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Author: Ollie Cowan

Voting changes make it the IDeal Time to have your say

9 February 2023
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News

Sefton Council is urging residents to ensure they are ready for the 2023 Local Elections.

The Election Act 2022 has introduced new requirements for those who want to vote in person at polling stations, meaning people will need to bring valid Photographic Identification with them before receiving a ballot paper.

Accepted ID

Passports, driving licences and parking Blue Badges, along with older and disabled people’s bus passes are among the types of photo ID people can show to be allowed to vote.

People who don’t have any of the required forms of photographic ID can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate.

Local elections are set to take place on Thursday May 4th across all of Sefton Borough’s 22 Wards.

Keen to ensure no-one misses out on their democratic right to vote, Sefton Council has launched the high-profile, Borough-wide ‘IDeal Time’ campaign.

‘IDeal Time’ ads will be appearing on high streets and public transport sites across Sefton to help people prepare for the changes.

No cases of voter fraud

Cllr Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Resources, said: “New requirements for people to be able to vote at polling stations are said to help ensure added election security, although in Sefton we have never had to investigate a case of voter fraud

“We want to ensure these changes don’t result in anyone missing out on their right to have their say.”

The introduction of photo ID in polling stations represent some of the biggest changes to the election process in decades.

New rules

Cllr Lappin continued: “On election day, we will see thousands of people visit their local polling station and have their say on who they want to see representing their communities on Sefton Council.

“We want to do everything we can so that nobody is turned away as a result of these rule changes.

“The new rules state that if you do not have a valid photo ID when you go to vote in a polling station, then staff will not be able to give you a ballot paper and you cannot vote until you can show valid photo ID.”

Anyone without a valid photo ID can apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate up to six working days before the election.

Alternatively, voters can still apply to vote by post as photo ID is not required for any electors who choose to vote this way.

Register

Cllr Lappin added: “The most important thing to do first is to make sure you are already registered to vote.

“Most people will be registered but if you have moved home, you may need to update your details on the electoral register.

“If you don’t have ID and still want to vote in person then you can apply for a Voter Authority Certificate.

“We expect to see a significant upturn in applications for postal votes following these changes and Sefton Council’s dedicated elections team are preparing for additional demand.

“Your vote matters and we encourage everyone over the age of 18 to take the opportunity to have their democratic say.”

Monday 17th April deadline

People not already registered to vote, must register before Monday 17th April 2023 so they can take part in the May elections. 

The deadline for receipt of all postal vote applications is Tuesday 18th April 2023

You can find more information about the upcoming elections and the rule changes here.

From Crosby to the Costa Del Sol! Runners prepare to take on 300th beach challenge

1 February 2023
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Essential Sefton, Front Page, Green Sefton, Health, Latest News

One of Sefton’s coastal park run groups will cross the finish line for the 300th time this coming weekend.

Hundreds of people have taken part in the Crosby parkrun each Saturday morning for the last eight years.

Overcoming high winds, icy temperatures, scorching sunshine and the occasional blister, they have run the equivalent of the north to south length of western Europe.

Managed entirely by volunteers, the running group would have accomplished much earlier had they not been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Created in partnership between Active Sefton and Parkrun UK back in 2015, people from around the world, including global football stars, have taken to the makeshift course on Crosby’s stunning coastline across the last eight years.

More than a thousand miles have been covered during that time, the equivalent of running from Crosby to the Costa Del Sol!

The success is in no small part down to the work of Crosby parkrun co-director Jan Mullin and Amy Barnes, Sefton Council’s Active Sefton Development Manager.

Jan, who runs the weekly event with co-director Gareth O’Hanlon, said: “Our running community relies on volunteers, from teenagers to retirees, who all get on as a fabulous team week in week out.

“It is an absolute pleasure to be part of this fabulous team turning up every week and working in all weathers.

“Parkrun has had appositive impact on so many lives, improving health and wellbeing for runners and volunteers alike.

“We have faced challenges such as Covid and we continue to face obstacles – some small and some large – but overall, we are a community to be proud of.”

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, heaped praise on organisers, along with a team of volunteers who brave all weathers to ensure the run still goes ahead.

He said: “Amy and Jan have worked incredibly hard together from start to finish and we are delighted that the event has reached this impressive milestone.

“Jan and her loyal team of volunteers have committed themselves every week to provide a hugely welcoming community for everyone to take part, whether they are walking or running.

“We have seen people from all corners of the world take part in the Crosby parkrun, which is one of the Parkrun community’s few official coastal based runs.

“The statistics are staggering and it is a testament to Jan’s team that they have welcomed hundreds of different running clubs, had nearly 40,000 impressive finish line results and even local celebrity and Sefton resident Jamie Carragher takes part regularly!”

/Ends

Hero healthcare workers honoured by Sefton Council

23 January 2023
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Essential Sefton, Front Page, Health, Latest News

Sefton Council will this week celebrate the heroism of healthcare workers across the Borough as it officially awards the Honorary Freedom of the Borough to four NHS trusts.

Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Southport and Ormskirk NHS Trust, as well as Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust and Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, will be given the prestigious honour at a special ceremony at Bootle Town Hall on Thursday, January 26th.

A decision to award the Freedom of the Borough was made in light of the hard work, sacrifice and dedication shown by medical staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Freedom of the Borough is the highest ceremonial honour Sefton Council can bestow. It will stand as a permanent record of the Borough’s endless appreciation and debt of gratitude to the Trusts and their staff.

An Extra-ordinary meeting of council will take place to officially grant the Freedom of the Borough, with an accompanying civic reception for officers of the Trusts and their invited guests.

Organisations receiving Freedom of the Borough gain the ‘right, privilege, honour and distinction of marching through the streets of the Borough on all ceremonial occasions with colours flying, bands playing, drums beating and bayonets fixed’.

Cllr Ian Maher, Sefton Council Leader said: “We and the people of Sefton will be eternally grateful for the selflessness and dedication of the Trusts in the face of COVID-19, putting themselves at risk in ensuring the safety of others.

“Their selflessness and dedication saved lives through the pandemic and they continue to strive tirelessly to provide the care that we, our families and our friends all need, when we need it.

“I am confident that people across Sefton will agree that the work of these NHS staff need to be recognised and rewarded, which is why I am delighted to be giving them  Honorary Freedom of the Borough next week.”

Sue Musson, Chair of Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said:“It is a great honour for the Trust to be awarded Sefton Council’s Freedom of the Borough for our services during COVID-19. The pandemic presented immense challenges for all of us working in healthcare, and this award recognises the remarkable courage, selflessness and resilience of our staff who cared for patients, families and each other at a very dark time. We are so grateful to receive this very special honour and for the continuing friendship and support of colleagues across the Borough.”

Neil Masom OBE, the chair of Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust said: 
“This is a tremendous honour for the tireless and often challenging work of colleagues during the Covid-19 pandemic.
 
“Every one of them is on the frontline in one way or another whether they are in a clinical, support or administrative role. We all work as one team and one family, ensuring we deliver the best possible care for those in need.”
 
Dame Jo Williams, Chair of Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust and Louise Shepherd, Chief Executive of Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust said: 
“We are hugely honoured to be recognised and to have been awarded the Freedom of the Borough from Sefton Council. It is fantastic recognition for our staff and colleagues who have worked tirelessly and bravely during the Covid-19 pandemic.
 
“Alder Hey is privileged to play a vital role in supporting the health of children in Sefton and around the world. This would not be possible without the support we receive from children and families around the Borough and from our friends and partners in the Local Authority and other agencies.”
 
Joe Rafferty CBE, Chief Executive of Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: 
“Like all other NHS organisations, the COVID-19 pandemic presented huge challenges for Mersey Care and I see this honour as recognition for everyone who have worked so hard during some of the most difficult times in the history of the NHS.
 
“We’ve had to adapt, quite often find different ways of working, but I’m extremely proud of the way we’ve continued to care and kept our mental health and community health patients and service users safe.”

Previous organisations to have been granted Freedom of the Borough include RAF Woodvale, in 2011, and No. 238 (Sefton) Squadron, 156 Regiment, Royal Corps of Transport, in 1982. Individuals who have had the honour bestowed upon them include Jamie Carragher, in 2004, and Donald “Ginger” McCain in 2006.

HMS Mersey will receive Freedom status in April while England footballer Alex Greenwood will also receive the Freedom of the Borough in a ceremony planned for late 2023.

Sefton Council’s Chief Executive announces retirement

23 January 2023
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Essential Sefton, Front Page, Latest News

 

Sefton Council Chief Executive Dwayne Johnson
Dwayne Johnson, Chief Executive of Sefton Council

Sefton Council’s chief executive will retire later this year after more than four decades of public service.

Stepping down

Dwayne Johnson, Chief Executive of Sefton Council, today (23 January) announced he will retire later this year, stepping down from the post he has held since 2019.

He has worked in local government for over 40 years and started out as a Care Assistant in County Durham and worked for a number of Councils in the northeast. Dwayne has worked in local authorities across the Liverpool City Region, first in Knowsley then Halton, before finally arriving at Sefton in 2015 as Director of Social Care and Health, and became Chief Executive after the Council’s previous CEO, Margaret Carney, retired in 2019.

Integrity and transparency

Leader of Sefton Council, Cllr Ian Maher, said: “I want to take this opportunity to thank Dwayne for everything he has done for Sefton over the last 8 years.

“As Chief Executive he has acted with integrity and transparency, and he is highly respected in Sefton, as a dedicated, effective Chief Executive.

“His open and honest approach, with staff, elected members and partners alike, has gained him respect across the Liverpool City Region.

“I know many of our staff have welcomed Dwayne’s approachable and friendly manner, many of whom look forward to reading his fortnightly blog, with hundreds of staff watching and engaging with his monthly “Teams Q&A” live sessions.

“Dwayne led the Council’s response to Covid-19, which saw Sefton at the forefront of testing, with the first ever dedicated walk-through Covid-19 testing sites in Cheshire and Merseyside being deployed by the army and Council staff in Sefton. He also chaired the Merseyside Resilience Forum’s Test and Trace cell, ensuring swift and easy access to testing for all Merseyside residents.

“He will be greatly missed by all of us across the Council, and I know everyone who has worked with him will wish him and his family all the best in his retirement.”

Enormous privilege 

Dwayne said: “Sefton is a very special place, and it has been an enormous privilege to work here to serve the fantastic people of Sefton.

“When I started as a care assistant 40 years ago, it was never part of my career plan to become a Chief Executive. Until very recently I still retained my social work registration and it’s been an honour to serve the profession for so long.

“All of my colleagues across the Council have been amazing, and I always felt an immense sense of pride of having the privilege to lead such a wonderful workforce. We have been through some tough times, but with each one our staff met the challenge and delivered, coming out stronger as a result.

“I would like to thank all colleagues and members for their hard work and dedication, and for making my time at Sefton so enjoyable.

“I am proud of what we are achieving in the borough by working together with our partners across the public, private and voluntary sectors. We are making significant steps forward in integrating with health and with regeneration, with many exciting developments across the borough.

“Sefton will always be special to me, and I will continue to take a keen interest in the borough and will watch it develop and go on to achieve future successes.”

Process to recruit

The council will now begin the process to recruit a new chief executive, with Dwayne stepping down once the new Chief Executive is in post.

The post is expected to be advertised in February with the interview process spanning March and April.

More information will be available on the Sefton Council website. 

Sefton Council makes ‘Care Experienced’ a protected characteristic

19 January 2023
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Essential Sefton, Featured Friendship News, Front Page, Latest News

At a full Council meeting last night, Sefton Council voted to make ‘care experienced’ a protected characteristic, putting it on equal footing with race and gender when it comes to fighting discrimination and ensuring equal opportunity for all.

It follows England’s Independent Review of Children’s Social Care which recommended care experience be a protected characteristic following lobbying by people with experience of the system.

The move is the latest in a line of changes aimed at strengthening the voice and needs of cared for and care experienced children and young people in Sefton and strengthens the council’s role as a corporate parent.

Care experienced includes all children who have had prolonged contact with our social care team; some may have been fostered, some placed with family members or others may have received support in a placement. This cohort face significant challenges upon leaving the care system and are statistically more likely to struggle across a range of areas including education, employment and housing.

In recognising ‘care experienced’ as a protected characteristic, the Council will actively seek out and listen to the voices of care experienced people in the same way they would ensure voices across the spectrum of age, gender, race and disability are heard. It will ensure that all decisions the Council make, the policies they set and the services they commission always consider the specific needs of care experienced young people and the impact on them.

 

Speaking at the Council meeting last night, Cllr Diane Roscoe, Cabinet Member for Education said:

“Care experienced people face some of the greatest inequalities in life and the biggest hurdles. There are invisible barriers that hold care experienced children back. Instead of the love and care they need and deserve, they can face discrimination, stigma and prejudice.

“We as councillors our officers and partners are all corporate parents of care experienced people and we need to give them a voice and consider their needs in everything we do. We call upon other bodies to adopt corporate parenting principals such as signing up to our Caring Business Charter and join us in ensuring that our Care Experienced people are supported and have the tools to build a happy, healthy future

“Good parents continue to support, champion, care for, and be ambitious for their children throughout their life and the council and our partners have a responsibility to ensure that children in its care have the same opportunities and outcomes as children in more traditional families.”

 

The move to make ‘care experienced’ a protected characteristic was inspired by the work of Terry Galloway, a campaigner who has care experience and was in over 100 different placements as a child.

Speaking after the motion was agreed last night, Terry Galloway said:

“I am delighted to see Sefton Council make ‘care experienced’ a protected characteristic. It is encouraging to see local authorities willing to listen to care experienced people, learn from our experiences and commit to improving their services.

“When I left care, my life was chaotic and I was not well supported; it did not feel like anyone had a responsibility to care for me. I campaign for the rights of those leaving care to ensure that no one in my position feels like they are on their own when they reach adulthood.

“Recognising ‘care experienced’ as a protected characteristic will give a voice to those most in need and represents a lifelong commitment to cared for young people who are approaching adulthood; it signals that they will be supported, listened to and valued.

“The next step is to engage with care experienced people of all ages to find out what discrimination they have face, both direct and indirect. It has to be deep and not just through the lens of what services local authorities provide, but go right out into the community in places like prisons, education, DWP and Health because discrimination is everywhere.  When we hear that voice and understand it, then change will happen.”

 

ENDS

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