The Pioneers statue celebrates the canal builders who founded Ellesmere Port and was cast in bronze by Liverpool artist Stephen Broadbent.
Housing Act 2004Please note: Various aspects of the legislation have not yet been introduced and will be brought in by order in due course. The Act can be viewed in full at www.opsi.gov.uk. The Act includes a wide ranging reform package:
A new system based on calculating a hazard score replacing the fitness standard. This will help councils to target the worst condition properties, often housing the most vulnerable people.
Will improve controls on HMOs, including a mandatory national licensing scheme to raise standards of some of the highest risk properties occupied by the some of the most vulnerable, whilst maintaining an adequate supply of rented accommodation.
Will help councils improve local communities by ensuring bad landlords take greater responsibility for the management of their property and deal with anti- social tenants
where landlords, or their agents, require tenancy deposits, then those deposits will be safeguarded by a Government sponsored scheme.
Enables local authorities to tackle ASB by extending an introductory tenancy, and by refusing a mutual exchange application or preventing a tenant completing a Right To Buy purchase on anti-social behaviour grounds.
Will require anyone marketing their home to provide key information at the start of the process of selling their property. The packs will come into force from January 2007, following a six month "dry run".
Linked to the use of Home Information Packs, the power to make it compulsory for estate agents to belong to a redress scheme for buyers and sellers.
Will allow councils to bring back into use long-term empty private sector homes, with the use of Empty Dwelling Management Orders.
Will clamp down on companies and individuals exploiting the rules and profiting at the expense of those in need of affordable housing, by extending the qualification period for purchase from three to five years, and ensuring councils have first offer from any future resulting sale.
Strengthens rights of residents of mobile home parks, whilst ensuring the industry's regulatory framework helps meet the growing need for quality, affordable housing.
Requires local authorities to assess accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers in their area, and to produce a strategy detailing how their needs are met.
Reinforces Government commitment to improving energy efficiency in residential accommodation
Will extend eligibility for grants to all those occupying caravans as their only or main residence.
Will enable the Housing Corporation and the National assembly for Wales (in England & Wales respectively) to pay grants to bodies other than registered social landlords, such as developers and housebuilders, to develop affordable housing.
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