Retrofit scheme saving residents thousands of pounds praised by Bill Esterson MP

BILL Esterson MP has praised Sefton Council's retrofitting scheme which is saving residents up to £1,000 a year on their energy bills. Mr Esterson, MP for Sefton Central, visited homes in Sefton where energy efficiency measures such as:- loft insulation, under floor heating, under floor insulation, cavity wall insulation, external wall insulation, solar panels and new doors and lightbulbs had been carried out with no cost to the homeowner. Mr Esterson said Labour led Sefton Council were leading the way in helping lower income households tackle high energy bills.

Mr Esterson said:- "I really enjoyed meeting ECOGEE who were fitting insulation on a number of houses in Sefton as part of the grant scheme being run by Sefton Council. I was very impressed by their work, which enables energy bills to be cut, keeping people warmer, and saving them money in the borough. Congratulations to Sefton Council, as their retrofit scheme shows real leadership during the cost of living and environmental crisis. The scheme delivers grants for households for free home insulation to make homes cheaper, warmer, and greener. Labour run Sefton Council's scheme is a trailblazer at a local level and shows what might be possible at a national level under a Labour Government. Labour's plan to reduce energy bills would include a 'Warm Homes Plan', insulating 19 million homes across the country, which would save the typical household an additional £1,000 a year on energy bills. This provides 1 aspect of a long term solution to the cost of living crisis, including creating job opportunities and lowering energy prices. This is alongside Labour's plan to freeze energy bills, and invest in renewable energy sources which reduce reliance on expensive imported fossil fuels. Labour originally urged the Government to implement a National insulation mission last year. If the Conservatives had done as we suggested, 2 million of the coldest homes would have been insulated by this winter."

To find out more information on Sefton Council's scheme, please visit:- Sefton.Gov.UK/Retrofit...
 

FAMILIES can put their courage to the test as they explore the eek!citing and mysterious world of wetland nature this October ½ Term at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Martin Mere Wetland Centre.

From the feathered and furred to the slimy and scaly, there are some truly weird and wonderful creatures that call wetlands home; and all are ready and waiting to be discovered by visitors as they make their way around the Lancashire site, keeping eyes peeled and ears pricked for a truly exciting eek!sperience.

With spooky interactive activities and scary trails to follow, visitors are being dared to put their hands into mystery boxes to discover creatures like slithering snakes, and identify the screams of animals around the centre. Families brave enough can also set sail on the:- 'Canoe Scare fari' for some spine chilling adventures.

With other fun activities such as spooky arts and crafts and pumpkin carving, as well as a fancy dress competition on the 30 October, there is plenty to enjoy this October ½ Term at WWT Martin Mere.

Victoria Fellowes, Visitor Experience Manager, said:- "eek! week is a fantastic new event for families wanting to do something different this Halloween. Our interactive trail offers a fun and educational way to connect with nature and use all of your senses to see what lurks around wetlands. Autumn is also an exciting time to visit the centre to witness the nature that the season has to offer. We'll be joined by migratory birds such as:- the pink footed goose, whooper swan, shelduck, wigeon, and pintail."

The eek! week event runs from:- 22 October to 30 October 2022, and is included as part of the centre admission price, with WWT members and under 4's entering free.
 

Combined Authority seeks equality champions to help combat discrimination, injustice and inequality

THE Liverpool City Region Combined Authority is looking for equality champions to help the Region's political leaders and policymakers tackle the discrimination and disadvantage that cause injustice and inequality in society.

As part of its commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, the Combined Authority is setting up 4 Equality Panels, covering disability; race; gender; and sexuality.

It is now looking for people with experience of championing equality, particularly for these 4 protected characteristics, to help put equality, diversity and inclusion at the heart of decision making for the Combined Authority.

These panels will shape and influence all areas of work in the City Region, from employment and skills, to transport and the environment, and will build on the ground breaking work of the Combined Authority Fairness and Social Justice Advisory Panel.

These Equality Panels will play a key role in supporting the Combined Authority's Equality, Diversion and Inclusion portfolio, created last year by Mayor Steve Rotheram, and led by Mayor Joanne Anderson as Portfolio Holder.

Mayor Joanne Anderson, Portfolio Holder for Education, Skills, Equality and Diversity, said:- "We are building on the work of the Fairness and Social Justice Advisory Board, which has been a great critical friend to Mayor Steve Rotheram and the Combined Authority, scrutinising issues of fairness and equality, but I want to strengthen this challenge. That's why I am introducing 4 new panels covering disability, gender, race, and sexuality. The evidence tells us this is where we have the most work to do and can have the biggest impact. I'm looking for volunteers with the skills and experience of campaigning in these areas, as well as genuine links back into their communities to join me in my mission to embed equality, diversity and inclusion into everything the Combined Authority does."

Each panel will have up to 10 members, appointed for a 3 year term. Members of each panel will elect a chair, with no more than 2 from each of the City Region's 6 boroughs. Panel members will be appointed for a period of 3 years, with chairs for each panel to be elected from within the panels yearly.

There will be an open recruitment process for all panel members and volunteers can apply to serve on more than 1 panel. Application forms and further details are available on:- LiverpoolCityRegion-CA.Gov.UK.

This further commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion follows the launch earlier this year of the Combined Authority's Equality Strategy. Developed in partnership with:- employees, trade union representatives, residents, advisory panels and Local Authority partners, the Equality Strategy set out how the Combined Authority will prioritise those left behind, disadvantaged, or experiencing discrimination, and reduce inequality by enhancing how public services are delivered.

Specifically, it sets out how it will make sure that people with the protected characteristics set out in the Act, as well as those disadvantaged by their socio-economic status, are not discriminated against in employment, when seeking employment, or when engaged in occupations or activities related to work.

The new Equality Strategy, which will be reviewed every year, also sets out more than 40 specific actions the Combined Authority will take in its 3 main areas of activity; as a major employer with nearly 1000 staff; as a fonder and investor, spending more than £100 million each year, and as a civic leader, with a powerful convening role through the Metro Mayor.