Warning To Landlords

LANDLORDS of Houses in Multiple Occupancy have been warned that they must manage and maintain their properties after a case in which a house owner was fined a total of £2600.

Barbara Margaret Smith, of Glendyke Road, Liverpool 18 the owner of the house in Wavertree Road, pleaded guilty at Liverpool Magistrates Court earlier this month to 13 offences under Management Regulations for Houses in Multiple Occupation. She was fined £200 for each offence and ordered to pay costs to the city council of £1190.

The prosecution arose after the Fire Service were called in response to a false alarm. They had previously attended several fires at the property and referred it to the city’s Environmental Health Officers.

An inspection revealed significant failings in the management of the poorly-converted three storey property which consisted of five self contained flats.

The fire detection system was not working and the electrical wiring in one flat was live and dangerous. The handrail to the staircase was missing, the front entrance door was rotted and could not be locked and one of the flats had a leaking roof.

Since the original inspection, improvements have been carried out at the property and the defects rectified.

Councillor Tim Moore, cabinet member for the environment, said:- “This case serves as a reminder to landlords of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) that they must manage and maintain their properties and not wait for the Council to bring matters to their attention. The law places a clear duty on landlords to keep these properties safe ,many of which are occupied by some of the city’s most vulnerable residents.”

Help Sleigh Poverty This Christmas at the Liverpool Santa Dash

CHRISTIAN Aid is entering its own team of Santas to run, jog or stroll 5km with ten thousand other Santas in Liverpool City Centre, all to raise money to help sleigh global poverty on Sunday, 5 December 2011. You can register to take part today be going to the charities website.

The Liverpool Santa Dash invites you to get Christmas off to a flying start to raise money to help people in the world’s poorest communities. With 80 other Christian Aid Santas around the UK, Christian Aid wants to raise £7,500 through these festive fun runs. By joining the Liverpool Santa Dash, you have the chance to be a world-record breaker as ten thousand Santas dashing together will break the Santa Dash world record.

Hannah Dawe, Events Fundraising Officer at Christian Aid, said: “The Liverpool Santa Dash is great fun, and a brilliant way to kick-start your festive season. Seeing ten thousand Santas descend on Liverpool on a Sunday morning is definitely a sight worth seeing. Whether you run, jog or stroll it’s a great way to have fun with your friends and get into the festive spirit while raising money for a good cause.”

It couldn’t be easier to get involved. You can also register by calling:- 01925 582826. Register for just £12 per person and receive your free Santa suit and a Christian Aid running vest. You are also asked to commit to raising an additional £50 to support the fight to end poverty.

So why not join Christian Aid at the Liverpool Santa Dash this Christmas and have fun while helping to sleigh poverty!

World War 1 heroes remembered

SERVICEMEN from the region have been honoured when their names where added to the Hall of Remembrance at Liverpool Town Hall. Relatives of 31 men who lost their lives in the First World War attend a service and civic reception, and for one in particular this was an emotional journey in more ways than one, as travelled all the way from USA. Mr Lorenzo (Tony) Barron, from Salt Lake City, Utah was at Liverpool Town Hall to remember his Uncle Private John Sabala from the Cheshire Regiment (15th Batt), who died aged 21, on 28 February 1918. The flag at the Town Hall was flying at half mast in memory of those who gave their lives. The listings have been on the Town Hall website for a few years now and from time to time the Town Hall receives requests for relatives’ names to go on the additions board. Cllr Hazel Williams said before the event that:- "It’s always a pleasure to meet relatives of servicemen and women and I am honoured that so many relatives want to be part of this special evening. I am looking forward to meeting and speaking to all of them but especially Mr Barron who has travelled so far to pay tribute to his Uncle. This clearly means a lot to him. This is an evening of remembrance but also a time to celebrate these men’s lives and recognise the sacrifices they all made."

Croxteth Children’s Centre is a beacon of light

5 Chinese lanterns have be released into the night sky to celebrate the official opening of the new Croxteth Children’s Centre.

The building is housed in a new building following a £900,000 investment on the site of Our Lady and St Swithin’s School.

It has been in operation since 2006, but was previously based in an old nursery before moving to the new state-of-the-art facility.

The centre offers services for children and their families from pre birth to five, including ante natal workshops, help into education or work, health issues, baby massage as well as supporting children with special educational needs or disabilities.

The event that took place on Wednesday, 24 November 2010, also included appearances by stilt walkers and jugglers, who entertained parents, carers and youngsters who use the centre. it also featured story telling and a series of healthy activities including a barbeque and the making of fruit kebabs. Children also be made their own smoothes by riding a bike!

Before the event Cabinet member for children’s services, Councillor Jane Corbett, told us that:- “This Sure Start Children’s Centre is making a huge difference to the lives of families in Croxteth. Early years development is important and is vital for laying the foundations of good health and education later in life. We now have a network of Children’s Centres right across the city which are helping give every young person in Liverpool the best possible start.”

Centre co-ordinator Julie Taylor said:- “We’ve got a fantastic new facility in the heart of Croxteth which is providing much needed support to local families and we want people to come along to our event to find out more about it. We are releasing Chinese Lanterns to symbolise that the centre is a beacon of support for the local community.”

The 26 Children’s Centres in Liverpool are a one-stop shop within the community for parents/carers and providers of childcare and family support. Any adult caring for a child under five can register and access services, including grandparents, fathers, foster carers, childminders and parents-to-be.