Green Sefton

As national restrictions on the numbers of people allowed to meet up outdoors have eased further, Sefton Council and its coastal partners are urging caution as people make plans to visit its popular beaches this Bank Holiday.

While the Council is prepared for the busy weekend and school half term holidays with extra bins and beach car parking, temporary toilet facilities and an increased presence of Green Sefton Rangers and volunteers – it is urging people to remember that Covid-19 safety measures are still in place.

Vigilant

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “Many of our local residents, and visitors from further afield, will be looking forward to visiting the coast as the weather hopefully improves this weekend and larger groups are now allowed to meet outdoors.

“However, people need to continue to be vigilant so that our coast remains a safe place for everyone to spend time. This means social distancing should still be observed, even at the beach, and people should be mindful that close contact should be minimised to only a few friends and family.”

Margaret Jones, Sefton Council’s Director of Public Health said: “Although we are less likely to catch Covid in the open air it’s still possible, which is why it’s important still to follow the basics of hands, face and space when meeting with others.”

Travel safely

Those thinking about visiting one of Sefton’s coastal gateways are reminded to travel safely, thinking about ways to walk or cycle where they can and to follow Covid-19 guidance when using public transport. They should also plan ahead to avoid traffic delays and are reminded to park responsibly away from residential areas.

People may want to consider a visit to one of Sefton’s parks, where playgrounds and sports facilities offer a space for people of all ages to spend time outdoors. Or similarly, a visit to a local high street or town centre for a spot of shopping or a bite to eat will help to support businesses who’ve just reopened in line with Covid-19 measures.

Cllr Moncur added: “We’re doing all we can to work with our communities and partners like the emergency services to safely manage visitor numbers. We hope that the further opening of indoor hospitality, and fewer restrictions on travel for staycations, will ensure that our coast does not face the same pressures it did this time last year.”

Environmental sensitivity

Visitors are also reminded of the environmental sensitivities and how they can play their role in protecting the landscape by taking litter home and not lighting fires or BBQs anywhere at the coast.

Mark Shaw, Sefton Council’s Green Sefton Service Manager, said: “We are asking people to remain respectful not only to each other but to the environment around them when they meet in larger groups. The Sefton Coast is an internationally protected nature reserve and we need your help to keep it that way.

“I want to appeal to the small number of inconsiderate people who do chose to dispose of their rubbish irresponsibly or think it’s OK to have a fire or BBQ at the beach, that this damages rare habitats and takes away limited resources from ourselves and our partners to clear up the mess left behind.

“We want to welcome people back to our beaches safely, but we ask in return that they behave responsibly and with consideration to each other, local residents, our staff and our beautiful environment.”

Anyone planning a visit to the Sefton coast should visit www.sefton.gov.uk/beaches to find out about travel options and facilities at its beaches and to read its Visitor Action Plan for 2021.

The Sefton Coast Landscape Partnership brings together organisations who want to ensure the safety of visitors and residents along the 22-mile coastline. Members include Sefton Council, Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue, British Transport Police, National Trust Formby, Natural England, the RNLI and others.

Planning approval has been received for a pop-up food and drink outlet to be trialled at Ainsdale beach this summer, while a similar trial at Crosby’s marine lake is already underway.

Following an expressions of interest exercise earlier in the year, a North West based catering business is in conversation with the Council to finalise their temporary offering now that planning permission has been granted.

Two shipping containers will be situated by the entrance to Ainsdale beach, with hot drinks, cakes and posh fish and chips on the menu. It is anticipated that the units will be in place from late June with the trial running through the busy summer season until late autumn.

Meanwhile at Crosby, Sefton-based owners of The Bus Yard – a pop-up food and drink venue operating from a double decker bus – are part way through a 28-day trial to see if residents and visitors would be interested in more permanent refreshment offers at the popular spot.

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “These temporary trials of new food and drink concessions at Crosby and Ainsdale, are in response to regular feedback from visitors and residents, who feel there are not enough hospitality facilities along our coastline.

“We’ve already been overwhelmed with positive feedback about the local business who are running our trial from Crosby, and hope that we’ll get the same response later this summer when our Ainsdale pop-up begins.

“The trials aim to balance ways that we can meet the needs of people enjoying our coastal spaces with strict environmental factors and community concerns, and we will be closely monitoring all elements and feedback to see how viable more permanent options would be in the future.

“We would ask anyone who wants to tell us what they think about these food and drinks pop-ups to get in touch with us by contacting our Green Sefton service. They can do this by email at greensefton@sefton.gov.uk .”

In 2020, the Council saw huge numbers of visitors flocking to the coast. This highlighted the need for further investment to maintain the best possible experience for all beach users, while factoring in important conservation and environmental needs. 

As part of the wider investment at Ainsdale, designs are now being drawn up for an off-beach car park that will help to reduce the impact on local communities who have been affected by irresponsible parking in the past. Options for new toilet facilities are being explored alongside the food and drink vendors trial, all with a view to enhancing visitors’ experiences.

Update from Green Sefton Service Manager Mark Shaw

You will be aware that since the commencement of the National Lockdown back in March 2020 our park buildings have remained closed and a range of other restrictions came into being for parks, open spaces and coastal areas which limited the opportunity for volunteers undertaking work.

Since that time there has been a phased easing of restrictions (most recently Monday 17^th May 2021 – Roadmap step 3) permitted by government and, subject to government not imposing further restrictions, we are minded to shortly re-open our buildings to community use and welcome back our volunteers in greater numbers.  

Volunteers Working Outside

Volunteers can now resume working in parks and open spaces but there is a requirement that no more than 30 people can assemble. Therefore, we would ask that you follow some simple rules to keep everyone safe.

• Whilst undertaking volunteer work and projects please continue to be mindful that Coronavirus remains a risk and take measures to keep safe, following the principal of Hands, Face and Space which is promoted by Public Health.
• If you intend to undertake volunteer work tasks, please make us aware as you would have done previously. Outdoor events can also be held provided the number of participants does not exceed 30 persons.

Opening of Buildings & Pavilions

In an earlier briefing we asked community groups to provide risk assessments and to complete an application form for booking the use of premises. We are now intending to return to assessing these applications with a view towards opening premises. Once approved people can start making use of pavilions and buildings again but with a maximum of six attendees.

Whilst premises may open, we will still require community groups to:

• Ensure the rule of 6 is adhered with.
• Agree times and days of the week when use will be made.
• Provide a nominated contact (usually the key holders) who will take a lead role in ensuring your members act responsibility.
• When buildings are open, we would ask that windows and doors are open to maximise ventilation.
• Unless an exemption applies, we would ask groups continue to ensure members wear a mark and sanitise surfaces before and after meetings or sessions of activity.

As applications were provided to us some considerable time ago it is likely the risk assessments and application forms may require some amendments and updating. We would be pleased if you could resend these forms to us at greensefton@sefton.gov.uk   

Please mark your email with these attachments as ‘Application to Re-open Premises’ and we would hope to respond within 10 working days offering our agreement to resume use or advising you if we have any continuing queries.

Thank you in advance for supporting efforts to keep everyone safe as steps are taken to ease the restrictions that have been in place.

If you have further queries, please contact us at greensefton@sefton.gov.uk

Sefton Council is undertaking a week of activities to keep the Borough clean, green and beautiful.

Green Sefton officers will be speaking to dog owners, other users and visitors at its popular parks and coastal locations this week, encouraging them to play their part in keeping these beauty spots free from dog fouling and rubbish. They will also be installing new signage to remind people to scoop up their dogs’ poop in hotspots where dog fouling is a persistent issue.

Mess left behind by park users and dog walkers is a significant concern for the Council and for residents. This has particularly been the case over the past year when these places have seen huge increases in visitor numbers as people have spent more time outdoors.

Officers will also be reminding park users of the recently reintroduced rules under the dog control Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO). The Order means that in addition to it still being an offence to not remove dog fouling, the maximum number of dogs that can be walked by one person is six. Also, dogs must be kept on a lead of no more than 2m within defined areas and prevents them entering area such as closed playgrounds and marked sports pitches.

This ensures everyone can enjoy Sefton’s open spaces, picnic areas, playgrounds and sports pitches in harmony.

Locations where people can find Green Sefton officers this week are as follows:

• Tuesday 25^th May – morning at Derby Park, Bootle and afternoon at Marian Gardens, Netherton
• Wednesday 26^th May – morning at Seafront Gardens/Coastal Park, Crosby and afternoon at Victoria Park, Waterloo
• Thursday 27^th May – morning at Ainsdale Local Nature Reserve and afternoon at Hesketh Park, Southport

Two weeks of community and volunteer-focused litter picking activity will then follow on from Friday 28^th May, as the Council joins forces with the Keep Britain Tidy Great British Spring Clean.

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “Sefton has 22-miles of stunning coastline, more than 30 parks and around 180 open spaces. All these places have been more popular than ever over the past year for residents and visitors as people have enjoyed spending time outdoors.

“We have an incredibly passionate workforce who look after these sites, many of whom are experts on conservation and environmental issues. They work side-by-side a network of enthusiastic volunteers and community groups who together ensure our outdoor spaces are great places for people, animals and plants to thrive.

“Sadly, not everyone helps to protect these places by taking their rubbish home, by respecting the hard work that goes into caring for plants and wildlife, or by clearing up after their dogs.

“At the coast this can threaten rare species and damage the dunes. And, while in parks it’s not only unpleasant to come across dog mess or discarded rubbish, but coupled with anti-social behaviour, much of the good work undertaken by Council staff and volunteers can be undone.

“These next few weeks of activity should be a reminder to everyone across Sefton that we are determined to keep our outdoor spaces in the best possible condition, focusing our resources on the key problems that we find people are most concerned about – that’s littering and dog fouling.

“But as we’ve seen throughout the pandemic, it’s amazing what a collective community effort can achieve. So, with more people than ever spending time in our parks or at our beaches, we are confident they will want to play their role in respecting and protecting these important places.”

Anyone who would like to volunteer for a litter picking activity, might have an interest in joining a ‘Friends of…’ park group or would like to spend more time at the coast as a Beach Ambassador should get in touch.

To find out more, people can contact the Green Sefton team directly by email at greensefton@sefton.gov.uk

Runnells Lane Park in Thornton is to be transformed by Sefton Council with much needed improvements to its play and recreation facilities as well as its paths and landscaping.

Officers will be hosting a socially distanced drop-in session on Thursday 20th May from 3pm to 6pm to offer residents and park users the chance to see detailed plans of the improvements.

They are also looking for members of the community to help establish a Friends of Runnells Lane Park group who would undertake volunteer duties and support events and activities. Those interested should contact Green Sefton by email greensefton@sefton.gov.uk.

Funding has been secured by Manor Ward funding, the Council’s Green Sefton service in partnership with the Neighbourhoods Team though the Veolia Environmental Trust, who support community projects across the whole of England. A contribution of Section 106 Planning monies has also been allocated to the park improvements.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing said: “It’s fantastic news that our Neighbourhoods Team have worked collaboratively with our Green Sefton Officers to source funding for these improvements that will benefit people of all ages in this area.
“This is the only public park in Thornton and our residents have asked us to look at how we could improve children’s play opportunities and make the most of this important community space.”

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said:
“As our outdoor spaces are proving more popular than ever, we are dedicated to finding ways to develop sites like this so that our residents have green spaces right on their doorstep that can be enjoyed by all.”

Designs have been drawn up that include a new play area for toddlers with a mixture of play equipment including swings, springers, a seesaw, climbing net and an accessible roundabout for those with disabilities. Plans also include the introduction of a cantilever swing suitable for teens to broaden the age range of the play equipment in the park.

The existing multi-use games area will be refurbished, and new paths will be created around the edge of the site. New bins and benches will be installed, and trees are to be planted around the boundary of the park to improve the local environment and wildlife.

Cllr Moncur added: “I’d urge people to get in touch with Green Sefton to find out more about these exciting plans and to think about ways to get involved in the Friends of Runnells Park initiative. Volunteering just a small amount of time in our outdoor spaces can be hugely beneficial for health and wellbeing, it’s a great way to connect with others and to influence how your local space can be used to benefit the community that live there.”

Lizzie Cooke, from The Veolia Environmental Trust, said: “We are really pleased to award £75,000 via the Landfill Communities Fund to support this project.

“We look forward to seeing the improvements that will create an accessible outdoor space for all to enjoy, promoting active lifestyles and contributing to the health and well-being of all the community.”

It is planned that the work will take place towards the end of 2021 with opening of the new facilities in early 2022.