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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