We Asked, You Said, We Did

In 2023 we carried out a consultation on a proposal to make changes to the Empty Homes premiums.

• There is potential for Empty Homes premiums to be used to improve areas suffering from anti-social behaviour due to empty properties attracting crime.
• Empty Homes should be freed up to tackle issues such as homelessness. The council can gain funds through these proposals to improve services for residents.
• Some owners had shared concerns about having increased bills at times of unforeseen cicrcumstances determining if a property is empty (such as passing of a relative or tenants unexpectedly vacating).

The Feedback from the consultation was considered by cabinet on 18/01/2024 and the decision was made to approve the changes Empty Homes premiums. The reason for this is because:

• The changes to Empty Homes premiums are designed to encourage owners to bring properties back in to use and help to ease housing supply pressures.
• Owners of long-term Empty Properties who have expressed concerns about the difficulties and costs of bringing properties back into use can get advice from the Councils Housing Standards Team
• Bringing homes back into use can also reduce negative impacts, such as anti-social behaviour, reductions in rental & market values on surrounding properties, desirability of an area.

In 2023 we carried out a consultation on a proposal to make changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme from 1st April 2024.

• Sometimes people struggle as their income is not enough for the month based on Universal Credit payments, and they have financial difficulties with how they pay their council tax bills.
• The Council Tax Reduction Scheme needs to be simpler for everyone with less changes to entitlement from month to month based on people’s circumstances. This sometimes causes confusion and stress as multiple letters and bills can be received during this time.

The Feedback from the consultation was considered by cabinet on 18/01/2024 and the decision was made to approve the changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme. The reason for this is because

• Changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme can make it more straightforward for low-income households to budget household finances for Council Tax payments
• Reduce confusion for customers and lessen the amount of contact they receive, such as notification letters and Council Tax bills
• This will also reduce unnecessary work for the Benefits team and contact centre, allowing them to focus on other key areas of customer service
• It was also identified that these changes wouldn’t impact on vulnerable groups, many of whom rely on help from the Council Tax Reduction scheme.

Extra Care Allocations Policy

A pledge from the Sefton 2030 vision was to work together to ensure Sefton people have housing choice across all types and tenures across the Borough. One housing option that will support this is Extra Care Housing.

Extra care housing is a specialist housing provision that combines accommodation with care and support services designed to offer safe, private, and secure accommodation.

The draft Extra Care Allocations Policy details the eligibility, process, and system for applying for Extra Care Housing in Sefton.

A public consultation process was conducted from Friday 10th February 2023 for a period of two months to Tuesday 11th April 2023.

We Asked: -

The survey consisted of five questions and comment sections for each and a generic comments section (also including twelve optional equality monitoring questions).

The focus of the consultation and engagement was: -

1)           Extra Care Eligibility

a.           Local Connection

b.           Age Threshold

c.           Support needs

2)           Allocations Process

3)           Nominations Process

Responses received included fifty-two from individuals and two stakeholder groups one of which included ten participants at Parkhaven Extra Care Housing Scheme.

• 89% agree with the proposed criteria of local connection.
  • Eighteen comments received in relation to the proposed criteria of local connection.
  • Although 89% agreed comments around allowing applicants with close family and carer connections to the borough was highlighted. Agreed to monitor these applications but no change to policy as this could lead to current residents not being able to access extra care housing. This would also leave us open to challenge and would be difficult to manage and apply.

• 92% agree with the proposed age criteria of 55+.
  • Nine comments received in relation to the proposed age criteria of 55+.
  • Some minor mixed comments re upping and lowering the age limit and ensuring careful consideration is given. Overall positive and no changes to the criteria.
• 87% of response agreed with the proposed criteria to also consider people under the age of 55.
  • Fifteen comments received in relation to the proposed criteria to also consider people under the age of 55.
  • Some positive comments and views.
• 96% agree with the proposed criteria to also consider people with support needs.
  • Eight comments received in relation to the proposed criteria to also consider people with support needs.
  • 96% in agreeance but some comments and amendment to 3.3 and actions around the care and support specification agreed.
• Seventeen additional comments received through the generic question around the policy.
  • Some positive comments and overall, no action required.

Our first Extra Care Allocations Policy has now been produced and approved following this feedback.

Amendments included: -

• Agreed to reviewing the wording of 3.3 of the policy and an action to follow up with Housing Providers re succession rights of tenants.
• Minor amendment to 3.2 and well put comment re siblings and which will amend 3.3 to reflect.
• Amendment to 3.3 and actions around the care and support specification agreed.

The policy was shared with cabinet members and was sent to cabinet for approval on the 1^{st of} February 2024.

The policy was also be published on the “Your Sefton, Your Say” platform.

An implementation plan is now underway to ensure the policy is embedded and does what it has set out to do.

Sefton Economic Strategy Consultation feedback summary.

In total there were 80 comments.

• To grow is the starting point for success and more support for smaller businesses.
• Helping businesses to maintain and grow their businesses over a longer period.
• Lack of affordable office space and land.
• Businesses at our Economic Forum told us they would like more support on digital inclusion to help them grow and increase their productivity.
• More opportunities for training and reskilling people.
• For town centres to be more attractive, green, and accessible for people to live, visit and work.
• Transport needs to be more flexible and better to meet the needs of the changing population; but we also need to understand more about how people with mobility issues access public transport or amenities as they are unable to walk or cycle due to limited health.
• Feedback from focus groups included disability access be given more consideration when developing new premises as the needs of disabled people are often overlooked.
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• We are working with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to use UK Shared Prosperity Funding to support Sefton businesses to start and grow. We aim to do this over the next 2-3 years with new funding coming into Sefton in mid – 2023.
• We are setting up  a new digital network for businesses called the ‘Sefton Huddle’. Further information will be made available on www.investsefton.com
• InvestSefton provides a range of support to help businesses of all sizes to grow. This includes one to one support; demand led business workshops and events such as the highly regarded Sefton Economic Forum and referral to many other providers for help with accessing finance, developing new markets, increasing sales and digital skills.
• The team also works with businesses over the longer term through developing strong relationships to help them grow. Further information is available on www.investsefton.com.
• Office accommodation is highly competitive in terms of price in south of the borough compared to Liverpool City Centre. Vacant office space exists across Bootle and is available to rent.
• Sefton Council own Southport Business Park and are in discussions with potential developer, investors and occupiers for this site.
• Southport Town Deal is helping to fund the Southport Enterprise Arcade - a 880 sqm of refurbished office accommodation for digital and creative business use within Southport Town Centre.  
• We have launched the Sefton Huddle-A new networking group for the borough’s digital, creative and tech businesses which will meet on a regular basis to help drive ideas to support growth in Sefton’s digital sector.
• We have worked with a range of local employers to provide Open Days and Jobs Fairs to promote opportunities for a wide range of groups to return to learning and build their skills towards employment. This has included partnerships with organisations such as JobCentre Plus and numerous training providers to offer events for over 50s and also for younger adults, based at the Cambridge Road centre.
• We have offered a number of accessible drop-in sessions for people looking for flexible employment including a Job Shop at the strand centre promoting work opportunities supporting the forthcoming Eurovision event.
• We identified a number of employers keen to attract older workers and held the first Over 50s jobs fair, which was attended by more than 70 residents and 10 employers. We intend to make this a regular event.
• We worked in partnership with a specialist agency who help younger people overcome deal with mental health issues. This resulted in a menu of options for clients from Sefton@work to experience a range of sessions and activities designed to build confidence and link them to the careers guidance. 
• We are working tirelessly to promote our Caring Business Charter. This enables employers to offer various opportunities such as work experience placements, work trials and visits for people who have experience of care or who are looked after.
• We are working on a more joined -up offer between Sefton@work and the Sefton Community Learning Service, so residents can track how locally available jobs can be accessible to them through high quality advice and how they can improve their longer-term prospects through building their skills.
• Bootle town centre has secured capital levelling up funding to improve Bootle Strand as part of the first stage of its repurposing.  This will bring forward improvements to town centre including new open space and enhanced public realm, development of the Salt n Tar events space for a range of public events, community uses and night-time economy as well as enhanced soft landscaping/planting to areas fronting the Bootle canal. This will benefit to the local community and visitors to the area.
• Investment in Ainsdale on Sea beachfront are proposed subject to environmental considerations to improve the beach toilets and parking facilities.
• Southport Town Deal programme delivery will include improvements to the Southport visitor economy through the proposed new £73m Marine Lake Events Centre going to Planning Committee in April; enhanced public realm programme Les Transformation de Southport a £2.5m public realm enhancement programme around Southport Market and the refurbishment and improvement of Crown Buildings which will be refurbished into a digital creative business hub - Southport Enterprise Arcade (£1.5M).

The Liverpool City Region combined Authority is developing a new Local Transport Plan.  This local transport plan will look broadly at all transport modes to deliver a high-class transport system fit for the region. 

• The Councils approved Equalities, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy (2023-2027) A Borough for Everyone, sets out an ambitious action-oriented strategy which includes a focus on our role as leader of place. Including working with partners, stakeholders, and communities to increase awareness, improve dialogue, and support improved outcomes for all communities in our borough for everyone.
• The Council have established emerging networking groups to explore issues around how we provide information through the Improving Information Group and around access relating to travel and transport. 
• The Council have an established staff training programme around Equality Diversity and Inclusion which includes opportunities for awareness training around visual impairment awareness, and around developing Equality Impact Assessments, for schemes, projects, and policies. 
• The Council undertake Equality Impact Assessments as a key part of project development and are presented as part of formal council reporting. 
• The Liverpool City Region are participants in the Cycling and Walking Index which explores a range of issues around barriers to walking and cycling.  This research includes a range of protected characteristics including, age, sex and disability amongst others.  The report can be found here; https://www.sustrans.org.uk/the-walking-and-cycling-index/liverpool-city-region-walking-and-cycling-index/.
• All new build development projects will take disability access into consideration as part of the Council’s policy on equality and diversity and its requirements under its public sector equality duty.  

During 2021/22 we asked service users and other stakeholders about the substance use treatment service. Our aim is to deliver a modern, integrated, recovery orientated, substance use treatment service for individuals in Sefton who need support to recover from substance use and get their lives back on track.

We wanted to engage with key stakeholders i.e. service staff, pharmacists, partner organisations within the local pathway and service users to get your feedback.

The main themes of all the engagement were around awareness of service, feedback of referral process, quality of service, any gaps in service, any barriers, and stigma.

On the whole respondents were positive about the local service provision and particularly the key workers. Some suggestions you said were:

• There needs to be more awareness of support on offer from the service and better promotion.
• There were some barriers and stigma to accessing the service for some people that need support e.g. alcohol users,
• Community co- location in other venues may help create wider access.
• Service is very focused on medical/clinical support needs to be wider. Also, there is a need to improve access to mental health support.
• Lack of group sessions and peer led support in service and wider holistic support model was identified as being needed this links to the demand for a more support for Mental Health after care/ recovery support.
• Improved service site hubs particularly in Bootle,
• The need for more outreach work in the community for those who find it difficult to engage,
• Better communication between service and pharmacies delivering shared care. E.g., contact available out of hours and more formal communication around medications.

This is what we have done/are planning to do:

• We have planned a stakeholder engagement event and service user day. There will promotion of the service via social media and in local neighbourhoods andl places e.g. pharmacies, GPs, and community venues.
• The highly valued key worker model will be retained within the new service
• Improvements on service sites
• To offer an alternative to the main service sites, there will be satellites in the community in more generic venues to widen access and address stigma.
• There will be an enhanced outreach service to facilitate engagement with more vulnerable cohorts and those reluctant to engage with the service.
• A strengthening and a much larger peer led support model and more holistic engagement. A volunteer model to engage residents in service delivery.
• An extension of psychology and counselling support in house services.
• Strengthening of links with pharmacies to improve communications including electronic systems and contact out of hours e.g. Saturdays.

Background

The consultation was undertaken in October-November 2020 to seek the views of both golfers and non-players about the current management of the golf course, and its potential development in the future. This was promoted on site and on-line, with targeted efforts to the resident club, existing players, local schools, colleges and businesses. We received 177 responses.

This consultation was undertaken as part of a wider plan to develop both the course and existing facilities including the development of a driving range on site. The plan was to see the views of golfers, residents, business and visitors and use the information to develop a way forward for the course.

Response

From the questionnaire responses it is fair to say that the respondents enjoy the course, even though they feel the off-course facilities are inadequate. The condition of the course is felt to be acceptable and respondents appreciate that it stays open most of the year compared to other local courses. Despite the poor condition of facilities off the course, golfers do continue to use the course. Golfers would like to see improvements in all elements of the course, from the course itself, practice facilities and the built facilities too, while non-golfers would like improvements to the Whitehouse Café.

There is support for a Driving Range to be developed alongside improving the putting green already on site to upgrade the practice facilities available to users. There is an overwhelming response to improve the off-course facilities with re-opening the Whitehouse Café to provide a bar and clubroom with an associated food offer – somewhere for golfers to get hot food and drink before, during and after a round of golf. Interestingly a few non-golfers responded with the need for a bar as a social place for local residents bringing back a facility that was lost to the area a number of years ago. On the course itself, people would like to see improvements in and around the course including improving the drainage. There was overwhelming support for a possible redesign on the course to improve it.

Overall, the consultation has identified the need for significant investment in both the practice and built facilities at the course and has also identified where smaller investment is needed on the course. Investment is being sought to develop the practice facilities through a prudential loan and there is a long-term ambition to develop the Whitehouse Café to improve the built facilities / food and drink offer through a concession.

What we are doing

Course improvements are on going with improvements to ditches (to aid drainage) and irrigation system planned in the winter of 21/22. Officers are looking at proposals to improve the wider course too with potential external investment in this.

Plans are being drawn up to consider opportunities for the Whitehouse café with a view to getting this back open and available for golfers and non-golfers alike.

These plans are part of an investment strategy for the course that is currently going through Council processes.

Southport has the opportunity to bid for up to £50m of central Government funding as part of the Town Deal Fund, to boost economic growth and town wide regeneration.  As part of the stakeholder engagement for the submission, a  consultation exercise was undertaken to gather feedback on a number of Big Ideas that would inform a wider Vision for Southport.

Each of these Big Ideas included  a number of project ideas that we thought had  the potential to attract wider investment both from the Government and from the private sector. We asked what you thought of these Big Ideas and what you think we might have missed.

The Town Deal Board received over 2,033 completed questionnaires, with 826 detailed comments from the questionnaires. In addition to this, we received 40 emails, 5 phone calls and 4 letters.

Following the online consultation, the Town Deal Board also engaged with a number of other stakeholder groups including university students, college students school children, visitors and local business owners.

A summary of all the responses received can be found in this report.Southport Town Investment Plan Consultation Report

This engagement has informed the Town Investment Plan (TIP) which was submitted to government at the end of October 2020. Key points of influence from engagement include: 

• The importance of the TIP including projects which enhance the appeal of visitor attractions including Pleasureland and the Southport Theatre and Convention Centre
• The importance of developing a new attraction in the Marine Lake which will attract more visitors to the town
• The importance of connecting the town centre and Waterfront
• Necessity of finding new uses and attractions for vacant shops in the town centre. The importance that different areas and attractions are well connected via the public realm, pedestrian and cycling facilities
• The need for the TIP to address seasonality in the economy. The TIP should also facilitate the attraction and growth of different industries to the town centre with stakeholders highlighting gaps in the business accommodation offer for co-working space and digital and creative industries
• The majority of the priorities identified by stakeholders under the Green and Clean theme have non-Towns Fund delivery or funding routes. The consultation does highlight an important role that the Towns Fund can play in ensuring that major regeneration developments in the town centre and waterfront can be reached on foot and by cycling, thereby minimising the need for short vehicular journeys in the town

The priorities expressed by consultees that have not been included in the TIP  will be addressed using funding and delivery routes other than Towns Fund.

The Town Deal Board will continue the conversation with residents, visitors and businesses as the Town Investment Plan progresses.

Southport has the opportunity to bid for up to £50m of central Government funding as part of the Town Deal Fund, to boost economic growth and town wide regeneration.  As part of the stakeholder engagement for the submission, a  consultation exercise was undertaken to gather feedback on a number of Big Ideas that would inform a wider Vision for Southport.

Each of these Big Ideas included  a number of project ideas that we thought had  the potential to attract wider investment both from the Government and from the private sector. We asked what you thought of these Big Ideas and what you think we might have missed.

The Town Deal Board received over 2,033 completed questionnaires, with 826 detailed comments from the questionnaires. In addition to this, we received 40 emails, 5 phone calls and 4 letters.

Following the online consultation, the Town Deal Board also engaged with a number of other stakeholder groups including university students, college students school children, visitors and local business owners.

A summary of all the responses received can be found in this report.Southport Town Investment Plan Consultation Report

This engagement has informed the Town Investment Plan (TIP) which was submitted to government at the end of October 2020. Key points of influence from engagement include: 

• The importance of the TIP including projects which enhance the appeal of visitor attractions including Pleasureland and the Southport Theatre and Convention Centre
• The importance of developing a new attraction in the Marine Lake which will attract more visitors to the town
• The importance of connecting the town centre and Waterfront
• Necessity of finding new uses and attractions for vacant shops in the town centre. The importance that different areas and attractions are well connected via the public realm, pedestrian and cycling facilities
• The need for the TIP to address seasonality in the economy. The TIP should also facilitate the attraction and growth of different industries to the town centre with stakeholders highlighting gaps in the business accommodation offer for co-working space and digital and creative industries
• The majority of the priorities identified by stakeholders under the Green and Clean theme have non-Towns Fund delivery or funding routes. The consultation does highlight an important role that the Towns Fund can play in ensuring that major regeneration developments in the town centre and waterfront can be reached on foot and by cycling, thereby minimising the need for short vehicular journeys in the town

The priorities expressed by consultees that have not been included in the TIP  will be addressed using funding and delivery routes other than Towns Fund.

The Town Deal Board will continue the conversation with residents, visitors and businesses as the Town Investment Plan progresses.

Southport has the opportunity to bid for up to £50m of central Government funding as part of the Town Deal Fund, to boost economic growth and town wide regeneration.  As part of the stakeholder engagement for the submission, a  consultation exercise was undertaken to gather feedback on a number of Big Ideas that would inform a wider Vision for Southport.

Each of these Big Ideas included  a number of project ideas that we thought had  the potential to attract wider investment both from the Government and from the private sector. We asked what you thought of these Big Ideas and what you think we might have missed.

The Town Deal Board received over 2,033 completed questionnaires, with 826 detailed comments from the questionnaires. In addition to this, we received 40 emails, 5 phone calls and 4 letters.

Following the online consultation, the Town Deal Board also engaged with a number of other stakeholder groups including university students, college students school children, visitors and local business owners.

A summary of all the responses received in the full consultation report.

Southport Town Investment Plan Consultation Report

This engagement has informed the Town Investment Plan (TIP) which was submitted to government at the end of October 2020. Key points of influence from engagement include: 

• The importance of the TIP including projects which enhance the appeal of visitor attractions including Pleasureland and the Southport Theatre and Convention Centre
• The importance of developing a new attraction in the Marine Lake which will attract more visitors to the town
• The importance of connecting the town centre and Waterfront
• Necessity of finding new uses and attractions for vacant shops in the town centre. The importance that different areas and attractions are well connected via the public realm, pedestrian and cycling facilities
• The need for the TIP to address seasonality in the economy. The TIP should also facilitate the attraction and growth of different industries to the town centre with stakeholders highlighting gaps in the business accommodation offer for co-working space and digital and creative industries
• The majority of the priorities identified by stakeholders under the Green and Clean theme have non-Towns Fund delivery or funding routes. The consultation does highlight an important role that the Towns Fund can play in ensuring that major regeneration developments in the town centre and waterfront can be reached on foot and by cycling, thereby minimising the need for short vehicular journeys in the town

The priorities expressed by consultees that have not been included in the TIP  will be addressed using funding and delivery routes other than Towns Fund.

The Town Deal Board will continue the conversation with residents, visitors and businesses as the Town Investment Plan progresses.

Southport has the opportunity to bid for up to £50m of central Government funding as part of the Town Deal Fund, to boost economic growth and town wide regeneration.  As part of the stakeholder engagement for the submission, a  consultation exercise was undertaken to gather feedback on a number of Big Ideas that would inform a wider Vision for Southport.

Each of these Big Ideas included  a number of project ideas that we thought had  the potential to attract wider investment both from the Government and from the private sector. We asked what you thought of these Big Ideas and what you think we might have missed.

The Town Deal Board received over 2,033 completed questionnaires, with 826 detailed comments from the questionnaires. In addition to this, we received 40 emails, 5 phone calls and 4 letters.

Following the online consultation, the Town Deal Board also engaged with a number of other stakeholder groups including university students, college students school children, visitors and local business owners.

A summary of all the responses received in the full consultation report.

Southport Town Investment Plan Consultation Report

This engagement has informed the Town Investment Plan (TIP) which was submitted to government at the end of October 2020. Key points of influence from engagement include: 

• The importance of the TIP including projects which enhance the appeal of visitor attractions including Pleasureland and the Southport Theatre and Convention Centre
• The importance of developing a new attraction in the Marine Lake which will attract more visitors to the town
• The importance of connecting the town centre and Waterfront
• Necessity of finding new uses and attractions for vacant shops in the town centre. The importance that different areas and attractions are well connected via the public realm, pedestrian and cycling facilities
• The need for the TIP to address seasonality in the economy. The TIP should also facilitate the attraction and growth of different industries to the town centre with stakeholders highlighting gaps in the business accommodation offer for co-working space and digital and creative industries
• The majority of the priorities identified by stakeholders under the Green and Clean theme have non-Towns Fund delivery or funding routes. The consultation does highlight an important role that the Towns Fund can play in ensuring that major regeneration developments in the town centre and waterfront can be reached on foot and by cycling, thereby minimising the need for short vehicular journeys in the town

The priorities expressed by consultees that have not been included in the TIP  will be addressed using funding and delivery routes other than Towns Fund.

The Town Deal Board will continue the conversation with residents, visitors and businesses as the Town Investment Plan progresses.

Southport has the opportunity to bid for up to £50m of central Government funding as part of the Town Deal Fund, to boost economic growth and town wide regeneration.  As part of the stakeholder engagement for the submission, a  consultation exercise was undertaken to gather feedback on a number of Big Ideas that would inform a wider Vision for Southport.

Each of these Big Ideas included  a number of project ideas that we thought had  the potential to attract wider investment both from the Government and from the private sector. We asked what you thought of these Big Ideas and what you think we might have missed.

The Town Deal Board received over 2,033 completed questionnaires, with 826 detailed comments from the questionnaires. In addition to this, we received 40 emails, 5 phone calls and 4 letters.

Following the online consultation, the Town Deal Board also engaged with a number of other stakeholder groups including university students, college students school children, visitors and local business owners.

A summary of all the responses received in the full consultation report.

Southport Town Investment Plan Consultation Report

This engagement has informed the Town Investment Plan (TIP) which was submitted to government at the end of October 2020. Key points of influence from engagement include: 

• The importance of the TIP including projects which enhance the appeal of visitor attractions including Pleasureland and the Southport Theatre and Convention Centre
• The importance of developing a new attraction in the Marine Lake which will attract more visitors to the town
• The importance of connecting the town centre and Waterfront
• Necessity of finding new uses and attractions for vacant shops in the town centre. The importance that different areas and attractions are well connected via the public realm, pedestrian and cycling facilities
• The need for the TIP to address seasonality in the economy. The TIP should also facilitate the attraction and growth of different industries to the town centre with stakeholders highlighting gaps in the business accommodation offer for co-working space and digital and creative industries
• The majority of the priorities identified by stakeholders under the Green and Clean theme have non-Towns Fund delivery or funding routes. The consultation does highlight an important role that the Towns Fund can play in ensuring that major regeneration developments in the town centre and waterfront can be reached on foot and by cycling, thereby minimising the need for short vehicular journeys in the town

The priorities expressed by consultees that have not been included in the TIP  will be addressed using funding and delivery routes other than Towns Fund.

The Town Deal Board will continue the conversation with residents, visitors and businesses as the Town Investment Plan progresses.