Sefton Safeguarding Children Board has launched a new campaign which aims to help parents and carers to cope with a crying baby. The call for resources comes from a number of infant deaths and serious case reviews where a baby has died or been seriously injured as a result of abusive head trauma.
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Sefton approves major economic boost for flagship towns
Sefton Council have acted to further secure and improve the economic future of two flagship towns in the borough.
At a meeting of the local authority’s cabinet today (Thursday, October 1) plans were firmly set in place to help establish future economic success for both Southport and Bootle.
Sefton Council’s Cabinet this morning approved ÂŁ650,000 of Combined Authority funding for its plans to redevelop the Strand shopping centre and Bootle town centre, while it was agreed that the council will be the accountable body for the Southport Town Deal ahead of its ÂŁ25 million bid for government funding later this month.
Chaired by Rob Fletcher of Fletcherâs Solicitors, Southportâs Town Deal Board has been meeting monthly since January 2020 with the purpose to develop and agree a Town Investment Plan, which includes extensive conversations and consultation with Southportâs residents, business owners, visitors and young people. Despite the pandemic the process saw more than 2,000 consultation responses and more than 5,000 total engagements.
In addition, recently over 700 children from schools across Southport gave their vital feedback and what they see as challenges and opportunities for the future of the town.
While in Bootle the approval of the ÂŁ650,000 will be used to clear and make good the land adjacent to the Strand and the adjacent Leeds Liverpool Canal.
This work is the first stage of plans to re-animate the town centre by bringing interim uses to the currently unused areas in and around the Strand, which the Council sees as a cornerstone of Bootle town centreâs regeneration.
A partnering arrangement with the Canals and Rivers Trust would also integrate the site with the canal to enable it to be brought fully back into use and provide a possible âwaterway linkâ to Bramley Moore Dock in advance of the proposed new Everton FC stadium.
Both schemes will play a major role in economic recovery of Sefton from the impacts of COVID-19.
Welcoming the news of funding to support the council’s regeneration of Bootle, Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council, said: âWe have already started engaging with local people and businesses in Bootle as well as other stakeholders to shape the details of proposed interim uses.
“This engagement includes the Bootle Festival of Ideas which was launched at the beginning of September.
“This funding is the first stage in making possible the exciting âMeanwhile Usesâ we have planned for The Strand and Bootle town centre.
âThe interim plans will transform the space in the short term while we continue to develop our ambitious, long-term plans for Bootle, which include attracting new private sector investment to create a town centre that is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable.â
Speaking following the agreement on the Southport Town Deal, Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Labour Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills and Town Deal Board member said: “Agreeing and securing a Town Deal in the coming months offers a real opportunity to boost Southport’s economy following months of COVID-19 induced economic uncertainty.
“It brings with it the benefits of increased jobs, different training opportunities, a strengthened visitor proposition that builds on the pride and passion that our residents have for Southport. Our Town Deal proposal will include exciting projects and opportunities that are not visible in any other town, or any other bid.â
Southport Town Deal Board Chair Rob Fletcher added: “The partnership approach of the Town Deal Board has been wonderful to see.
“I would like to extend a huge thank you to all those people who have taken the time to respond to the online questionnaire or leave a comment on social media. I would in particular like to thank all the teachers and pupils from right across the town, who have taken real care and time to come up with some wonderful and thoughtful suggestions for the future of their home.
“I will be writing back to each school in the coming weeks to share my thanks and feedback on behalf of the board, as this is a conversation that we would like to continue beyond our October submission date.”
For more information about the Southport Town Deal please visit www.sefton.gov.uk/southport2020.
Sefton Council lights up civic buildings to support awareness of event production industries
Sefton Council lit up Bootle Town Hall and Crosby Library in red last night, Wednesday 30 September, in support of the Global Industry Awareness Day for the Production Services and Live Events sector.
Buildings across the City Region were illuminated red as part of the event to highlight to the public and the government what the industry does and its huge economic and cultural value. It was part of a global campaign to draw attention and gain government recognition that the industry still urgently needs support. The campaign is supported by Sefton, who are the Liverpool City Regionâs Borough of Culture for 2020.
As part of the event, organised by #WeMakeEvents, 60 beams of white light were pointed into the sky across the UK, each beam representing 10,000 jobs at risk.
Cllr Trish Hardy Sefton Councilâs main Borough of Culture sponsor said: âThese âback-stageâ production-related industries are hugely important to our cultural life and to our economy but are largely unseen. We are proud to be the Liverpool City Regionâs Borough of Culture for 2020, despite the impact of current circumstances on our programme, and Sefton Council is pleased to be able to join this event and support them.â
Jane Dawe, Community Partnership Manager at SAFE Regeneration Ltd said: âLive music events are not just about the economic impact and how they contribute to the visitor economy. They can be optimised in order to achieve economic, social and cultural goals, by increasing social capital, encouraging public engagement and help create a sense of identity and belonging. They contribute to a thriving cultural environment, enhancing musical creativity, cultural vibrancy and developing and nurturing talent.
“They are the beating heart of a community and support for those directly and indirectly affected is essential.â
Council leader responds to speculation on Government plans for further Merseyside COVID restrictions
Responding today to speculation that the Government is going to announce further COVID-19 restrictions across Merseyside Leader of Sefton Council, Cllr Ian Maher said:
âAs a result of the continued rise in numbers of confirmed COVID-19 infections, both regionally and nationally, we understand that the Government is planning on imposing further restrictions across Merseyside.
âThis could mean that households will not be able to mix and we await clarification about any other possible restrictions. This is despite the further measured introduced across Merseyside on 22 September.
âWhile, along with other Merseyside leaders, I would have liked to have seen enforcement of current restrictions before new ones are added, I will support any measures that will protect vulnerable people in our communities.
âHowever, I have joined Merseyside leaders in writing to the Government to seek clarity on what resources they will make available for us and the Police to enforce these measures.
âWe want the Government to extend the furlough scheme, and to provide further financial support for our businesses and their employees, particularly in the leisure, hospitality and sport industries.
âWe will await the governmentâs guidelines on mixing and we have highlighted the potential effects of separating children from key workers in school and early years settings as we as stressing the importance of maintaining resilience in the health and public sectors to minimise isolation.
“Once again, I would like to thank Seftonâs residents and businesses for all the efforts and sacrifices they have made during the pandemic.
âI would also stress how important it is that people stick to the current guidelines and any new regulations, not just to avoid the heavy fines they could face but to protect our communities, our vulnerable, our economy and our future.â
Sefton businesses need to create and display test & trace QR codes
Sefton Councilâs Environmental Health Team is reminding some of the Boroughâs businesses that they need to create a QR code for their premises which people can use to check in on the national COVID-19 app.
Businesses required by law to display QR code posters include pubs, bars, restaurants and cafés, hotels, museums, cinemas and amusement arcades and close contact services such as hairdressers, barbershops and tailors.
Council facilities such as community centres, libraries and village halls are also covered as are places of worship, community organisations with a physical location and events taking place at a specific location.
All of these businesses and organisations need to use the Governmentâs simple process to create a unique QR code required for their premises. Visitors can then scan the QR code with the COVID-19 app when they enter the premises, as part of the drive to trace and help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
To create their QR code poster, business owners and managers should visit www.gov.uk/create-coronavirus-qr-poster and follow the instructions.
To complete the process, they will need their email address, the physical address of each location plus an email address and phone number for the manager of each.
Applicants will receive their QR code poster or posters by email soon after submitting their information. They should then print the poster and display it prominently where visitors can see it upon arrival.
Businesses without a printer should show the QR code on a display screen, such as a TV or tablet, making sure itâs within reach so that visitors can scan it with their mobile phones.
Supermarkets, where customers generally move around the space rather than congregate, and are expected, by law, to wear face coverings, are not required to display QR code posters.
Cllr Paulette Lappin Sefton Councilâs Cabinet Member for Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services said: âCreating these Test and Trace QR code posters is a vital, yet incredibly simple way of helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infection and we need the businesses across Sefton displaying them now.
âDisplaying posters, will be protecting Seftonâs businesses and their customers by enabling them to receive important public health messages and keep a digital diary of the places they’ve visited.â