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Huge improvements announced for Kings Gardens

25 October 2021
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Borough Of Culture, Essential Sefton, Featured Friendship News, Front Page, Latest News

King’s Gardens in Southport is set to undergo a series of improvement works designed to restore and regenerate a number of the park’s key features.

The large scale maintenance programme, made possible via Sefton Council’s own King’s Garden’s contingency fund, will see the popular site undergo a series of restorative works, costing nearly ÂŁ90,000.

Transformation

King’s Gardens underwent a major ÂŁ5.5 million transformation in 2012 and was formally reopened in 2016, having welcomed millions of visitors to its stunning Victorian inspired landscape in the years that followed.

Now Sefton Council’s Tourism & Green Sefton teams are working together to begin a six month series of works to restore the Gardens after nearly five years of continuous use and enjoyment.

Works will include:

  • Repainting and repairs to the Venetian Bridge, shelters & benches
  • Improvements to the landscape areas including trees and shrub beds
  • Repairs and repainting to bins and benches
  • Lighting column repairs
  • Play Area maintenance
  • Tea Rooms and Arts & Craft building repairs

Gem

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health & Wellbeing said: “King’s Gardens is a beautiful gem in the crown of our Sefton Coastline and is visited all year round by hundreds of thousands of families and tourists.

“There are few finer places to be on a sunny day than Kings Gardens and playing host to so many people over the years has an unavoidable impact with wear and tear on the overall appearance of the park and this winter presents an opportune time to carry out a large scale maintenance programme.

“After 18 months that have seen our parks and green spaces play a vital role for people through lockdowns as a place to relax, exercise and meet friends and family safely.

“King’s Gardens continues to be a hugely popular visitor attraction and its continued influx of tourists is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team that make the green space a great place that everyone can enjoy.

“I can’t wait to see King’s Gardens in all its glory for the 2022 summer season.

Victorian roots

“While still maintaining its beautiful Victorian roots, the Kings Garden’s of the 21st century was revamped, becoming the largest single investment in parks by the Heritage Lottery Fund in the North West.

“The gardens were restored to their former glory, with Victorian shelters and the Venetian Bridge transformed and extensive landscaping along with a large children’s play area created but the time has come for a wide scale ‘top-up’ refurbishment.”

Find out more about Seton Council’s parks and greenspaces. 

 

 

Aeration fountains ordered for Botanic Gardens lake improvements thanks to community fundraising efforts

22 October 2021
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Green Sefton, Latest News

Two aeration fountains have been ordered as part of the first phase of lakeside improvements at Southport’s popular Botanic Gardens.

Fundraising efforts

The installation of the new aeration systems will be overseen by Sefton Council and will cost ÂŁ8,500. These costs will be covered by recent fundraising efforts from the Make a Change for Ben group who have donated their funds raised to date to the Botanic Gardens Community Association, a long-standing voluntary group overseeing maintenance and activities at the park.

At the end of August, Sefton Council met with members of the two groups and outlined ideas for up to ÂŁ30,000 in improvements for the lake and lakeside area.

At the meeting, the groups agreed to prioritise the aerating fountains as the first phase, with the equipment now on order and works expected to be completed this autumn.

Cllr Ian Moncur, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said:

“I’m really pleased to be able to say that we are moving forward with the initial improvements to the lake area at the Botanic Gardens and I do want to pass on a huge thank you to everyone in the community who has contributed to the local fundraising efforts to date.

“I know that fundraising activities continue and the generosity of our communities that know and love this park is unwavering.

“Our Green Sefton officers have a long-standing partnership with the Botanic Gardens Community Association and will continue to work with them and all community partners to drive forward further improvements for the whole park. This is in line with our longer-term vision to source a multi-million-pound investment to ensure this historic site can be enjoyed for generations to come.”

Nicola Cave, Community Campaigner, said: 

“We are absolutely delighted by the news of the progress being made to fit aerators in Botanic Gardens Lake. In particular we’d like to thank Cllr Ian Moncur and the Council officers for engaging so positively with the Make A Change For Ben campaign and Cllr Greg Myers for his ongoing assistance.

“We must also thank every single person who has donated to the campaign to make this a reality and cannot wait to see the new aeration fountains in action very soon.”

David Rawsthorne, Make a Change for Ben Campaign Founder, said:

“I am absolutely delighted that our campaign and Sefton Council have worked hand-in- hand over the last three months to secure local contractors to carry out works on the aeration fountains. Huge thanks to all the people who have got involved and helped to get us where we are now.”

Earlier this year, Sefton Council’s Green Sefton Service confirmed it was looking at ways to develop and improve the Botanic Gardens to offer better facilities for its communities as well as providing a positive boost to the local visitor economy.

Heritage

In time, it is expected funding will be sought from streams through organisations that support the heritage sector. Around £5 million is likely to be required to deliver the Council’s ambitious plans to transform the park.

The major proposals are at the very early stages of development and next steps will include launching a public consultation in 2022. This will bring together the views of residents, regular park users, visitors and the dedicated volunteer groups who support many projects at the park to keep the space clean, green and beautiful for all.

Anyone interested in helping to shape the developing project, or would like to volunteer in the Botanic Gardens, can contact the Botanic Gardens Community Association at https://botanicgardensca.org.uk/

Sefton listens to the views of children whose parents foster

22 October 2021
Charlene Smith
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Uncategorized, Young People

Throughout October Sefton has been celebrating Sons and Daughter Month. This is an annual campaign to recognise and say ‘thank you’ to the children of fosters carers for the important work they do in welcoming vulnerable children into their home.

In the lead up to Sons and Daughters Month, Sefton listened to children from fostering families who spoke about how fostering impacts their life, the challenges that growing up in a fostering family brings and the benefits it has.

The children told us;

They explained that the extra rules, lots of visitors to the house could be hard. The biggest impact was seeing their parents time and attention divided.

Some children described the ‘buzz’ of meeting new children and how it brought their family closer;

Cllr Mhairi Doyle MBE, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said:

“It’s so important for us to recognise the vital role that children of foster carers play in helping vulnerable young people. Thank you to all those who shared their thoughts and feelings with us. Listening to your voice is key in helping us to continually improve and shape the service to ensure that it benefits children in our care and foster families.

“Our Sons and Daughters really are a testament to our foster carers as they welcome many children who may be scared or unsure, into their homes, make them feel safe and secure and help them settle in.

“If you are thinking about fostering and you already have children, please don’t see this as a barrier. Sefton involves the children of foster carers every step of the way and do all that we can to make them feel valued. Our carers with children tell us how fostering has many benefits in enhancing their life and bringing them closer together as a family unit.

Angela Sitoe Sefton Fostering’s Training Development Officer, conducted the survey and said:

“I was bowled over reading the children’s experiences and by how generous and welcoming they are.  It is clear this can be difficult at times. Thanks to all who support the children in our foster families to be open, loving and where possible make life long connections.”

Sefton’s Foster Carers receive full training and support, plus payments for their skills and allowances. Anyone who is thinking about fostering can find out more by speaking to one of the team. Get in touch on our freephone number 0800 923 2777

People can also find out more on our dedicated website https://seftonfostering.co.uk/ 

Sefton Council to provide voucher scheme for families eligible for free school meals this half-term holiday

22 October 2021
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Sefton Council

Sefton Council will, once again, be providing vital ‘much-needed’ school holiday meal vouchers to eligible local families during next week’s half-term holiday.

The Council is using its Household Support Grant funding allocation from the Department of Work and Pensions to provide this invaluable service.

Like during previous holidays, families eligible for free school meals are being given supermarket vouchers that can be used to purchase food. Worth ÂŁ15 per week per for each child, the vouchers are valid to buy food in-store and online at local supermarkets. They cannot be used to purchase alcohol, tobacco, lottery tickets, phone top ups or stamps.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing said:

“During the COIVID-19 pandemic the Council has seen a significant rise in eligibility for free school meals so providing these vouchers though the school holiday is vital.

“This is particularly the case when many families are facing the fallout from the Government’s recent £20 per week cut in Universal Credit payments, rising household fuel costs and rising prices in the shops.”

Sefton Council provided similar voucher schemes since last year’s October half-term holiday and intends providing similar cover over this year’s Christmas holiday and the February half term and Easter holidays in 2022.

Additionally, over 5,000 meals, in the form of takeaway packed lunches, were prepared and distributed as part of a similar scheme during the schools summer break.

Cllr Hardy added:

“Families across Sefton who do not currently receive free school meals but think they might be eligible can visit www.sefton.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals  to find out whether they qualify and how to apply.

“Our website also contains information for people on Universal Credit, benefits and a range of related topics including help with rent and Council Tax and the Borough’s Foodbank Network at www.sefton.gov.uk/advice-benefits”.

Sefton Council agrees to consider closure procedure for St Teresa’s Catholic Infant & Nursery School

21 October 2021
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Sefton Council

In line with a request from the school’s Governing Body, Sefton Council is starting procedures to propose the closure of St.Teresa’s Catholic Infant and Nursery School in Southport.

After being advised by the Governing Body that they have exhausted all options available to increase pupil numbers, the Local Authority has agreed to consider instigating the procedure for closing the school.

To avoid any speculation or rumour, the school’s headteacher has written to all pupils’ families and has held a meeting with all staff. An announcement will also be made to parishioners at St Teresa’s R C Church on Sunday.

The letter tells parents that Sefton Council will progress the matter at the next Cabinet meeting, which will be held on Thursday 4th November.

Calendar of Council meetings.

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