Liverpool City Council has unveiled a £20 million funding package to improve leisure, parks, and community facilities across the city, while tackling homelessness and boosting recycling initiatives.

The plan, which will be considered by the Cabinet on Tuesday 16 September, includes major upgrades to Lifestyles leisure centres, park and play areas, and the rollout of communal bin 'hubs' in high-density housing areas.

An initial £5.18 million will go toward modernising leisure centres, including new gym equipment, refreshed reception areas, upgrades to disused 3G pitches, and the creation of adventure activities. This is the first phase of a wider programme, with up to £30 million planned by 2032, including the development of new youth hubs.

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To address the city's homelessness crisis, £7.3 million in grants will encourage private landlords to bring 365 empty properties back into use, potentially saving the council £13.3 million in temporary accommodation costs. A further £310,000 will establish a customer services hub under the new Housing Solutions Service, aimed at speeding up assessments for the 10,000 annual referrals, reducing unnecessary stays in temporary housing.

The council will also invest £4.75 million in upgrading 23 play areas and improving parks with new benches, litter bins, and resurfaced pathways.

Meanwhile, £2.2 million will fund the introduction of communal bin hubs over the next three years, modelled on a successful Glasgow scheme. The initiative aims to improve recycling rates, reduce fly-tipping, and meet the upcoming requirement to collect food waste from 2026.

Additional projects include:

£213,000 for new public computers and self-service kiosks in libraries

£116,000 for equipment to expand face-to-face access to council services in libraries

The investment will be delivered through the council's capital programme, targeting infrastructure improvements that benefit local communities, support sustainability, and enhance the quality of life across Liverpool.