Landlords reminded of legal duty to improve energy efficiency of privately rented houses
Photograph by Jennifer Bruce

THE landlords of hundreds of privately rented properties in Liverpool are being warned they could face a visit and fine if they do not improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Under the new Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES), landlords letting out a property must ensure that it has a minimum energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of:- E.

Liverpool is running a campaign funded by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy through the Midlands Energy Hub to find properties with a rating of:- F and G, and support landlords to improve their property.

In September, the City Council identified 467 privately rented properties with a G rating and issued a letter about the need to comply.

Around 300 properties did not respond initially and subsequently received a reminder letter, which offered access to information and support and possible funding. The owners of more than 100 homes have now been in touch, leaving around 200 outstanding.

Unless they are shown to be exempt, properties may be followed up with an enforcement notice and a possible inspection visit which could result in fines of up to ₤5,000.

The Council recently ran a webinar to raise awareness of the regulations, attended by 55 landlords.

Landlords who were unable to attend are able to watch the session back via a dedicated webpage, along with links to other information.

The powers around MEES will also feature within the revised Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy and be part of regular checks undertaken as part of the new five year Landlord Licensing scheme which will be introduced from April 2022.

Councillor Sarah Doyle, Cabinet member for strategic housing and regeneration, said:- "Too many of our residents live in poor standard accommodation and are paying over the odds for gas and electricity because their homes are so poorly insulated. We believe that many landlords are not aware of the new legislation or are choosing to ignore it so we need to take action. It could make a big difference to the lives of individuals and families who are facing rising fuel and energy costs. There is Government funding available to help pay for improvements such as the installation of a new boiler and central heating system or better insulation. The landlord will be able to benefit from funding for these vital home improvements but more importantly, the quality of living conditions for tenants will improve. Reducing carbon emissions is a priority for the City and every property that is more energy efficient is helping us meet our goal of helping tackle the climate emergency."

Another webinar is planned for 27 January 2022 with a further update on the progress of the project and other useful information for landlords; to register please email:- Mees@Liverpool.Gov.UK.

Verdant Leisure's Lancaster Head Office Creates Host Of New Jobs Following Expansion

LANCASTER based bespoke holiday park operator, Verdant Leisure, has announced that it is recruiting for 15 new positions at its Caton Road Head Office. The roles, across marketing, holiday sales, accounts, customer services and HR departments, come after a recent period of significant investment and expansion for the company. 2021 saw Verdant Leisure invest over ₤1.5million in park accommodation and facilities and welcome two new Devon based parks to its portfolio.

Established in 2010, Verdant Leisure employs 300 permanent staff alongside a further 250 seasonal team members across its 12 UK holiday park locations, with over 30 employees currently based at its Lancaster headquarters.

Verdant Leisure offers self catering holidays and holiday home ownership, ideal for holiday makers, or those looking to buy a holiday home or caravan. There are a wide range of holiday options to suit all budgets which offer excellent value for money, with no compromise on quality.

Bev Dixon, Chief Operating Officer of Verdant Leisure said:- "After a number of successful years, thanks to a significant rise in bookings and the hard work and dedication of our team, we are delighted to be able to grow each department within our Head Office. We are looking to expand our Lancaster based team by 50% in the coming weeks, this will help us continue to deliver the 1st class customer service that has become synonymous with Verdant Leisure. We are looking for new team members with passion and tenacity, who want to work with an award winning company and we're keen to nurture and support the right talent to grow with us."

The bespoke holiday park operator recently announced the acquisition of Golden Coast Holiday Village and Cleavewood Park in North Devon. The purchase brings Verdant Leisure's portfolio to twelve parks and marks the 1st acquisition since the company was backed by Pears Partnership Capital. It is also Verdant's 1st acquisition in southern England. This deal will continue the company's growth strategy to create a strong national group with significant scale, and Verdant Leisure remains keen to continue its expansion into 2022.

Black Is The Color Of My Voice, is heading to Liverpool

THIS stage show was inspired by the life of Nina Simone and featuring many of her most iconic songs performed live. Apphia Campbell's acclaimed play follows a successful jazz singer and civil rights activist, as she seeks redemption after the untimely death of her father. She reflects on the journey that took her from a young piano prodigy destined for a life in the service of the Church, to a renowned jazz vocalist at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement. This extensive national tour follows sell out seasons in:- Shanghai, New York, Edinburgh, and in the West End of London. Florence Odumosu trained at the Arts University Bournemouth on the BA Acting course. Theatre includes:-: A Christmas Carol (Pitlochry Festival Theatre), Sh*tfaced Showtime: Alice Through the Cocktail Glass (Underbelly Festival), Boom Bang A Bang (Above the Stag Theatre), Into The Woods (Cockpit Theatre), Birdwoman (Bush Theatre), Intelligent (Arcola Theatre), Feast (Vaults Festival), Eight Percent (Theatre 503), and Christmas Dinner (The Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh).

Apphia Campbell is very excited and honoured to be the IASH play wrighting fellow for 2021. She is originally from United States and graduated from Florida International University with a BFA in Theatre performance. She wrote Black Is The Color Of My Voice, back in 2013. In 2017 her new show with Meredith Yarbrough, Woke, was presented as part of the Made In Scotland Showcase, where it won a Scotsman Fringe 1st, a Highly Commended from Amnesty International Award, and was shortlisted for The Filipa Bragança Award and Scottish Art Club Theatre Award. In 2019, she made her West End debut with Black Is The Color Of My Voice, at Trafalgar Studios, and had a London premiere of Woke at Battersea Arts Centre. Her 1st commission from the BBC for a children's story, called:- Zachary The Zebroid, aired in 2020 and she also wrote Birdie's Dilemma for Scenes for Survival (BBC in collaboration with NTS Scotland). She was 1 of 6 writers who wrote for the National Theatre of Scotland's Christmas show:- Rapunzel. Recent Credits inclide:- The Last Bordello (David Leddy, Director) Woke (Caitlin Skinner, Director), Black Is The Color Of My Voice (Arran Hawkins, Director), The Color Purple (James Harkness, Director), Soul Sessions ( Cabaret), No Exit (Michael Beets, Director).

This stage show will be preformed at Everyman Liverpool, on Friday, 11 February 2022 and on Saturday, 12 February 2022. To find out more and to book your tickets, visit the Everyman's website:- EverymanPlayHouse.Com.

The Friends of Old Christ Church Chairman awarded BEM

THE Friends of Old Christ Church have said they are very proud and delighted to announce that the community groups Chairman John Bramham has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the New Year's Honours List 2022 for services to community heritage. They said:- "John wishes to make it clear that the reason he has been selected for the award is down to the hard work of our team of volunteers which has worked so tirelessly over recent years in bringing the building back into community use in such a successful manner. He is delighted to dedicate the award to each and every member of the team for their consistent support and for their enduring enthusiasm in ensuring that the Church is maintained as a hub of activity for the local and wider community."