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Sefton Council Cabinet asked to approve plans to seek investment partner for Southport Golf Links

3 March 2022
Martin Driver
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Green Sefton, Latest News

The shadow of a golfer swinging their club with the backdrop of a sunset

At their meeting on Thursday 10th March, Sefton Council Cabinet members will be asked to approve a new vision, and the plan to seek a commercial partner to invest in Southport Golf Links.

Golf Coast

Originally opened in 1912, the 18-hole, Council-owned, links course borders the town’s Marine Drive and forms part of England’s Golf Coast.

In the report to next week’s Cabinet Meeting, it is stated that the course remains popular, but with the right investment has the potential for significant improvements to the course and its facilities for golfers and non-golfers alike.

It is hoped an investment partnership would benefit the course itself as well as the on-site White House Café building, which aligns with feedback from local golfers received during a recent consultation exercise. Soft market testing carried out in 2021 indicates there are opportunities to explore investment through a formal tender process.

Pay and Play

As part of the proposals, the Council would retain management and operational control of the Southport Golf Links course itself, as a commitment to retaining it as a pay and play facility in a ‘municipal golf course’ manner. It will continue to be priced accordingly. There is also potential for a medium-term lease on the currently-closed White House CafĂ© for a partner willing to invest in the building. This would create new hospitality facilities for players and visitors..

The report also says that existing capital funds available via a prudential loan to create a driving range could be utilised as part of the project, as the intention remains to deliver new practice facilities on the site.

Huge potential

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing said: “Limited Council resources, due to reductions in Government funding over the past decade, means that while we can maintain the Southport Golf Links, it really needs significant capital investment through a partner organisation. This would enable it to achieve its huge, long-term potential and deliver the kind of course local golfers have told us they would like to play on.

“Plus, it could mean the re-opening of the White House CafĂ© as an on-site hospitality asset.”

If the proposals are approved at the meeting on Thursday 10th March, Sefton Council’s Cabinet would also be asked to approve the appointment of any potential commercial partner identified.

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing said: “Sefton Council is keen to improve the offer for existing golfers and to give local people new to the sport, a chance to try it out.

“In January, we opened the new, £240,000 driving range at Bootle Golf Course and now we want to make similar improvements at Southport, on Sefton’s famous Golf Coast.”

Details of the Cabinet meeting can be found here. 

 

Highways in Sefton earmarked for major investment

3 March 2022
Bridie Finnan
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News

Journeys on the Liverpool City Region’s highways and transport network would become smoother and safer, under a new multi-million-pound investment package set to be discussed by local leaders. 

In a move to improve the region’s roads, the Combined Authority is seeking to approve the indicative allocation of £232.96m from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), for a Highways Maintenance and Non-Maintenance package with Sefton earmarked to receive £41.11m to deliver local schemes.

Focussing on key corridors, the proposed package represents a co-ordinated series of measures all designed to support public transport services, relieve congestion, and improve air quality for local communities.

The measures include carriageway resurfacing to improve the condition of the roads, drainage works to help prevent flooding and new streetlights.

Bus users, cyclists and pedestrians would also benefit as plans include upgrades to bus shelters, improved footways and cycleways, plus new pedestrian crossing schemes.

The proposals form part of Mayor Rotheram’s plans for an integrated London-style transport network that makes the region’s network easier to use, cheaper, quicker, and more reliable.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said:

“Our region’s success is dependent on our people, and goods, being able to move quickly, safely, and efficiently. By investing in electric charging points and improved, future-proof infrastructure on the roads and transport network, we can ensure that our economy continues to accelerate forward as we rebuild from the pandemic.

“Ultimately, my vision is to create a modern, London-style public transport network. Not only will it make a huge difference to the lives of our residents, making their journeys cheaper, faster, and more reliable, but it would provide people with a genuinely viable alternative to their car.

“By choosing to travel on the bus or train, or even walking or cycling, we can significantly reduce traffic congestion on our roads – which will be vital for our region to hit our goal of being net zero carbon by 2040 at the latest.”

Subject to approval, Sefton Borough Council will be delivering the works with more information about the schemes to be published at a later date.

Cllr John Fairclough, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Locality Services, said:

“Accessible, reliable and attractive public transport services will underpin Sefton’s economy as we emerge from the pandemic, so I welcome this investment to improve our roads network and transport infrastructure.

“And as well as supporting economic growth, regeneration and the development of new housing, a transport network that is better for cyclists and pedestrians as well as public transport users will deliver health and educational benefits as well as helping Sefton Council achieve its commitment to combating climate change.”

By contributing to improved transport access across the city region, this package of measures would in turn support growth as the benefits extend beyond transport, improving access to key sites in the city region for education, housing, health, and productivity.

The Combined Authority is due to consider this proposal at its meeting on Friday 4 March.

One, Two, THREE: Exciting projects move forward in Southport Town Deal

3 March 2022
Bridie Finnan
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Southport Town Deal

At their meeting on Thursday 10th March, Sefton Council’s Cabinet will consider plans for the next stage of the delivery of the Southport Town Deal.

Cabinet Members will review the business cases for three of the Town Deal projects which have been developed over recent months by the Town Deal board, for which the Council is the accountable body.

 

“Les Transformations de Southport”

This project is aimed at improving the public realm within Southport Town Centre.

Set to support Southport’s return to the grandeur of Victorian England, when it was the country’s second most popular tourist destination, “Les Transformations de Southport” looks at interconnectivity across the whole town centre, from improved routes in the town centre to the creation of new public spaces for hosting events.

The public consultation on the first phase of this project is still open and any local residents who still wish to contribute to the consultation can do so at https://yourseftonyoursay.sefton.gov.uk/futuresouthport/

Rob Fletcher, Chair of the Southport Town Deal board, said:

“The name Les Transformations de Southport recognises our town’s inspiration for Hausmann’s reconstruction of Paris, and this first phase aligns closely with the priority areas identified in our Town Deal consultation prior to the bid submission”.

 

“Building Better Customer Experiences”

This is a training programme for employers and employees across the town, aiming to help create a consistent level of exemplary service which can be associated with a ‘Southport Standard’.

There will be a focus on understanding Southport and its assets, as well as specific product and service knowledge, and will incorporate a strong underpinning of diversity and equalities training that aligns with the overall objectives for Southport’s vision.

Disability awareness will be a vital aspect of this programme, which will support the elevation of the town’s brand in line with the original Town Deal consultation and bid submission.

A spokesperson for Southport Access for Everyone (SAFE), said 

“We are pleased to have the ongoing opportunity to engage with the Council on this and other projects to ensure that equality for people living with a disability is at the forefront of these projects”

 

The Enterprise Arcade

Located within the Crown Buildings on Eastbank Street, this project will offer Southport’s first digital incubator space for start-up businesses and entrepreneurs, a co-working space creating a community for our existing and future talent in the sector. It will also create a new economic driver for the town centre, supporting economic diversification and resilience, and breathing new life into vacant buildings.

Labour Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, Councillor Marion Atkinson, said

“We are breathing life into an under-used asset in an exciting town centre location. The Enterprise Arcade will build on the fantastic digital assets and businesses in the town, supporting diversification and resilience in our economy in line with the key objectives of the Town Deal”.

 

Submitting these business cases for approval is the key next stage in the Town Deal funding requirements and will soon be followed by the design and business case for the cornerstone of the Town Deal, the Marine Lake Events Centre and associated light and water show, dubbed “The Light Fantastic” which will be submitted this Summer.

The new Events Centre is expected to draw more than 500,000 visitors per year to the town.

The combined impact of all of these projects, overseen by the Southport Town Deal Board, will help Southport’s economic recovery and transformation programme.

 

Councillor Atkinson, added,

“This is a key next step in the delivery of Southport Town Deal.

“Sefton Council and our partners on the Town Deal Board want to see Southport transformed into a thriving, vibrant visitor destination. 

We want to give people a reason to visit and stay for longer.  We believe that projects and attractions such as these, along with the recently completed Southport Market, will act as a catalyst for emerging private sector investment across the town centre and will create a genuinely unique visitor experience and will only serve to strengthen our visitor economy.

“We’re putting Southport back on the map!”

 

Details of next Thursday’s Cabinet meeting can be found at https://modgov.sefton.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=139&MId=10388

 

Money-saving, early-bird tickets on sale for September’s British Musical Fireworks Championship in Southport

3 March 2022
Martin Driver
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Uncategorized

FireworksTickets are now on sale for this year’s British Musical Fireworks Championship at Southport and people are being advised to book early to save money and avoid disappointment.

Taking place over three nights, from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th September, in the town’s beautiful Victoria Park, the championship sees competitors battle it out to be crowned the ultimate winner. Which means firework displays like no other.

Detonated

Seven competing companies have been signed up for the annual pyro-musical competition, which see over two tonnes of explosive material detonated. Over 10 tonnes of fireworks are used in the breath-taking, choreographed array of music and light that will have visitors’ senses working overtime.

Tens of thousands attend to watch the competing companies’ 15-minute displays, which are assessed by a panel of professional judges, who announce the winner on the Sunday evening. Each show requires around 5 kilometres of wire to connect the electrical circuits and around 15 technicians working for over 12 hours to set up the display.

Smoke

Unsurprisingly, tickets have sold out for the previous few years, so people wanting to come along are being advised to book early to avoid seeing their plans to go along go up in smoke.

Early bird saving mean general admission is just ÂŁ6 on the Friday and Sunday and only ÂŁ7 on the Saturday with weekend ticket for all three costing ÂŁ18. And, under-5s are FREE.

Early Bird tickets available until Thursday 2nd June. Tickets are also available for a reserved seating area at a cost of ÂŁ18 on the Friday and Sunday and ÂŁ23 on the Saturday.

Tickets can be bought now from www.visitsouthport.com.

FireworksFantastic finale

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council’s Labour Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills said: “The British Musical Fireworks Championship is the biggest competition of its kind in the country and makes a fantastic finale for Sefton and Southport’s summer.

“Every year it’s a hugely popular event so I would advise people who want to join us for this sparkling spectacle to book now to make sure of a place.”

Air Show

Tickets are also Southport’s famous Air Show, which takes place on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th July, offer two full days of fun for all the
family. And if people booking now can take advantage of the reduced early-bird rate.

To book tickets, people should visit www.southportairshow.com

 

 

Sefton’ Libraries celebrating World Book Day

2 March 2022
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Uncategorized

Spines of Roal Dahl books including MatildaSefton’s Libraries are welcoming children from across the Borough on Thursday 3rd March to celebrate reading as part of World Book Day.

Suzanne from Debutots is visiting several libraries, taking groups of children on a magical visit through Story Land where they will meet a range of characters from children’s literature, including Goldilocks.

And students from Formby High school’s drama department will perform scenes from Roald Dahl’s Matilda at Formby Library.

After the performance the students will work with pupils from local primaries, teaching them performance skills. The school is keen to bring theatre into libraries, where many children first encounter these stories.

At library story and rhyme times this week, toddlers are being encouraged to attend dressed as their favourite story character.

Find out more about Sefton Libraries.

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