

20 March 2020
Charlene Smith
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Sefton Council, Sefton CVS, Uncategorized

I know many of us are understandably worried about the current Covid-19 (coronavirus) pandemic that is dominating our daily lives right now.

 Together we are facing a huge challenge, and we are already seeing changes to the way we live our lives.

 I want to reassure you that Sefton Council is working hard to make sure that we are able to continue to provide the vital services that you rely on.

 Our services have plans in place to ensure that we can continue to support the most vulnerable residents in the borough.

Changes to services

Over the next few weeks or months, we may not be able to do everything that we usually do, we may need to alter or cancel some services, and others may be slower.  This is so that we can prioritise those services that support our most vulnerable residents. Please bear with us.

 We want to make sure that those most in need can reach us. If you are concerned about yourself or a vulnerable family member, friend or neighbour, please visit this link for more information

 Helping vulnerable people is what we do on a daily basis and we are preparing for that work to expand considerably.

Helping each other

Throughout this difficult and uncertain time, I am proud that the people of Sefton have come together to support their friends and neighbours, and I have been heartened by the number of people coming forward to volunteer their time and energy to help their communities.

 Being good neighbours is one of the best things we can do to help each other.  It is really important that we are looking out for our neighbours and thinking about the community we live in.

 We will support and encourage the huge community spirit that exists across Sefton to ensure people who want to volunteer can do so through established charities and organisations. We are working closely with voluntary organisations to explore the best way to do this and will announce the details of how to get involved shortly.

Support for Local businesses

We recognise that we are a borough of small local businesses who may be struggling right now. The council is looking to see what part it can play to support our local economy.

 The Government have announced a number of measures to support businesses during the Covid-19 crisis.  As of yet we have not received information on how these grants or loans will be administered, but we are working closely with our partners at the Liverpool City Region Growth Platform to ensure that as soon as this information becomes available, we can help and support local businesses.

Advice and guidance

The Sefton Council website is updated regularly with community information, and changes to council services.  Our website also lists all the support available for residents who may be experiencing hardship.  For example, Discretionary Housing Payments may be available to top-up housing-related benefit for a limited time to cover housing costs such as rent, and if you’re experiencing exceptional hardship you may be able to claim a discretionary reduction in Council Tax.

Please follow Government advice to stop spreading the virus

This is a rapidly changing situation and the Government guidance is changing daily.

 New national guidance means everyone should be minimising their social contact, reducing unnecessary travel and staying at home if you, or anyone in your household, has any symptoms.

 Please follow the daily guidance coming from the government and take extra care if you are over 70, if you are pregnant or have underlying health conditions: www.nhs.uk/coronavirus

Residents are also advised to work from home when possible, avoid any unnecessary travel and social interactions, as well as going to pubs, cinemas, theatres or clubs.

What to do if you feel unwell

If you think you’re experiencing symptoms of coronavirus, do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy, or hospital. Visit the NHS Website for further information.

All residents are encouraged to take the following steps to avoid catching and spreading the virus:

  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue if you cough or sneeze
  • Put used tissues into the bin immediately
  • Wash your hands with soap and water often
  • Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
  • Wash your hands when you arrive into work and return home
  • Try to avoid close contact with unwell people

Your local ward councillors will help wherever we can.  All councillor contact details are available on the Sefton Council website

Take care of yourselves, and please do look in on your neighbours.  

Cllr Ian Maher

Leader of Sefton Council

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