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Sefton Council leader calls Government’s Levelling Up announcement ‘another slap in face’

19 January 2023
Martin Driver
No comments
Categories: Business and Economy, Front Page, Latest News
Cllr Ian Maher
Council Leader Cllr Ian Maher

Responding to news that the Government has once again turned down Sefton Council’s Levelling Up Fund bids focused on Bootle and Crosby, the authority’s Leader Cllr Ian Maher said:

“By once again ignoring our bids that would have supported the revitalisation of Bootle and Crosby, the Government has confirmed it has no interest in real levelling up in this country.

“Despite us pointing out that these were areas which were hardest hit by COVID-19 and where some of the country’s highest levels of deprivation are found, the Government’s so-called Department of Levelling Up insisted on assessing our bids in the lowest category.

“This has meant deprived urban areas like Bootle and Crosby’s needs have been assessed against places like the Royal Borough of Tunbridge Wells, Windsor where the Royal Family live, Cambridge and the City of London.

Slap in the face 

“Sadly, this is yet another slap in the face for local people which represents neither a ‘stepping up’, ‘gauging up’ or ‘enhancing communities’ no matter what this Government wants its MPs to call it.

“It’s a setback to our ambitious plans, but we are determined to do what this Government refuses to step up to deliver the boosts our local communities, economies and businesses deserve.

“However, if Sefton is to nonsensically remain in the lowest level of priority, we need to reflect on whether we should be continuing to invest our scarce resources in these incessant beauty contests, which this time has seen funding awarded for the Prime Minister’s own constituency and for Rutland, one of the least deprived constituencies in the country.”

Bootle

In Bootle, Levelling UP funding would have helped underpin the major regeneration scheme to transform the town centre, focused on the iconic The Bootle Strand. 

The plans will result in a more diverse and better-quality town centre with new food and drink; culture, arts and entertainment space which will be branded Salt and Tar and will host Comedy and Music festivals later this year. There will also be a new, hi-tech gigabyte fast digital hub, education and training, business support and a new integrated health and social care hub will all be available on the high-street.

Crosby

In Crosby, the funding would have underpinned a programme of regeneration that will enhance the viability and vitality of Crosby town centre and support local businesses by helping to attract more residents and visitors. Among the elements of the plan are a new learning, skills, health and well-being hub housing a library, GP/community health care and a place for people to both work and develop skills.

A significant upgrade of the main gateways into Crosby town centre, better pedestrian and cycle access and new electric vehicle charging points in car parks, is also planned.

You can find out more about Sefton’s bids here.

Sefton historian takes deep dive in Southport’s Napoleon legend

18 January 2023
Ollie Cowan
No comments
Categories: Business and Economy, Front Page, Latest News, Uncategorized
Emperor Napoleon III

Sefton Council historians are working hard to get to the bottom of a 170 year-old legend involving a French Emperor and his supposed love of Southport.

Prince Louis Napoleon

As the local authority continues to work on incredible plans for its Les Transformations de Southport scheme and the Southport Townscape Heritage Project, historians have been delving deep into a legendary tale which suggests the famous boulevards of Paris were inspired by Prince Louis Napoleon III’s experiences of Lord Street in Southport.

On the 150th anniversary of Napoleon III’s passing, Sefton Council’s Heritage officer Sue Latimer has published her latest findings in an ongoing investigation into the well-known legend.

Striking resemblance

Sue argues the similarities between Southport’s wide, tree-lined Lord Street and the boulevards of Paris cannot be ignored.

She said: “There is no doubt the splendour of Victorian and Edwardian era Southport and Napoleon III’s Paris bear a striking resemblance, especially the iconic Champs ElysĂ©es.

“It is this similarity which has led to the belief that Prince Louis Napoleon III, during his mid-1800s exile in England, was inspired and awestruck by the town, in particular Lord Street’s airy width.

“We know that on his eventual return to France, he worked with a renowned architect to redesign Paris into the tree lined boulevard style that is famous around the world and many cannot help but wonder just where he got his inspiration from!”

Townscape Heritage

Sue works on Sefton Council’s Southport Townscape Heritage Project, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, which is supporting the regeneration of a number of historic properties in the town centre.

The Townscape Heritage project focuses on four streets connecting Lord Street and the Promenade – Coronation Walk, Scarisbrick Avenue, Nevill Street and Bold Street.

Within this small area, you’ll find buildings representing every aspect of Southport’s history and its wildly varied architecture.

There are large hotels and small cottages, later turned into shops; art deco and mock-Tudor styles; verandas and monuments.

Key buildings are eligible for grant-aid to refurbish and restore their historic features, benefiting both their commercial potential and enhancing the streetscape.

Recently works were completed on the refurbishment of 509-515 Lord Street to reinstate the shop fronts and create new flats above, thanks to funding from the project.

Les Transformations de Southport

The work of the team compliments the ongoing Les Transformations de Southport scheme, which is designed to support Southport’s return to the grandeur of Victorian England by focusing on improving physical connections and routes across the town centre.

Sue continued: “There’re no prizes for guessing what inspired the ‘Les Transformations
’ name.

“Historians have found documents stretching back over a century which support the story – one even claims Louis-NapolĂ©on Bonaparte rented a property on Lord Street itself, while other records confirm the eventual Emperor of France visited Lancashire and was friends with the Gerard family who were well known in Southport.

“While we continue to look for more evidence, there is one undeniable truth – Southport’s splendour is up there with the world’s best.”

Find out more about the Napoleon connection by reading  Sue’s fascinating investigation here.

Update on the improvements to visitor facilities at Ainsdale-on-Sea

17 January 2023
Amy Hitchmough
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Green Sefton, Latest News

Sefton Council have gone out to tender for works to deliver improved facilities at Ainsdale-On-Sea. The tender will be live until February 10.

Through the summer months in 2022, visitors to Ainsdale were again able to enjoy the benefits of initiatives being funded by the Council to improve the experience for beach goers.

This included the reopening of existing toilet facilities after a small refurbishment earlier in the year. A daily cleaning regime was in place through the summer months, ensuring the amenities were maintained to a high quality.

Cars parked on Ainsdale beach

And, now as part of additional funding for 2023, further improvements to toilet and wash facilities will be delivered, which will see a full refurbishment of the building, the reintroduction of shower facilities, drinking water and an accessible Changing Places toilet installed too.

The funding will enable the delivery of infrastructure improvements to the coastal gateway, including the development of an off beach car park. An updated planning application has been submitted and works are now out to tender.

The car park will have solar-powered pay and display machines, cycle parking and electric vehicle charging points. Monies generated from parking charges will fund new Rangers on site to welcome and guide visitors as well as repaying a loan for the funding.

Once completed, the car park will provide an alternative parking area for visitors in the summer months and will allow parking during the winter unaffected by weather and tides.

New fencing will be fitted to guide visitors from the car to the beach, while helping to protect the more sensitive areas of the dunes and important habitats.

After two years of trialling food and drink outlets, a new tender will soon be advertised for a concession from 2023 onwards at Ainsdale beach entrance and by the new off beach car park.

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said:

“These developments are in recognition of the need for us to create infrastructure that gives visitors a high-quality and enjoyable experience, reduces the pressure and inconvenience on local residents and protects our natural coast with its very special mix of habitats and wildlife.

“Ainsdale-on-Sea has been recognised as one of these key access points to the coast and there are many exciting possibilities being explored that could form part of the longer-term rejuvenation of the area.”

Another positive sign at Ainsdale is the progress on the redevelopment of the former Sands pub. The building is currently out to market looking for a private sector partner to invest in, develop and operate the site.

Nigel Thompson / Ainsdale Beach railway station (site), Lancashire

A good level of interest has been shown so far, with a decision likely in Spring on a preferred potential developer for the site, with more work to firm up proposals leading on from there. For more information, people can visit: Shore Road, Ainsdale, PR8 | Fitton Estates

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Social prescribing service ‘massive help’ to young Southport man experiencing anxiety and depression

16 January 2023
Martin Driver
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News

Southport resident Danny, aged 26, was experiencing anxiety and depression when he found the NHS social prescribing service in Sefton. He shares his story and encourages others to reach out and use the service if they need help.

Social prescribing is designed to help people with their health and wellbeing by linking them in with local services for practical, social, physical and emotional support. After having feelings of anxiety and depression, Danny spoke to his GP and was referred to the service.

Amazing

He said: “The social prescribing service is amazing. It’s not something I had ever heard of, but honestly, without Damian and the service, I don’t think I would have managed to get to where I am now, which is feeling a lot better than I have been.”

After the initial referral, social prescribing link worker Damian contacted Danny and they began having regular chats to talk about his mental wellbeing issues and which local services might help him.

Accomplished

Danny continued: “There are a few ideas that he thought could benefit me, the first one was the Southport Park Run. After doing it with Damian two or three times, I have been back myself since and I have finished it on my own.

“After being in the mindset that I have been in, you don’t tend to think you can do things like that, you’re always putting yourself down. But once you actually do it, and you’ve finished it, the feeling is really great. You feel so accomplished. I’m proud of myself that I managed to do it.

“It’s that personal connection which really helps. They do make you feel very safe, and like you can tell them anything. It’s honestly been a massive help to me.”

Watch Danny talk about his experience with social prescribing below.

Priorities for change

Nikki Williams, senior social prescribing link worker in Southport and Formby said: “Social prescribing is about working with people on wider health and wellbeing needs, so non-medical issues that may be going on in their life, having a chat with them to work out what their priorities are for change, and then linking them in to the appropriate service.

“Social prescribing can cover social isolation, linking people into community groups and getting out and meeting people, but it can also be practical information and referring into specialist services around housing, benefits and support to get back to work.

“I think everybody can benefit from social prescribing. If you’re feeling anxious, depressed, or lonely and think a social prescriber could help you, then contact your GP practice and ask about the service to get help with your wellbeing.”

Below, Nikki explains social prescribing. 

Collaboration

The social prescribing service in Southport and Formby is a collaboration between Sefton CVS and Southport and Formby Primary Care Network.

In Southport and Formby, people can be referred to the social prescribing service by anyone in their GP practice. People can find out more about their social prescribing service and how to access it by talking to their GP practice.

You can use the links to find out more about:

Latest round of Sefton Crowd funding campaign launched

16 January 2023
Ollie Cowan
No comments
Categories: Borough Of Culture, Essential Sefton, Front Page, Green Sefton, InvestSefton, Latest News

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 Sefton become more vibrant, resilient, and connected.

Working in partnership with Spacehive, the UK’s leading civic crowdfunding platform, Sefton Crowd is an initiative that gives residents with an idea to improve their community the opportunity to gain funding using Spacehive’s crowdfunding platform. Sefton Council has allocated a total of £50,000 to the programme, with up to £5,000 available per idea to boost projects towards their funding target. The deadline to launch your crowdfunding campaign is Wednesday 29th March 2023.

Sefton Council and Spacehive will hold a virtual workshop, using ZOOM, to discuss your project ideas on Tuesday 7th February 2023, between 12.00 noon and 1.00pm. To register, please visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-sefton-crowd-launch-event-tickets-510891569437

Vicky Hall, who has recently used Sefton Crowd to successfully crowdfund for saving Formby Rotary’s Carol Wagon, said: “the grant the Council has given us through Sefton Crowd has helped us to restore our Carol Wagon, so we were able to continue touring Formby streets, visiting schools and nursing homes and it will keep the 50-year-old tradition alive for future generations. If you are thinking of crowdfunding, I would say ‘try it – you have nothing to lose’”.

Councillor Trish Hardy, Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: “We’re excited to launch this Sefton Crowd funding round with Spacehive, and I can’t 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 using Sefton Crowd puts them and their ideas in the driving seat.

I’m 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.”

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