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Sefton Council, the Environment Agency and United Utilities have signed a joint statement of intent to reassure Maghull communities that they are continuing to work together to explore solutions to reduce the risk of flooding.

The statement strengthens the collaborative approach already undertaken to manage and reduce flood risk, further prompted by weather events in January. A major incident was declared due to significant rainfall brought by Storm Christoph on Wednesday 20th January 2021 which also saw the Environment Agency issue two Severe Flood Warnings in Maghull, covering 439 properties within the flood warning area.

The predicted flooding did not happen as expected but the incident highlighted the need for all three organisations to come together to find deliverable improvements that make a significant difference for the community.

All three organisations have sought to manage the risks through a range of means to date including routine maintenance, capital investments, improvements to warning and informing residents as well as planning control. Alongside the statement of intent, a new flood risk working group will also be established with representation from all three agencies.

Cllr John Fairclough, Deputy Leader of Sefton Council and Chair of the new working group, said: “Flood risk is a serious issue for residents across the Borough and something that our officers are dedicated to finding both short and long-term solutions for through our flood risk management strategy.  Over the past decade due to a combination of severe weather events and instances occurring from rivers, sewers and surface water, we’ve seen significant issues in not just Maghull, but across Sefton.

“But now more needs to be done, and a working group led by the Council will seek to find and drive investment into flood risk management across the whole Borough of Sefton. An essential part of this requires collaborative work alongside partners, to share expertise and to identify actions that can be taken individually and collectively to reduce this risk. I am confident that the establishment of the new working group, and confirmation of our joint commitment through the statement of intent, will explore and identify feasible solutions that are needed by all.”

Andy Brown, Environment Agency Flood and Coastal Risk Manager for Lancashire, said: “Across England, we’re working to better protect communities from the risk of flooding and make homes and businesses better prepared and more resilient through our long-term FCERM strategy. Alongside our partners we have already taken a number of steps to reduce the risk of flooding across Sefton such as routine maintenance activity, investment in flood defences and improvements to our warning and informing service.

“We are committed to joining up further and feel that a working group, with input from all risk management authorities, is a good way forward. Together, we can better identify all possible actions, large or small, to reduce flood risk and we hope this will help to reassure local communities.”

Jo Harrison, Director of Environment, Planning and Innovation at United Utilities, said: “We continue to invest in the sewer network across Sefton, including work in Maghull, involving a £4 million project in the Rock View area to help reduce the risk of sewer flooding, which is nearing completion.

“However, storm flooding is a complex issue with no simple answer. The drainage network includes pumping stations, culverts, watercourses, sewers and highway drains all operating and interacting together but under the responsibility of different agencies.

“Collaboration is key and we remain absolutely committed to working with the Lead Local Flood Authority (Sefton Council) and the Environment Agency to ensure issues are investigated thoroughly and measures are put in place to minimise the risk of flooding, to help protect the community.”

The statement can be read in full on the Sefton Council website. 

Sefton Council is supporting the Food Standards Agency’s new ‘Speak Up For Allergies’ campaign.

‘Speak Up For Allergies’ has been developed to encourage young adults to speak up about their food allergies when they order a takeaway.

Research shows that young people and children are at a higher risk of experiencing food allergy reactions.

While many are confident about managing their food allergy themselves, they can be less likely to tell a café or restaurant about their allergy. This is particularly the case if they have eaten a meal from the same place before.

Young people should call directly to make sure the person taking the order fully understands their food allergy, says the FSA. This is better than relying on online or in-app allergen information.

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services said:

“While most young people, who are aware they have food allergies are very good at managing them, they may forget to mention them or be less confident about raising them when ordering a takeaway.

“This Food Standards Agency ‘Speak Up For Allergies’ campaign information at www.food.gov.uk/SpeakUpForAllergies provides young with some useful advice for staying safe by living with, managing and communicating their food allergy.”

Rebecca Sudworth, Director of Policy at the Food Standards Agency said:

‘Our research has revealed that young people are eating takeaways more often than before lockdown. With eating-in being the new eating out, it is vital that young people with food allergies and their friends remember to speak to the restaurant every time they make an order. Even if it’s a meal they’ve eaten before, because ingredients, recipes and staff can change.

‘If you, or your friends or family have a food allergy, it’s important to never be complacent. That’s why we’re reminding people to be allergy aware and remember to ask, even when ordering the usual.”

#SpeakUpForAllergies is being promoted on social media and is supported by food delivery platforms such as Just Eat and Uber Eats.

Sefton Council have been awarded £122,000 by the DEFRA Air Quality Grant fund to help in the fight against air pollution.

The money will be used to deliver a project centred around education and engagement on the issue of air quality and wider climate issues.

A new public interactive immersive room will be built at Southport Eco Centre to teach children about air quality. The design will ensure that all children and families will be able to engage in the topic in a fun, vibrant and educational way.

The grant will also be used to enhance the existing ‘Clean Air Crew’ website which can be accessed by everyone in Sefton and has some excellent resources for Sefton’s Primary schools. This will be expanded to provide resources for secondary school age pupils in Sefton.

Schools will get further benefit from their involvement in NO₂ monitoring to fully engage with the topic of air quality, from taking measurements to finding solutions.

In addition to this, we will be developing higher level online air quality training for Parents/ Teachers/ Sefton Staff/ Residents to ensure our education and engagement programme reaches as widely as possible.

This funding will ensure that over 24,000 children, teachers and parents are engaged on the issue of air quality; resulting in positive behaviour change and air quality benefits in the years to come.

Cllr Ian Moncur, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing said:

“Improving air quality in Sefton is a top priority. It is vital that we protect and the improve the health and wellbeing of our community

“I am delighted that Sefton has been awarded this money to educate young people about the issue of air quality and its impact on society.

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

“A key part of our climate emergency strategy is engagement and education and I know this money will be used to make a positive impact on our contribution to climate change and ensure Sefton is cleaner and greener.”

The news of this grant comes as Sefton sees improvements in air quality at monitoring stations throughout the borough, likely as a result of reductions in traffic associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sefton is currently looking at a number of different options to improve air quality as part of a wider Clean Air Plan which includes considering the potential use of Clean Air Zones in the Borough. Further details regarding this work is due to be released shortly.

Officers are also investigating the opportunities around improving traffic signals across Sefton and utilising lower cost air pollution sensors to supplement our air quality monitoring capabilities.

For more information on Air Quality in Sefton, go to our website or the Eco Centre’s education resource

Sefton Council have joined the international campaign of recognition for our social workers which is celebrated every year in March

The 16^th March marks World Social Work Day and provides an opportunity for social work practitioners to reflect and recognise the valuable work they achieve and the positive impact on the lives of some of the most vulnerable members and families within our communities, particularly over this last extraordinary year.

It is also a time to acknowledge the many hardships and challenges faced by the community, particularly through this exceptional year.

The focus is celebrating our commitment to well-being, dignity, safeguarding, social justice, human rights and putting people at the heart of what we do .

Cllr Paul Cummins, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care said:

“Reflecting over the twelve months  I have been so pleased to see an increase in the number of compliments from families, who have taken the time to express their thanks.

“They are obviously really grateful not just for what Social Workers have done but for the way they have gone about this work.

“My Best wishes for World Social Work Day!”

The day cannot be marked with large celebrations due to ongoing coronavirus restrictions, however, this day is marked by appreciation and recognition of hard work and resilience seen in our social workers and our community.

Our #SeftonSaysThanks campaign has run throughout the year as our community came together during the COVID-19 pandemic; today is dedicated to our brilliant social work team.