Sefton Council is proudly supporting International Women’s Day on Thursday, March 8, advocating for gender parity.
To celebrate the annual event, Sefton Council is highlighting the work and efforts of the authority’s female leaders, including Chief Executive Margaret Carney, Executive Director Sarah Kemp and Cabinet Members Cllrs Marion Atkinson, Trish Hardy and Paulette Lappin.
Margaret Carney, Sefton Council’s Chief Executive, said: “I’m really proud to be a woman in a senior leadership position in local government.
“I started my career at 16 and believe it or not my first job was Post Girl! Some forty years later, nine of which as Chief Executive of Sefton Council, I’ve been really proud and privileged to work with some wonderful and inspiring people who have given me the opportunity to grow and develop.
“International Women’s Day is really time for us to celebrate the massive contribution that women make but it’s also a real opportunity for us to press for the change that would make equality a reality for everyone. It is after all a basic human right”
Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, added: “Women are more than 50% of the population so why wouldn’t women be at the table making decisions for Sefton Council?
“Having women in the council chamber is really important because we put things on the council agenda that wouldn’t naturally be there and have recently talked on key issues and services that women predominantly use.
“That’s massively important and I don’t think we’d be in that position if women weren’t part of that discussion.”
Throughout International Women’s Day Sefton Council will be sharing videos through our social media channels to inspire and educate future generations of influential female leaders.
King’s Gardens launch tac-maps to help people with sight issues
Special maps, which help blind and partially sighted people find their way around King’s Gardens, Southport are now available for hire.
Free of charge, the portable ‘pack’ consists of an interactive audio guide, an A4 tactile map, a walking wallet and an A4 tactile walking guide full of information about King’s Gardens.
The maps were designed and produced by visual impairment accessibility firm TacMap, who create and produce innovative maps for blind and partially sighted people across the UK.
Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing said: “The portable tactile maps are a fantastic addition to King’s Gardens.
“We already have two static maps for the visually impaired on site but to have such high tech portable packs on offer will benefit our visually impaired visitors even more.
“We have worked closely with the Friends of Kingās Gardens on this project and they will be overseeing the distribution and collection of the maps.”
The tactile maps can be requested by emailing fokgsouthport@gmail.com or dlt391@sky.com.
For more information contact the Friends of King’s Gardens or visit www.kingsgardenssouthport.co.uk.
New parking charges to benefit traders and drivers
New parking charges are set to be introduced in parts of Sefton to benefit drivers and local traders.
As part of the budget setting process for 2018/19, it will again be possible to pay for 30 minute parking in Southport town centre.
This follows a request from the Southport BID to bring back the ability to park for 30 minutes in the town centre. It is anticipated the scheme will be live in June, 2018 with a cost of 80p. Other charges in the town centre will stay the same for 2018/19.
Also in the budget was the introduction of the option for motorists to pay for 1 hours parking in Crosby Car Parks. This was approved at request of ward councillors on behalf of local traders.
The current charges in Crosby are:
Up to 30 mins 30p Up to 2 hours Ā£1.00 Up to 4 hours Ā£1.90 Over 4 hours Ā£3.80
They will become
Up to 30 mins 30p Up to 1 hour 50p Up to 2 hours Ā£1.00 Up to 4 hours Ā£1.90 Over 4 hours Ā£3.80
Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regulation and Compliance, said: “We meet regularly with the Southport BID and discuss many aspects that could benefit the busy town centre.
āAfter being approached by the BID to reintroduce the 30 minutes of parking in Southport town centre, following further discussions with them, we are happy to assist in making this happen through the difficult budget setting process.
“Similarly, ward councillors in Crosby contacted us with the view of introducing 1 hour parking in the village which we are pleased to introduce.
“We are also looking at introducing a scheme where Council owned town centre car parks would cease charging after 6pm. This would affect the Bootle New Strand multi-story, Bootle Leisure Centre, Crosby village and Tulketh Street in Southport and would be subject to consultation with ward councillors.
āAs a Council we will always listen and hope this is well received across the whole borough by visitors, traders and residents.”
The changes were agreed at Full Council on March 1, 2018.
Due to ongoing financial pressure brought on by Government austerity measures and continuing demands on Adult and Children’s Social Care, Council Tax for 2018/19 will rise by 5.99% for Sefton Council services.
The total Council Tax, including Police and Fire services charges, will increase by 5.98% for the coming financial year.
Last year Sefton Council agreed a three year budget plan to save a further Ā£64m.
At Full Council this evening (March 1), councillors agreed the second year of the budget plan and approved a Council Tax increase in 2018/19 of 2.99% along with a Social Care Council Tax Precept of 3% in 2018/19 making a total of 5.99% for Sefton Council services.
Due to central Government policy, from 2011-17, Sefton Council has faced a funding gap of Ā£169m. From 2017-20 a further Ā£64m of savings was identified to set a balanced budget. This is a total funding gap of Ā£233m.
In total, the Council will have lost 51% of Government funding between 2010 and 2020.
Cllr Ian Maher, Sefton Council’s Labour leader, said:
“Putting it simply, local councils like Sefton have less money to spend on important services because the Government has been giving us less money to support the delivery of local public services every year. This has got to stop.
“Last year we were faced with the challenge of having to find another Ā£64m budget reduction by 2020 and when the Council agreed its three year budget plan we set out how we would do this. I have to say that the plan is broadly on target to deliver the required outcomes brought about by the unfair cuts imposed on us by this and the previous Government.
“We are now entering the second year of our three-year plan and have refreshed our plan slightly to ensure that we can balance the books.
“To help us to deliver our partnership ambitions set out in the 2030 Vision, achieve the best possible outcomes for Sefton and ensure the financial sustainability of the Council, we have four priority areas of work. These are:
– Creating more and better jobs for local people ā Economic Growth
– Working together to deliver affordable services which achieve the best possible outcomes for our communities ā Public Sector Reform
– Making every pound count in everything we do ā Service Delivery Options
– Investing wisely and creatively to make and save money, grow faster and enable our communities to thrive ā Strategic Investment
“We have been very clear that we must take control of our own destiny. We live in a very uncertain world of reducing resources, increased demand and concerns over Brexit. The more we can do for ourselves the more resilient we will be in the future.
“This first year of our three year budget plan has seen the Council demonstrate delivery against these bold ambitions with the purchase of the Bootle New Strand Shopping Centre and in principle approval to the creation of a wholly owned Council Housing Development Company. Both of these decisions sit at the heart of Council and partner ambitions and aspirations, to create a great place to live, work, visit and invest.
“The purchase of Bootle New Strand saw a much loved local asset bought back into UK and local ownership. People often ask me why the Council has made this investment and my response is that this type of investment allows us to put money back into local public services for local people. As an example Ā£500k of investment income enables us to support about 14 foster families who provide amazing care and support care for some of Seftonās most vulnerable children and young people. Council Tax and Business Rates were not the source of funds used to purchase the shopping centre. Instead, the investment was funded through a loan to the Council and servicing the debt can be comfortably accommodated within the financial return to us.
“We will continue to adapt to change, innovating and putting our communities first. Change will continue but we will build on the many strengths and assets we have in Sefton and to be bold and confident about the future for our communities.
“Our focus will continue on generating more of our own money to help fund local public services and make every pound count.
“Sefton has an excellent track record for listening to its communities and will continue to ask for peopleās views on any future proposals that would affect the delivery of services in any way.
“While we are confident we can deliver our budget plan, it has to be stressed that all the signs point to further austerity and cuts beyond 2020. There is no indication of a change in government policy re austerity and the pressure on care services are forecast to increase even further.”
The increase in Council Tax for a Band C property (for Sefton Council services) will rise from Ā£1,278.70 in 2017/18 to Ā£1,355.30 for 2018/19. Including Police and Fire services the rise for a Band C property will be from Ā£1,492.31 in 2017/18 to Ā£1,581.55 in 2018/19. This excludes the amounts charged by Parish Councils for homes in their areas.
Sefton residents urged to ākeep warm, keep wellā
NHS Southport and Formby Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS South Sefton CCG have joined Sefton Council in encouraging people in Sefton to ākeep warm, keep wellā over the next few days as severe low temperatures and a bitterly cold wind are forecast from now until the weekend.
The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings across the North West and although Sefton isnāt currently expected to see any snow over the coming days, that doesnāt lower the risk from freezing cold temperatures.
People over the age of 65, pregnant women, people with a long-term health condition and very young children are amongst those who most at risk from the cold weather. The NHS offers advice on how to keep you and your family well at home including:
heating your home to at least 18C (65F)
draw curtains at dusk and keep doors closed to block out draughts
wear several layers of clothes to maintain body heat
have at least one hot meal a day and have hot drinks regularly
keep moving and active
seek advice from a pharmacist if you are feeling unwell, even if itās just a cough or cold
check in on older neighbours or relatives to make sure they are safe and well
Debbie Fagan, chief nurse at the CCGs, said: āThis week looks like it could be one of the coldest weāve had for some time so it is important for people to prepare. It can be difficult to stay warm in these kind of temperatures and if you know someone who needs help, please do take the time to look in on them over the next few days.ā
Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Councilās cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: āWith temperatures predicted to drop below zero this week, itās important for residents to make sure that they are prepared for the cold.
āIf youāre in good health and able to get about please check in on elderly relatives, neighbours or those who may be living with dementia to ensure they are warm enough and have everything they need at home.ā
For more advice on how to ākeep warm, keep wellā, please visit the NHS Choices website:
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NHS Southport and Formby Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS South Sefton CCG have joined Sefton Council in encouraging people in Sefton to ākeep warm, keep wellā over the next few days as severe low temperatures and a bitterly cold wind are forecast from now until the weekend.