A BRIGHT FUTURE - Future leaders Pages 10-13 - St Helens Council
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Future leaders
Pages 10-13
Recycling matters
Spring 2020 Page 19
Go outdoors
Pages 20-21
A BRIGHT FUTURE
In the hands of local people.
1900754 St Helens First Spring 2020.indd 1 02/03/2020 15:47
“I couldn’t stand sitting in a classroom, I
wanted practical experience so I could show
what I can do, rather than a degree which
just shows that I understand the theory. I
would recommend that anyone who feels
the same should do an Apprenticeship as
it’s given me the chance to learn much more
than I would have in a classroom.”
Alex McGrath, St Helens Chamber Apprentice
of the Year 2019
EXPERIENCE + QUALIFICATIONS + MONEY
APPRENTICESHIPS
WITH
Take charge of your future with the job that lets you earn while you learn.
Apprenticeships are a great way for people to gain formal qualifications,
whilst in paid employment.
We are the leading Apprenticeship provider in St Helens and career progression for our
Apprentices is excellent! We offer Apprenticeships in a wide range of industries.
OPEN DAYS
If you would like to find out more about the Apprenticeships we have on offer, come
along to one of our open days which run every month! To book your place go to
www.sthelenschamber.com/startingpoint or call 01744 742045
1900754 St Helens First Spring 2020.indd 2 02/03/2020 15:47
Online: www.sthelens.gov.uk Get the app: Search ‘St Helens Council’
Telephone: 01744 676789 in your app store to download our free
Minicom: 01744 671671 handy app to contact us on the go.
Spring 2020
Welcome
is in all of our hands. That is what we want to celebrate in
this edition: the people who make our borough a vibrant
and diverse place, and the businesses leading the way in the
LEADER’S
green revolution.
We are putting the foundations in place to build an exciting
COLUMN
future for our borough but to truly succeed we need you
to play your part. We’ve launched consultations on how
to bring Earlestown Town Hall back into use and restoring
and protecting the Gamble building for future generations.
These two buildings are jewels in our rich heritage and while
we look forward to a bright future we want to make sure
This will be the last edition of St Helens First. we preserve our past. You can take part in the consultation
As part of our drive to protect essential services online and there are also hard copies of the survey at
we need to save money elsewhere, and I think every library.
we can and should be communicating with The green revolution is here and we recognise we are facing
residents in different, more cost-effective ways. a climate emergency. We are working hard to provide
We will make sure there are ways to find out what is greener ways to travel and supporting eco-friendly businesses
happening in your community: you can follow our social like ReStore.
media channels, or sign up for the new ‘St Helens Borough As council funding from government has shrank in recent
First’ e-newsletter. And with a wide range of support to get years, at the same time demand on essential services has
online at our outstanding libraries as well, you won’t miss grown. 71 per cent of our spending now goes on adult
out on anything. social care and children’s services. Reluctantly, we are
Other savings we will be making include freezing councillor asking residents to pay a little more in Council Tax this year.
allowances, supporting a move to all-out elections every Despite that, St Helens Borough will still be the lowest rate
four years to save money and to provide clarity and stability on Merseyside, and two per cent of the increase is purely for
for longer periods, and focusing more on finding new ways adult social care, going directly to supporting some of our
of generating income for the council that don’t hit residents most vulnerable residents, helping us to continue to provide
in the pocket. Things like advertising on roundabouts, LED care that one day we each might need.
screens promoting local businesses and events on major We would like to be in a position to freeze council tax for
routes into the borough, as well as making larger investments residents, but without the restoration of the government grant
to generate returns which we can invest in services. that can only happen by increasing our commercial activity,
Since coming into post last May, myself, Cllr Martin Bond and by growing the borough by attracting new businesses
(Cabinet Member for Finance) and my whole Cabinet have and quality housing. Those need to be the top priorities for
made this a priority. the council in the years ahead.
The new management structure we’ve introduced has a
dedicated Assistant Director for Commercial Activity role,
and every cabinet member and their department are working
on plans for generating income. Our new Chief Executive
and her team will lead this change in approach.
A modern and more efficient council is needed to support a
modern and successful borough, and the future of St Helens
Got a story to share? Maybe you’ve had a good experience with one Want to advertise with us?
of our services, or you’ve been involved in a great community initiative. Email: mediateam@sthelens.gov.uk
Maybe you captured a fantastic photo or video in St Helens and just St Helens Council does not warrant or endorse products
want to share it? We’re eager to hear from you, and could include your or services contained in commercial advertisements
submissions in the magazine. Email us at mediateam@sthelens.gov.uk. featured in this publication.
sthelenscouncil @sthelenscouncil Spring 2020 St Helens First
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Inside this issue...
7-9 News in brief
10-13 10-13 Inspirational people
16-17 Eco friendly projects
19 Recycling matters
20-21 Go outdoors
16-17 22-23 Your Council Tax
25 Looking back at Lily Parr
26-27 Sustainable business
30-31 St Helens from the skies
20-21 32-34 It’s OK2ASK
36-37 What’s on
38 Prize giveaway
25
26-27 32-34
sthelenscouncil @sthelenscouncil Spring 2020 St Helens First
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1900754 St Helens First Spring 2020.indd 6 02/03/2020 15:47
NEWS in brief
Help redefine the future of two
St Helens Borough landmarks
Online consultations on Earlestown Town Hall and The “Getting Earlestown Town Hall open again will require
Gamble are open until Friday 27th March for residents to extensive internal and external works and we’re keen
put forward suggestions of how the two historic buildings to explore all possible uses and sources of support and
could be used in the future. funding. We need creative and innovative solutions, and
Council Leader Councillor David Baines said: “We’ve the backing of the community, to ensure the town hall is a
made it very clear that we want to see the iconic Gamble thriving venue for future generations.”
building restored and fully open. It belongs to the people Have your say online by visiting: www.sthelens.gov.uk/
of St Helens and with its 125th anniversary taking place in council/public-consultation
2021 there’s no better time to reopen it to the public.
“While we are fully committed to repairing and reopening
the Gamble, it’s important we take this opportunity to make
sure it is used in the right way for the greatest benefit
to St Helens Borough. We need to look at its long-term
sustainability, and protect it for future generations.”
Councillor Kate Groucutt, Cabinet Member for Corporate
Services, Estates and Communication, added: “We’re glad
to announce the start of this ambitious project that will
bring Earlestown Town Hall, a cherished local landmark,
back into public use as part of our commitment to
protecting our heritage buildings across the borough.
Honouring fallen soldiers
The men from across St Helens Belgium with my family to see the
Borough who fought in the Second grave of my relative, Frank Chadwick
World War will be honoured in Belgium. and lay a wreath on behalf of the
Councillor Seve Gomez-Aspron, town of Newton-le-Willows at the
Honorary President of the Newton- Menin Gate in Ypres, which is such a
le-Willows and District Veterans significant and emotive reminder of
Association, whose great grandfather the cost of war.
Les Zorn and brother Frank Chadwick “As an infantry division they fought
were part of the 13th (Lancashire) in some of the most brutal battles
Parachute Battalion, which played a of the Second World War and after
crucial role in the liberation of Europe Normandy, fought through to Paris
from Nazi Germany, will attend an and the Ardennes.
event in Ypres ahead of the 75th “Combined with that, the 13th
Willowbees Adventure anniversary of the end of the Second Battalion South Lancs Paras, again
World War to lay a wreath during the
Play Centre is now open ceremony at the Menin Gate.
made up of brave local men, were
dropped behind enemy lines in the
at Newton-le-Willows Frank later died during the Battle of night before D-Day to protect bridges,
Health and Fitness the Bulge, the last major German destroy battlements and eventually
Willowbees joins the new two-storey offensive campaign on the Western take Caen.
gym and Immersive Spin Studio Front. “I’m proud to say that my great
which are also open to the public. “Seventy five years ago brave men grandad Les Zorn and his brother
Keep your eyes peeled for the next in the South Lancashire Regiment Frank Chadwick were amongst those
stage of the refurbishment coming had fought hard to ensure VE Day Paras. Both went on to fight at the
soon. Visit: goactive.sthelens.gov.uk/ happened,” Cllr Gomez-Aspron said. Battle of the Bulge at Bure, where
nlwfitness for more details. “It is my absolute honour to travel to Frank was sadly killed.”
sthelenscouncil @sthelenscouncil Spring 2020 St Helens First
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Signs of safety support for families
Working together with families and basing the support around
will be at the heart of child what a family needs and how
safeguarding. best to provide the help.
St Helens Children’s Signs of Safety helps teams work
Safeguarding Partnership is together with families by setting
adopting the Signs of Safety way shared processes and values
of working which is driven by the around what the family can do
families that teams work with as part of supporting them.
A new Chief Executive
at St Helens Council
has taken up the
post this month
Kath O’Dwyer joined the council after holding the
position of acting Chief Executive at Cheshire
East Council. Prior to that she was Ofsted’s
National Director for Social Care as well as
previously working for other authorities including
Blooming success in Rainford
Warrington, Halton, Knowsley and Rochdale. Rainford In Bloom group has been celebrating after clinching
On accepting her new appointment, Kath the top prize at the North West In Bloom Awards.
O’Dwyer said: “I am delighted to have been They took home the Gold Award in the Neighbourhood category,
appointed to the role of Chief Executive at which is the highest a group can achieve. The volunteer-led
St Helens Council.
group built on their previous successes and the gold comes
“This is a really exciting opportunity to make a after earning Silver and Silver-Gilt in previous years.
real difference in the borough that I am proud to
call my home. I have lived in St Helens for most Crank Bloomers were also celebrating after picking up an
of my life, it is where I have grown up, raised Outstanding Award in the Neighbourhood category.
my own family and indeed where I worked in my The group is funded through donations from the community
early local government career. along with grants that go towards the flowers and equipment
“I am looking forward to working with the elected needed to bring a riot of colour to Rainford.
members, staff and partners in leading the
Volunteers bring a variety of skills including those with a
council on its improvement journey and realising
its ambitions for the residents and communities lifetime of working in horticulture to share their knowledge.
of the borough.” Last year the group expanded their work with a new border at
Council Leader Councillor David Baines the Spinney and worked with the Friends of Rainford Station to
added: “She has a wealth of experience in make a new mixed border bringing an eco-friendly feel to the
local government and an excellent track record station. They also worked with schools and Rangers to build
in delivering outstanding public services. bat and bird boxes and planted wildflowers too. In Crank a
Importantly, she’s also a resident of the borough new orchard has been planted with the help of The Mersey
and St Helens through and through. We are very Forest and children from Crank Nursery.
excited to have her on board.”
Completing the executive leadership team is
new Executive Director of Place Lisa Harris,
who comes from Cheshire West and Chester
Volunteers needed
Council. Lisa brings a wealth of experience in The HoneyRose Foundation is If you would be interested in
regeneration. Rob Huntington has also been on the look out for volunteers. volunteering opportunities,
appointed Assistant Chief Executive and will start Based in Cotham Street, including working in the shop
this spring. He is currently the Group Director St Helens Town Centre, the and function room, as well as
of Business Change and Transformation at charity was founded in 2004 logistics, contact Karen Baines
Your Housing Group and previously worked in and is the only organisation of by calling: 01744 451 919
transformation and policy roles at Sheffield City its kind in the UK that grants (ext 2) or email: k.baines@
Council and Trafford Council. final wishes to terminally ill honeyrosefoundation.org.uk
adults over the age of 40.
8 St Helens First Spring 2020 www.sthelens.gov.uk
1900754 St Helens First Spring 2020.indd 8 02/03/2020 15:47
300 year-old
historic boundary
stone unearthed
A historic boundary stone that predates the formation
of St Helens as a town has been unearthed by
St Helens Council’s Grounds Maintenance officers.
The team made the discovery, dating between 1700-
1750, while clearing foliage and undergrowth at the
Blackbrook Wharf of Sankey Valley.
The council contacted local expert Dr Barrie
Pennington of the Milestone Society to ask if he
would investigate. Dr Pennington consulted an 1895
Ordnance Survey map and confirmed that it was a
boundary stone marking the parishes of Blackbrook
and Haydock.
Three other original boundary stones are positioned
at the wharf, placed there in recent years by St Helens
Council to mark the original length of the wharf
where coal was loaded onto barges. Though highly
Share your views on how
weathered the word ‘Blackbrook’can just be made out
on one of these stones.
councillors are elected
From 1757, this part of the Sankey Canal was a hive Residents can share their views on how they
of activity providing coal for Liverpool merchants and elect councillors in the future.
Cheshire salt mines. A consultation on whether to move to electing all ward
The new find is unique in that it is in its original councillors once every four years has launched.
position untouched and forgotten for decades. Currently one third of St Helens Council ward councillors are
elected each year, one from each ward, in a three out of every
College Street desilting four-year cycle.
But the public could choose to instead opt to have one election
works to finish next month to select all the ward councillors at the same time. The next
A £330,000 scheme is currently under way to help ward councillor elections would then take place four years later
reduce flood risk at one of St Helens’ flooding hotspots - after all councillors have served their four-year term.
Gerards Bridge, College Street. The advantages and disadvantages of each of the proposed
An Environment Agency team is removing silt from electoral cycles as well as frequently asked questions are
the bed of Rainford Brook (Sankey Canal), starting at available online at www.sthelens.gov.uk.
College Street through Merton Bank Road to Park Road, Speaking about the process Executive Director for Corporate
Blackbrook. Services Cath Fogarty, who is also the Returning Officer at
St Helens Council responsible for elections, said: “We want to
Not only will this work reduce the frequency and severity
hear from residents about how they would to prefer to vote for
of flooding, but it will also open up cycling routes along
their ward councillors in the future. Taking part in democracy
Sankey Canal which lays claims to being the first modern by voting is an incredibly important act we are all able to do
canal in England. and we want to hear your views on whether changing the
St Helens Council Leader David Baines said: “Although electoral cycle will encourage more people to make their
the majority of businesses in the area remain open voice heard.”
when College Street is closed due to flooding, the The consultation will run to Monday 23rd March and to take
inconvenience and impact it has on them and their part visit: www.sthelens.gov.uk/council/public-consultation
customers, and residents too, is unacceptable and we A decision on the electoral cycle will be made at a special
need to do all we can to address the problem.” council meeting on April 15th.
Work is expected to be completed by early April.
sthelenscouncil @sthelenscouncil Spring 2020 St Helens First
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1900754 St Helens First Spring 2020.indd 9 02/03/2020 15:47
“O
th
THE an
FUTURE we
pl
IS IN th
ha
THEIR
The borough is full of amazing
people doing great things that
make us really proud to
come from ‘Sintellins’.
St Helens First took a look
HANDS
at some of the unsung heroes
making a huge difference in
our communities.
One youngster has taken the phrase
‘brotherly love’ to a whole new level.
As a way of thanking Alder Hey Children’s Hospital for saving
his younger brother James’ life after being born seven-weeks
premature, 13-year-old George Mathias from Eccleston set
out to run one mile for every month he had his brother to raise
money for life-saving equipment.
A few miles escalated into a marathon for every year of James’
life, with the challenge catching the attention of celebrities who
wanted to run a mile with George to help his cause.
As part of the ‘Run with George’ phenomenon, the De La Salle
school boy has run with the likes of Steven Gerrard, John Bishop
George Mathias and Ben Shephard - who is now George’s lead ambassador -
raising a whopping £780,000 along the way.
Run
George’s achievements have earned him a number of awards,
including The Pride of Britain Young Fundraiser of the Year, and
with
the Diana Legacy Award.
But he had no plans to rest there and has since completed a
new million step challenge for The Prince’s Trust, with schools
George
across the country encouraged to get involved as a way of
getting active.
Check out his website: www.runwithgeorge.com
10 St Helens First Spring 2020 www.sthelens.gov.uk
1900754 St Helens First Spring 2020.indd 10 02/03/2020 15:48“Our vision is to raise aspirations
through our community
Miguel Doforoprojects
and educational programmes, as
Miguel Doforo, creative director of MD Creatives,
is transforming the lives of people of all ages
and backgrounds.
well as the many events we have
Originally from Liverpool, Miguel has made St Helens
his home - rolling out creative safe spaces in Rainford
and St Helens Town Centre where diverse groups of
planned to spread the message of
people can express themselves through a number of
different workshops, including the free ‘Blank Canvas’
project which takes youngsters from a blank canvas to
performance-ready - preparing them for adult life, work
the hidden talents this borough
and the big stage.
Miguel was influential in bringing St Helens’ first ever
Pride event to the borough in August 2019 - with another
has.”
planned for July this year - and put on a spectacular
stage production of The Lion King in St Helens Town Hall
before Christmas for disadvantaged families.
Miguel told us: “Our vision is to raise aspirations through
our community projects and educational programmes, as
well as the many events we have planned to spread the
message of the hidden talents this borough has.”
Daniel Garner
One young person who has shown great
courage and passion for the community
is 17 year-old Daniel Garner from Sutton,
who had struggled with his sexuality
before coming out as gay in his second
year of secondary school.
“Before coming out I was very unhappy and found no
enjoyment in anything I did,” Daniel said. “Ever since then
my life changed for the better. I became more confident and
expressed myself in more ways.”
Daniel later joined the Over the Rainbow LGBT support
group for young people and MD Creatives, where he found
friends and a greater motivation to get involved in music and
performance.
Daniel added: “My main passion is to be a musical artist like
Elton John and I plan to study music and performing arts in
university when I finish college. I never skip an opportunity to
perform, the stage is like a home for me. I’d love to become
an ambassador for the LGBT community around the world.”
He’s since worked with MD Creatives on a range of
performances, worked on St Helens first ever Pride Festival,
and supported a range of other local musicians.
“I now work at MD Creatives on the business and I’m eager
to help expand it. Miguel is a great friend and everyone at MD
Creatives is amazing and accepting.”
Asked about his advice to other young people struggling
with their sexuality, Daniel said: “If you think that you have
no place in the world, you do. When I came out I first felt the
world came crashing down on me but my life has been better
since. And if you need to place to go you can always come
to MD Creatives. It’s a judgement free zone and everyone is
very accepting. No matter what, you are accepted, even if it
doesn’t seem like it there will always be someone to help.”
sthelenscouncil @sthelenscouncil Spring 2020 St Helens First
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1900754 St Helens First Spring 2020.indd 11 02/03/2020 15:48Taylor Prescott
Taylor Prescott is doing a magnificent
job of keeping the memory of his late,
great father alive.
The 18 year-old has raised thousands of pounds for
charity by completing a number of gruelling physical
challenges to prove ‘what the mind believes, the
body achieves’.
Taylor, the eldest son of St Helens legend Steve
Prescott, recently completed ten consecutive 10k
runs leading up to the St Helens 10k race on 1 March,
which his dad founded in 2011 as he battled a rare
form of abdominal cancer.
And he’s not stopping there.
The Carmel College student is taking part in the
Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge in September,
while he’s also planning another big challenge before
the year is out - with money raised going to the Steve
Prescott Foundation which supports a number of
charities including The Christie cancer hospital.
Jonny Lomax
Saints ace Jonny Lomax overcame a
traumatic injury in his schoolboy days
to establish himself as one of the best
rugby league players in the world.
At the age of 14, Jonny suffered a bleed on
the brain while playing for Rainford High
School after an accidental head clash -
but went on to make his Saints first team
debut just four years later.
Now 29, the Billinge lad was influential
in Saints’ Super League Grand Final
season victory last year, scooping
Members’ Player, Players’ Player,
and Player of the Year at the club’s
end of season awards evening.
The full back - who can play in virtually
any defensive position - is arguably in
the form of his life and has hit the ground
running again this season. Jonny is a role
model to many young, aspiring rugby
league players.
Could a Steve Prescott Man of Steel
Award be on the cards for Saints’ number
six this season?
12 St Helens First Spring 2020 www.sthelens.gov.uk
1900754 St Helens First Spring 2020.indd 12 02/03/2020 15:48Debra Hill
Debra Hill is linking refugees and communities they live in. She set up a
asylum seekers with the community social enterprise called Our Little Corner
they now call home. of the World in St Helens (OLCOTWISH)
which runs the café at Central Link
She set up Café Laziz, an Arabic and
Children’s Centre on Peter Street,
English community café that offers a
every Thursday.
delicious range of tempting food all
prepared by volunteers who are getting Working with a group of refugees and
the opportunity to learn new skills while asylum seekers Debra has helped them to
connecting to the community. build not just their language skills but also
learn aspects of business including health
The café, named after the Arabic for
and safety, finance, designing menus and
delicious, came from an idea by Debra
staffing needs among others.
Hill, who works as an English language
tutor with refugees and asylum seekers And so far it’s been a hit with many
in St Helens, to help them learn vital skills Sintelliners enjoying delicious Arabic
for work while also encouraging them cuisine and the staff are settling into the
to practise their English and meet the community and growing in confidence.
Rising football stars selected for national squads
Grace Clinton studies A Level Business travelled to Northern Ireland, Republic
Studies, A Level PE and BTEC Science of Ireland, Denmark, and Serbia to play.
at Carmel and plays for the Under-17s
Phoebe said: “I am delighted to play
England squad. As the magazine went
for the national team and represent my
to print, Grace was set to fly out to
country. Every team member plays with
Florida for her next competition against
so much pride and gives everything to
the USA.
each game. I’m on the Talented Athlete
“I’ve been playing football since I was Scholarship Scheme at Carmel and
six-years-old and I now train four days staff in the sport department have
a week at Everton with a match every been great.
Sunday,” said Grace. “I’m also part
“They have given me lots of advice
of the Talented Athlete Scholarship
about future careers in sport. They
Scheme at Carmel which has been
also arranged a trip to Finch Farm so
really beneficial for me. I would say
we could speak to analysts, sports
to any young girls hoping to get into
Phoebe and Grace (left-right) physiologists and nutritionists. All my
football, it’s not how good you are,
teachers have been really supportive
Two of Carmel College’s Lower Sixth but how good you want to be.”
of my football commitments and they
students, Grace Clinton and Phoebe Phoebe Hampson, who studies A Level understand the additional demands
Hampson, have been selected to play PE, Business Studies and Geography that this places on me.”
for national women’s football teams. at Carmel, plays in midfield for Wales
Congratulations to Grace and Phoebe
Both girls currently play for Everton Women’s Under-19s. This year the
on such a fantastic achievement! We
Under-20s and are delighted to have the Under-19 UEFA qualifiers will be hosted
wish them both the very best of luck for
opportunity to play at a national level. in Wales, but Pheobe has previously
the future.
sthelenscouncil @sthelenscouncil Spring 2020 St Helens First
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1900754 St Helens First Spring 2020.indd 13 02/03/2020 15:48ADVERTISEMENT
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1900754 St Helens First Spring 2020.indd 15 02/03/2020 15:48Let there be LED light!
St Helens Borough is on the brink of becoming
substantially LED lit thanks to a bright energy and
money saving initiative.
Back in August 2015, St Helens Council’s Cabinet
supported plans to invest £2.978m to replace
obsolete and inefficient street lighting with energy
efficient LED luminaire lights as part of an Invest to
Save programme. A further £500K was approved at
Cabinet in December 2018.
LED - which stands for ‘light-emitting diode’ - is
considered a far more environmentally friendly
approach to lighting as they consume significantly
less energy than traditional light sources.
The council operates and maintains approximately
23,870 street lighting units in the borough and will
have upgraded approximately 20,000 of them when
a further 3,422 street lights are fitted in all wards
during the next phase of the programme which is due
to commence in the coming months. The additional
funding provided by the council in December 2018
will enable the authority to move further towards
Let’s
becoming predominately LED by next year.
This will leave a further 3,000 units to go until the
street lighting in the borough is completely LED.
St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance,
Councillor Martin Bond, said: “This innovative
thinking means we’re able to achieve indicative cost
savings of approximately £825,537 per annum, when
clean
compared to the council’s peak street lighting energy
consumption in 2009/10.
“By investing to save, we’re upgrading every street
which is improving the overall quality of lighting to
enhance public safety; reducing carbon emissions;
and the scheme will eventually pay for itself with the
money saved from consumption costs.”
the air
16 St Helens First Spring 2020 www.sthelens.gov.uk
1900754 St Helens First Spring 2020.indd 16 02/03/2020 15:48A570 Sherdley Roundabout scheme
A highway improvement scheme designed to encourage more
people to leave their cars at home and use greener forms of
transport is underway at one of the borough’s busiest junctions.
Work started at the A570 Sherdley Roundabout in the middle
of February which will see pedestrians and cyclists get safer
facilities, including Toucan crossings as well as widened roads
and footways to increase refuge and space respectively.
The area will be resurfaced and street lighting and signage
will be upgraded - while a reduced speed limit of 30mph
will be introduced on all approaches to the roundabout
to improve road safety.
The scheme is funded by the Local Growth Fund which
is awarded to the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise
Partnership (LEP) and invested through the Liverpool City
Region Combined Authority’s Strategic Investment Fund.
Councillor Lynn Clarke, St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member
for Environmental Services, said: “This scheme will make
Sherdley Roundabout safer and easier to navigate - not only
for the thousands of vehicles that use it on a daily basis - but
also for pedestrians and cyclists too, as we look to promote
greener ways to travel.”
The whole scheme is expected to be completed by the summer.
Walk this way
Pupils from eight primary schools To date Bleak Hill;
are putting their best foot forward St Bartholomew’s; St Julie’s;
to help reduce carbon emissions St Mary’s Blackbrook; St Peter
by taking part in a national walk to and Paul; St Thomas of
school challenge. Canterbury and the infant and
Funded through a £1m budget junior sites of St Mary’s Catholic
from the Department for Transport, School are all involved in the
the Walk to School Outreach initiative which has resulted in the
2019-2020 project is delivered by schools increasing active modes
everyday walking charity, Living of transport from 48 per cent to
Streets, and aims to overcome 64 per cent.
barriers to walking to get 55 per
cent of children in the UK walking
to school by 2025.
sthelenscouncil @sthelenscouncil Spring 2020 St Helens First
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1900754 St Helens First Spring 2020.indd 17 02/03/2020 15:48REPRESENT, ADVOCATE, ADD YOUR
VOICE TO OUR PROMISE TO
STAND UNITED AGAINST HATE:
WWW.SAFERSTHELENS.ORG.UK/NOPLACE4H8
ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR (ASB)
St.Helens Council & Merseyside Police, together in partnership with a number of local
agencies, have a range of legislation, powers & tools to combat ASB.
Don’t put up with it: it causes fear & distress to individuals & local communities.
Are you in A threatening heated situation which 999
immediate danger? could get violent very soon
Offensive behaviour Merseyside Police
Drug dealing & street drinking or @MerPolCC
Is it Criminal ASB?
Off-road vehicles merseyside.police.uk
Fireworks being set off late at night 101
Setting deliberate nuisance grassland OR Crimestoppers
fires (report without providing your details)
crimestoppers-uk.org
0800 555 111
Is it Environmental Rowdy & inconsiderate neighbours St.Helens Council
ASB? General vandalism & graffiti sthelens.gov.uk
Littering Council App
Abandoned vehicles 01744 676789
Dog fouling OR Your Registered Social Landlord
For more information visit:
MAKE THE RIGHT CALL www.safersthelens.org.uk/ready2report
1900754 St Helens First Spring 2020.indd 18 02/03/2020 15:48Cleaning up on Recycling
Recycling is a big part of our daily lives and is only
going to become more important in the future.
More and more these days people are making small
changes to their lifestyle in an effort to protect our planet.
Here’s a glimpse at the borough’s current recycling record:
H8 During the last year we collected more than 14,795 tonnes of recycling across St Helens Borough, consisting of:
PAPER GLASS CARDBOARD PLASTICS & CANS FOOD WASTE
2,453 3,556 2,636 2,592 3,558
(16%) (24%) (18%) (18%) (24%)
In the last year you’ve recycled 167 tonnes more plastics and cans than in the previous year, helped by the new
plastic materials we can now collect. That’s more than the average weight of a blue whale in plastic bottles,
yoghurt pots, butter tubs, plastic food trays, food and drink cans, clean aluminium foil and empty aerosols.
More local people than ever - 27,347 homes - are subscribing to our garden waste collection service, which
just restarted after the winter break. The current season ends on 31 May, beginning again on 1 June, with the
subscription window opening late April.
Last year subscribers recycled a whopping 6,768 tonnes of garden waste
Average sized car Blue Whale Dream Blackpool Tower
1-2 tonnes 100-150 tonnes 373 tonnes 2,586 tonnes
ag
Caddy The Pink B
Food Leftovers Plastic Bottles
The Kerbside
Brown Cardboard
ox
The Black B
Cardboard Food Packaging Fruit & Vegetables i.e. Drinks, Cleaning
Glass Bottles Tea Bags Products, Toiletries etc.
Glass Jars (please rinse Dairy Products Yoghurt Pots NEW
& remove lids) Fish Butter/Margarine Tubs NEW
Rice, Pasta & Beans Plastic Food Trays NEW
Broken Glass Meat & Bones Drink Cans
Pyrex Bread, Cakes & Pastries Food Cans (please rinse
Plastic thoroughly)
Metal Packaging Empty Aerosol Cans
Liquids Clean Aluminium Foil
Oil & Liquid Fat
Other Types of Plastic
in
ag The Green Bin The Brown B
Newspapers Grass Cuttings/Leaves General non-recyclable
The Blue B Magazines Flowers/Plants/Weeds household waste
Junk Mail Privet/Hedge Clippings
Catalogues Small Branches & Twigs Anything else
Directories
Office Paper Cardboard
Envelopes Food Waste
Greeting Cards Plastic
Wrapping Paper Soil
Cardboard
Foil Wrapping Paper
1900754 St Helens First Spring 2020.indd 19 02/03/2020 15:48Spring
has
sprung
The sun is shining and the days are getting warmer, so get outside
and have some fun. We’ve put together a list of some of our favourite
outdoor attractions and activities for families in St Helens Borough
at this wonderful time of year.
Bird watching at Siding Lane Nature Reserve
Bird watching is a wonderful way of St Helens for this, including Carr Mill
getting back to nature. Equip yourself Dam, Taylor Park Lake and the pond
with some binoculars and a pocket at Sherdley Park, but you should
guide book or phone app, get out only feed in small amounts and
there and see what you can find. only foodstuffs that provide healthy
Siding Lane Nature Reserve is among nutrition for birds - not bread!
our Rangers’ favourite places for Feeding ducks bread is bad
a bit of birdwatching, or birding, as because it has very little nutritional
it’s known. Here you might be lucky value - filling them up without the
enough to catch the swift blue flash of nourishment they need. Ducks much
a kingfisher hunting the waters, or a prefer wheat, barley or similar grains;
patient perched buzzard. birdseed mix; grapes (cut in half or
And who doesn’t have fond memories quartered if very large); frozen peas
of feeding ducks and other waterfowl. or sweetcorn (defrosted, uncooked);
There are a few really good spots in and chopped lettuce or other greens.
20 St Helens First Spring 2020 www.sthelens.gov.uk
1900754 St Helens First Spring 2020.indd 20 02/03/2020 15:48Picnicking in Colliers Moss Common
It can be hard to get the family around the table for dinner when spring
is in the air. Pack up your meal and take it outside, either to your own
garden or a local park, where you can enjoy the weather while you dine.
And where better than Colliers Moss Common to do it? The area is part
of the Bold Forest Park, but can often be overlooked with the lure of the
magnificent Dream sculpture just a few miles away. Still, Colliers Moss
Common stands on its own as one of the most beautiful green spaces
in St Helens Borough.
Take some sandwiches, water and a few apples in a rucksack and
set yourself down on a blanket while away the spring afternoons.
This was one of the most industrial sites in the country, created on the
spoil and waste from the Bold Colliery and Power Station. Now, nature
has taken over and it’s been transformed into a tranquil green space with
woods, lagoons and more, great for walking, cycling and horse-riding.
Lake braving at Carr Mill Dam
Get ready for a new adventure with St Helens Canoe Club. The
group has been making waves at Carr Mill for five years now,
running sessions on Monday evenings from Easter to Halloween.
The club has been really successful at getting young people active,
particularly through freestyle kayaking - which has been described
as ‘BMX-ing in a boat’. Last year they introduced stand-up paddle
boards and paddle board yoga - very popular with the parents.
Introduction to the canoe club is generally through a beginner’s
taster session, details of which you can find on the website
www.sthelenscc.co.uk and through Facebook.
Bug spotting in Stanley Bank
Around March and towards May, the woods begin to come alive with
spring flowers and insects making the most of them, so why not head out
armed with a flora and fauna guide and see what’s out there?
One great location for this is Stanley Bank Local Nature Reserve and the
wildflower meadow within, designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest
for its damp, unimproved grassland - a rare habitat in Merseyside. In
the spring, a wonderful variety of wildflowers blossom in the meadow,
attracting all sorts of insects, from pollinators to rare beetles.
The area is accessible via footpaths starting from the Sankey Valley
Visitor Centre, Blackbrook Road WA11 0AB.
Getting active in Sherdley Park
Brisk spring winds are perfect for kite flying. Find a large open field, such as
Sherdley Park and get ready to launch - just make sure to stay away from tall
trees and power lines.
Any local park is great for this, but Sherdley also boasts The Park Bar and
Kitchen at The Score on the park’s eastern end - perfect for a bite to eat after an
active day - as well as the botanical gardens, which are great for a leisurely stroll.
And speaking of leisure, you’re missing out if you’ve never made par on one of
Sherdley Park Golf Course’s 18 lovingly designed, undulating holes or cracked a
basket of golf balls 200 yards down the Sherdley Park Driving Range.
You could also get on your bike with the Bike Hub in the park - keep updated on
St Helens Council’s social media pages to keep up-to-date with the events taking
place this spring.
sthelenscouncil @sthelenscouncil Spring 2020 St Helens First
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1900754 St Helens First Spring 2020.indd 21 02/03/2020 15:49Your Council Tax and Our Budget
90m
Over the
last 10 years This means
our general £507
Government per year
less per year
for every man,
grant has woman & child
in St Helens
been cut by: That’s a 71% reduction
At the same time the demand and cost of delivering our services is increasing.
71% of our net budget
is now spent on
In the last
10 years
adult social care
and children’s the cost of caring for
services children looked after
has more than doubled
Some of the demand in adult and children’s services in 2019:
3,748 825,000 2,167 529 £192,000
people in need hours referrals children avg cost of a
of long term supporting to children’s looked children’s out
adult social over 65’s to social care after of borough
care live at home placement*
*This is for safeguarding reasons
This is how much we will spend in 2020/21 on some of the services we provide:
£180m £72m £13m £6m £5m
Children’s and Adult Social Public Waste Collection Highways &
Family Services Care & Health Health & Recycling Street Lighting
£4m £2m £2m £1m £1m
Sports Planning & Libraries Parks & Street
& Leisure Development & Arts Open Spaces Cleansing
22 St Helens First Spring 2020 www.sthelens.gov.uk
1900754 St Helens First Spring 2020.indd 22 02/03/2020 15:49Demand for
these essential This is less than
£3m
This will generate...
services is rising, an additional
£1
For over
85%
so we have no
choice but to
raise council tax of households a week
by 3.99 per cent.
Without the council tax rise, we’d have to find a further £3m in savings.
Also in 2020/21 we have budgeted to receive:
£57.7m This includes
£2.1m
an estimated
of business rates of new
growth
£10m
With the extra income from council
tax and business rates taken into
consideration, for 2020/21 we will
have a budget gap of:
Did you
know?
Council tax in
St Helens continue
to be th e lo
on Merseyside
w es t
s
So HOW will
we FILL the gap ?
£5m £5m
from the one off use from income generation
of reserves. This is & unavoidable cuts to
not a sustainable way services
of delivering services
We’ll continue to
do all we can by:
Attracting Increasing Doing Transforming
£
Maximising the
new partnership more & being benefits of being
businesses working online more efficient in the Liverpool
City Region
sthelenscouncil @sthelenscouncil Spring 2020 St Helens First
23
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1900754 St Helens First Spring 2020.indd 24 02/03/2020 15:49In the footsteps
of a female
footballing great
Ask someone what St Helens Borough is well known for and they might
say Pilkington’s, Beechams, Saints R.F.C or Stephenson’s Rocket.
They might well be right but it has also created one of, Lily continued to play with the team, later named Preston
if not the greatest, female football player of all time. Ladies, until 1951. Lily died aged 73 in 1978 and is buried
at St Helens Crematorium.
Her name is Lily Parr. Born in 1905, she was the first
woman to be included in the National Museum of The women’s footballing legacy in St Helens Borough lives
Football’s Hall of Fame in 2002 and last year was the first on in Lily’s name through the Lily Parr Football Festival
female footballer to have a prominent statue created to run by St Helens Sports Development. Young girls from
honour her trailblazing career which saw her score almost schools across the borough compete in the tournament
1,000 goals. which is supported by Liverpool County Football
Association.
Born and raised in Parr, Lily started playing football as
a girl with her brothers before signing up for St Helens The Lily Parr Football Competition takes place annually on,
Ladies. Word about her talent soon spread and she was or as close to, Lily’s birthday and is an integral part of the
signed up for the Dick, Kerr Ladies aged just 14. The team St Helens School Games programme. The School Games
was mostly made up of workers from the Dick, Kerr and is a national programme that aims to keep competitive
Co factory based in Preston, who went on to be the most sport at the heart of schools, by providing relevant
successful women’s team of all time. competitive sporting opportunities for pupils from year
three to year eleven as well as the chance for older pupils
During the First World War the tram and railway factory
to develop their leadership and officiating skills.
started making munitions and more women came into
work, which spurred on the popularity of women’s football.
In a prolific first season Lily scored 43 goals alone and in
total the team played 828 matches, winning 758, drawing
46 and lost only 24.
At 6ft tall, Lily was more
than a match for her male Lily Pa r r
counterparts and played
against both men and
women during her career.
Her shot was reputedly
harder than any mans.
She went on to play in a match against her former
St Helens Ladies side at Goodison in December 1920
which drew a crowd of 53,000.
For more information, please contact
Danny Bacon (Sports Development
Officer) on: 01744 675402 or:
dannybacon@sthelens.gov.uk
sthelenscouncil @sthelenscouncil Spring 2020 St Helens First
25
See our ‘What’s On’ page for Atlanta Forever, coming to Parr Library this April
1900754 St Helens First Spring 2020.indd 25 02/03/2020 15:4926 St Helens First Winter 2020 www.sthelens.gov.uk 1900754 St Helens First Spring 2020.indd 26 02/03/2020 15:49
We’ve all done a tip run or two when having a big clear out, but
could you see the hidden beauty deep within an old piece of
unwanted furniture before banishing it to a life on the scrapheap?
“The people we engage with often suffer from a lack
of skills and confidence but ReStore offers placement
opportunities in a safe and supportive environment which
in turn builds skills through the restoration of furniture,
reducing waste produced by our ‘throwaway’ culture
and providing items in good condition to people on low
income.
“These new found skills and routines give people a sense
of purpose, reduce social isolation and improve general
wellbeing and self-esteem.”
There’s a workshop for repairs and joinery; a paint shop
staffed by volunteers and trainees where projects can get
a new lease of life with a lick of paint or embellishment
before going on sale in the showroom.
Volunteers also learn customer service and retail skills,
One St Helens Borough business can upholstery and sewing, and assist on the delivery and
and the results are mighty impressive. collection of items.
People like Ian are truly feeling the benefits of being part
The ReStore Project, on Peckers Hill Road, Sutton,
of the ReStore Project after joining the team more than a
opened its doors in September 2018 and is the first
year ago.
social enterprise venture of St Helens charity the Hope
Centre, which provides training, support and advice Ian, who has qualifications in joinery, heard about the
to some of the borough’s most vulnerable people. project while attending local integrated recovery service
Change Grow Life (CGL) for treatment to stop a 35-year
Funded by Changing Communities CIC, the initiative
drug and alcohol addiction.
not only aims to reduce landfill and carbon footprint by
breathing new life into old furniture - but also to provide “After years of addiction I didn’t know how to live in the
volunteering and mentoring opportunities to a wide community so this has helped massively and has taught
range of local people with complex needs who learn me how to get on with people,” said Ian, who is now
how to restore and upcycle pre-loved furniture. 18-months clean.
It’s also part of a welfare assistance scheme run by To date ReStore has refurbished hundreds of items,
St Helens Council which provides vulnerable people transforming tired looking cabinets, wardrobes, tables,
who are transitioning into their own property with a chairs and much more besides while helping to reduce
voucher to help buy furniture to help turn their house the amount of waste that goes to landfill.
or flat into a home. The shop is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
“We have a good strong team which is really helpful between 10.00am - 3:30pm and the team is always
because the business has taken off really well and is happy for people to contact them about any unwanted
gaining recognition all the time,” Project Development items.
Manager, Julie Waring, told St Helens First - pointing Check them out of Facebook page by visiting:
out ReStore’s nomination at an environment awards www.facebook.com/ReStoreStHelens
last year, just eight-months after opening. They’re also on the lookout for more volunteers to help
It’s not just furniture the project is helping restore - out in the workshop. Whether you’re a dab hand with a
but also people’s lives. paint brush or a real hit with a hammer - the team would
Julie, who previously worked as a mental health welcome you with open arms.
advocate in St Helens Borough, added: For more information email: Julie@hopecentre.org.uk
sthelenscouncil @sthelenscouncil Winter 2020 St Helens First
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1900754 St Helens First Spring 2020.indd 27 02/03/2020 15:49Do you have the skills to foster?
01744 671199
sthelens.gov.uk/fostering
1900754 St Helens First Spring 2020.indd 28 02/03/2020 15:49 160070Trusted assistance for home improvements
Available to all residents (whether you own your home or rent)
We can help with:
• Rehanging doors • Fitting curtain poles, blinds & door locks
• Changing light bulbs • Installing grab rails, ramps, stair rails
• Assembling flatpacks • Draught proofing
• Small joinery repairs • PAT testing
Free services to elderly or vulnerable residents (dependent on the size and type of job).
All our Handypersons and Technology Care Team are all trusted assessors.
Contact us now for a free no obligation quote - 01744 676555
The Home Improvement Agency also has a range of other services all designed to
assist residents stay safe, warm and well at home.
• Assistive Technology - specialist products for independence at home.
• Welfare Benefit advice - are you claiming all you’re entitled to?
• Affordable Warmth advice - do you need help to keep your home warm?
For further information about any of our services
contact our friendly and professional team.
Call: 01744 676555
Email: homeimprovementagency@sthelens.gov.uk
Visit: www.sthelens.gov.uk/hia
1600703 St
1900754 Marketing campaign
Helens First Springfor2020.indd
Home Improvement
29 Agency rebrand 3.indd 1 15:45
02/03/2020 15:49You can also read
