Sefton Council is writing to eligible Sefton businesses encouraging them to apply to the latest round of the COVID-19 Additional Relief Fund.
Business rates
To qualify, companies must have had a business rates charge to pay for the whole of the 2021/22 financial year.
They need to have been in continuous occupation of the premises from the 1st April 2021 to 31st March 2022 unless required to close under COVID-19 restrictions. And they must be able to provide evidence they have had a decline in turnover during that time compared to the same period in 2019/20.
Closing date
Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Councilâs Cabinet Member for Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services said: âThe closing date for applications is Wednesday 31st August 2022. Any received after this date cannot be considered, so I would encourage any companies that think they are eligible to check the information on our website and fill out the online application form as soon as possible.
âThe amount of funding available for this relief is a fixed sum, which means the exact amount of relief that will be awarded will depend on the number of eligible applications received.â
Companies that have been awarded or are eligible for the Expanded Retail Discount covering Retail, Hospitality and Leisure or Nursery Discount for the period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022 do not qualify. Neither will those that have exceeded the national subsidy control limits.
Having last week agreed business case approval for its planned new Marine Lake Events Centre in Southport, Sefton Council is about to start investigatory works to finalise the Venueâs design and development.
Letters have been sent to local residents to inform them that investigatory works on the existing Southport Theatre and Convention Centre site and the Upper Promenade, will start on Monday 8th August.
Progress
Expected to take around four weeks, Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm, the investigations will involve assessing the underground conditions to progress the design further. Measures will be in place to minimise disruption to local residents, businesses and neighbours.
After approving the business case for the Marine Lake Events Centre & Water and Light Show project in Southport, Sefton Council is now keen to progress the scheme as quickly as possible.
Exciting and important
Sefton Councilâs Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, Cllr Marion Atkinson said: âThe Marine Lake Events Centre is a hugely exciting and hugely important scheme for Southport and Sefton.
âThe Centre is forecast to attract more than half a million visitors to Southport year on year and generating an annual ÂŁ18 million for the local economy so I am pleased to see work to progress getting underway so soon after receiving Council Cabinet backing.
âWe now need the Government to release the funding we need to make the Centre a reality as soon as possible.â
Agreed
Plans to procure a Design & Build contractor and an Operating Partner for the venue were also agreed at the recent Sefton Council Cabinet meeting. A detailed planning application has already been submitted.
The Marine Lake Events Centre is one of the schemes being develop as a result of the successful bid for ÂŁ37.5m of Town Deal funding for Southport. It will see Southportâs Theatre and Convention Centre transformed into a high-quality entertainment and business events venue
The new Centre will be complemented by the UKâs first light, water and sound show in the townâs Marine Lake.
Milestone
Cllr Atkinson also talked about the work that has gone into getting the scheme to this stage. She said: âI would like to thank all the Sefton Council staff involved for the huge efforts that has gone into reaching this important milestone for the Southport Marine Lake Events Centre, and my Cabinet colleagues for their support.
âThis and the other Town Deal schemes will be a game-changers for the economy of Southport and Sefton and will provide a huge boost for local businesses as well as opportunities for new ones.
âItâs critical that we can now get on and deliver for the residents of Sefton.â
Deal
Another key scheme made possible through the Town Deal are the Enterprise Arcade, which will see Crown Buildings refurbished to create new business incubator space, supporting Southportâs emerging creative, digital and tech sector.
Also, Les Transformations de Southport, will see the development of high-quality public spaces and an accessible and well-connected transport network, providing priority for walking and cycling in support of clean growth.
All of the schemes will be supported by a comprehensive programme of work to ensure visitors to Sefton, and the townâs residents enjoy across-the-board, high-quality Customer service.
A number of organisations across Sefton are joining forces once again this summer to ensure local communities, and visitors from across the North West, can enjoy Seftonâs natural coast responsibly.
The joint action aims to encourage people to take personal responsibility at the coast. Asking them to plan how they are going to get to the beach, to take all litter home with them and to show respect and kindness to staff, the environment and fellow visitors.
It also sets out the boundaries of what is and isnât acceptable at the coast to keep everyone safe. Such as that fires and BBQs are not allowed anywhere; that there are water safety risks at the coast so people should follow the advice of lifeguards; and that anti-social behaviour simply wonât be tolerated.
The agencies who make up the Sefton Coast Landscape Partnership will be sharing important messages covering many of the issues faced on the Sefton coast throughout the school summer holidays.
Members of the partnership include Sefton Council, Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue, National Trust Formby, Natural England, the RNLI and other key partners like Merseyrail.
Already this year there has been a huge influx of visitors to local beaches during hot weather and out of school term times. And we anticipate that many more will be looking to enjoy spending time at Seftonâs natural coast through August and September.
Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Councilâs Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing said:Â âFirst and foremost, the Sefton Coast is an internationally protected nature reserve, and we need your help to keep it that way. So, when people are planning their day trips this summer, we need them to be well prepared and to play their own vital role in ensuring that the coast remains a great place for everyone to enjoy.
âPlease listen to what we are collectively saying with our partners, be that important water safety information, fire risk concerns, travel advice or environmental issues around litter and wildlife.â
Mark Shaw, Sefton Councilâs Green Sefton Service Manager, said:Â âWe want people to have fun and enjoy their time on our beaches this summer, but we ask in return that they behave responsibly and with consideration to each other, local residents, our staff and our beautiful environment.â
Tracie Trubshaw, Chief Inspectorat Merseyside Police said: âAs the summer holidays start, we know that many people will want to visit our fantastic beaches and beauty spots in Sefton, and we know the overwhelming majority will do so responsibly.
âThe new Public Space Protection Order will help visitors and residents enjoy our coastline safely, throughout the summer and beyond, by making clear what behaviour is and isnât acceptable.
âOur officers will be working with our partners at Sefton Council to make sure that people can have a good time at our beaches and beauty spots, free of anti-social and criminal behaviour.
âRest assured acting in an anti-social manner should expect to be dealt with robustly and we will support our partners in their work. If you have any concerns, please speak to our officers out on patrol, or call 101 so that we can take action and keep our communities safe.â
Protect our Natural Coast
Kate Martin, Lead Ranger at National Trust Formby, said: âWeâre working with local partners to prepare for a busy summer and look forward to welcoming everyone who loves to visit Formbyâs nature haven.
âPeople visiting can help us create a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone and protect all the wonderful wildlife that lives here by taking litter home or using the car park bins and not lighting BBQs or fires anywhere on site.
âOn sunny days our car parks can fill up quickly and close for the rest of the day â this is to keep everyone wandering across the site safe and prevent queueing. On these busy days we recommend travelling by train or planning a visit for a quieter day. Weâre open seven days a week all year round.
âIâd like to thank everyone for their support as by working together we can keep Formbyâs nature haven special for people and wildlifeâ.
Water Safety
Chris Cousens, RNLI Water Safety Lead in the North West, said:Â âOur advice is to visit a lifeguarded beach where possible and to swim between the red and yellow flags. RNLI lifeguards offer advice on how to stay safe and help anyone who gets into trouble. Whether youâre at a lifeguarded beach or not, look out for safety signage and seek advice on safe places to swim, always keep your children under supervision and avoid swimming alone where possible.
âCoastal areas provide a great opportunity to enjoy fresh air and open space, but they can be an unpredictable environment, particularly during early summer when air temperatures start warming up, but water temperatures remain very cold, increasing the risk of cold-water shock.
âRemember, if you find yourself in difficulty in the water, Float to Live: Lean back, use your arms and legs to keep you afloat, control your breathing, then call for help. In an emergency, people can call 999 for the Coastguard.â
Michael Buratti, Senior Coastal Operations Officer for HM Coastguard, said:Â âEven as we experience hotter weather in summer, the sea can still be chilly and can bring on cold water shock. Please take care before taking a plunge.
âItâs always best to check the wind, weather and tides before entering the sea and observe local safety advice, such as:
Avoid soft patches of mud on the beach
Ensure dogs are on leads
Go to a lifeguarded beach where possible
Carry a fully-charged mobile phone, so youâre able to call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard if anyone is in trouble.â
Other ways to travel to the beach â not just by car
Suzanne Grant, Commercial Director at Merseyrail, said: “Merseyrailâs Southport line is within walking distance of Seftonâs beaches, which can be accessed from stations such as Southport, Birkdale, Hillside, Ainsdale, Freshfield, Formby and Blundellsands & Crosby.
âThroughout the summer there is a regular service on the Southport line and six-car trains are running as much as possible, to make it even easier to reach the coast by train. Passengers can plan their journey and find their cheapest ticket online at merseyrail.org.â
People can follow the Sefton Coast Landscape Partnership agencies Twitter accounts for more advice, news and videos throughout the summer: @SeftonCouncil @MerseyFire @MerseyPolice @RNLI @MCA_media @BTPMersey @NaturalEngland @NTFormby @Merseyrail
The continued work of the partnership will also be communicated through the Councilâs My Sefton website, and social media channels listed below:
A 1.7-metre-high globe designed by artist Amy Bourbon is coming to Sefton as part of The World Reimagined, a ground-breaking art education project.
The World Reimagined is a national initiative to transform how we understand the Transatlantic Trade in Enslaved Africans and its impact on all of us.
Host locations around the country are getting ready to welcome their Globes, which will be officially unveiled, nationally, on Saturday 13th August.
Seftonâs main globe, which will be at The Strand in Bootle, is entitled Echoes of the Present and is the sixth step on the overall Journey of Discovery the globes represent. It focuses on how the Transatlantic Slave Trade has present day negative consequences such as systemic inequalities and injustice and entrenched racism and prejudices. It also looks at the generational echoes their traumatic physical, behavioural, psychological and material consequences.
Seaforth in the south of Sefton has a heritage that has connections to the slave trade. Most notable is John Gladstone, an owner of sugar plantations in the West Indies, whose family estate whose family estate resided in the area.
As well as the main installation at Marine Gardens, there will be a community learning globe located in the foyer of Southportâs Atkinson theatre. This has been co-produced by Christ the King School in Southport working with the Southport Against Racism community group. Â Significant individuals important to both global and local history, including civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and Liverpool football player Mo Salah will be featured on the community learning globe.
Additionally, smaller globes have been awarded to six Sefton schools, to help teach pupils more about the history they represent. As the project is being launched during the summer holidays, the globes will initially go on display in the foyer at Crosby Library and will be transferred to the schools themselves once the project concludes at the end of October.
The globes will bring people together and allow them to engage in complex conversations around who we are as a society; stimulate dialogue, raise consciousness, and create social change. It goes beyond just exploring the legacy of the Transatlantic Enslavement of Africans â as the project celebrates and champions the story of people of African origin.
Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Councilâs Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing said: âItâs wonderful to see The World Reimagined come to Sefton, I am so glad we are hosting a globe as part of this national initiative to raise awareness of the Transatlantic Slave Tradeâs impact.
âThat history and the history of our Borough our intertwined, and I am looking forward to seeing our communities and schools engage with the globes both to become more aware of our past but also in discussing our future.â
Michelle Gayle, Co-Founder of the project said: âThere is such a huge part of the British educational system – the history – that omits Britainâs true role in the Transatlantic Trade of Enslaved Africans and the impact its legacies have on our world today. I have seen some of the incredible works these artists have put into designing their globes, and cannot wait for everyone across the country to experience the wonder, vibrancy and impact of art.â
Following the approval of Full Council on Thursday 14 July 2022, a Coastal and Visitor Area Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) is officially in place at locations across Sefton.
The order is to help ensure the Boroughâs coastline and town centres can be enjoyed by everyone. Activities covered by the new PSPO include littering and pollution, fires and BBQs, dog fouling, balloons or lantern releases, and anti-social behaviour. Failure to comply can result in a ÂŁ75 Fixed Penalty Notice.
The order will be in place for three years, until summer 2025.
Feedback from local communities, visitors and partner agencies, gained through a public consultation, was used to shape the Order, which provides enforcement powers to protect the public from anti-social behaviour.
Cllr Lappin, Cabinet Member for Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services, said: âFirstly, we fully appreciate why so many people are so keen to visit our beautiful Borough and we want everyone to enjoy their time here.
âThe vast majority of visitors and residents do just that and treat our wonderful coastline with respect and our residents with consideration, and the introduction of this Order, will have very little or no impact on them.
âHowever, it will help to make clear what is and what isnât acceptable and will give our teams, along with those of our partners, greater powers to deal with that very small minority who behave inappropriately and cause distress and disturbance to local residents and businesses, or damage to our precious natural coast and infrastructure.â
Tracie Trubshaw, Chief Inspectorat Merseyside Police said:
âDuring the summer months we know that many people will want to visit our fantastic beaches and beauty spots in Sefton and we know the overwhelming majority will do so responsibly.
âIntroducing the Public Space Protection Order will help visitors and residents enjoy our coastline safely, throughout the summer and beyond, by making clear what behaviour is and isnât acceptable.
âOur officers will be working with our partners at Sefton Council to make sure that people can have a good time at our beaches and beauty spots, free of anti-social and criminal behaviour.
âRest assured acting in an anti-social manner should expect to be dealt with robustly and we will support our partners in their work. If you have any concerns, please speak to our officers out on patrol, or call 101 so that we can take action and keep our communities safe.â
Sefton Council is encouraging all those who visit Sefton, as well as people who live, work in the Borough to familiarise themselves with the Order. They can do this by heading to www.sefton.gov.uk/coastalpspo where they will find the full list of restrictions and the locations that fall within the order.
Coastal areas means the beach and the land next to the beach which is open to the public, including land owned by other partners such as the National Trust, Natural England, RSPB and the Lancashire Wildlife Trust. This includes:
sand dunes and grassed areas
woodlands and marshes
ponds and lakes
promenades
car parks
play areas
buildings like toilets and shelters
Town centres included in the order are:
Southport (area includes Kings Gardens, Lord Street, Eastbank Street and Promenade)
Formby (area includes Formby Village Centre, Andrew’s Lane, Formby Bridge, Kings Road, Duke Street Park)
Crosby & Waterloo (area includes Crosby Town centre, Moorside Park, Coronation and Alexandra Parks, Victoria Park, St. Johns Road, South Road, Waterloo/Seafront gardens)
Bootle (area within the boundary of parts of Merton Road, Litherland Road, Washington Road and Marsh Lane)
Some of the restrictions include:
Pollution: Leaving litter, dog fouling, urinating/defecating in public, or noise pollution
Vehicle related antisocial behaviour; either within defined car parks or taking motor vehicles outside of defined parking areas.
Drinking alcohol in a public space after being told not to by an Authorised Officer to prevent anti-social behaviour (this is not a total ban)
Lighting any fire or BBQ
Taking a dog into a dog exclusion zone, or allowing its behaviour to cause alarm, distress or annoyance to another person
Setting off fireworks, balloon or lantern releases
Signage will be installed across the Borough to make sure people are aware of their responsibilities while they enjoy their time in Sefton.
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Seftonâs main globe, which will be at The Strand in Bootle, is entitled Echoes of the Present and is the sixth step on the overall Journey of Discovery the globes represent. It focuses on how the Transatlantic Slave Trade has present day negative consequences such as systemic inequalities and injustice and entrenched racism and prejudices. It also looks at the generational echoes their traumatic physical, behavioural, psychological and material consequences.
As well as the main installation at Marine Gardens, there will be a community learning globe located in the foyer of Southportâs Atkinson theatre. This has been co-produced by Christ the King School in Southport working with the Southport Against Racism community group. Â Significant individuals important to both global and local history, including civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. and Liverpool football player Mo Salah will be featured on the community learning globe.
Michelle Gayle, Co-Founder of the project said: âThere is such a huge part of the British educational system – the history – that omits Britainâs true role in the Transatlantic Trade of Enslaved Africans and the impact its legacies have on our world today. I have seen some of the incredible works these artists have put into designing their globes, and cannot wait for everyone across the country to experience the wonder, vibrancy and impact of art.â