Life in Salford magazine issue 40

Voting in person on Thursday 4 May?

You’ll need photo id.

See pg.5 for details.

Eden – helping to build a greener Salford

Salford is to become home to Europe’s biggest living, green wall.

Thousands of plants will cover the front of Eden, a new 12-storey, 115,000 square feet office development at New Bailey in Greengate which will open for business later this year. The building will also run completely on renewable energy. The top two floors have already been let on a 15-year lease to law firm TLT.

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “This is sustainable growth in every sense of the word – creating jobs and opportunities and a greener Salford.”

To find out more about Eden, visit www.new-bailey.com/eden/

Digital Life in Salford

In March there is a larger Digital Life in Salford. So if you want to read more stories about what’s happening in Salford go online to www.salford.gov.uk/life

If there’s a website mentioned in the story you can click on it and go straight to the page. issuu.com/salfordcouncil/docs/life_in_salford_40

Have your say

We’re always keen to hear what you think about Life in Salford or get in touch if you have any queries, including requesting a large print copy. Please email letters@ lifeinsalford or write to Life in Salford, Salford City Council, Civic Centre, Chorley Road, Swinton M27 5DA. Your emails and letters will not be published.

Cover image: Phil Mayall North West Managing Director at Muse, a joint venture partner of The English Cities Fund (ECF) and City Mayor Paul Dennett.

LIFE is administered and designed by Salford City Council’s Communications Team. This edition will be distributed week commencing Monday 20 March. Printing: Swan Print. Distributed to more than 130,000 households by Royal Mail and other agencies. Contact: Salford Civic Centre, Swinton, Salford, M27 5FJ.

Any leaflets or flyers inserted in or distributed with this magazine do not appear with the partners (listed below) endorsement or agreement and we discourage our distributors from putting material inside your copy of LIFE IN Salford.

This magazine is funded and produced by:

Cost of living help

If you need help with the cost of living, please don’t hesitate to ask. Salford is pulling together to support you in these tough times.

You’ll find a comprehensive guide to the main sources of help at www.salford.gov.uk/costofliving with information on everything from managing bills and tackling debt to boosting your income.

There’s advice on energy costs and home energy efficiency improvement grants along with ways to save money and improve your health, find childcare to help you work and details of where to turn for emergency help such as with food, fuel or household items.

There’s free internet access at Eccles, Pendleton, Swinton and Walkden Gateways, Broughton Hub and local libraries where staff can help you get online to use the guide. Face to face help is also available – just ask about Better Off.

You can also enjoy free family fun at the Gateways and Broughton Hub. Monday is movie night, Tuesday and Thursday are games night and Wednesday is arts and crafts and all sessions run from 5pm to 8pm with no need to book ahead.

You can also visit www.salfordcvs.co.uk to find a wide range of support from Salford’s voluntary, community and social enterprise sector.

Affordable, wheelchair accessible breaks are available at The Salfordian hotel, Southport. Visit www.salford.gov.uk/salfordian for details or call 0161 925 1233 or 01704 538810 or email thesalfordianhotel@outlook.com

Proud of our achievements – but work still to do

Salford continues to be a successful proposition for investors, developers and businesses to create the jobs we need for our residents. We are proud of developments such as 100 Embankment and New Bailey and the opportunities they bring to the city. We continue to build much needed social and affordable housing through the council’s development company Dérive.

We remain committed to developing our heritage, culture, leisure and greenspaces with works started to secure Buile Hill mansion for future generations, the launch of Swinton Greenway last year and expanding the opportunities available to young people in Salford through the creation of a brand-new Youth Zone. These are all achievements in which we can take pride. At the same time the economic and social structures have come near to collapse, with the cost-of-living crisis permeating every area of our lives.

In these tough times it falls on the council and partner agencies to try and support residents who are hit the hardest. We are maintaining our core services on which you rely, despite a reduction in funding.

We are also indebted to the many local voluntary organisations which have provided key services to people in need and warmth and comfort.

We are creating a Cost-of-Living Crisis Fund to help those in need, maintaining the Council Tax Reduction Scheme, along with Better Off, the Welfare Right and Debt Advice and Salford Assist services which ensure all our residents can access the full financial benefits they are entitled to.

We are investing more in adult social care, including a commitment to deliver the Real Living Wage and a decent pay award to those working in this sector. Increased funding will help us address delays in discharge, reduce social care waiting times and, through better pay, address capacity.

I am particularly proud we have been able to budget for an increase in allowances paid to foster carers who provide the best possible start for our most vulnerable children. This will be one part of our new commitment to make Salford a child friendly city.

It isn’t enough to do everything that is needed in social care and I call on government to provide a fair and equitable solution to meeting the costs of social care. None of these are sufficient for long term sustainable financial planning. It goes nowhere near far enough to reverse 13 years of continuous cuts to our budget, the rising costs of goods and services, and the increasing demand for council services, particularly social care.

Since 2010, we have seen almost £240 million taken from the city council’s core budget. And government calculations of spending power once again continue to shift responsibility for funding essential core services to local people through council tax and precepts.

City Mayor Paul Dennett

100th affordable home for Dérive

Salford City Council’s housing company, Dérive, has collected the keys to its 100th affordable home for local people.

The family house is one of 42 affordable homes built at Hilton Lane, Walkden and sits alongside new homes already built in Charlestown, Irlam, Duchy and Ordsall. Works are nearly complete to provide a further 131 affordable homes at Clifton Green in Pendlebury, Kara Street in Langworthy and Ryall Avenue in Ordsall. Construction of 275 homes in Weaste, Charlestown and Little Hulton is also underway.

Councillor Tracy Kelly, a director at Dérive and Statutory Deputy City Mayor and Lead Member for Housing, Property and Regeneration, said: “We set up Dérive in 2017 to provide truly affordable homes for Salford people. These range from one and two bedroomed apartments to two to five bedroomed houses. They also include wheelchair accessible homes to provide a mix to meet local need.”

Councillor John Merry also a director at Dérive added: “We also have a development pipeline of 589 affordable homes. It is very exciting that our initial plans are now coming to life as we create high quality affordable homes for our city.”

Voter ID now needed at polling stations

The government has introduced a requirement to show photo ID when voting at a polling station. This applies for the first time in Salford at local elections on Thursday 4 May 2023.

Previously voters just had to confirm their name and address at the polling station. Now to vote in person you will have to show a government approved photo ID document such as a passport, photographic driving licence, biometric immigration document or some concessionary travel passes. You can use it to vote even if it’s out of date as long as the photo still looks like you. Visit www.salford.gov.uk/voter-id to see the full list and more details so you know what to take with you on the day.

If you don’t have an approved photo ID, you can apply online for a free Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) at voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk before Tuesday 25 April.

There’s free internet access at Eccles, Swinton, Pendleton or Walkden Gateways and Broughton Hub where staff can also help you complete the form and take free photos for your application. The centres are open late every weekday Monday to Thursday 8am to 10pm, Friday 8am to 6.30pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm or call the Electoral Commission’s helpline on 0800 328 0280.

Or, you can apply for a postal vote which is quick and easy to do online at www.salford.gov.uk/postalvote If you require a paper copy of a postal vote application form, email elections@salford.gov.uk with your request, name and address or call 0161 793 2500. The deadline to apply for postal voting is Tuesday 18 April 2023.

Have your say in May

On Thursday 4 May 2023, Salford residents will go to the polls to choose who represents them and their community. One councillor from each of our 20 wards will be up for election.

There are three ways to have your say - vote in a polling station, by post, or by appointing someone you trust to vote on your behalf, known as a proxy vote - the deadline to apply for a proxy vote is Tuesday 25 April 2023. You must first be registered to vote which can be done online in just five minutes. If you have already registered at your address you don’t need to re-register but if you haven’t, visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote before Monday 17 April 2023.

Before election day you will receive a poll card with the location of your polling station and information about voter ID.

Visit www.salford.gov.uk/mayelections to find out more.

World-first research facility at the University of Salford will propel new homes industry towards net zero

Energy House 2.0 is a £16 million project part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and will research and test, in tightly controlled conditions, new ways of powering, heating, and insulating homes, making them more energy efficient and helping to meet new standards which require a significant reduction in carbon emissions for new build homes from 2025.

In collaboration with national housebuilders Bellway Homes and Barratt Developments, and construction solutions manufacturer Saint-Gobain, two detached houses have been built inside the climate-controlled chamber of Energy House 2.0 at the University’s Frederick Road Campus in Salford.

“The growing challenges of climate change and the cost-of-living crisis mean we need to consider how we build and operate our homes. Energy House 2.0 mission is to work with industry and policy makers to provide evidence for what works in meeting these challenges.’’

Professor Will Swan, Director of Energy House Labs

Scan the QR code to find out more about Energy House 2.0

Let’s all Keep Salford tidy!

Together we can all make Salford cleaner and greener.

Volunteering is a great way to get out, get active, meet new people and protect your local environment. You can do as little or as much as you’re able to, so why not sign up today to become a Litter Hero and get involved?

The Litter Heroes scheme is a partnership between Salford City Council and the Salford Litter Heroes community-led litter picking group to keep our streets and parks cleaner and safer. One volunteer who struggled with isolation during the pandemic said, “litter picking saved my life”. Another litter hero said, “we don’t just pick litter, we boost community, we make friends, we make connections for life and improve our health at the same time”.

It’s easy to sign up, all you have to do is register to become a Litter Hero on our webpage www.salford.gov.uk/LitterHeroes Once registered you’ll receive your free litter picking equipment from us, including a litter picker, bags and gloves.

Everything you need to know including how we’ll collect your litter bags, how to stay safe whilst litter picking and what support’s available is in our litter hero information booklet which is free to download on our Litter Heroes webpage.

To keep up to date on where the latest litter picks are taking place, follow the Salford Litter Heroes Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SalfordLitterHeroes The group collected an astonishing 5,474 bags of litter in Salford in 2022 and organise litter picks across the city all year round.

Just bin it

Nobody wants to see litter in our wonderful city, and we can all do our bit to help stop it. If you have litter don’t drop it, just bin it.

Dropping litter, fly-tipping or leaving rubbish in streets, parks and open spaces is harmful for local wildlife and extremely damaging for our environment. If you’re caught dropping litter, you could face a £150 fine. Don’t risk prosecution, just put your litter in the bin. If bins are full, please take your litter home. You can report litter on our website

www.salford.gov.uk/report-it/ or tweet us at @SalfordCCHelp

Together we can all keep Salford tidy.

Since September 2019, over 9,000 Salford residents aged 55-74 with a history of smoking have attended a free NHS lung health check. Of those, over 4,500 went on to have further tests which resulted in 96 early cancer diagnoses, meaning treatment could start much earlier. In addition, the lung health checks have also identified over 2,000 non-life threatening conditions.

It can also check for COPD and the risk of other diseases such as heart attacks and strokes and help to prevent these from happening in the future. The service, funded by NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care and delivered by Salford Royal Hospital, launched in Walkden and Little Hulton in 2019. Since this time, the programme has invited patients from Eccles, Irlam, Ordsall, Claremont and Swinton, and is currently inviting eligible residents in Broughton.

If you have a history of smoking, are registered with a GP in Salford, and have received an invitation, please book your appointment today. Health checks are still available to those previously invited too so it’s not too late to book. The checks take place in your local community, so you don’t need to go to hospital.

For more information visit: www.gmintegratedcare.org.uk

Salford gets back on its feet

Salford residents living with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) – a common condition which causes leg pain – are taking part in a new exercise therapy programme in their homes.

PAD is caused by a build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries which restricts blood supply to leg muscles and can cause a painful ache when walking. It can get worse if people don't do enough exercise and in the worst cases can lead to gangrene, amputation and death. The project has been funded through Salford Integrated Care Partnership’s Innovation and Improvement Fund and was awarded £71,174 to bring exercise therapy into people's homes, by giving each participant a large screen mobile device, as well as arranging internet access for those without it.

Participants watch a series of exercise sessions and copy the instructor. They’re asked to do a 30-minute session, five days a week, for 12 weeks. Respect Health’s coaches monitor progress and provide support along with motivational counselling. After 12 weeks, the person is put in touch with community support to help maintain the positive changes.

You can be referred to the programme by your GP. Contact your GP today to see if you’re eligible. For more information, please visit www.respect.health

Child employment –what you need to know

Working part-time can be hugely beneficial for young people. It gives them the chance to earn some money and gain valuable experience to build skills for future jobs.

Children can take paid jobs from the age of 13 and can work in a variety of places from delivering newspapers to shops, cafes, modelling and performing on tv. There are restrictions on the type of work they can do, when they can do it and how much time they can work to make sure their health and education are not affected. These vary by the nature of the work and age of the child.

Employers must apply for a free child employment permit before young people start work. Employing a child without a permit is illegal and means they will not be covered by the employer’s insurance. If your child has a Saturday or part-time job please make sure their employer has a licence for them.

For more information visit

www.salford.gov.uk/child-employment

Please contact Salford City Council’s child employment team by emailing childemployment@salford.gov.uk or calling 0161 603 4350 to check if children are properly licenced or report any concerns.

Stay safe and dry at Salford Quays

Salford Quays is great place to visit but please keep out of the water unless taking part in an organised swim with lifeguards.

The water in The Quays is very cold even on the hottest days. Jumping in from any height will shock your body and automatically make you gasp. If you get water in your lungs as a result you could drown. Anyone jumping from a bridge puts themselves in greater danger. The cold water may also make it harder for you to stay afloat and if you get into difficulties you’re relying on family, friends or members of the public to notice and try to rescue you.

That’s why it’s dangerous and against the law to jump from bridges and/or swim in the water except during organised swimming sessions.

Regular joint council and police patrols warn of the dangers and CCTV cameras monitor the bridges. Anyone identified jumping from any bridge will receive a police visit and warning letter.

Many people live at Salford Quays and anti-social behaviour and littering is just as upsetting for them as for people in other areas of our city. Please be kind, tidy and enjoy your visit safely.

Spare room and support needed

Could you help a young person prepare for adult life?

Salford City Council is looking for people to provide a spare room and emotional and practical support to young people leaving care, those who can’t live at home and young asylum seekers, aged 16 to 21, or 24 if they are in higher education.

The aim is to help them develop the life and household skills they will need to live independently in future, so it’s a great way to share your love of cooking as well as helping them when they’re applying for jobs.

As a supported lodging carer, you’ll receive a weekly allowance of £200, support and training and the satisfaction of helping a young person get ready for their future.

Ideally carers should live close to good transport links so young people can reach college or jobs easily. Carers can come from all backgrounds, faiths, ethnic groups and age groups and can be single, with families of their own, working or recently retired. They should understand the issues young people can face and want to make a difference.

For more information visit: www.salford.gov.uk/children-and-families/ supported-lodgings or contact the Supported Lodgings Co-ordinator on 0161 607 1888.

I am Greater say young people

Funded by Greater Manchester’s Violence Reduction Unit, the murals are a physical display of young people’s commitment to being greater than violence, as part of the I am greater campaign. Launched in 2021 and led by young people, the campaign encourages young people to be greater than violence by thinking about what’s important to them in life – their values – and when this will be important to them in their future – their aspirations.

The Salford mural, at the Beacon Centre, London Road, was designed by young people from the local area. Young people joined a workshop to learn about the campaign and consider their own reasons for being greater than violence. They then painted the mural with the help of street artist Oskar with a K, adding their reasons for being greater to make their own personal commitment and inspire others.

Find out more about the murals and the work of the Violence Reduction Unit gmvru.co.uk/

See more about the murals at www.youtube.com/watch?v=8S-iz9fRPCk

A series of murals, designed and painted by young people, have appeared across Greater Manchester with the words Violence isn’t me…. I am greater.

Community funding pays off

From holiday fun to hampers for families in need, from mental health support to new clubs, Salford residents are deciding how to improve their area.

Every year Salford City Council allocates a budget, based on population numbers, to each of the city’s eight neighbourhoods. It’s known as a devolved budget. Residents and project organisers can then apply to their local devolved budget committee, made up of local councillors, residents and council officers, for funds for projects to improve people’s health and wellbeing in their area.

If you’d like to get involved in your local area, community committees and network events take place regularly. You can find out what’s happening in your neighbourhood and link up with local community and voluntary groups. Local councillors and representatives from Greater Manchester Police, Salford City Council and housing associations also attend. Please visit www.salford.gov.uk/getinvolved for details.

Looking back at 2022

Community funding has helped hundreds of people from young to old.

Many projects asked for funds to help young people enjoy their school summer holidays and learn new skills.

The Swinton and Pendlebury Youth Project (SPY) organised by Salford City Council’s youth service offered graffiti art, yoga and circus skills for over 100 young people. The project also runs weekly activity sessions including climbing, bushcraft, fishing, art and crafts and Duke of Edinburgh awards at the Deans youth centre, Deans Road, Swinton.

In Broughton 800 young people enjoyed a summer camp while the Mancunian Way project provided fun in the park and healthy snacks for 200 young people.

Salford Community Leisure (SCL) provided sports and activities for eight to 16 year olds in Kersal and Broughton and football, arts and music sessions linked to the UEFA Women’s euro tournament to involve more girls in sport. After its summer of success,SCL is now working with Salford City Council’s health improvement team to help families in Weaste improve their lifestyles.

Ninety two young women learnt new skills and boosted their confidence through sports, arts and crafts through the Galaxy Unite in Wellbeing project working in local schools.

Two projects had an eye to the longer term. In Boothstown young people asked for a Youth Café where they could meet friends. The new youth club is now open every Friday night from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at Boothstown Community Centre in Standfield Drive. Young people also created a Remembrance Day poppy display for the community centre.

Down at Salford Quays the Millennium Mosaic Trail, which was unveiled by Sir Bobby Charlton in 2003, was in need of some restoration. The mosaics were designed by pupils from schools across Salford and Trafford and, thanks to community funding, can now be enjoyed by visitors for the next 20 years.

Adult residents used some of their project funds to bring people together. In Wardley residents enjoyed the Great Get Together, set up in memory of MP Jo Cox, made bird boxes and feeders and enjoyed planting sessions in Wardley Park.

Nearby in Swinton, Age UK plan to use their funding to create shelter from the wind and busy Chorley Road for their garden café at Critchley House, while the Open Doors dementia service celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with afternoon tea and entertainment for 60 people living with dementia and their carers. At Weaste Allotments, which have been in existence since 1917, they installed new paving, raised beds and improvements to the community hut, helping 88 growers.

Eccles Festival, which received funding, welcomed over 800 people to enjoy fairground rides, stalls, a dog show, live music, food from local cafes and restaurants and vintage bus rides.

Sport was a key theme in bids and Swinton Amateur Swimming Club bought equipment and teaching aids for their 175 members while Ordsall Veterans Bowling Club at Ordsall Park which provides bowling and social activites for over 60s, used their funding to cover greens fees.

Swinton Lions Community Sports Foundation developed a new gym, attracting over 4,000 visits in a year and launched the Jose Kenga Diversity and Inclusion Project involving over 2,000 young people. They also formed the Swinton Lionesses Women and Girls club with over 50 new members.

Mental health was also a key theme and funding for the Lad’s Den in Irlam has helped men talk about their mental health and get support and mentoring. The project is a partnership between the Jamie Horrocks Trust, the Hamilton Davis Trust and Salford City Council’s youth service.

And last but not least, over 200 adults and young people in Little Hulton benefited from Christmas hampers, food and toiletries and new bedding.

You can find details of how to contact your neighbourhood team, read about devolved budgets and find out when events are happening by visiting www.salford.gov.uk/mycommunity

Rec ycle your batteries safely

Did you know you could put yourself, our bin crews and recycling centre staff in danger if you dispose of batteries in any of your bins at home?

Old batteries may seem ‘dead’ but they can cause fires in your home, bin lorries and recycling centres when they are punctured or crushed. They also contain hazardous materials which may endanger our operational staff if not disposed of correctly.

Recycle batteries and electricals safely

When recycling batteries, follow these simple steps to keep your home and our staff safe:

• Do not throw them in any of your bins or recycling bins at home.

• Store them safely until you can take them to your local recycling points.

• Find your local recycling points.

Does my item contain hidden batteries?

There are hidden batteries in many electrical items such as electric toothbrushes, toys, e-cigarettes, vapes, phones, laptops and many more. You can recycle them by following the same steps above. For more information about disposing of your batteries please scan this QR code

Bowel Cancer Awareness Month

April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness of bowel cancer, as well as encouraging early detection via screening.

Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is a type of cancer that affects the large intestine and rectum and is one of the most common types of cancer in the UK. There are lots of ways to reduce your risk of developing bowel cancer, such as getting regular exercise, avoiding smoking, and drinking less alcohol.

The good news is that if caught early, bowel cancer is treatable and curable.

One of the key ways to detect this disease early is through screening. The NHS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme is for everyone aged 60 – 74 years in Salford. Those with family history of the disease may be offered screening at a younger age.

In the last 12 months, 20,761 Salford residents were invited for bowel cancer screening and 65% of those had taken up the offer.

The screening test is a quick, simple test done at home. It’s important to be aware of bowel cancer symptoms, which can include:

• Blood in your poo

• Change in bowel habits

• Abdominal pain

• Weight loss

In all cases, you should visit your GP if you’re experiencing symptoms, rather than waiting for your screening appointment. If you have symptoms, don’t be embarrassed and don’t ignore them.

So, if you’re over 60, take advantage of the screening programme and get checked out today. It could just save your life.

For more information visit www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk

Done – with thanks

One of Salford’s biggest ever road improvement schemes has ended – with thanks to the public for their patience.

Every junction, crossing and bus stop along Salford’s two-mile stretch of Trafford Road has been improved and upgraded to ease traffic flow and make it safer for all users.

Extra pedestrian and cycle friendly crossings have been introduced and all crossings along the road are now controlled by signals to make them safer to use. Twentyfive street lighting columns have been replaced and drains along the route cleaned and improved. New segregated cycle lanes have been added and the point where cyclists cross the tram tracks at Furness Quay has been adjusted to make it safer.

The whole length of the road has been resurfaced with new, clearer road markings and signage and the road has been designated a red route clearway to keep traffic flowing. It means drivers who park on footpaths can be given a fixed penalty notice.

Every bus stop now has a shelter and high kerb to make getting onto and off buses easier and five new waiting areas have been created so passengers don’t block the paths. All the footpaths – apart from one section which is waiting for work to be completed on a privately-owned apartment block – have also been re-laid.

Contractors John Sisk & Son Ltd spent over 300,000 hours on site and had to cope with extremes of summer and winter weather, vandalism and theft of equipment as well as the discovery of unmapped pipes, cables and even old railway lines underground. The scheme also had to be co-ordinated with other development work nearby and minimise disruption to events in the area.

In line with Salford City Council’s social value plans to make sure local people, the economy and the environment benefit from spending on projects, Sisk gave employment opportunities to 10 local people from hard to reach backgrounds, donated over £10,000 worth of charitable support and spent almost 500 hours volunteering in the community/

Over £1.7 million of Section 106 contributions from nearby developments was used in the project which was jointly funded by Salford Council and grants from the government’s Growth Deal and the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Challenge Fund for cycling and walking improvements.

The scheme is part of a Greater Manchester-wide programme to create the largest joined up system of walking and cycling routes in the UK to encourage cycling and walking and help take more cars off the road to ease congestion for everyone.

Watch a drone video of the finished scheme at -https://youtu.be/hP8fzyehqpk

Women have their say

Good jobs to tackle poverty, more involvement in local decision making and financial support for women fleeing domestic abuse.

Those are just some of the ideas put to Salford Women and Girls’ Commission. Its final report has recommendations to address those concerns.

Seventeen women from local businesses, the public sector, voluntary and community organisations and social enterprises led the Commission which focused on three key issues for women – poverty, safety and voice.

“It was fascinating to hear from women across the city and a huge thanks to everyone who took part,” said Councillor Sharmina August, Lead Member for Inclusive Economy, Anti-Poverty and Equalities.

“Good quality, flexible employment is key to tackling poverty and women want more help with skills and

training opportunities. Boosting local employment for everyone is already part of our skills and work plan.

“Women also want more involvement in local decision making and democracy so we’re considering ideas around that and exploring how local partners can better work together to improve women’s personal safety, particularly at night and on public transport.

“The report contains a series of recommendations. Our hope is that Salford partners and community organisations will now come together to deliver them.”

You can read the report at www.partnersinsalford.org/womengirlscommission

Budget 2023/24

Rising costs and increasing demands on services – fuelled by the cost-of-living crisis, and the cumulative budget cuts since 2010 - have taken £240 million from the budget in the last thirteen years, with £6 million this year. Our priority has always been to protect the services that are at the very heart of what the council does, including maintenance of parks and public realm, our roads, streetlights and support for vulnerable children and adults whilst at the same time continuing the council’s commitment to sustainable growth, vital in bringing new jobs and opportunities to our city.

This remains our focus and there are positives in this year’s budget including increased investment in roads and supporting those struggling the most financially as well as a commitment to deliver the Real Living Wage to more social care workers and increasing allowances for foster carers. But setting the budget was challenging. This year, government have factored a council tax increase of 2.99% and the adult social care precept of 2% into budget presumptions.

This will be a blow to many residents – but ultimately the council faces a choice of accepting an increase or cutting services on which our residents rely. As ever, this year has been one of tough choices.

“Deeds not words has to be our permanent motto”

Emmeline Pankhurst

We have now agreed the council’s budget for 2023/24. A budget affected by the cost-of-living crisis and a very real reduction in funding.

The Hive thrives

Swinton’s Hive community centre has been transformed by a £30,000 refurbishment after it appealed for help.

Family-run contractor Seddon installed new central heating, insulation and a new kitchen, replaced windows and carried work to make The Hive vibrant, welcoming and comfortable.

Nicola Hodkinson, owner and director at Seddon said: “When we saw how much the refurbishment would mean to the local area, it was an easy choice for us to step in. Hearing from the people The Hive has helped has been inspirational.”

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “It is now a building fit for the excellent services it provides and set for a positive future.

“Salford City Council has supported the Hive since it opened its doors to veterans and the wider community. We’re proud of the incredible people who work there and provide local people with the vital support and care they need.”

The centre can now open all year round, helping residents gain self-confidence, find work and learn new digital skills through the Community Social Inclusion Network as well as supporting them with mental health issues and/or substance abuse.

The Hive is in Victoria Park, 185 Manchester Road, Swinton, M27 4FA and is open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 2.30pm.

Car park power for Salford depots

Solar car ports at council depots in Eccles and Swinton will save money and help with climate change.

The ports create a roof over car parking spaces with solar panels on top and will generate the equivalent of 80 per cent of the electricity used at the two sites which is as much as 153 houses use a year.

The Turnpike House depot already has roof mounted solar panels and a battery to store both solar generated power and electricity bought at the cheaper night rate.

The £1.5 million scheme is part of the Unlocking Clean Energy in Greater Manchester programme, partly funded by the European Regional Development Fund through government and partly through council invest to save funds. The scheme will generate significant savings over the next 25 years.

Unlocking Clean Energy in Greater Manchester (UCEGM) brings together five local authorities that have declared a “climate emergency” – Salford, Manchester, Rochdale, Stockport and Wigan. Funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) has made it possible to deliver several renewable schemes across the region through Energy Systems Catapult, a not-for-profit centre of excellence that is helping the council make the most of clean growth opportunities

Want to let your home? Let’s link up

If you’re moving home and want to rent your house out or you’ve inherited a property and are worried about managing tenants, Salford Property Link can help.

Owned by Salford City Council, the agency works to support private sector landlords manage their properties, which in turn helps local people looking for decent, affordable homes.

The agency is already working with dozens of local landlords but demand for rented properties is high, so is always keen to hear from anyone with a suitable property to let.

“Landlords know their property management is properly taken care of while people on the housing waiting list are offered safe, well-maintained properties they can afford,” said Councillor Tracy Kelly.

The agency offers a full management service which can be enhanced to include a guaranteed rent option. The management service includes advertising properties, tenant checks and relationship management, rent collection, minor repairs and property maintenance and safety checks.

Mortgage holders will need the lenders’ agreement to let all or part of the property and properties must be fit to live in, maintained to a decent standard and have effective, working, heating and smoke and CO2 alarms throughout.

For more information and to discuss current incentives available to landlords please call 0161 793 2626 or email salfordpropertylink@salford.gov.uk.

Boost for young busker

A 12-year-old Salford schoolboy busker is hoping to make it in the music business with a little help from his guitar hero Johnny Marr.

John Denton was chosen by The Salford Foundation Trust to become the first recipient of the Johnny Marr Award to support talented youngsters in Salford. The award is running for three years. Salford Foundation Trust is a charity which aims to support the aspirations of children and young people in Salford.

John, who has been playing and singing since he was eight, has been awarded £1000 to pay for extra singing and guitar lessons. He released his debut single last year, has played gigs including supporting Noasis, the world’s biggest Oasis tribute band at Middleton Arena and has his own group called The Height which released its first single last year.

John’s dad Phil Denton said: “John’s ambition is to have a career in music. Music is not a hobby for John but just who he is and a creative outlet he hopes to enjoy for the rest of his life.

“It is a real privilege to get this award and he is determined to make the very most of the opportunity he has been given.”

Listen to John at John Denton

No place like home

There’s no place like home and the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust’s priority is to get patients home as soon and as safely as possible following a stay in hospital.

Dr Tara Kearney, Director of Integration and Transformation at Salford Care Organisation, part of the Northern Care Alliance, said:

“Our Home First Salford programme aims to support our patients to safely return home and then to stay at home. This will lead to a better experience for our patients, and reduce overall demand on our services.”

Part of the programme includes the Home First Community Hub featuring a wide range of experts from all areas of health and social care, and the voluntary sector.

Dr Kearney said: “The Hub brings together teams from across the community who are united to help people get the support they need to stay well at home.” As soon as someone who may need extra support is admitted into hospital, they will be referred to the Hub or they can ask to be referred. Support can start right away while they are in hospital including arranging for housing support, cleaning, installing mobility aids, caring for pets, organising food shops or setting up befriending services.

Salford’s plan for a fairer city

The Salford Local Plan: Development Management Policies and Designations was adopted by Salford City Council on 18 January 2023. It will now be used to decide planning applications in Salford, replacing all the policies in the Unitary Development Plan.

There was substantial public consultation during production of the new plan and it has been examined by an independent planning inspector, who concluded that it meets government rules and is legal.

The purpose of the plan is to:

• Provide policies to determine planning applications in Salford

• Protect the city’s most important environmental assets, town centres and infrastructure

• Support the delivery of key infrastructure, such as transport and utilities

The adoption of the plan is a major step forward in delivering the council’s vision for a fairer, greener and healthier Salford. It includes policies that require developments to provide affordable homes, enhance the city’s biodiversity, meet internal space standards for new dwellings, and various other environmental and design requirements.

You can view the plan online at www.salford.gov.uk/slp-adoption or in person at the Salford Civic Centre or one of the city’s libraries or Gateway centres, call 0161 793 3782 to speak to a planning officer or email questions to plans.consultation@salford.gov.uk

Francesca is in the driving seat

Trainee trucker and Salix Homes tenant

Francesca Ohai is breaking down gender stereotypes by learning to become a lorry driver.

The 44-year-old is being supported by housing association Salix Homes to complete an LGV (light goods vehicle) driver training course as part of the Back2Work training programme.

Francesca jumped at the opportunity to set herself on the road to a bright new career. And she’s not fazed by the fact she was the only woman on the training course.

“I didn’t feel intimidated, I felt like the Queen of the pack,” she said.

Francesca had to complete an online course and medical assessment before getting behind the wheel at an LGV training day. She’s hoping to take her full practical LGV driving test this year.

Nationally, there’s a huge shortage of lorry drivers, so she wants to inspire other women to get behind the wheel.

She added: “I would love to see more women get the courage to try LGV driving. They think it’s just for men and it's not. Some people think I'm crazy asking why I want to drive a lorry – that just makes me want to do it even more.”

Visit www.salixhomes.co.uk to find out about other employment and training opportunities available or follow @SalixHomes on Facebook.

£10,000 up for grabs for young people in Salford

The Boost4Youth fund from Salix Homes offers grants of up to £500 towards projects that help young people aged between 11 and 24 living in Salford

Apply now for your share of the

£10,000

funding pot

Maybe you're an apprentice after some new tools for the trade, or a youth club in need of some new equipment. Whatever the cause, if it's helping young people, then find out more and apply online at www.salixhomes.co.uk/boost4youth

Follow us on Facebook @SalixHomes

Supporting you with the cost-of-living crisis

Housing association Salix Homes is working closely with its partners to help ease the cost-of-living crisis for its tenants across Salford.

From ensuring tenants are claiming the benefits they’re entitled to, to giving out food vouchers and assisting people to apply for additional funding, Salix Homes’ dedicated officers are on hand to help people who are experiencing financial difficulties.

During the past year Salix Homes has helped secure an additional £116,542 in benefits for its customers.

Sharon Simmonds, Income Manager at Salix Homes said: “People may be nervous about getting in touch, but the main thing is to not suffer in silence and let your debts and worries mount up around you. We really are here to help and will do everything that we can to ease financial hardship for our customers.”

Here’s just some of the ways Salix Homes can help:

Financial support and food vouchers

Discretionary Housing Payment: We can assist customers in receipt of Housing Benefit or Universal Credit to apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment from Salford City Council. This is an extra amount of money to help pay your rent.

Income and expenditure assessments: We will carry out an assessment with you to make sure you are claiming all the benefits that you’re entitled to. Challenge benefit decisions: If an error has been made, we can support you to challenge the decision and claim any money you’re entitled to.

Food assistance: We can issue vouchers to access community food banks in an emergency.

Furnish your home – for free

If you’re struggling with the cost of buying essential furniture or appliances, or can’t afford replacements if they’re broken, then Salix Homes has a Furniture Recycling Scheme, providing pre-loved furniture, household items and white goods free of charge. We have a well-stocked warehouse of good quality, clean, furniture and homeware including sofas, beds, tables, drawers, fridges, freezers and washing machines. Visit www.salixhomes.co.uk for more information.

Stay connected – for free

Salix Homes can provide free mobile data for its customers on low incomes. As part of the National Databank scheme, we can provide free sim cards pre-loaded with data. With so many essential activities now done digitally on smartphones and computers, the scheme helps ensure people aren’t left disadvantaged by not having access to the internet.

Salford in short

Here’s the latest headlines from Salford. To find more detail about each story visit (issuu.com/salfordcouncil/docs/life_in_salford_40)

Salford in short

Are you prepared for an emergency?

Electricity North West has an Extra Care Register to make sure people who need extra help get support if the power goes off for any reason. It’s free and simple to register and they can also alert the gas and water companies so if their supplies are disrupted, you’ll get extra help from them too.

You can find details of how to sign up, tips for how to manage in a power cut and how to plan for other emergencies at www.salford.gov.uk/emergencyready

Can you help?

Salford Council is looking to recruit Independent Fostering Panel members for their fostering panel. The fostering panel provides independent oversight of the recruitment, assessment and review of foster carers.

If you have a health or education background, or recent or current experience of fostering or were in care as a child, have good listening and communication skills and can be available for regular Thursday meetings in Swinton, you could help children and young people. We particularly welcome applicants from minority backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ and people with disabilities so our fostering panel reflects Salford communities. We’ll provide training, pay for DBS checks and you’ll receive a small allowance for each panel you attend. To find out more please contact panel advisor Shirley Jennings on 07977688583 or shirley.jennings@salford.gov.uk

Public back plans

Salford City Council will seek new powers from the government to fine drivers who block yellow box junctions, drive in cycle lanes, misuse one-way streets, ignore no-entry and turning restrictions and drive where cars are not permitted. Over 300 people responded to a consultation on using the powers, if granted, at six sites initially and suggested other sites which will be considered for the future.

Keep in touch

Keep up to date with Salford City Council on our social media accounts.

We’re on Facebook, Twitter and now on Instagram or you can contact @SalfordCCHelp on Twitter to report any customer service issues. Accounts are monitored during office hours Monday to Friday. City Mayor Paul Dennett also has Twitter and Facebook accounts.

For details of all Salford accounts please visit www.salford.gov.uk/socialmedia

Peel Green goes greener

Salford City Council is testing green waste bins at Peel Green cemetery to recycle flowers and plants into compost.

Please remove any plastic, paper, oasis, ribbons, elastic bands, metal or anything else that can’t be composted before using the bins between plots U and T. If successful, green bins will be installed at other Salford cemeteries.

Making a difference in Salford

Public health Community Champions are local community organisations making a real difference to people’s health in Salford – and you could be one too. Salford City Council’s public health team is building a network of Community Champions to help local people get the right health and wellbeing information into their communities, such as the importance of vaccinations. There are many benefits to becoming a Community Champion organisation or a volunteer and many different opportunities for people to help.

Salford CVS

Salford CVS has volunteer opportunities to support local charities, voluntary groups, and social enterprises. Find out more by visiting www.salfordcvs.co.uk/i-want-volunteer

The Yemeni Community Association, based in Gladstone Road, Eccles serves all communities and all ages, including newly arrived asylum seekers and refugees and helps with welfare and digital needs. Contact them at 07788297171 or info@yca-manchester.org.uk or find them on Facebook www.facebook.com/YcainManchester

Women with Wings support women whose English is not their first language, to get jobs, education, or start a business. Their enterprise centre at Hulton District Centre in Little Hulton provides space to learn new skills through workshops, training and networking. Contact them at 07466 380 504, or email hello@womenwithwingsgroup.org or visit www.womenwithwingsgroup.org

Salford d/Deaf Community Gathering is a network providing social activities and drop-in support sessions to help with mail reading, making phone calls, booking interpreters and support to contact other organisations. Contact them on WhatsApp, by text or voice at 07799 118968 or Salforddeaf@gmail.com or visit Langworthy Cornerstone, Liverpool Street. You can also find them on Facebook www.facebook.com/groups/salforddeaf

If you run a community group that supports underserved or ethnically diverse communities in Salford and would like to establish better links into health programmes, please get in touch with our Salford City Council’s public health inequalities improvement support officers:

• Asma Milad – asma.milad@salford.gov.uk

• Lynn Wanyetse – lynn.wanyetse@salford.gov.uk

Thank you to all public health Community Champions for supporting your communities in Salford.

Culture Made in Salford

Salford has always had a culture to be proud of, from LS Lowry, to the wealth of musical talent who have forged their craft in the city. There’s a variety of local artists who call Salford home, a range of unique venues and events where you can experience an array of cultural activities and organisations supporting culture in the city with community arts projects.

It continues to be a city of makers and changemakers and with culture now, perhaps more important than ever before, it’s the perfect time to explore what Salford has to offer.

For more information go to www.visitsalford.info

Follow us on social media @visitsalford

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