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Sefton LGBT+ Consultation Launched

13 August 2021
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Sefton Council

Sefton LGBT+ Survey logo overlaid on a photo of the Another Place statues on Crosby BeachA borough-wide consultation into the experiences and needs of Seftonā€™s LGBT+ community has been launched.

The work aims to discover what it means to be LGBT+ in Sefton – if people feel safe, supported and seen – and what kind of events and services might enhance and improve their lives in the borough and beyond.

The consultation is being facilitated by LCR Pride Foundation, the Liverpool City Regionā€™s LGBT+ organisation, and supported by Sefton Council. The foundation was established in 2019 with the founding mission to position all six boroughs as the most LGBT+ friendly region in the UK and improving the lives of LGBT+ living in and visiting the region.

Andi Herring, CEO of LCR Pride Foundation, said:

ā€œThe consultation has been launched in response to conversations that the Liverpool Echo has had with the local community and feedback we have received from LGBT+ people living in Sefton who want to bring the community together in a more local setting.

ā€œAs has been the case in other areas in the city region, the feedback was originally focused around ideas for a Pride festival in the borough. However, ongoing conversations have highlighted wider concerns in the community including lack of representation or space spaces for LGBT+ people, fear of discrimination and hate crime, and isolation.

ā€œIt is important that any event, service or initiative that is created to support and celebrate the LGBT+ community in Sefton is aligned with the needs, wants and concerns of that community. We want to encourage the community in Sefton to engage with the survey so they can have their say and shape the outcomes of the consultation.ā€

Once complete, the results of the consultation will be shared with the public and LCR Pride Foundation will work with the community, local organisations and Sefton Council to facilitate and develop action points raised.

A spokesperson for Sefton Council said:

ā€œWe welcome the launch of the LCR Pride Foundationā€™s Sefton LGBT+ Survey, and weā€™re keen to receive and review all of the responses once the survey has concluded.

ā€œAs a Borough for everyone, weā€™re committed to supporting our diverse communities, giving those who live, work, study and visit Sefton the opportunity to help us better understand their needs.

ā€œWorking in partnership with the LCR Pride Foundation, and other partners across the Borough, we want to play our part in making the Liverpool City Region the most LGBT+ friendly region in the UK, and we welcome any ideas in how we can achieve that goal. A key part of this is ensuring that our LGBT+ community not only feel safe and valued, but that they are visible.

ā€œAdditionally, we want to make it absolutely clear that hate crimes, whether it be physical, verbal or online, will not be tolerated in Sefton, and we work with a number of partners including Merseyside Police to eradicate hate crimes from our communities. Weā€™d like to remind people that they can report a hate crime 24/7 by contacting the police, visiting sefton.gov.uk, or anonymously via Stop Hate UK.ā€

If you identify as LGBT+ and live in Sefton, you can have your say. Simply go to www.lcrpride.co.uk/sefton and complete the survey by midnight on Thursday 30th September 2021.

Free App launched to help with increased COVID related drinking

13 August 2021
Amy Hitchmough
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Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News

The ā€˜Lower My Drinkingā€™ app has been launched for residents of Sefton and the wider Cheshire and Merseyside area. It is free to download for anyone who lives or works in the area.

The launch of the app is part of a new campaign from the NHS and local councils in Cheshire and Merseyside. The campaign aims to help local people to reduce drinking to the recommended limit of 14 units a week or less. This is of particular importance in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic which saw a rise in harmful drinking and its consequences on people, communities and services.

Research from Alcohol Change UK indicates that 1 in 5 people (21%) have been drinking more often during lockdown, with frequent and daily drinkers further increasing the amount they drink. This matters as habits are formed quickly but can be hard to break.

Alcoholā€™s effects on mental health are particularly concerning, as are those of tensions in household, especially for those with children. Even more worryingly, the 2020 Office for National Statistic (ONS) data showed the highest rate of alcohol deaths since records began.

Margaret Jones, Director of Public Health at Sefton Council,Ā said: ā€œThe past 18 months have been incredibly challenging for all of us and statistics show that many people reported higher alcohol consumption during lockdown. We want people to be aware and mindful of their alcohol consumption so as not to impact negatively on their mental and physical health. The Lower My Drinking app allows people to see how much alcohol they consume and provides useful guidance. I would urge people in Sefton to download the app and take a positive step towards better health and wellbeing.ā€

Dr Paul Richardson, Deputy Divisional Medical Director at Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: ā€œNow is the perfect time to make changes to drinking habits as routines change with more people returning to work and people now being able to see family and friends. It is the time to get our health back on track and feel better about ourselves as life slowly returns to normality.ā€

Fiona Taylor, chief officer at NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Southport and Formby CCG, said: ā€œDrinking too much alcohol can increase your risk of serious health conditions, affect your quality of life and impact on relationships. If you feel like you want to lower your drinking, by a little or a lot, then download the app and make a change today.ā€

The app is an effective tool that helps individuals to set and achieve a drinking reduction goal. It allows people to track progress, identify their motivation for reducing their drinking as well as highlighting issues that could potentially cause someone to drink more than is healthy for them and gives a set of proven skills that can be used to address these.

It also offers practical steps that you can add into your weekly routine to help lower your drinking such as:

  • regularly reviewing your drinking habits
  • comparing your drinking levels every week to see how you score
  • using motivational techniques to help you on your journey to healthier drinking
  • setting yourself alerts to help you on your way to staying on top of your drinking levels

Lorna Smythe, 46, from St Helens knew she was drinking too much at the start of the first lockdown. ā€œIā€™m unsure if COVID caused me to drink more but it certainly didnā€™t help. There were a lot of things to worry about at home.”

Lower My Drinking positive story of mum who decreased alcohol consumption using free app

The mum of four has made changes to her drinking habits and says she canā€™t believe how good it feels. ā€œIā€™m more positive and have been able to do more things.Ā  Iā€™ve even started Boxercise twice a week!Ā  Iā€™m getting fitter and I absolutely love it.Ā  Iā€™m in a much better place.ā€Ā 

To download the app visit Google Play or App Store.

 

St Lukeā€™s Halsall C of E School pupils design Crosby beach safety banners

13 August 2021
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Green Sefton, Latest News

Sefton Council has passed on a big ā€˜well doneā€™ to pupils from Years 1 and 4 at St Lukeā€™s Halsall C of E School for creating colourful beach safety banners that are now on display at Crosby ā€“ the schoolā€™s local beach.

The banners were designed earlier this year while the children were undertaking a project around staying safe while visiting the coast. 

St Lukeā€™s Primary School beach safety banner
St Lukeā€™s Primary School beach safety banner

Anyone visiting Crosby this summer is urged to look out for them as well as the permanent safety signs which can be found at every access point to the beach.

Close up of safety signage at Crosby beach
Close up of safety signage at Crosby beach

They highlight that Crosby is not a designated bathing beach and that other possible dangers like soft mud & sand, as well as incoming tides, mean that people should stay within 50m of the promenade/ sea wall.

Please follow the advice of RNLI lifeguards during your visit, they are on patrol at all Sefton beaches during the summer months:

  • Visit a lifeguarded beach & swim between the red and yellow flags (no swimming at beaches like Crosby that are not designated bathing water)
  • If you get into trouble in the water ā€˜Float to Liveā€™ ā€“ lie on your back and relax, resisting the urge to thrash about
  • Call 999 or 112 in an emergency and ask for the Coastguard

Plan your beach visit with everything you need to know on our dedicated beaches page www.sefton.gov.uk/beaches or more specific beach safety advice can be found on the RNLI website at www.rnli.org/safety/beach-safety

Hop on board the vaccine bus to get your jab

11 August 2021
Amy Hitchmough
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Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News

The NHS COVID-19 vaccination bus is on its way to south Sefton, allowing people to get the vaccine without making an appointment.

The bus will be at Asda in Strand Road, Bootle on 10-12 August from 10am to 4pm, offering the Pfizer vaccine.

Anyone over 18 can hop on board and get their jab. This includes those who have previously been invited but have not yet taken up the offer of a vaccine.

NHS COVID19 vaccine bus in Sefton

Fiona Taylor, chief officer of NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), said: ā€œItā€™s just as important to get vaccinated now as it was on day one of the programme. The arrival of the vaccine bus will make it easier for people living, working or out shopping near Bootle to come and get vaccinated, especially for those who may have struggled to get to a clinic further afield. Having the vaccine protects yourself and your loved ones from the virus, so please take advantage of the offer and get vaccinated. It has never been easier to walk in and get your jab while you are out and about.ā€

Vaccines will be given on a first come, first served basis and people do not need to be registered with a GP to receive a vaccine on the bus.

Walk-in vaccinations are also available at Seaforth village surgery, with next available clinics to run from Tuesday 17 August to Saturday 21 August.

As of 5 August, a total of 203,549 doses have been administered by the NHS to people living in south Sefton. This consists of 110,202 first doses and 93,347 second doses.

The various other ways you can get your COVID-19 vaccination in Sefton are:

For the latest information on vaccine eligibility, visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/who-can-get-the-vaccine/.

Answers to frequently asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccines can be found here: https://www.southseftonccg.nhs.uk/coronavirus-information/covid-19-vaccination-faqs-sefton/.

Dog owners reminded of their responsibilities in Seftonā€™s outdoor spaces as pet ownership rises

10 August 2021
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Green Sefton, Latest News

Sefton Council is encouraging dog owners, whether theyā€™ve just become pet parents or have always enjoyed the company of their four-legged friends, to familiarise themselves with their responsibilities under the Dog Control Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO).

Signage on park railings outlining the rules of the PSPO
Signage on park railings outlining the rules of the PSPO

The measures, aimed at promoting responsible dog ownership and ensuring streets and parks are safe, clean places for all, were approved by the Council at the end of April.

Failure to comply could see owners issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice of Ā£75 by Civil Enforcement Officers monitoring Seftonā€™s parks and highways.

The Order has been reintroduced at a time when national statistics show that 3.2 million households* in the UK acquired a pet during the pandemic. That means there are now 34 million pets* in the UK including 12 million dogs* who need to be walked and exercised in public outdoors spaces. 

The summer months also see higher visitor numbers across Seftonā€™s parks, including those who bring their dogs with them, and can sometimes result in an increase in reports of dog mess.

Sefton Council is advising people to make sure they know their responsibilities as dog owners when using its beautiful outdoor spaces during this time, whether they are a resident or a visitor.

As well as it still being an offence to not remove dog fouling, the PSPO:

  • Restricts the number of dogs that can be walked by one person to a maximum of six;
  • Prohibits dogs from entering enclosed playgrounds and fenced sports pitches, including multi use game sport facilities;
  • Prohibits dogs from entering marked sports pitches during specified periods;
  • Ensures dogs are kept on a lead of no more than 2m within defined picnic sites and family areas, all A & B roads and footways and all cemeteries and crematoria;
  • Allows authorised officers to direct a dog owner to place their dog on a lead to prevent a nuisance or behaviour likely to cause annoyance or disturbance to others.

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Cabinet Member for Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services, said: ā€œWe know that dog owners get so much joy from their pets and here in Sefton we have some absolutely stunning places for them to spend time outdoors, to take vital exercise with their beloved pooches.

ā€œAs a local authority we want our residents and visitors to the Borough to enjoy walking their pets here. All we ask in return is for them to take note of the areas where dogs need to be kept on a lead or where they canā€™t be walked, and to clear up after their pets. This ensures that dogs and humans can utilise these spaces in harmony while promoting a cleaner and greener environment which everyone can enjoy.ā€

Lamppost sticker outlining the rules of the PSPO
Lamppost sticker outlining the rules of the PSPO

Existing signage across the Councilā€™s parks, playgrounds and picnic areas has been reviewed and is being updated where needed. New lamppost stickers and further signage is also being placed across the Borough to ensure people are aware of the Order. 

Cllr Lappin added: ā€œMost dog owners across the Borough already understand and do most of the things in the Order anyway, itā€™s a small minority who flout the rules and should expect to face a fine from our Enforcement Officers if they continue to ignore the clear responsibilities required of them.ā€

Further detail about the PSPO can be found on the Councilā€™s website at www.sefton.gov.uk/dogs

*Pet ownership statistics taken from the Pet Food Manufacturers Association annual pet population data: https://www.pfma.org.uk/news/pfma-releases-latest-pet-population-data

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