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Green Sefton highlights the importance of the coast in managing the impact of climate change

3 November 2021
Martin Driver
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Categories: Front Page, Green Sefton, Latest News
Aerial image of Southport coastline
Aerial image of Southport coastline

Climate predictions indicate that over the next century around 350m of the Sefton coastline could be lost to erosion and localised flooding could increase if action is not taken now.

That is why the Council’s Green Sefton Service is taking note of these latest predictions for coastal change, ensuring that its development and management plans mitigate as many of these risks as is possible.

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said:

“Sea-level rise, increased storminess, changes in rainfall patterns and temperatures are all key factors in how the dynamics of our precious coastline could change over the next century.

“There is a very real risk that north of Southport at Marshside, our salt marshes will lose their ability to absorb wave energy as they gradually erode, and land drainage will also suffer.

“Our sea defences at Southport and Crosby will weaken and increased water levels may lead to more frequent localised flooding.

“Birkdale, Ainsdale, Formby and Hightown’s infamous dune systems could see increased rates of erosion and loss of vital dune habitats.

“The impact of climate change is not confined to textbooks anymore but could be felt by thousands of Sefton residents in the future if we don’t act now.

“That is why the Council is developing a new flood and coastal erosion risk management strategy and will continue to monitor the coastline as the lead representative for the whole of the north west region.

“We are also dedicated to undertaking habitat conservation works, alongside specialist partners, particularly on our dune systems to ensure the rare flora and fauna native to our coastline is protected.”

Image of crashing waves at the Sefton coast
Image of crashing waves at the Sefton coast

As the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA), Sefton Council’s new flood and coastal erosion risk management strategy will take into account these climate change predictions of rising sea levels, increased wave heights, coastal erosion and more common tidal flooding.

Sefton’s communities can get involved in shaping this plan for the future as they have a further two weeks to submit their views to a public consultation. People can take part online at www.YourSeftonYourSay.sefton.gov.uk and have up until Wednesday 17th November 2021.

Flood and erosion events can affect not only those living in coastal and high-risk areas, but also transport networks, schools, highways and local businesses. They can also have detrimental environmental impacts on rare habitats and species.  

Sefton Council is dedicated to producing a management strategy that is fit-for-purpose and recognises the increasing challenges of the climate emergency and where targeted and risk-based investment is needed.

The new strategy will outline the clear roles and responsibilities of not only the Council, but other risk management authorities who work closely alongside Sefton Council including the Environment Agency, United Utilities, Highways England and the Canal and River Trust.

The public consultation includes the opportunity for the draft flood and coastal erosion risk management strategy, and associated business plan, to be viewed in full, followed by a short survey to gather thoughts from residents.

* The climate predictions quoted in this article have been put together by Sefton Council’s Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management officers using the UKCP18  climate analysis tool: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/approach/collaboration/ukcp/about

Share your views on plans for Crosby’s town centre at drop-in event tomorrow, Wednesday 3rd November, from 2pm to 7pm

2 November 2021
Amy Hitchmough
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Local Consultation

Crosby residents and visitors are being invited to have their say on plans to Crosby’s town centre at a drop-in event from 2pm to 7pm tomorrow (Wednesday 3rd November), at St. Luke’s Church, Crosby, L23 5SE.

Organised by Sefton Council’s Regeneration Team, the event is a chance for people to share their views, ask questions and discuss the Council’s plan for regenerating Crosby’s historic town centre.

Improvements to car parks, highways and junctions, and town centre access are all part of the proposed regeneration plan for Crosby.

A public consultation to gain the views of people who live, work and visit Crosby is already underway. The online survey where people can share their thoughts can be found at yourseftonyoursay.sefton.gov.uk/ until Sunday 7th November.

Those without internet access, can give feedback over the phone by calling 0345 140 0845.

Cllr Fairclough, Cabinet Member for Locality Services at Sefton Council, said: “The Council is committed to listening to valued feedback and I strongly encourage people to come along tomorrow to ask questions and share their views.

“The drop-in event is a fantastic opportunity for people to help shape the future of Crosby and plans to regenerate and develop the town centre.”

Originally, a plan for regeneration in Crosby was developed by the Council and following consultation was approved in 2015.

Sefton celebrates first year of progress towards net zero carbon target

2 November 2021
Bridie Finnan
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Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Uncategorized

As COP26 comes to the UK, Sefton Council has published its Climate Emergency Annual Report, confirming a whopping 10% reduction in total emissions in just one year. 2030 Pledge

The fall was driven by the move away from office working and into home working. This led to a 92% fall in staff commute emissions and a fall in gas and electricity emissions in Council owned buildings. Sefton have chosen to report the emissions that staff produce whilst working from home in order to report a more accurate picture but the reductions in emissions were evident.

The Council are working to embed an agile/home working approach in future to maintain these carbon emissions reductions.

The report highlights key projects that have been started this year which would see a further 17% reduction in the Council’s carbon footprint upon completion including LED Street Lighting and retrofit works at Bootle and Southport Town Halls.

In addition to those measures which have reduced carbon consumption, Sefton Council have planted over 3000 trees which, in time, will reduce the amount of carbon in our atmosphere and contribute further net carbon reductions.

The 2030 target, which was set out in Sefton Council’s Climate Emergency declaration in 2019, is ambitious but critical to preventing further damage to our climate. All Council decision making reports now have to consider climate implications and training has been developed for all staff to ensure that all areas of the Council are on board with this ambitious but necessary work.

 

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Cabinet Member for Regulatory and Corporate Services said:

“I am delighted to see the results of this years Climate Emergency Annual Report, it is testament to the hard work of everyone at the Council to have seen such a huge reduction in our carbon footprint and to see we are on track to reach that critical date of net zero carbon by 2030.

“The pandemic has forced us to change the way we live and work and it has been difficult at times, but there are some positives to draw from our experience and I hope we can maintain some of the positive climate impacts that have been seen over the past year.

“A 27% reduction in emissions when this years projects have been completed is so encouraging and I hope we can keep up the momentum as we move into next year. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate COP26 in the UK than with this fantastic progress towards our target.”

 

As the UK plays host to COP26, Sefton are celebrating all aspects of its wonderful coastline, the health and wellbeing benefits to climate action and its fantastic progress against its climate targets.

You can find further information on Sefton’s Climate Emergency progress at Sefton Council’s website

Sefton Council launches ‘I Pledge’ campaign to encourage people to reduce their emissions

1 November 2021
Bridie Finnan
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Green Sefton, Latest News

To mark the start of COP26, Sefton Council is encouraging residents, businesses and partners to make a pledge to reduce their emissions.

Following the 2019 declaration of a Climate Emergency in Sefton, the Council is reaffirming their pledge to be net zero carbon by 2030 for all council activities.

People are being asked to go #OneStepGreener for the planet and make a small change. The pledge could be something small like walking more short journeys, using more public transport or eating local, seasonal foods. For those who can go further, they could install solar panels, eat less meat or switch to an electric vehicle.

Sefton Council has released a video pledging to take green inclusive steps for all the community and to protect the borough from the effects of climate change

 

 

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Cabinet Member for Regulatory and Corporate Services said:

“COP26 is a chance for us to stand up and make a pledge to the people of our borough on the issue of climate change. We can no longer sit back and do nothing.

“Not only do we stand by our commitment to be net zero carbon by 2030, but we pledge to protect everyone in Sefton from the effects of climate change, which as a coastal borough, we are particularly vulnerable to.  

“We have reflected on what we as a Council can do to protect our borough and reduce our contribution to climate change and I would urge everyone in Sefton to think carefully about one small thing they could do that would reduce their impact on our climate and keep our borough the green and beautiful place that it is”

 

The Council will be releasing top tips and making green announcements throughout the two weeks of COP26 tied to the themes of the conference covering youth, nature, adaptation and more.

You can find details of our climate strategy and action plan here.  

 

 

 

Smoking cessation midwife service’s success celebrated as Stoptober draws to close

28 October 2021
Amy Hitchmough
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Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News

As this year’s Stoptober draws to a close, Sefton Council and its partners are reminding people who live and work locally that any time of year is a good time to quit smoking.

Celebrating its 10th year, and the estimated two million smokers who have used the campaign moment to try stopping smoking, this year’s Stoptober has focused on highlighting the wide range of stop smoking support available.

For people in Sefton, this can include support from the Smoking Cessation Midwife who is based in the Antenatal Clinic in Ormskirk District General. The post is funded by Sefton Council’s Public Health which commissions the Stop Smoking Service for people in Sefton.

Women who book in with the Hospital’s Maternity Services are asked about their smoking status and are offered carbon monoxide monitoring as routine. Women who smoke are referred through to the local Stop Smoking Service for support and help to quit as well as having follow-up support from the Smoking Cessation Midwife and maternity team.  Carbon monoxide monitoring is repeated as appropriate throughout pregnancy with a minimum repeat at 25 and 36 weeks of pregnancy.

Margaret Jones, Sefton Council’s Director of Public Health said:
“The Smoking Cessation Specialist Midwife has been in post since January 2019 and is having a positive impact.

“We are delighted to report that we have seen sustained improvement in the number of women giving up smoking at each reporting point throughout 2020/21 despite a very difficult year for everyone.”

Janet Calland, Matron for Maternity Services:
“The national target is to achieve a figure of less than 6% of all babies are born to mothers who smoke by 2022 with the national average currently standing at is 9.8%.

“For Southport and Formby that figure was 9.78% with a total of just 79 mothers were reported as smoking at the time of delivery out of 817 pregnancies.”

People in Sefton who want help to stop smoking can contact Smokefree Sefton on 0300 100 1000 or visit www.smokefreesefton.co.uk. Smokefree Sefton offer FREE support to stop smoking and access to proven treatments and are currently offering a blended approach of telephone and face to face support at a venue close to you. They can also offer workplace support for a group of colleagues who may want to stop together within the convenience of your workplace.

People in West Lancashire should contact the Quit Squad on 0800 328 6297

Key messages in this year’s Stoptober campaign have been that its never too late to stop smoking, that the health benefits start immediately and that people who access their local Stop Smoking service are three times more likely to quit.

Case study from the specialised Stop Smoking Midwife at Southport and Ormskirk hospital.

I first met AA following her dating scan. She disclosed she had smoked through all her pregnancies (13 previous) and we discovered that 12 of these 13 babies were born as small for gestational age.

AA had been referred to the smoking cessation teams at her booking appointment but had not yet engaged with them.

Following discussion and advice about smoking in pregnancy and cessation methods AA accepted re referral back to the smoking cessation teams for support and Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT).

Outcome

AA received NRT and support from the stop smoking services and was seen again by me at 20 weeks at her anomaly scan. At this point AA had successfully quit smoking. She remarked she couldn’t believe she had done it, and this was the first time she had quit in pregnancy and she intends to keep it up.

The lady delivered her baby.  This was her 14th birth and the 1st time her baby was born Smokefree. Whilst noting the impact being Smokefree can positively have on the new-born, in this circumstance we can also reflect upon the impact on the 13 other Sefton children within this family and how it may have positively impacted on their health, wellbeing and future smoking habits that may have developed.

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