Knowsley Online

Knowsley agrees strategy to tackle child & family poverty

Knowsley Council’s Cabinet has today agreed a strategy that aims to tackle the issue of child & family poverty in the borough.

The plan sets out how the council, working alongside its partners, aims to take a proactive approach to address this important issue over the next three years. The overall aim being to ensure that every child in Knowsley gets the best possible start in life.

Cllr Gary See, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said:

“Tackling child poverty is a crucially important issue, not just in Knowsley but across the UK. We are already working with our colleagues in the City Region on this, and here in Knowsley we are keen to raise awareness and really focus own on efforts at a local level, to get the best results for our children and families.”

The strategy outlines five key areas that will aim to address some of the underlying reasons for child and family poverty. This includes promoting fair employment, ensuring children are ready for school, working with and supporting schools to help disadvantaged children achieve, addressing health inequalities and ensuring children and young people have access to affordable transport.

Under the Child Poverty Act 2010, the responsibility to reduce child poverty currently lies with local authorities, working with partners. 

Cllr See added: “If you consider just how much funding we have lost as a result of government cuts, it is even harder for us as a council to try to tackle issues like child and family poverty. But just because it is a challenge doesn’t mean this is something we will shy away from.

In spite of the continual challenge to balance our budgets we are taking a proactive approach and working with partners and the community to equip people with the tools and support they need to escape the poverty trap.”

Although the strategy has just been formally agreed, the Council has already taken steps to reduce child poverty in the borough. Back in October, it became a Living Wage employer, meaning that its lower-paid employees would earn a minimum of £7.85 an hour – which is £0.65 an hour more than the Government’s National Living Wage which comes into effect this April.  In addition, free childcare places for the most disadvantaged two year olds are being promoted and across the borough, particularly through the borough’s children’s centres which are very popular with residents.  The school meals programme also ensure nutritious meals are accessible to all pupils, whilst health initiatives and support is targeted where it is needed.

The council is also a member of the Liverpool City Region Child Poverty and Life Chances Commission, which includes representatives from the community, private and public sectors, health, police, housing, transport, education and other local authorities across the City Region.  The Commission will be launching an update of the Liverpool City Region Child Poverty and Life Chances strategy later this week (Friday, 29 January).  The recently approved council strategy is Knowsley’s response to how it will support the overarching City Region’s priorities and action plan to tackle child poverty and improve life chances for children and their families.

A full action plan to tackle child and family poverty over the next three years is available in the strategy – a copy is accessible on the Council’s website www.knowsley.gov.uk

 

Prescot ‘Arts in Public Spaces’

Knowsley Council is developing exciting plans for public art in Prescot Town Centre as part of its regeneration plans for the town.

Cathy Newbery, Public Art Curator, has been commissioned to create a high quality and stimulating ‘Arts in Public Spaces’ Strategy that will help to creatively animate the town centre through the use of public art, over the next 5 years.

The strategy will be developed in collaboration with local communities and artists, and will complement other ongoing town centre regeneration projects.

Cllr Eddie Connor, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “Along with other exciting developments planned for Prescot, public art can play a valuable role in highlighting the unique heritage, history and distinctiveness of this fascinating town.

“This work will ensure we have a clear Arts in Public Spaces Strategy so we are ‘ready to go’ and work with partners and funders to commission the type of art that local people want to see, in the locations they would like to see and enjoy it. Ultimately we aim to create great art and culture for everyone in Prescot Town Centre.”

Events are being held to capture the views, ideas and aspirations of local people about spaces in the town centre and how they could be used, different types of and themes for art. There will also be the opportunity to take part in a creative activity.

People are invited to drop in or book a time to talk to Cathy Newbery or local artist Sue McHugh on the following days:

• Saturday 6 February 9am-4pm at the Work in Progress Shop (upstairs in Prescot Shopping Centre)

• Wednesday 17 February 2pm-4pm and 5-7pm at Prescot Town Hall

In March 2016, there will be an exhibition in Prescot Shopping Centre that will bring together all of the ideas and views that people have contributed and people will have an opportunity to comment on the draft Public Art Strategy.

The strategy will:

• Develop a clear vision and concept for public art in Prescot, with contributions from local people,
• Create a clear plan of the opportunities, locations and scale of possible pieces of art,
• Give realistic examples of the types of public art possible,
• Scope the cost parameters of public art,
• Develop a clear plan for identifying funding opportunities over a 5 year period.

For further information about the project you can call Cathy Newbery on 07770 714103 or email [email protected] or Jo Dry, at Knowsley Council on 0151 443 5349 or email [email protected].

New show home at The Woodlands, Halewood, opens this weekend

North West housebuilder Oriel, part of the First Ark Group, is unveiling its show home at its greatly anticipated first development, The Woodlands in Halewood, this weekend [23^rd and 24^th January 2016].

The Woodlands offers 22 three-bed semi-detached houses, three three-bed detached houses and four two-bed semi-detached houses for sale. Three homes have already been reserved for purchase, while two new homes will be revealed this weekend, and interest is growing quickly.

Set in the heart of the scenic development, the three bed detached show home, which opens its doors tomorrow [23rd January], will give prospective buyers a taste of how their new property could look, with all the available finishing touches that will help make a new house a home. With spacious gardens, two parking spaces and great links with local transport networks including a 10-mile long cycle path into Liverpool City Centre, The Woodlands' properties meet the requirements of any modern family's needs.

All weekend a team from Oriel will be on hand to help all potential residents understand their buying options, helping future homeowners find the best solution for them for now and into the future. Oriel’s experts will also be able to provide future homeowners with information on how its team can help make the moving in process as easy as possible, from support with the move itself to its floor coverings service which offers a range of quality flooring at competitive prices.

Stephen Heverin, director at Oriel, said: "There’s been a lot of excitement here at Oriel about the launch of the new show home. The Woodlands provides the perfect neighbourhood spirit and family environment so we’re all really proud to be able to reveal just how much the homes can offer to potential homeowners.

“House buying is an exciting time, but at the same time we know that many people will be taking this big step for the first time. That’s why our property experts will be at the show home all weekend; they will be cutting through any jargon to help explain options, from shared ownership and Help to Buy schemes, to everyone who wants help.” 

The show home, on Arncliffe Road in Halewood, is open to visitors from 10.30am – 5.30pm on Saturday 23^rd and Sunday 24^th January. It will then be open from 10.30am – 5.30pm each Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 29^th January. Bookings are advised and Oriel encourages those considering purchasing a home to visit soon.

The Woodlands is the first step towards Oriel’s target of developing 251 brand new homes across Merseyside - a mission Oriel set in order to provide comfortable, quality housing to meet the needs of the growing population. The first phase of the development at The Woodlands is set for completion in March. To find out more about the new Woodlands development, please visit www.oriel-living.co.uk.

New Worlds’ exhibition is a first for Kirkby Gallery

An exhibition of work inspired by the era that Kirkby as a New Town was built opens at the town’s Gallery next month.

New Worlds, which features some of the most significant works of the 60s and 70s by British artists, is the first Select exhibition from the Arts Council Collection that Kirkby Gallery has curated. It places the Kirkby Gallery, which was purpose built as part of the new Kirkby Centre in 2014, firmly on the regional and national map for arts venues.

The 60s was an exciting period in time for town planning and local building projects, as it set out idealised visions on how people should live, play and travel around the town that they live, informed by the physical architecture and geography around them.

This optimism and dynamic thinking is reflected within the array of artworks which was being made by leading artists of that time. New Worlds is based around work from 1964, the year when the original Kirkby Library, home of Kirkby Gallery, was built. It includes work by a number of leading British artists who best represent that energetic period of creativity.

It is yet another opportunity for local people to see major artworks in Kirkby, made possible by the provision of the new gallery, which is now considered by artists, galleries and museums as an ideal venue to exhibit big-name works.  It follows on from the success of the Willy Russell: Behind the Scenes exhibition which was also curated by the Gallery team at Knowsley Council.

Cllr Eddie Connor, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “It is great that Kirkby Gallery is being considered as a top-class place to exhibit some really important art, making it easy for local people to see and enjoy them right here in Knowsley.

“When we opened the Kirkby Gallery as part of the new Kirkby Centre, we were always ambitious to develop a nationally important exhibitions programme here, and it is great that that is exactly what has happened. Exhibitions like New Worlds are fantastic for local people, they offer cultural and educational experiences for local schools and attract visitors from the region to Kirkby.”

New Worlds includes 19 stunning and varied artworks, which collectively demonstrate the importance of British art from the time.

Featured artists include Frank Auerbach, Gillian Ayres, Peter Blake, Boyle Family, Patrick Caulfield, Garth Evans, Elisabeth Frink, Terry Frost, Richard Hamilton, Barbara Hepworth, David Hockney, John Hoyland, Albert Irvin, Bryan Kneale, Margaret Lovell, Mary Martin, Henry Moore, Eduardo Paolozzi and Bridget Riley.

New Worlds runs from Monday 15 February until Saturday 7 May 2016 at Kirkby Gallery, on the first floor of the Kirkby Centre, Norwich Way, Kirkby, L32 8XY. The Gallery is open Monday - Friday from 9am - 5pm and Saturdays from 10am - 1pm.

Schools wishing to bring classes to the exhibition should contact the gallery in advance using the same contact details, to ensure availability. Call 0151 443 5617 to make arrangements.

‘Faces and Places’ exhibition showcases Kirkby artist

Leslie Briggs: ‘Faces and Places’ exhibition: Monday 25 January – Saturday 14 May 2016, Huyton Gallery

An exciting exhibition of work by local artist Leslie Briggs opens at Huyton Gallery on Monday, January 25.

Leslie is a self-taught artist who has lived in Kirkby all his life. The exhibition is a thoughtful collection of paintings exploring places and faces that have featured in Leslie's life.

Having regularly exhibited in the Knowsley Open Art exhibition, Leslie’s painterly technique, style and proficiency has improved year-on-year and Knowsley Council are delighted to present the results of this, in this captivating solo exhibition.

Les recently won the ‘Adult Visual Artist of the Year’ award as part the ‘Knowsley Sports and Cultural Awards 2015’. He is a previous winner of the Visitor’s Choice prize at the Knowsley Open in 2012.

Cllr Eddie Connor, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “As a regular exhibitor in the Open and a talented local artist, it’s great that we are able to host this solo exhibition featuring a wide range of Leslie’s paintings.

“Not only is this a really fascinating look at some of the important people and places in Leslie’s life and how he has developed his style over the years, it’s also a great inspiration for other local artists.”

As well as the Open exhibition, Leslie’s paintings have been selected and exhibited in the ‘Art Merseywide’ exhibition in 2014.

Huyton Gallery, within Huyton Library on Civic Way, Huyton, is open Mondays, Tuesdays & Fridays from 10am - 5pm, Thursdays and Saturdays 10am –1pm and closed on Wednesdays.

Family show by ‘Friends’ creators is bound to be a comic hit!

Fans of TV series Friends shouldn’t miss the latest family show to come to Knowsley – because it is based on a story written by the makers of the hit US sitcom!

Rapunzel, on at the Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park on Saturday, April 9 at 2.30pm, is a charming family musical based on the book by co-creators of Friends, David Crane and Marta Kauffman.

The show gives a new twist to the familiar tale of Rapunzel, the long-haired princess who is locked in a tower in need of rescue by a daring prince. But, as you’d expect from the team behind such an enduring comedy as Friends, this show is bursting with humour and unexpected twists which will have the whole family in stiches.

Rapunzel, presented by Immersion Theatre, comes to Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park as part of its UK premiere tour. It is a witty, tongue-in-cheek tale of a possessive mother who happens to be a witch, a tentative young man who happens to be a prince and a strong-willed but naïve young girl with the longest hair you’re ever likely to come across!

Forced to live alone with nothing but her hair and her witchy mother, Rapunzel is dreaming of seeing the outside world when a young prince and his trusty valet discover her tower. Before the prince and Rapunzel can have their “happily ever after” though, they’re going to have to face the witch’s wrath… and some rather hilarious obstacles!

Tickets are priced £10 for adults and £8 for children and concessions or £34 for a family ticket (2 adults, 2 children). To book, call 0151 443 2200, go online www.knowsley.gov.uk/tickets or book in person at Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park, Longview Drive, Huyton L36 6EG.

For more information about this show and others coming up at Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park, visit www.knowsley.gov.uk/tickets  

Competition celebrates super hero foster carers

The fantastic work of foster carers was explored by children at a Kirkby school who used art to explore what makes ‘Kirkby care’.

As part of Knowsley Council’s campaign to recruit more carers to look after local children in need of a foster family, the children at Kirkby C of E Primary took part in an art and writing competition to express what a foster home means to a child.

The resulting entries were insightful, poignant, and sometimes even very witty.

The competition prompted classroom discussions about fostering and the experiences of children in care – and why it is important for all children to live in supporting, loving households.

Head teacher Mair Hindmarsh said: “The children had some very interesting conversations about families and the role of foster families in our communities. They used those discussions to express their thoughts about foster carers and the experiences of children in care into artwork, poems or short stories and the results were fantastic.”

 

Overall winner of the competition was 10-year old Milly Perry, who received her prize in a special assembly from Cllr Steff O’Keeffe.

Cllr O’Keeffe said: “Seeing the work that the children had produced was really touching. They’d obviously given plenty of thought to what makes a foster family special and had reflected that in words or drawings.

“Foster carers are a really important part of our community and the work they do makes them true superheroes in the eyes of others. Kirkby prides itself on being a caring community and what better way to make a difference to a child’s life than by offering them a stable, supportive and loving home when they need it most.”

Other entries which were commended in the competition came from Maizie Johnstone, 5; Courtney Kendrick, 6; Ava Carney, 6; Ella Austin, 8; Lucy Ainsworth, 8; Isabelle Hagan, 9 and Joshua Connerty, 11.

For more information about becoming a foster carer for Knowsley contact 0151 443 3958 for an informal chat.

You can also find out more about Fostering for Knowsley on the council’s website www.knowsley.gov.uk (search for ‘fostering’), or on the Foster for Knowsley Facebook page www.facebook.com/FosterforKnowsley.

Pictured: Kirkby C of E pupil Milly Perry, 10, pictured with Cllr Steff O’Keeffe and her winning design in the Knowsley Super Hero Foster Carers competition.

Giants of wrestling return to Knowsley

Wrestling fans need wait no longer – because the spectacular live American Wrestling Show returns to Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park this March – by popular demand!

Aimed at all the family, this action packed show provides two hours of non-stop entertainment.

It’s enough to have you up in your seats, cheering the goodies and booing the baddies! There’s even the chance to meet some of the superstars and get your photo taken next to these wrestling giants.

Tickets are priced £10 for adults, £8 for children, or £34 for a family ticket (2 adults, 2 children). If you’re bringing a big group, you’ll get a free ticket when you buy 10.

This is the third year running that the American Wrestling Show has come to Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park and it gets bigger and better each time. 

Book now by calling the ticket hotline on 0151 443 2200 or in person at Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park on Longview Drive, Huyton.

For more information about this show and others coming up at Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park, visit www.knowsley.gov.uk/tickets 

Make 2016 the year you foster

If you have what it takes to give a child love, support and stability at a time when their own family can’t, why not make 2016 the year you Foster for Knowsley?

Knowsley Council is always on the lookout for carers who are able to provide foster families for children and young people who need one.

If you have a big heart as well as the time and space to care for a child, Knowsley’s Fostering Service would love to hear from you.

There is no set criteria for who can become a foster carer – you don’t need to be married, own your own home or financially well off. In fact, foster carers receive an allowance for their work and receive regular training and support – so if you like the idea of working with children this could be the perfect career for you.

Most rewarding of all is seeing the difference you will make to a child’s life, putting a smile on their face and helping shape the person they will become.

If you are interested in finding out more, please call Knowsley’s Fostering Team for an informal chat on 0151 443 3958.

You can find out more about Fostering for Knowsley on the council’s website www.knowsley.gov.uk (search for ‘fostering’), or on the Foster for Knowsley Facebook page www.facebook.com/FosterforKnowsley.

KHT works with local church and community to build affordable homes for rent

Knowsley Housing Trust (KHT) has worked collaboratively with local organisations and the community to transform a disused area of grassland into a new family housing development.

As part of its ongoing commitment to improving communities within Knowsley, KHT, part of the First Ark Group, has built 14 new properties for rent on St George’s Road in Huyton. The homes, which include 10 one bedroom apartments, are the first apartments that KHT has built in this area that have no communal space. The design means that residents benefit from more privacy and security as well as saving money on service charges.

The £1.5m project, which was built in conjunction with M.C.I. Developments and with a grant funded by HCA, includes four mews style houses and 10 one bed apartments. 

The majority of new homes built recently in this area have been for sale, so by building new homes for rent, KHT is responding to demand for housing for smaller families, couples and young professionals who aren’t yet in a position to buy their own home.

Working in partnership to complete the development, KHT acquired the land from the Diocese of St George’s Church, with the funds going towards the refurbishment of the church and its grounds.

Bob Taylor, CEO of the First Ark Group, said: “KHT’s aim is to provide local communities with quality, affordable homes with support services that help keep money in resident’s pockets. We feel the development at St George’s Road not only benefits smaller families and young professionals who are looking for property to rent near to local amenities, but it also has a positive impact on the local community.

“St George’s Church has been extremely supportive throughout the build process and we’re delighted that the funds from the acquirement of the land will go back into making the community a better place to live and work.” 

 Mick King, director at M.C.I. Developments, said: “We’re very excited to be delivering new homes in Huyton. This is our second scheme with KHT and we are looking to build on our already good relations. Our main aim is to make affordable housing available to those in need and we are pleased to have the opportunity to provide high quality energy efficient homes for local people.”

To find out more about KHT, please visit www.k-h-t.org.