Sefton Council has launched a new funding round as part of its digital crowdfunding initiative Sefton Crowd, to support community-led ideas that will help the borough to become more vibrant, resilient, and connected.
Working in partnership with Spacehive, the UKâs leading civic crowdfunding platform, Sefton Crowd is an initiative that gives residents with an idea to improve their community the opportunity to gain funding via Spacehiveâs crowdfunding platform.
Sefton Council has allocated a total of ÂŁ50,000 to the programme, with up to ÂŁ5,000 available to help boost projects towards their funding target. The deadline to put forward your idea is 14th September 2022.
Sefton Council and Spacehive will hold a virtual workshop to discuss your project ideas on 14th July, 2.00 â 3.00pm. To register, visit Sefton Crowd Project Creator Workshop
Over ÂŁ111,000 has already been raised for 21 local projects, by more than 860 backers.
Linda Gaskell, Rimrose Valley Friends, said: Rimrose Valley Country Park was all overgrown with no wildflowers. The local community were incredible. The donations flooded in and we have seen the rewards and people visiting. During Covid, it has been immense for people to visit the Wildflower Meadow, escape and relax. The mental health benefits have been incredible.
Councillor Trish Hardy, Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing said: âWeâre excited to launch this Sefton Crowd funding round with Spacehive and I canât wait to see the range of ideas that our communities put forward. Local people are best placed to understand the challenges and opportunities in their local area and this model puts them and their ideas in the driving seat.
Iâm also calling on companies and organisations that care about Sefton to join us in offering support to project ideas, whether funding or in-kind, so we can support the success of locally-led campaigns. The more people that get involved in Sefton Crowd, the more inspiring local places we can create together.â
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Author: Ollie Cowan
Huge 130 year old map on display as part of special Southport exhibit
From golden sandhills to a bustling and busy seaside town â Southport has a rich and ever changing history.
Thatâs the theme of a new exhibition created by the Southport Townscape Heritage Project, which runs at The Atkinson from Saturday, June 18th through to September 2022.
âBuilt on Sand â 200 years of Southportâs changing street sceneâ highlights how key town centre streets like Nevill Street and the Promenade have evolved over two centuries to meet the needs of residents and visitors.
The exhibition also puts the spotlight on how our shopping and leisure habits have had an impact on our streets.
Visitors to the exhibition will be able to explore a giant floor map of Southport 130 years ago, discover how the streets got their names, and see how artists and photographers have shown the town over two centuries.
Activities will also run throughout the summer, which include family workshops and guided walks. Furthermore there will a number of opportunities for people to look more closely at Southportâs startlingly varied buildings by sketching, taking photographs and sharing memories.
Cllr Daren Veidman, Cabinet Member for Planning, said âSouthportâs character is all about its streets and buildings and this exhibition reminds us to look at them properly and appreciate the wonderful heritage that surrounds us.
âThanks to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Southport Townscape Heritage Project is providing to grants to help owners preserve the historic features of their buildings and give them a new economic futureâ.
Southport Townscape Heritage Project is a regeneration and community project to bring new life to historic buildings on Southportâs streets, and to inspire local people and visitors to discover the townâs heritage. It was awarded ÂŁ1.6m by The National Lottery Heritage Fund in September 2019.
David Renwick, Director, England, North at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: âInvesting in heritage means investing in the community it belongs to, which is why we are proud to support Southport Townscape Heritage Project, thanks to money raised by National Lottery players. The project is not only preserving the townâs important heritage to be enjoyed by locals and visitors from further afield, but will also play a significant role in boosting the local economy and aiding its wider regeneration. Weâre also thrilled to see the exhibition and activities taking place over the summer that will allow the community to explore and discover the fascinating heritage and history that sits on their doorsteps.â
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Sefton Council launches Orrell Mount Masterplan consultation
A consultation seeking views on a huge community-inspired masterplan to transform Orrell Mount Park in Bootle, is now underway.
Run by independent firm, FMG Consulting on behalf of Sefton Council, the consultation is an opportunity for people to ask questions and share feedback on the proposals. Itâs also a chance to gain a better understanding of the design, timescales, and the range of benefits to the local community that the development could provide.
Proposals include a brand-new space for dog walking, improved children’s play area facilities and a refurbishment of the park’s iconic Pavilion, to complement a proposed full sized, 3G football pitch at the site.
Should the 3G pitch go ahead, it would be managed by Bootle’s very own Jamie Carragher as part of the JC23 Foundation. JC23 is a not-for-profit social enterprise which aims to provide a safe place for young and disadvantaged people and other members of the community to play and learn.
Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council, said: “We are delighted to be able to have a platform that allows us seek the views of our passionate communities, local clubs, park users and residents across South Sefton and work together to make the most of this wonderful space for everyone.
“Our teams have worked hard over recent months to develop this masterplan, which includes key requests such as more dog walking space and additional play facilities for children.
“Thatâs why it is important that people who live near and visit the area have their say and give their feedback to the consultation.â
Jamie Carragher added: “Sefton Council wants to hear your views on the proposed masterplan for Orrell Mount Park.
“Should the site go ahead there’ll be no profit gained by anybody. A number of holiday programmes would take place including holiday camps for local schoolchildren, walking football for older people and veterans, as well as sessions for local schools and junior teams.
“People are being encouraged to complete the survey online but paper copies are also available.
“Drop-in sessions are being held in a number of community venues throughout the consultation period. Anyone is welcome to come along to find out more about the proposed plans.”
The consultation runs from Monday 30th May to Friday 22nd July.
Drop-in sessions will be held on Thursday 9th June and Monday 11th July.
To find out more or to complete the survey, visit www.sefton.gov.uk/orrellmount
Stunning images of Marine Lake Events centre revealed as consultation launches
Sefton Council is set to launch its public consultation on much anticipated plans for the Southport Marine Lake Events Centre and accompanying Water and Light Show.
The community will shortly be invited to share their views on exciting plans for a new, state-of-the-art theatre and entertainment space and a flexible conference and business events venue and water and light show attraction, which will greatly boost the townâs economic and tourism sectors.
Consultation events are being held at Southport Market in the coming weeks and a live webinar will take place to provide more information on the plans, which will be revealed when the consultation begins on Thursday 26th May when feedback will be invited via an online survey at https://yourseftonyoursay.sefton.gov.uk/futuresouthport/ – with the consultation running until 10th June.
The MLEC will replace the former Southport Theatre and Convention Centre which closed its doors in 2020. The new development will provide first class theatre space, a conference and exhibition centre able to accommodate a range of events, and café and signature restaurant, providing facilities for both visitors and the community alike.
The plans also include a new Water and Light show installation on the Marine Lake. Designed to set Southport apart from other seaside towns, the show will attract thousands of additional visitors to the town each year.
The project forms part of the Southport Town Deal which secured ÂŁ37.5 million funding in 2021 and follows the success of Southport Market, which opened its doors last year. The project has also secured ÂŁ2.3 million funding from Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
Consultation events are being held at Southport Market on Friday 27th May between 11am and 6pm, and Saturday 28th May between 11am and 3pm.
A live webinar will also be held at 6pm on Thursday 26th May. You can register to attend the webinar in advance at https://yourseftonyoursay.sefton.gov.uk/futuresouthport/ The consultation webpage will be updated on the 26th May with further details of the plans and an online feedback form.
Cllr Ian Maher , leader of Sefton Council, said: âThe Marine Lake Events Centre is the latest fantastic opportunity for us to build on our successful bid for Town Deal funding.
âThis project directly compliments the ongoing and continued investment Sefton Council makes toward improving the future of the town for our amazing communities and visitors.
âI would encourage everyone to join in with the upcoming consultation events, either online or in person, to find out more.
âWe are looking forward to hearing feedback before a planning application is submitted.â
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: âSouthport holds a special place in the hearts of so many people in our city region and beyond as being a family-favourite destination for days out and holidays alike. The town has been entertaining generations of visitors for as long as it has existed.
âWe want to build on that legacy and make sure that Southport can continue to thrive and attract visitors for many more years to come, giving a massive boost to local businesses and creating good quality, secure jobs. We are working with Sefton Council to drive the townâs revival and start a new chapter in its story. I for one cannot wait to see what the future has in store.â
A public telephone line has also been set up via 0808 168 8296. This is a freephone consultation hotline where people can call to speak to a member of the project team and ask any questions, as well as share any feedback.
Sefton pays tribute to victims of Manchester Arena bombing
Sefton this week will pay tribute to the victims of the Manchester Arena bombing by lighting up civic buildings.
The Mayor of Sefton, Cllr Clare Carragher, said: âMay 22nd marks five years since the heart-breaking Manchester Arena attack.
âIn the weeks following the tragedy, Sefton united as a borough and vigils and memorials were held across our communities. The message remains the same: ‘Nobody should go to a concert and never come home.’
âAs with previous years, our thoughts will once again turn to the family and friends of those innocent lives which were lost that evening.
âIn their memory we will be lighting up both Bootle and Southport Town Halls throughout the weekend of Friday, May 20th â Sunday May 22nd.â