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'To let' board
warning to landlords
LANDLORDS and letting agents in
part of Liverpool warned that enforcement action could be taken if they
breach a ban on 'To let' boards. In June 2015, the Council introduced
a ban in an area of Greenbank, following concerns raised by residents and
local ward Councillors about the impact it was having on the sustainability
of the housing market.
It was estimated there were around 500 boards in the area due to the
significant proportion of privately rented accommodation.
The City Council wrote to all estate agents and landlords asking them to
remove the boards and the vast majority complied, leading to a huge
improvement in the streetscape.
However, local residents have recently complained that some agents have
begun putting up boards again.
Councillor Frank Hont, Cabinet Member for Housing, said:- "We are in
contact with letting agents to remind them that boards should not be put up
in this area. The scheme has worked well and made a big difference, but we
are keeping a close eye on the situation and taking action when we are
notified by residents about breaches of the ban."
Greenbank Councillor, Laura Robertson Collins, who took a motion to Council
calling for the introduction of the ban, said:- "We have had some
really good feedback from residents but it is important that we continue to
get the message across that boards are not allowed in this area."
Maggy Read, Co-ordinator of the Dales Residents Association, said:-
"To Let and Let agreed boards and notices in windows indicate that the
properties concerned are rented to students, and it is well known that
student houses are at high risk of being burgled. If our student residents
are vulnerable we are all vulnerable, and we want to keep our mixed
residential community safe. Our area looks a great deal more pleasant
without the plethora of letting advertisements: this benefits all our
residents and local landlords, as it makes our area look like a nice place
to live. The boards are on outdated way of advertising as agents and
landlords use the internet which is where students look for available
properties."
The scheme is backed by student representatives at Liverpool John Moores
University and the University of Liverpool.
Aisling Davis, Vice President Community Engagement at Liverpool SU at LJMU
said:- "We're very pleased to support and work with Liverpool City
Council on their initiative to ban 'To Let' signs in the Dales area.
It not only makes the area a much nicer place for all residents to live in
aesthetically, but it also places students less at risk of crime in the
area. This particularly relates to theft from their properties as houses
with 'To Let' signs in this area are typically marked as 'student properties'
by having a sign outside their properties stating so. We hope this will make
our students feel safer, and their houses more secure in the local area.
We've watched for a number of years at other cities across the UK who have
adopted this approach, particularly in Newcastle and we're more than happy
to work with Liverpool City Council to ensure it's embedded in areas across
the City that are densely populated with students."
Alex Ferguson, Guild Deputy President (Liverpool University) added:-
"I think this is a really important scheme. I've spoken to students who live
in the Smithdown area, and they've said how much safer they feel knowing
their house isn't being advertised as a student property. This is also
important as it will help stop the culture of early letting amongst
students. Streets filled with To Let signs make some students feel pressured
to rent for the following year early. Just as importantly I think it makes
the local community look nicer without all those large signs about."
The area covered by the zone is bounded by Gainsborough Road (evens side
only), Smithdown Road and the railway line and includes:-
► Blantyre Road.
► Barrington Road.
► Claremont Road.
► Kenmare Road.
► Avondale Road.
► Brookdale Road.
► Ferndale Road.
► Langdale Road.
► Borrowdale Road.
► Lidderdale Road.
► Patterdale Road.
► Weardale Road.
► Garmoyle Road.
► Lawrence Road (part).
If necessary, the Council does have the power to apply to the Secretary of
State for permission to prohibit the use of boards.
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Mike Parr to lead the
way at St. Joseph's Hospice
ST Joseph's Hospice (Jospice) in
Thornton has appointed Mike Parr as its new Chief Executive, following the
departure of Keith Cawdron, who has retired after 13 years.
Mike (52) has spent his whole career working in the charity sector, most
recently as Director of Corporate Services at Wigan and Leigh Hospice. Prior
to this, Mike was Executive Director of the Groundwork Trust in East
Lancashire. Mike has also worked with charities which support social housing
and learning disabilities.
Mike, who joined the team at St Joseph's Hospice in December, is keen to
build on its impressive traditions and lead the Hospice on its next journey;
to support the changing needs of patients in the face of the increasing
demands on healthcare providers.
Mike told us that:- "I am delighted to join the team at St Joseph's
Hospice and to develop the care and services that we provide to local people
and their families. The patients we care for have changed as they are living
longer and develop more complex conditions. Therefore, our services need to
evolve to meet the needs of our community. There is real potential for us to
offer a wider range of services to patients and their families across the
Sefton, Liverpool and West Lancashire area and beyond. I am really keen to
build relationships and form partnerships with other health care providers
and to work closely with our local NHS Clinical Commissioning Group in order
to provide more specialised services throughout our community."
George Foster, Chair of Trustees at St Joseph's Hospice, said:- "Our
board of Trustees has appointed Mike to lead the team on the next phase of
our journey. As a charity, we want to be able to support as many people
living with life limiting conditions as possible and to offer them a wide
range of specialist care and support services. Mike brings with him a wealth
of experience and we are all looking forward to working with him on
developing this very special charity."
Horse sense evades
jailed Tax fraudster
A Widnes man who pretended to trade
in equine medicine and claimed to have a £25 million bank balance, has been
jailed after HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) exposed his £2 million VAT fraud.
Anthony Knowles, 57, of Clapgate Crescent, submitted several suspicious VAT
repayment claims to HMRC in 2013 prompting an investigation.
During routine checks on Knowles' VAT repayment claims, HMRC uncovered a
myriad of false documents and lies. The investigation revealed that he had
provided officers with false paperwork, including bank statements, in a bid
to convince them that his multi million pound business was booming; despite
it being run from his 2 bedroom Council House.
Knowles also falsely claimed that his business was being financially
supported by a sheik; who HMRC was never able to trace.
Sandra Smith, Assistant Director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said:-
"In this case, Knowles provided dozens of fake documents to convince HMRC he was genuinely trading as a multi million pound empire. Throughout
the investigation Knowles made a number of outlandish claims to prove he was
legitimate, but our officers saw through his scam.
Knowles was attempting to steal a substantial sum of money from British
Taxpayers and his abuse of the VAT repayment system was ambitious to say the
least. HMRC will now begin action to recover public finances stolen in this
case under Proceeds of Crime legislation."
After Knowles was interviewed by HMRC officers, in September 2013 his home
was searched where HMRC investigator's discovered forged bank statements;
which were blank and ready for use, fake supplier invoices, digital copies
of signatures to create false delivery notes and evidence of luxury
spending. A look into his financial affairs found he had attempted to buy a
Cheshire mansion and farm, and received quotes for building a huge
extension.
Knowles was sentenced to 4 years' imprisonment at Liverpool Crown Court on
Monday, 15 February 2016.
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