UPDATE: Sefton Council has confirmed its commitment to tackling homelessness by moving forward with the purchase of the Salfordian Hotel in Southport, despite recent concerns. The decision comes as the council emphasizes its statutory duty to provide temporary accommodation for those in need.
During a special meeting at Bootle Town Hall on November 19, Cllr Mike Sammon raised objections, questioning the allocation of apartments primarily for single adults, arguing that families should also be considered. His concerns follow an earlier recommendation from the council’s cabinet, which termed the acquisition a “valuable opportunity” to increase temporary housing supply.
Sefton Council’s cabinet member for communities, Cllr Liz Dowd, responded firmly, stating, “The purchase of The Salfordian will support our aims to relieve homelessness and provide hope for the future.” She highlighted that 70% of current temporary accommodation users are single individuals, underscoring the pressing need for such facilities.
The Salfordian Hotel, owned by Salford City Council since the 1960s, was offered for sale to Sefton Council, which aims to keep the property in public ownership. If the council proceeds, it will need to seek necessary planning approvals, beginning a consultation process with the Local Planning Authority.
Cllr Sammon emphasized the importance of including families, stating, “This site is directly opposite a popular family park, and people naturally see it as a location suitable for family use.” He asserted that residents would feel more secure if some provision for families was included in the hotel’s future use.
Sefton’s assistant director of people and communities, Mel Ormesher, provided further context, noting that the council currently supports approximately 270 households experiencing homelessness, with 30% of those being families. However, she confirmed that the majority of demand is for single-person accommodation, which is critically low in Sefton.
“While we recognize the need for family accommodation,” Ormesher explained, “the rooms at The Salfordian are primarily single rooms, and significant regulation would be required to adapt them for family use.”
The Overview and Scrutiny Committee voted in favor of proceeding with the cabinet’s recommendation, indicating that they were not swayed by the objections raised.
As Sefton Council prepares to advance with the purchase, the urgency to address homelessness in the borough is more critical than ever. With the local authority committed to providing secure housing for its residents, the acquisition of The Salfordian Hotel stands as a pivotal step in alleviating the homelessness crisis in Southport.
Stay tuned for developments on this pressing issue as Sefton Council moves forward with its plans.
