Unison and the city council back John Leech’s campaign against rogue landlords

UNISON and Manchester City Council are among 34 organisations that have thrown their weight behind local MP John Leech’s campaign to toughen up the law on rogue landlords letting out draughty, sub-standard housing.  John Leech MP is pushing for the Energy Bill’s clamp down on landlords letting out hard to heat homes to be toughened up. He has tabled amendments that will be debated next month which would make sure that landlords don’t get away with making minimal improvements, and will allow tenants to request improvements from 2013; without fear of the landlords chucking them out.  In a joint statement, Manchester City Council and Unison joined Age UK, the Citizens Advice Bureau, the Child Poverty Action Group, Crisis, Disability Alliance, Friends of the Earth and the WWF to back John’s campaign.

They state:- "It costs the NHS in England an estimated £145m annually to treat people made ill by living in dangerously cold homes. The Government’s declaration that it is unacceptable to rent out such homes is a significant step forward. But as it stands the legislation on the private rented sector is inadequate. We support amendments to strengthen the legislation."

The Government has already agreed to ban the renting of the hardest-to-heat properties, after John tabled a motion in the Commons urging a clampdown on private rented properties that has won support from 180 MPs. John welcomes the recognition of the need for tough new rules on the private rented sector, left largely unregulated by successive Labour and Tory governments.  But he fears that rogue landlords will exploit loopholes in the Energy Bill letting them get away with making few improvements to shoddy housing until 2018.

John Leech MP commented:- "In this day and age, nobody should be shivering in poor housing. If we force landlords to do up the coldest homes, we can take 150,000 households out of fuel poverty, and they’ll no longer be choosing between heating or eating. Putting in proper insulation will cut £488 off the household fuel bills of people in the draughtiest private rented housing.  I want to make sure that there are no loopholes that let rogue landlords off the hook from making improvements sooner rather than later."

CITY BANDS URGED TO ENTER GIG COMPETITION

THERE'S still time for talented bands to enter a music competition to win the chance to gig in front of a lively Liverpool audience.  The online contest will see the winning band on the iconic Superlambana stage at next year’s (2012) Mathew Street Festival in the city as well as jamming in pubs and clubs ahead over the coming months.  Brand manager for stage sponsor Marston’s EPA, Rachel Whillock said:- "It’s every young band’s dream to get up in front of an enthusiastic audience and do their stuff, but it’s difficult to make it happen.  As we’re sponsoring the stage over the next two years, we wanted to give talented up-and-coming bands the opportunity to get out there and get spotted. It’s easy to enter and FREE! What’s not to like?"

Bands need to be unsigned, and upload a YouTube video to enter. Voting will take place after the festival. The winner will win a live gig at the Marston’s EPA Superlambanana stage in 2012 and a warm up gig at the Liverpool Music Festival in 2011, plus the chance to play at Marston’s venues across the region.  To enter go to Marston’s website and sign up by 1 September 2011. At this year’s event, the stage on Tithebarn Street will have sounds from Canada and Australia and will also reflect Liverpool’s Radical City theme for 2011 with music from Dylan, Sex Pistols and Neil Young tributes.  Once the finalists have been chosen, there will be an X-Factor style chance to vote online for favourite bands to pick the winner.

CHLOE SIMS WITH SPECIAL GUEST DEVON ANDERSON THIS BANK HOLIDAY

SHORROCKS Hill Night club in Formby will be hosting a big August Bank Holiday Event... Yep, on 28 August 2011, the club on Lifeboat Road, (L372EB) will be bringing in to Formby quite a few stars. To the sounds of DJ Lee Butler, Radio City's and Liverpool's best loved DJ, taking to the floor will be The Only Way Is Essex Star Chloe Sims along with Eastenders' Devon Anderson, plus the stunning NUTS Magazine Girls, Kelly Andrews and friends, who will be giving away Chloe's new Lips and Lashes Range samples....!  To get tickets call them on:- 01704 873 488 in advance as this will be a sell out night! So dust of your smart clothing and hide the summer trunks and pop on down to the club. More information about this night can be found on the clubs Facebook Page.

KEN DODD, BOB THE BUILDER AND OVER THE RAINBOW AN UNFORGETTABLE SEPTEMBER AT ST HELENS THEATRE ROYAL

ST HELENS Theatre Royal are delighted to announce an autumn season which is crammed full with fabulous entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.   Season Highlights include 'Broken Time' running over Tuesday, 4 October to Friday, 7 October 2011, a brand new play filled with razor sharp wit, which charts the story of how Rugby League burst into life. Shameless star Tina Malone tops the bill in a brand new stage version of hit 80s movie 'Rita', Sue and Bob too, running over Wednesday, 12 October 2011 until Sunday, 16 October 2011, and the theatre’s glittering Christmas Pantomime 'Aladdin', starring Nick Cochrane from Coronation Street and 'Master of Illusions Richard de Vere' flies into the theatre from Friday, 2 December 2011. Another wintertime treat comes in the form of Tony Furlong and Jimmy Power's hit play 'Night Collar', which returns to the Theatre Royal from Monday, 5 December to Thursday, 8 December 2011, following sell out runs at Liverpool’s Royal Court (on sale soon).

September sees a plethora of great shows grace the stage at the Theatre Royal. The month opens with 'Over The Rainbow', which tells the moving life story of songstress 'Eva Cassidy' featuring a number of her most famous songs. In complete reverse, comedy Legend Ken Dodd has grabbed his tickling stick and will totter back to St Helens for his ‘Happiness Show’. Other September highlights include tribute shows ‘The Bon Jovi Experience’, ‘Magic,’ showcasing the music of 'Queen' and 'ELO' and ‘Unforgettable’, which celebrates the classic music of the 1950s and 1960s.
 

Families can wipe away the post summer holiday blues with a trip to 'Bob the Builder' live on stage in an all new adventure. Follow Bob as he tries to fix-up the Fixham Theatre in time for its grand opening with a brand new musical! Can he fix it? We’re sure he can!

These shows are just a number of the fantastic autumn offering from the St Helens Theatre Royal. 

For more news and updates visit:- sthelenstheatreroyal.com or twitter:- @TheatreRoyalStH   You can also call in, in person, at the St Helens Theatre Royal Box Office on Corporation Street, St. Helens, Merseyside WA10 1LQ, from Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm for more information and to make bookings. Alternatively, you can also call on:- 01744 756 000.