Bright future ahead thanks to new lighting contract

A massive �30m investment will see a brighter future for Liverpool; literally; as 65,000 lighting assets are improved and maintained.

Following a competitive tender process, McCann was awarded the contract comprising �21.5m in capital works and �8.5m in maintenance services over an initial 3 year term with the potential to extend for a further 2 years based on performance.

The contract covers 57,000 lighting units and 8,000 signs and bollards.

Thousands of new LED lamps will be installed across the City, dramatically reducing energy consumption and slashing carbon emissions.

LED lights typically achieve energy savings of 40% to 80%; directly translating into lower electricity bills for the Council.

Further cost-savings are achieved as LED streetlights have a much longer lifespan, often lasting 20-25 years, compared to five-year lifespans of traditional lamps. This drastically reduces the frequency of bulb replacements and associated maintenance work, leading to significant cost savings on labour, equipment, and traffic management.

By reducing energy consumption, Liverpool City Council will also become less vulnerable to fluctuations and potential increases in electricity prices, leading to more predictable budgeting.

To further enhance the lighting system, the Council will implement a Central Management System (CMS).

This advanced technology will not only detect faults in real time, enabling faster response times and quicker repairs, but also enable dynamic dimming based on time of day, traffic flow, or environmental conditions.

McCann will deliver a comprehensive range of services, from emergency callouts to major infrastructure upgrades, ensuring Liverpool's street lighting network is safe, reliable, and future-ready.

Over the past 3 months, McCann has worked closely with Liverpool City Council to establish a dedicated Liverpool based team, including:- the onboarding of 8 TUPE staff, recruitment of Quantity Surveyors, Apprentices, and Technical Administrators.

A new central depot to support operations across the City, and secured plant, equipment, and stock.

Work will initially focus on maintenance and resolving outstanding faults. This foundational work will pave the way for sustained service improvements and innovation throughout the contract term.

Councillor Dan Barrington, Cabinet Member for Transport and Connectivity, said:- "This contract represents a major step forward in modernising Liverpool's street lighting network. We're pleased to be working with McCann, whose experience and collaborative approach will help us deliver a safer, more energy-efficient environment for our residents. Work such as this is helping the City to forge ahead to a future of net zero and energy security. It's a solution that benefits us all."

John McCann, Managing Director of McCann, said:- "Our team has worked diligently to ensure a smooth and comprehensive mobilisation of the Liverpool contract. We're proud to partner with Liverpool City Council and excited to begin delivering high-quality services that will enhance the City's infrastructure. I'd also like to extend a warm welcome to the new team members joining McCann; we're thrilled to have you on board."

North West Charity Helps Schools Save Lives

A leading suicide prevention charity has launched a new set of free resources to help Schools and Colleges deliver lessons in life.

Based on a powerful, award-winning animation made for Warrington based PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide, Sinking Feeling explores loneliness and isolation and the importance of peer support in helping children and young people who are struggling with life.

The launch of the resources follows new Department for Education guidance announced in July, which means Schools in England need to begin planning for the introduction of suicide prevention in the classroom by September 2026.

PAPYRUS says the Sinking Feeling School Resource will equip teaching staff, the growing number of Education Mental Health Practitioners, pastoral leads, teaching assistants and safeguarding leads to be able to tackle difficult subjects in a positive and supportive way.

The charity's Chief Executive, Ged Flynn, says the resources are built on a solid foundation of having worked in Schools across the UK for many years. He said:- "Schools offer unparalleled reach to our children and over the coming months they will need to begin to embed suicide prevention within their priorities. We know from working closely with Schools that many staff recognise the importance of addressing mental health, emotional wellbeing and suicide prevention. However, without sufficient background knowledge and an understanding of the complexities, they can find it challenging and daunting to deliver. The new resources will enhance our charity's offer to Schools, helping to remove some of the obstacles to having helpful, supportive conversations so our children and young people will begin to understand what they are feeling, know they are not alone and how to get the professional help they need and deserve."

The resources are tailored to be delivered in an age-appropriate way from:- Year 6 to Year 13.

Children begin by watching the Sinking Feeling animation. Wellbeing and mental health is then sensitively explored with worksheets, class discussions, exploring myths and facts and mindfulness activities.

Older students go on to consider language around suicide, recognising the signs that someone may be struggling, coping strategies and how to reach out for support.

Ged Flynn added:- "We know our children have been talking to 1 another about suicide in the playground but those conversations have not continued in the classroom. We are delighted that going forward, children aged:- 10 or 11 will begin to be taught life-skills which they will be able to use to protect themselves and those around them."

The Sinking Feeling School Resource has been developed to support Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) and is a simple, step-by-step guide to understanding that emotions can be complicated and confusing. This leads to a realisation that overwhelming emotions can contribute to poor mental health, which is explained and defined by using simple, easy to understand words.

Lesson plans, PowerPoint slides and printable resources are also included.

The resource is free of charge providing education staff or other professionals who work with children and young people have undertaken PAPYRUS' Suicide Prevention Explore, Ask and Keep Safe (SPEAK) training or the LivingWorks' Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) programme.

The resources will initially be offered in England, with rollout across Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales expected in 2026

For more details about what the licence will include and to register please go to:- Papyrus-UK.Org.

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Bright future ahead thanks to new lighting contract

North West Charity Helps Schools Save Lives