Working together to make a difference across Wirral
In last month’s blog, I reflected on the progress being made across Wirral and the importance of turning plans into action. As we move into September, I wanted to update you on some other positive developments taking place across the borough and, more importantly, what they mean for residents.
One of the most important issues for many people is homelessness. Everyone deserves a safe and decent place to call home, so reducing homelessness and its causes and effects remains a key priority for the council and our partners.
This month, we welcomed the news that Wirral will receive almost £500,000 from the Government to support our efforts to prevent homelessness and tackle rough sleeping in the borough. It will help us build on the work already underway through our Homelessness Strategy and amplify the encouraging progress we are already seeing.
This work directly changes lives for the better and makes Wirral a better place for everyone, so I look forward to reporting progress in the coming months.
Providing more good affordable housing is also a key priority. Too many individuals and families are struggling to get suitable housing, and demand well exceeds what is available.
In response, earlier this year, we established the Wirral Strategic Housing Partnership, the aim being to bring together housing providers, public services and strategic partners to increase the supply of affordable homes, tackle homelessness and improve housing outcomes for residents.
This month brought encouraging news which supports those ambitions, with the Liverpool City Region set to receive £380 million through the Government's Social and Affordable Homes Programme. Investment on this scale has the potential to help accelerate the delivery of affordable homes across Wirral and the city region.
August has also brought positive news on jobs, skills and opportunities for young people.
Our latest Youth Market was the largest ever held in Wirral, attracting a record number of visitors and helping young entrepreneurs showcase their ideas and products. Particularly encouraging was the fact that some of the young traders have now moved on to receive further support to develop their business skills, through our Business Support service, in areas such as marketing and financial management. Supporting enterprise and ambition are vital if we are going to create the jobs, businesses and economic future we all want for all our residents.
Work to link residents with job and work opportunities is another initiative making a real impact. Earlier this month we announced a Maritime and Engineering Jobs Fair in Birkenhead, bringing together employers, training providers and jobseekers. Events like this have already provided a direct route into employment, apprenticeships and training opportunities for hundreds of local people by supporting and removing barriers to growth in some of our key business sectors.
Like many residents, I have been struck by some incredible planting displays across the borough throughout the summer thanks to the incredible work by dozens of ‘In Bloom’ and ‘Friends’ groups. Residents continue to demonstrate tremendous pride in their local communities, and I’m sure you all join with me in thanking the countless local volunteers who give their time and talents to make so many places look really special.
The recently re-energised ‘Love Where You Live’ campaign has been celebrating some of environmental volunteers who regularly give up their time to improve their neighbourhoods, maintain green spaces, and support local clean-up activities. I look forward to seeing the initiative grow in the coming months.
There was more good news for our environment in August when we welcomed new street cleansing teams to our communities, which will help us respond more effectively to local problems and improve the appearance of our neighbourhoods. Cleaner streets may seem like a simple thing, but they make a big difference to how we all feel about where we live, shop, or visit and to our overall confidence in local services.
Another welcome boost for local communities was the news that the Thriving Communities programme has secured additional lottery funding, allowing valuable community-based support to continue. Across Wirral, community organisations play an essential role in helping residents stay connected, access support and improve their wellbeing. This funding will help sustain that important work.
In addition, 15 grass-roots projects in Beechwood & Balantyne, Noctorum and Woodchurch are set to receive £2,000 each to support projects that tackle and reduce the impact of serious and organised crime under the Home Office’s EVOLVE programme. The funding for the scheme is from assets seized from convicted criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act, which will now be reinvested in communities.
Month by month, we are seeing initiatives take shape, partnerships strengthen and investments begin to deliver benefits for our residents. These stories may be different in nature, but together they tell a positive story about a borough that is working hard to improve outcomes for its communities.
For me, the message from August is clear: through partnership, investment and determination, we are continuing to deliver progress that matters to the people of Wirral.
Councillor Paula Basnett
Leader of Wirral Council
