Energy company plan powers ahead

MOVES to set up an energy company:- the Liverpool LECC; to help cut fuel poverty in the City are set to progress. The Council's Cabinet is being asked to approve a tendering process for a licensed energy supplier to take forward the plans. It is proposed that the new company would sell gas and electricity at a lower cost than other suppliers as it would operate on a not for profit basis and would have low overheads. It would also look to replace the current costly pre-payment meter tariffs with Smart meter pay as you go cheaper alternatives, which, as well as enabling householders to manage their energy consumption better ,will also help cut CO2 emissions. And the new company could also promote independent living as vulnerable residents, who have smart meters installed could, with their consent, have their energy use monitored. Alert systems would be set up so changes in energy use which may, for example, indicate that a fall has happened would be noted and action taken by care agencies to help the resident. Businesses could also be helped to switch to cheaper tariffs with little inconvenience.  It is envisaged that the new company could start operating by March 2017.  The Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, said:- "This is a really significant initiative for a huge number of people in the City. 1 in 7 households live in fuel poverty and a 3rd of all households 70,000; have to use costly prepayment meters.  Far too many people live in dread of getting their gas and electricity bills and it is the poorest residents who are hardest hit as they are the ones who have to use the most expensive meters. We have been liaising with other major cities such as Nottingham, Leeds and Bristol on this issue to come up with ways in which we can stop people falling further into poverty because of high energy costs. Setting up the Liverpool LECC, owned and run for Liverpool people, will provide a realistic and practical way tens of thousands of people, will be able to cut their fuel bills. We are now looking for a partner to take this idea forward and are aiming to be up and running early next year."

The cabinet will be asked to approve the tendering process at its meeting on 24 June 2016.

Letter to Editor:- "Is the 'Care Act' failing disabled people and carers?"

"IMAGINE having a disability and relying on a carer to eat, get dressed or leave the house. Imagine having to give up work to care for a loved 1 with a disability. 

Just over a year ago, the 'Care Act' was introduced to safeguard the well being of carers and those they care for. I work for the disability charity Revitalise; we run the Sandpipers Respite Break Centre in Southport. We did some research and found that the 'Care Act' has done little to improve lives, and in many cases people are now worse off.  We found that more than ˝ of local Councils are spending less on disability services than before, and they're also cutting their spending on respite services. Meanwhile 1 of the core principles of the 'Care Act', to ensure all carers and disabled people get assessments, isn't being met.

Sadly, this is having an impact on the well being of people with disabilities and those who look after them. 4 out of 10 are now struggling to make ends meet, while ⅔ have had to cut back their respite and social time, leaving them more isolated.

We believe there should be more support for disabled people and carers. Our fear is that until local authorities get squarely behind the principles of the 'Care Act' and they get the funding to do so; disabled people and carers will continue to struggle to achieve even the most basic quality of life. 

Revitalise provides respite breaks for disabled people and carers at Sandpipers and 2 other accessible centres around the UK, so we know just how vital regular respite can be. If your readers would like more information about Revitalise or would like to support our vital work, please call us on:- 0303 303 0145 or go online." Sarah Wiley, Revitalise.

Liverpool Fashion Week taking booking for catwalk slots

THE very well established Liverpool Fashion Week will this year be held over 10 October to 13 October 2016, with Fashione. The show is now taking booking for catwalk slots on the Opening Night, titled:- 'Couture' also for the following nights event:- 'Emerging Talent' and the Closing Night, entitled:- 'Designers.' For more information please contact Lifestyle Magazine's Amanda Moss via email. Also to see our interview with Amanda Moss, please click on here now.