Mayor recommends freezing Council Tax bill for 5th year running

LIVERPOOL City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram has recommended to freeze the Regional Council Tax precept for a 5th consecutive year to ease the ongoing cost of living pressure on local residents.

The Mayor has also announced proposals to invest in the Region's transport network, deliver bus franchising, create jobs and help achieve the Region's target to reach net zero by 2040 at the latest.

The budget, to be considered at next week's Combined Authority meeting, acknowledges the pressures that inflation and high energy costs are placing on local residents, the public sector and the wider economy.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:- "As Mayor, it's my duty to ensure that every penny we spend not only delivers value for money, but positively impacts the communities I am so proud to represent. It's not lost on me that households across our area have seen their budgets stretched to breaking point over the last few years and we're continuing to do what we can to protect them from the worst excesses of the cost-of-living crisis, including freezing the Council tax precept for the fifth consecutive year. Despite a challenging economic climate and 14 years of biting austerity, I'm confident that our Region is moving towards a brighter future. From taking back control of our buses, to giving thousands of people the skills they need to get the jobs we are creating, and accelerating our transition to net zero; we're diversifying our economy and investing in our people to put them in the best possible place to grow and thrive."

Most Council tax payers across the City Region will pay a Band A Council Tax rate of £12.67 per year; around £1.05 per month.

Despite inflationary pressures particularly affecting bus services, the increase to the Transport Levy, paid by the local authorities to support operational transport activities, has been kept significantly below the level of inflation, with a 3% rise recommended. This is in recognition of the parlous state of local Government finances after 14 years of central Government cuts, which have disproportionately impacted areas in the Liverpool City Region.

Last year's interventions saw bus fares capped at £2, support for households to write off more than £3m of personal debts and staging Eurovision in partnership with Liverpool City Council, which is estimated to have added £55m to the local economy.

Improving bus services is high on the agenda with £6.8m earmarked to support the move to take back control of the Region's bus network; which would give the public sector the power to:- determine routes, fares and timetables.

Delivering a franchised bus network is central to building the Region's London style transport network, which includes:- £70m invested in active travel infrastructure, that will make:- travel faster, cheaper, cleaner and more reliable.

More than £46m has been earmarked to continue providing the most generous concessionary travel scheme outside of the capital. City Region residents are entitled to receive their travel passes when they turn 60; a full 7 years ahead of the national scheme. There are also discount schemes that help young people, apprentices and people with disabilities to benefit from fare reductions or to travel for free.

The coming year will see further investment across the Region's freeport and innovation Zone areas. It is hoped that these developments, at sites across the City Region, will help to attract new inward investment and create well-paid, secure jobs for local people.

The budget also emphasises moves to help the City Region reach its target to be net zero carbon by 2040, with ongoing investment in developing the Mersey Tidal Power project, and delivery of its housing retrofit programme, which is investing more than £100m in fitting energy efficient measures to around 10,000 homes. £350,000 is also identified to continue the Mayor's Community Environment Fund for another year and a further £300,000 to support Wirral's year in the cultural spotlight as Borough of Culture.

Ensuring that the Region's residents and businesses have the right skills to prosper continues to be a priority, with £54m expected to deliver adult education, and support for individuals in long term unemployment via Households into Work.

The budget also identifies how the authority will ensure a balanced and sustainable budget in the years to come, while continuing to deliver on its priorities, with around £4m savings identified through modernising how the authority operates.

'Great Minds Think Differently' People diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) experience a wide range of strengths and challenges

GIVEN that the majority of individuals with autism naturally think in a more visual way, making art often unleashes a treasure trove of creativity and self-expression.

When growing up, the School Art Room continues to provide the perfect environment for students to cultivate their individual sense of inventiveness and imagination. 

In particular, young children on the autism spectrum, exhibit a passion that is fuelled by natural artistic ability that flourishes and stretches as their minds develop.

Research has shown that not only do arts therapies improve social skills and engagement, but active participation in community arts programs can enhance inclusion, self confidence and communication.

Opened in June 1974, Peterhouse School based in Southport, is a non maintained Specialist School for children and young people aged:- 5 to 19 who have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Condition

Its Mission Statement is to:- "provide a specialist environment which is flexible and responsive in fulfilling the academic, social, emotional and physical potential of all our young people, equipping them with the skills, knowledge and understanding to be a successful adult with autism."

The Ofsted inspection in 2009 concluded:- "Staff welcome pupils as equals and each day cross many bridges together. As 1 member of staff put it, 'We don't expect the pupils to cross each bridge on their own. We meet them over ½ way and walk back with them.'"

Since the outset, the enterprise has earned many plaudits, including:- the Arts Council's ArtsMark Gold Standard in recognition of its commitment to art education and has previously welcomed visits from:- HRH Princess Alexandra and former Prime Minister, Harold Wilson.

The March 2023 Challenge Partners report acknowledges that:- "every pupil coming into the School has a personalised warm welcome that reflects the deep, trusting relationships being built at Peterhouse" and went on to recount:- "as 1 pupil explained:- 'the support from staff isn't just in class, it's for life in general.'"

The School has gone on to achieve a number of quality marks, including:- the Wellbeing Award for Schools, the Leading Parent Partnership Award and Career Mark, which recognises excellence in careers, employability and enterprise.  Peterhouse is also a Trinity Champion Centre, demonstrating the School's commitment to using the Arts to make a positive difference to the lives of pupils.

Head of School, Calvin Wallace, confirms:- "Peterhouse School strives to ensure that the Arts are embedded into our core as part of a whole School teaching, learning and enrichment philosophy. The School Arts curriculum provides opportunity to explore topics creatively whilst providing a vehicle for successful learning. Creativity and independent learning is embedded and deepened over time to support students to be motivated to think, act and pursue creativity."

Co-Director of Southport Contemporary Arts, Norrie Beswick Calvert, is keen to support the School's initiative at the ArtHouse:- "We are delighted to host the annual art show from the students of Peterhouse School. Although this is the 1st time Peterhouse students have shown their work at ArtHouse, it is not the 1st time we have hosted a student show and indeed it is something that we would like all Schools to consider. We feel it is invaluable for youngsters to gain an opportunity to show their creative work to the wider community in which they live and we feel it serves to enhance the students' sense of achievement and confidence in their abilities. In the specific case of Peterhouse, a School funded by Autism Initiatives, we are really looking forward to seeing the creative approach that the students have taken to their projects."

Certainly not 1 to be missed, this ambitious showing, Creativity at:- Peterhouse - A Visual Journey, will be on display at the:- ArtHouse, on:- Eastbank Street, Southport, from:- 13 February 2024 to 24 February 2024. The gallery is open Tuesday to Friday, from:- 10am to 3pm, and on Saturday, from:- 11am to 4pm.