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Author: Martin Driver

Sefton celebrating World Tourism Day

27 September 2021
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Sefton Council, Uncategorized

Graphic celebrating Sefton's tourism

To mark today’s World Tourism Day, Sefton Council is taking to social media to celebrate the Borough’s attractions.

Tourism brings tens of thousands of people to the Borough and in 2018, generated ÂŁ555 million of income to the local economy.

Spectacular

Sefton’s 22 miles of spectacular coastline define the Borough and are the focus for visitors and tourists as well as being enjoyed by residents.

From the traditional seaside town of Southport in the north to the 100 iron men that make up Sir Antony Gormley’s world-famous artwork, ‘Another Place’ on Crosby beach in the south, Sefton’s coastline has something for everyone.

Walking, cycling, kite surfing, sea-fishing and bird spotting are among the popular activities enjoyed by visitors and local alike.

Wildlife

There are beautiful beaches and a vast stunning landscape of protected sand dunes and woodlands, which are home to an array of wildlife including red squirrels, Natterjack toads, rare sand lizards and exceptional species of flora and fauna. Large numbers of migrating birds use it as a stopping-off point in spring and autumn.

It is for this reason, the Sefton Coast enjoys high levels of protection including Site of Special Scientific Interest, Special Area of Conservation two areas designated as Marine Conservation Zones.

And with the UK’s highest concentration of championship links courses, including Royal Birkdale, our Golf Coast is the perfect place to pitch a holiday.

Events

In addition to its coastline, Sefton also has areas of woodland, impressive parks and a number of annual events including Southport’s World Musical Fireworks Championships, Air and Flower Shows and Comedy Festival.

A recent addition to Southport’s attractions is the refurbished Market featuring mouth-watering delights and delicacies from around the world, with ten stalls and traders, as well as a feature bar and drinks space, to choose from.

Funding

Earlier this year, it was announced that Southport is set to receive £37.5 million of Town Deal funding from the Government. Key themes of the town’s Investment Plan are a new Marine Lake Events Centre, the creation of the UK’s first light, water and sound show in the Marine Lake, and Les Transformations de Southport which will see the streets that inspired Paris’s famous boulevards turned into high-quality public spaces.

Plans to increase tourism in the south of Sefton include a proposal for the UK’s first ‘Flying Cinema’ to transport visitors on a tour of the British Isles and, a Virtual Reality Time-Travel Tunnel will take visitors on a journey through the ‘History of Bootle and Liverpool’, including an experience of the city’s blitz.

These and measures to encourage visitors to nearby Crosby to stay longer, form part of Sefton Council’s Levelling Up bids to the Government, which total almost £34 million.

Find out more about visiting Sefton.

Sefton Council is taking to Facebook and Twitter to share images celebrating Sefton’s attractions through the day.

Sign-up for HR focused business event with InvestSefton and Liverpool Chamber

23 September 2021
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, InvestSefton, Latest News

InvestSefton, the Council’s business growth team, is hosting its first face-to-face business workshop since the start of the pandemic.

Taking place on Tuesday 28th September 2021, 10am – 1pm at Bootle Town Hall, local businesses will have the chance to network and learn more about HR matters as ways of working have changed dramatically over the course of the past 18 months.

The workshop will cover:

  • The challenges of remote working
  • Employment law and HR
  • How to support employees
  • Other HR related topics
  • Q & A session

Any business, of any size, within any sector – as long as they are located in Sefton – are eligible to attend.

InvestSefton in partnership with Liverpool Chamber are hosting the session which will be delivered by Morecrofts Solicitors, a Liverpool based law firm specialising in both private and commercial law.

Social distancing will be in place to ensure that the event runs safely.

To book a place, businesses can contact Dom or Sharon from the InvestSefton team on 0151 934 3452 or via email investsefton@sefton.gov.uk

Bootle Town Hall is next to Bootle Oriel Road Train Station, or if arriving by car there is a car park available at the Town Hall or on street pay & display parking.

To find out how InvestSefton can help your business you can also visit their website: www.investsefton.com

Help Sefton Council to shape its flood and coastal erosion risk strategy for the next decade

23 September 2021
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Green Sefton, Latest News, Local Consultation

Sefton Council, as the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA), is drawing up a new strategy to protect its communities from the risk of flooding and coastal erosion over the next decade.

The new management strategy will outline the clear roles and responsibilities of not only the Council, but other risk management authorities including the Environment Agency, United Utilities, Highways England and the Canal and River Trust.

It will set out the actions that will be undertaken to reduce the risk and impact of flooding and coastal erosion on Sefton’s communities and highlight simple actions that residents themselves can undertake in support of this.  

Arial view of the coastline at Southport
Arial view of the coastline at Southport

Everyone living in Sefton is encouraged to take part in the period of consultation on the draft strategy, ensuring that their views are heard before the plan is finalised in early 2022.

The public consultation includes the opportunity for the strategy, and associated business plan, to be viewed in full, followed by a short survey to gather thoughts from residents.

People can take part online at www.YourSeftonYourSay.sefton.gov.uk and have up until Wednesday 17th November 2021.

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said:

“We are very proud of our unique borough with its 22 miles of amazing coastline and diverse landscapes among our urban residential areas and business hubs. One thing we have in common with the rest of the country, and especially other coastal authorities, is the risk of flooding and erosion and the complex challenges that we face to manage the impact of such events on our communities.

“That is why it’s vital for us to develop, maintain, apply and monitor a local flood risk management strategy, and to seek the views of those who live here in Sefton as we look to shape that plan for the next decade.”

Flood and erosion events can affect not only those living in high-risk areas, but also transport networks, schools, highways and local businesses. They can also have detrimental environmental impacts on rare habitats and species, which is why the Council is dedicated to producing a management strategy that is fit-for-purpose and recognises the increasing challenges of the climate emergency and where targeted and risk-based investment is needed.

The Council’s own plans must align with the Environment Agency’s national strategy that looks 100 years into the future and considers the risks climate change presents and the options to adapt to this challenge.

Cllr Moncur added:

“Over the past decade due to a combination of severe weather events and instances occurring from rivers, sewers and surface water, we’ve seen significant flooding events in neighbourhoods across Sefton, including most recently at the start of 2021 in Maghull.

“These events can have devastating environmental, social and economic impacts, making a sustainable flood risk management strategy absolutely essential for our communities. And is complementary to our on-going work with partners, such as the recently formed strategic flood resilience group, where we share expertise and identify actions that can be taken individually and collectively to reduce the overall risk.

“I would urge everyone across Sefton to take part as we shape this plan for the next decade to ensure their views are heard.”

BIPC Liverpool and British Library join forces to announce major new support lifeline for businesses across the Liverpool City Region

22 September 2021
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, InvestSefton, Latest News, Uncategorized

The Business & IP Centre Liverpool (based in Central Library) and the British Library have announced the roll out of several new local Business & IP Centres (BIPCs) across the Liverpool City Region.

Tuesday 21st September sees the official launch of more BIPCs in libraries in Liverpool, Knowsley, Sefton, St.Helens and Wirral.

Anyone with a business idea or wanting to develop an existing business can now access a new range of specialist support services.

Following last year’s spending pledge of £13million in government funding towards a major expansion of the British Library’s Business & IP Centre network, many more local libraries are being equipped with dedicated workspaces, business resources and expert support for aspiring business owners. The expansion builds on the proven track record of support delivered by BIPC Liverpool.

Since being set up six years ago, BIPC Liverpool has helped over 3000 people start or grow a small business.

Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson says:  

“Liverpool’s Business & IP Centre is a brilliant success story and has provided a huge amount of support to countless individuals. The concept of providing help to anyone with a business idea, regardless of their background, is social value in action.

“What’s hugely encouraging is that over half of those who have benefited and set up a businesses are women and a third are from ethnic backgrounds – more than triple the national averages for business ownership in the UK.

“This is largely due to the accessibility and community-based ethos of library-based business support, so I’m delighted to see that the success of BIPC Liverpool will now be replicated across the City Region enabling many, many more people to benefit.”

The new BIPCs will be situated in Crosby, Huyton, Birkenhead, St. Helens and Allerton libraries. Each will be equipped with a core set of resources including a powerful range of free business databases, provided by the British Library. There will also be a programme of events, workshops and one-to-one advice sessions delivered in collaboration with local business leaders, professional advisors, successful entrepreneurs and community partners.

Liz Jolly, Chief Librarian at the British Library, says:

“At their heart, libraries are trusted spaces with professional staff who have a mission to connect people with information. Our BIPC Network harnesses the power of libraries, bringing in expertise from the local community to help people from all walks of life turn an idea into a successful business.

“We’re delighted to mark this next chapter in the Network’s journey, growing from 14 to over 100 new regional and local Centres across England. Our mission is to put business support in every library, whilst maintaining our commitment to ensuring IP workshops and events are also open to everyone online.”

Culture Minister, Caroline Dinenage, says:

“It’s brilliant that small businesses and entrepreneurs will now be able to access invaluable support and resources across the Liverpool City Region.”

Details of individual library opening times and range of BIPC services can be found at www.liverpool.gov.uk/bipc 

To find out how InvestSefton, Sefton Council’s business growth team, can help your business contact 0151 934 3452 or email investsefton@sefton.gov.uk or visit www.investsefton.com

Local walk-in vaccination centres still available to 16 and 17-year-olds in Sefton

17 September 2021
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News

COVID-19 vaccinations are still available to Sefton’s 16 and 17-year-olds.

Young people aged 16 and 17 can go to Seaforth Village Surgery and Southport Centre for Health and Wellbeing as well as some pharmacy-led vaccination sites for their COVID jabs.

Find out how to get your walk-in vaccinations in the:

areas.

You can check other walk-in sites in Sefton and beyond via the NHS ‘find a walk-in coronavirus vaccination’ site.

Anthony McNally, who recently got his first COVID-19 jab at a local walk-in vaccination centre said: “It’s really important that everyone gets their jab as soon as they can; to look after your nan and also so we can go on holiday and get out again.”

NHS data from August shows that one in every five of those admitted to hospital in England with COVID-19 was aged between 18 and 34.

Young COVID-19 patients have told their stories of battling the virus and suffering long-term debilitating effects as part of a new film encouraging people to get their vaccines.

Ella Harwood, a 23 year old illustrator from London, was 21 when she fell ill with the virus. She said: “I’m young and fit but I was bed-bound for seven months with COVID-19.

“Before I caught the virus, I was super active and had no health concerns, but I now suffer with asthma which I didn’t have before and a number of allergies.

“I fear I’ll never be the same again but I’m making progress and I’m very grateful that I’m still alive. Please get vaccinated if you haven’t already.”

Dr Rob Caudwell, local GP and chair of NHS Southport and Formby Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: “Vaccinated people are far less likely to get COVID-19 or need hospital treatment for COVID-19 and they are less likely to pass it on to others. The first dose is proven to give 80% protection from needing hospital treatment. This could be even higher for younger people as they tend to respond better to vaccines. Getting your vaccine means getting back to being able to do the things you love and see the people you love, knowing that you and those around you, are far safer.”

Dr Pete Chamberlain, local GP and chair at NHS South Sefton CCG, said: “There are a number of local vaccine centres where 16 and 17 year olds can get their first jab. Parental consent is not required to be vaccinated and you do not need to be registered with a GP. Check the NHS website to find a centre near you that’s offering the vaccine to your age group. At some vaccination sites there is no appointment required and you don’t need ID. If you have your NHS number bring it, but don’t worry if you don’t have it. Just turn up, get your jab and get back to living your life.”

Those aged 16 and 17 in the UK will be offered a first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Further work is being done to establish whether 16 and 17 year olds will require a second dose.

In the video below, young people talk about their experiences of suffering from COVID-19 and long the effects of Long COVID.

Three quarters of adults in the UK have now been fully vaccinated thanks to the successful roll out of the vaccination programme. This is mirrored in Sefton where over 379,000 doses have been administered to those who are eligible.

The NHS is continuing to offer two doses to young people aged 12 and over with specific underlying health conditions that put them at risk of serious COVID-19, or who are household contacts of adults or children who are immunosuppressed. More details are available via www.gov.uk.17 year olds that are within 3 months of turning 18 are also eligible to have the vaccine.

Experts in the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) have examined the very latest safety data gathered from the UK vaccination programme and from around the world, including the US, where the vaccine is offered to everyone who is 12 years old or over. Vaccines must meet strict international standards for safety, quality and effectiveness. Once a vaccine is approved, it’s closely monitored to continue to make sure it is safe and effective.

How to get your vaccine

COVID-19 vaccines are being offered to 16 and 17 year olds at Seaforth Village Surgery and Southport Centre for Health and Wellbeing, you can find information from :

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