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Have your say on future improvements of Southport’s Hesketh Park

9 August 2021
Amy Hitchmough
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Categories: Front Page, Green Sefton, Latest News, Your Sefton

Sefton Council’s Green Sefton team has launched a public consultation to gather ideas and thoughts on ways to further improve the facilities at Southport’s Hesketh Park.

Residents across the Borough, as well as volunteers groups, visitors, and local businesses, are being asked to share their opinion on priorities for the park for the local community and visitors alike. Development ideas will be considering both recreational and heritage-led improvements. They might include ways to improve play facilities, and opportunities for improvements to ground maintenance, planting and heritage features. New ideas are also welcomed to help form a new vision for the park.

Have your say and help shape a new vision for the park!
Have your say and help shape a new vision for the park!

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “With more than 30 main parks across the Borough, we have a wide range of facilities for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy spending time outdoors. Our Green Sefton team is always looking at ways to work with the community to enhance and improve our offer, so I welcome this opportunity for people to share their vision for Southport’s Hesketh Park.

“All views and ideas are welcomed to ensure the Green Sefton team incorporates the community’s ideas into any potential improvement plans.”

This public consultation builds upon the work already undertaken by the Green Sefton team to ensure that the much-loved park remains true to its past but also stays fit for future generations to enjoy. The first phase of repair works on the Park’s historic conservatory has now been completed. This was as a result of Sefton Council successfully securing a ÂŁ22,000 grant from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund for stabilisation of the structure before a more extensive refurbishment of the building could be planned.

Green Sefton is working in partnership with the Hesketh Park Heritage Group to undertake the consultation. Together they want to hear from members of the local community, and visitors, of all ages and backgrounds, to ensure any plans and subsequent funding bids are as representative as possible for those that utilise the park.

This follows the news that the Council has been contacted by the executors of a local family who wish to donate in the family name a substantial sum of money to the development and improvement of Hesketh Park following the passing of a family member.

Other funding schemes will also be scoped out following feedback gathered from the consultation in order to bring to fruition the community’s priorities.

Cllr Moncur added: “The consultation can be easily completed online and isn’t very lengthy, so please do get involved.”

The consultation is now open and will run until Wednesday 15th September. People can take part online and are encouraged to share the consultation with others that might like to share their thoughts and ideas.

The consultation can be found at: https://yourseftonyoursay.sefton.gov.uk/

A Chance to Meet ‘Lifechanging’ Foster Carers Sue & Derek

6 August 2021
Charlene Smith
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News, One Vision Housing, Sefton Council, Uncategorized

Sefton Council’s Fostering Services is delighted that local foster carers Sue and Derek will be attending its next virtual information session between 6 and 7pm on Tuesday 17th August. Charlotte, now 17, who has lived with Sue and Derek for six years said the couple changed her life.

Charlotte said:
“Living with Sue and Derek changed my life. They treat me really well, look out for me, do what’s best for me and it’s like being in a proper family.

“They’ve taught me to believe in myself so much that I am now working with the ‘Learning Foundry’ on a business idea I have for a youth bus which will help children meet friends and get advice and help.

“I don’t know where I would be without Sue and Derek’s love and support”

Aimed at anyone who has even thought about fostering, the online sessions are a chance for them to find out more about this rewarding role. At the next event Sue, who has been fostering for 18 years, and Derek, who has just been approved and is now fostering with Sue, will be talking about their own experiences and answering questions.

Speaking about life as a foster carer, Sue said:
“Being a foster carer can be one of the best things you can do. I have seen children unsure about their future, turning their lives around.”

Sue has created such a bond with the children she has looked after, that she has gone onto foster some young people, long term.

Sefton Council needs more foster carers and is inviting anyone who thinks they can give a loving and stable home to children across the Borough to attend the introductory session.

Maria Spatuzzi, Sefton’s Fostering Support Team Manager said:

“Fostering a child is an opportunity to change their life and help them to achieve their full potential.

“We hope anyone that has given fostering any consideration will join us for the online session on Tuesday 17th August to hear what Sue and Derek have to say about what is an extremely beneficial and rewarding the role.”

To join the session people should click on the link to the Teams meeting at 6pm on Tuesday 17th August.

Click here to join the meeting

To make an enquiry or find out more please visit www.seftonfostering.co.uk or call free on 0800 923 2777.

Crosby flats decision is ‘dangerous and baffling’ says Sefton Council

6 August 2021
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Essential Sefton, Front Page, Latest News

Sefton Council has hit out over a ‘dangerous and baffling’ decision by the Government’s Planning Inspectorate to allow a housing development that would see its occupants deprived of private outdoor amenities.

In November 2020, Sefton Council’s Planning Committee officially refused proposals to build a four-storey building comprising of 39 apartments at the former Central Buildings on Church Road, Crosby.

Making its decision, the Council cited ‘an unacceptable level of private amenity space, which would have a detrimental impact on the living conditions of the future occupiers’.

This is in line with conditions supplied to developers prior to planning submissions, in which Sefton Council makes clear it will not, under any circumstances, agree proposals lacking amenity space or space that is significantly below the standard. This is ‘to protect and improve the living conditions of its communities’.

However, the developer appealed to the Government’s Planning Inspectorate, which overturned Sefton Council’s decision.

In its ruling, the Planning Inspectorate stated that the development’s occupants will be able to grow plants indoors or walk to a ‘nearby’ park to make up for a lack of outdoor space. And, residents will have to use energy- consuming tumble-driers supplied, owing to the lack of an outdoor drying area. where they would live.

In a scathing letter to the Planning Inspectorate, Sefton Council’s Chief Planning Officer Derek McKenzie has criticised the Planning Inspectorate’s decision and its ‘blithe acceptance’ of the developer’s position.

He claims that by dismissing the local authorities’ concerns, the Planning Inspectorate’s Inspector ‘completely dismantles all prospect of residents in Crosby benefitting from amenity space in future developments.’

The decision gives developers the encouragement to forgo the provision of basic facilities and create development well below minimum standards expected by Sefton’s Local Plan and indeed the Government’s own planning and housing policies

Cllr Daren Veidman, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Building Control, said:
“These proposals are for 100% affordable housing, for people who would otherwise struggle to secure a home.

“Forcing these disadvantaged people to use expensive tumble dryers to dry their clothes risks driving them into fuel poverty, which is at odds with the basic principles of human rights.

“To flat out deny occupants a right to private outdoor space in any development is baffling and we are stunned that the Planning Inspectorate has dismissed our concerns.

“We have written to the Planning Inspectorate to express our grave concerns over this decision and we will continue to approach any future similar applications with the safety and security of our communities in the forefront of our minds.”

Cllr Veidman continued: “In its Annual Report, the Planning Inspectorate states that ‘sustainable development is at the heart of the Government policies that set the framework for its decisions and recommendations our Inspectors make’.

“All Inspectors’, the report claims, ‘are aware of their duty to ensure the planning system contributes to the achievement of sustainable development’.

“To be honest I am struggling to understand how forcing residents to use energy-inefficient tumble dryers and leaving them with a 30-minute walk to enjoy the benefits of a green open space, meets any of these claims.”

Transformation and regeneration get the green light in Bootle

5 August 2021
Bridie Finnan
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Categories: Bootle Strand, Front Page, Latest News

Bootle is headed for transformation and regeneration as Sefton Council have been granted planning permission for a new food, drink and events space in the heart of the Bootle, on the waterside of the Leeds-Liverpool canal.

Bootle Canalside, a multi-functional, open air food, drink and events space, is set to host a temporary pop up event over the August bank holiday. Local food and drink traders will serve food and drink from around the world from refurbished shipping containers in a nod to Bootle’s industrial history.  The event will be an opportunity to test the site with the community and gather feedback on what people in Bootle want to see from this exciting, new venue.

Located on a near derelict site in the town centre, Bootle Canalside, once completed, will include an urban garden, food and drink offer, leisure uses and events spaces. It will be a vibrant recreation and leisure area that makes full use of its fantastic setting and brings a new element to Bootle’s local economy. The space will bring new activity to the under-used land; stimulating the local economy, transforming the look and feel of the town for residents, businesses and visitors and improving the quality of life for the community.

The Canalside site is one of a number of areas of exciting progress in Bootle.  The development of an Area Action Plan in the coming months will ensure the views of the local communities and businesses who passionately want to see significant and transformational changes in Bootle are reflected in the plans. Alongside this, work continues on the future of the Strand Shopping Centre and the Council’s bid for the government’s Levelling Up Fund has been submitted.

The ÂŁ14.5million bid  – if approved by Government – will see construction and launch of a new, hi-tech digital and Virtual Reality (VR) venue hosting a unique visitor attraction and providing places for technology enhanced ‘competitive socialising.’ Bootle’s “Flying Theatre” will use a robotic hydraulic platform to create the feeling of flying through the British Isles and a VR Time-Travel Tunnel will take visitors on a journey through the ‘History of Bootle and Liverpool’, including an experience of the Blitz.

Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council said:

“We are proudly and passionately committed to the regeneration of Bootle which has been hit hard by the pandemic and has too often been overlooked.

“Our plans for transformation will contribute positively to the local and regional economy through job creation and act as a catalyst for wider investment, bringing interest and much needed focus to an area of our borough that is filled with opportunities.

“I am pleased with our progress so far as we continue on the road to regenerating one of our much loved town centres, the granting of planning permission for Bootle Canalside brings a key project one step closer and I know exciting times lie ahead for Bootle.”

 

 

Sefton businesses supported with ÂŁ97.7 million in grant payments throughout pandemic

5 August 2021
Martin Driver
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Categories: Business and Economy, Front Page, InvestSefton, Latest News

Sefton Council has supported its local businesses throughout the pandemic making 23,000 grant payments, totalling ÂŁ97.7 million, through local, regional and national financial support schemes.

Rate paying businesses have also been helped through business rates discounts saving them ÂŁ41.8 million during 2020/21, with a further ÂŁ22.5 million in discounts awarded to eligible businesses for this financial year.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, said:

“The past year and a half has been incredibly challenging for every single businesses owner here in our Borough. Hundreds of businesses were forced to close at various stages throughout the lockdowns and many will still be facing uncertainty about their future as we focus on the economic recovery now needed.

“The mammoth efforts of our Council officers have resulted in an incredible number of payments being issued to our businesses, offering a lifeline when they needed it the most.

“We recognise the key contribution these businesses make to the Sefton economy and we’ve been proud to support them through this time. Our businesses have been patient with us – as we’ve had to follow stringent processes and checks when administering these financial support packages – showing incredible resilience during these unprecedented times.”

The Council’s InvestSefton and Business Rates teams would normally have been delivering business growth and inward investment support while administering and collecting business rates. Instead the focus has been on supporting businesses financially, ensuring they could access important grant payments and other means of support as the health crisis continued.

Colleagues from different departments such as Tourism, Corporate Resources, Housing, Planning, Sefton@Work, Early Years and Adult Care have supported this vital stream of work to ensure that grants were issued to all eligible businesses.

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Cabinet Member for Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services, said:

 â€œWe’ve also helped businesses with practical support, issuing them with PPE, providing vital infrastructure for Covid-19 testing and our Environmental Health colleagues have supported the re-opening of the retail, hospitality and personal care sectors.

“We will continue to do all we can to ensure businesses get through this period, thriving and ready for the next challenge that they may face.”

A snapshot of statistics of the support offered to businesses since the pandemic began
A snapshot of statistics of the support offered to businesses since the pandemic began

Sefton Council has put together a snapshot of the support offered to businesses since the pandemic began:

  • The Business Rates team has received 27,000 requests for assistance compared to around 4,000 that would usually be received annually;
  • InvestSefton has dealt with more than 4,000 enquiries from manufacturers to cafes and all sorts of businesses in between;
  • To date, the Council has administered 23,000 grant payments through local, regional and national financial support packages and schemes;
  • That totals ÂŁ97.7 million in payments to businesses right across the Borough – from taxi drivers to childminders to pub landlords – with the total expected to increase further as the remaining schemes and payments are administered;
  • A total of ÂŁ41.8 million in business rates retail discounts were awarded in 2020/21 with a further ÂŁ22.5 million awarded in 2021/22;
  • The Council has expanded its connections across the Borough, and after key Government updates it has regularly contacted over 2,600 businesses with the latest updates relevant to them;
  • The InvestSefton website has had 40,000 visitors looking for help and support since March 2020 and similarly the dedicated Business Support page of the Sefton Council website has had 15,000 site visits from local businesses seeking support.

Stuart Barnes, Sefton Council’s Head of Economic Growth & Housing, said:

“We know that as these financial support schemes draw to a close, the scale of the economic recovery will become clearer. We’ll be here to help all Sefton businesses in whatever way we can to ensure that they continue to succeed.

“Our InvestSefton advisors are only a phone call, email, video call or coffee away and our Business Rates team are available to support our rate paying businesses Borough-wide. There’s no question they haven’t heard and are very much looking forward to better days ahead, where they’ll be right there beside our businesses on the road to recovery and beyond.”

To find out how InvestSefton can help your business contact 0151 934 3452 or email investsefton@sefton.gov.uk or visit www.investsefton.com

Details of business rates support can be found on the Council’s website at www.sefton.gov.uk/business/business-rates/covid-19-business-support-for-202021-202122/

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