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Sefton Council

Adoption Appeal for Sefton Siblings

16 October 2017
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Latest News, Sefton Council, Sefton Stories, Young People

64% of the children in the North West who are waiting for adoptive families are brothers and sisters in groups of 2 or more according to new information published to mark National Adoption Week (October  16-22). 
Based on the latest Government information, and figures from national adoption information service, First4Adoption, it shows that sibling groups wait longer than single children to be placed with a ‘forever family’. 


Cllr John Joseph Kelly, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Safeguarding, said: “As in previous years, the need to find families for some of our most vulnerable children remains at the heart of this year’s campaign. 

“We’re asking anyone who may be considering adoption to think about whether they could parent siblings?

“There’s no denying that having more than one child comes with real challenges but it also has advantages and brings great rewards. If you’re interested in finding out more, please contact Sefton Adoption Service today.”

 

The new research, by Adoption Match and based on data from the Adoption Register for England also reveals that:

  • 52% of sibling groups awaiting adoption in the North West are children aged over 4
  • 59% of these groups awaiting adoption are made up of boys
  • 11% of the siblings groups awaiting adoption are Black and Minority Ethnic children

 

Elaine Jamieson from Sefton Council’s Adoption Service, added: “The majority of people adopting for the first time choose to take a single child into their family. 

“Also, it is often in the best interests of the children that a sibling group finds a family together rather than experience further trauma by being separated. 

“This presents an extra challenge for social workers and these factors account for the high proportion of siblings in our region waiting for an adoptive family.”

Sefton adopters, Chris and Julie, said: “Adoption has meant we’ve got the family we’ve always wanted, perhaps slightly less conventionally then some people do it but we’re proud to have a part in shaping their world.

“When our girls were placed with us it was exciting and bewildering but you just take a leap of faith! The moment they called us mum and dad meant everything to us.” 



The regional adoption agency, Adopting In Merseyside (AIM), covering Liverpool, Sefton, Knowsley and Wirral are holding an information evening on October 18. For more information on adoption or to register for the event, contact Sefton Adoption Service on Freephone 0800 923 2777 or visit seftonadoption.co.uk 

Bootle Stories in The Strand

12 October 2017
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Latest News, Sefton Council

A shop in The Strand shopping centre will be transformed to chart Bootle’s past and look to the town’s future.

The former Blue Inc unit in the Sefton Council owned shopping centre will become a pop-up history event as well as hosting information about the proposed Bootle Town Hall Heritage and Cultural Centre consultation.

The unit will be open during the school half term holidays (October 23-28) and November 6-11 from 10am-4pm. There will be a range of activities in the unit, including exhibitions and objects, relating to local history.

Visitors will be able to take part in a consultation about the town as Sefton Council explores opportunities to create a cultural and heritage facility within Bootle Town Hall complex of Grade II listed buildings.

In October 2016, Sefton Council published the Bootle Town Centre Investment Framework – a high level strategic document which looked to harness Bootle’s current assets and help reshape the town into a desirable residential, educational and business location.

Feedback gained from the Investment Framework highlighted the Bootle Town Hall complex as a great regeneration opportunity with the desire for increased cultural activity a key theme.

Now a consultation and engagement exercise is underway looking at the potential to create a new cultural and heritage facility in the former Bootle Free Library and Museum within the town hall complex. Other civic functions within the town hall would still be maintained.


Cllr Ian Maher, Sefton Council’s Labour leader, said: “The event in the Strand will give people a chance to look back at Bootle’s history and also give them a chance to get involved in the consultation which looks to the future.

“By transforming Bootle Town Hall into a new home of arts and culture, we believe this would be a major statement of the Council’s ambition for the town.

“Potentially this refreshed physical space will be supported by a learning and skills infrastructure, reaching out to the local community and developing materials that can be used in local schools, adult education centres and beyond.

“We believe this project will help ensure the town hall remains the civic focus of Bootle and also deliver a new cultural offer that will be sustainable and manageable over the long term.

“Please pop down to The Strand in the coming weeks and take a look at the unit and give us your views about the amazing town hall complex.”



To get involved in the consultation visit sefton.gov.uk and click on the ‘take part in a consultation’ tab.

Housing Development Company approved

5 October 2017
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Latest News, Sefton Council

Sefton Council has today (October 5) taken the decision to approve the creation of a wholly owned housing development company.

For more than a year a project team has investigated the viability of establishing a company to develop new housing across the borough primarily for Sefton residents to purchase.

At a Cabinet meeting at Bootle Town Hall, a confidential report was discussed and approved with the view of setting up a Housing Development company owned by Sefton Council and operated as a private company (subject to call in).

Over the next few months, the company will be formally established and will then begin to bring forward detailed designs and proposals for priority sites across the borough.

There is an unprecedented need for more housing not only in Sefton, but across the North West and nationally. When Sefton consulted on the 2030 Vision, ‘growing living and ageing well’ and a ‘making Sefton a great place to live, work and play’ came through as two strategic outcomes that residents wished the Council to prioritise.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member Communities and Housing, said:

“A lot of time and effort has gone into looking at establishing a Housing Development Company and we are now in a position to move this forward for the benefit of the whole borough.

“Through the 2030 Vision we have listened to what people have said and believe that the creation of a Housing Development Company will ensure that we play a big part in providing a wider housing choice within the borough alongside other housing developers and Registered Providers.

“We believe, as do our residents, that a wide range of housing, within strong resilient communities, is key to the development of Sefton and our vision for 2030.”

Further reports on the creation of the Housing Development Company will be presented to Cabinet in the coming months.

Next of Kin Appeal- Alexander Aitchison

28 September 2017
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Latest News, Police, Sefton Council

Liverpool Coroner’s Office is appealing for the public’s help in tracing the next of kin of a man who recently passed away in Bootle.

Alexander Aitchison, aged 49, died on Tuesday, 26 September at his home address in Orrell Lane.

There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding Mr Aitchison’s death.

Any family members or people with information are asked to contact Coroners Officer Stephen Craig on 0151 777 3422 or email
Sefton.Coroners.Office@merseyside.pnn.police.uk.

Dukes Ward By-election to be held in November

25 September 2017
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Latest News, Sefton Council

Following the recent resignation of Cllr Pat Ball, a by-election for Dukes Ward will be held on Thursday, November 2.

The Notice of Election is set to be published on Thursday, September 28 while the nomination period for prospective candidates will run from Friday, September 29 until 4pm on Friday, October 6.

Anyone interested or wishing to stand as a candidate should contact Sefton Council’s Electoral Services on 0151 934 2260 or email electors@sefton.gov.uk.

To vote in the by-election on Thursday, November 2, residents must be registered to vote no later than Tuesday, October 17.

Official poll cards will be sent to all electors entitled to vote as of September 1, 2017, and any new applications to register to vote can be made online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

Registered electors who are absent on November 2 can also apply to vote by post up to 5pm on Wednesday, October 18 or appoint a proxy to vote on their behalf up to 5pm on Wednesday, October 18.

For more details about elections and elected members visit www.sefton.gov.uk.

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