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Work on new Community Learning Hub for Seaforth underway

15 December 2020
Martin Driver
No comments
Categories: Business and Economy, Front Page, Latest News, Sefton Council
People in hard hats and PPE touring the Cambridge Road refurbishment site
People in hard hats and PPE touring the Cambridge Road refurbishment site

Work on an important new £1.3 million Community Learning Hub in Seaforth is underway.

Funded by Sefton Council and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority through the Skills Capital Fund, the refurbished community learning hub will provide enhanced access to skills training for residents who are currently unemployed.

Investment in the Grade II Listed building will include a complete refurbishment of the ground floor facilities, a new reception area and café. The work will also include repairing and enhancing the building’s original features, with external improvements to the roof, windows, brick and stonework.

Learning Hub users will also benefit from investment in new IT infrastructure, the school hall will be reconfigured as a new, flexible teaching area and the building will be fully Wi-Fi enabled.

Following a competitive tendering exercise, Liverpool-based contractor Cunard Construction has been appointed to carry out the work. The company has extensive experience in the refurbishment of important listed buildings, while also providing social value to the users of the centre and the immediate community.

Cllr Ian Maher, Sefton Council Leader said: “Sefton Community Learning Hub provides a fantastic community resource for adult learners to access skills and bridge the gap to employment.

“These refurbishment works will breathe new life into Cambridge Road, securing its future for the long term and helping us to attract more learners in an inviting, stimulating and connected environment.

“This will be particularly important in the light of the coronavirus pandemic’s impact, which will see more local residents relying on community learning services.

“As well as improving learning opportunities at the Cambridge Road centre, the refurbishment will also reduce its day-to-day running costs and create the potential to generate income.”

Until the redevelopment is complete services will continue to be provided by the Council’s Community Learning Service at alternative nearby venues.

People in hard hats and PPE looking at the Cambridge Road site
Guests in Hard hats and PPE looking at the Cambridge Road site

Cllr Maher added: “This investment unlocks the potential of Cambridge Road and safeguards the future of an iconic building. Sefton Community Learning Hub is a well-used asset but can play an even greater role in the community.

“This is an important milestone in enabling more learners and service users to access Cambridge Road.”

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “Even as we deal with the immediate impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic, we must continue to invest and plan for our future so that our economic recovery begins as quickly as possible.  Education and training will be at the heart of our recovery as we ensure that the people of the Liverpool City Region have the skills and learning they need to thrive.  By investing in infrastructure schemes such as this Learning Hub in Cambridge Road we are investing in the future of our city region.”

Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government, Luke Hall MP said: “The Sefton Community Learning Hub already provides stellar education and training services.

“The refurbishment of the Hub, backed by a £1.15m Local Growth Fund investment, will safeguard this important service, as well as improving the facilities for staff and learners alike.

“Now more than ever, it is crucial that we equip people with the skills they need to succeed.”

James Flannery, Construction Director at Cunard Construction, said: “We are delighted to be chosen as the preferred bidder for the Cambridge Road Project. We as a business have a track record of refurbishing historic, listed and locally important buildings across the Liverpool City Region and the North West.

“We will work in partnership with Sefton MBC, and the immediate community, to create a stimulating Community Learning Hub in Seaforth.

“It’s imperative we work with clients to maximise the best possible social value as part of the construction process. Sefton and the Combined Authority have a track record of including Quality elements of the tender process which demands that construction contractors deliver a range of benefits for the community were projects are delivered.

“We will work the Council to deliver a full suite of Social Value elements for the project aimed at creating opportunities for the residents of Sefton, whilst supporting the Hubs social enterprise business who do fantastic work in Sefton.”

The Community Learning Hub in Seaforth is being funded by the Skills Capital Fund element of Local Growth Funding, which is awarded to the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and invested through the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s Strategic Investment Fund.

Demolition marks start of work to redevelop Bootle New Strand shopping centre

14 December 2020
Martin Driver
No comments
Categories: Bootle Strand, Front Page, Latest News, Regeneration

Work has now started on site to clear and make good the land adjacent to the Strand and the Leeds Liverpool Canal.

The work, which is funded with £1.65m from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, is the first part of Sefton Council’s plans to invest in the improvement of the Bootle New Strand shopping centre and Bootle Town Centre.

This demolition will open up a disused area around the Strand for new and imaginative interim uses, which will signal the first step in repurposing Bootle Strand and opening it up its canal frontage, which the Council sees as a cornerstone of Bootle town centre’s regeneration and transformation.

Demolition works begin near Bootle New Strand shopping centre as diggers can be seen taking down parts of a building

Sefton Council and its partners are looking for some short-term improvements that can help the Strand, and Bootle, get ahead of the competition in recovery following the severe impacts of COVID-19.

Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council, said: “While we are working on what the long-term plans are for Bootle and the Strand, we’re looking at bringing in interim uses to the areas in and around the Strand.  By bringing new and vibrant activity to places that are currently unused the Council can help to stimulate the local economy, transform the look and feel of the town for residents, businesses and visitors and improve the quality of life for local people.

“Work has begun on demolishing some of the existing buildings so we can make the land ready for these interim uses, and we’ve already started engaging with local people and other stakeholders, including local businesses, on how the space could be used, including the Bootle Festival of Ideas.

“The Council plans to do lots more consultation and engagement work over the coming months and years (especially as we start to look ahead to the medium and long term plans) with a wide range of stakeholders from regular users of The Strand, existing tenants, local residents, the wider community and other interest groups within the town centre – all of whom have a role to play and an interest in the future of Bootle town centre.”

Among the ideas that have been suggested for consideration are food and beverage venues, ‘pop-up’ markets, artists’ studios and craft workshops and screenings and performance spaces are among these interim proposals. Education and training facilities and a community hub, exercise and sports spaces, that could include a cycle hub and possible gardens or even an urban beach have also been put forward for discussion. The first of these, it is hoped, will be in place for Summer 2021.

A partnering arrangement with the Canals and Rivers Trust would also integrate the site with the canal to enable it to be brought fully back into use and provide a possible ‘waterway link’ to Bramley Moore Dock in advance of the proposed new Everton FC stadium.

Cllr Maher continued: “These plans will transform the space in the short term while we continue to develop our ambitious, long-term plans for Bootle, which include attracting new private sector investment to create a town centre that is economically, socially and environmentally sustainable.”

“Research has shown that Bootle is proving to be one of the towns in the UK hardest-hit by COVID-19, so positive news such as this about our plans for the Strand and Bootle Town Centre is welcome. With its excellent communication links to Liverpool and the emerging EFC Stadium and North Liverpool development, the time is right to look at a more sustainable future for Bootle Strand so it can contribute positively to support the regeneration and transformation aims for the town.”

The Combined Authority funding for the project comes from the Local Growth Fund, which is awarded to the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and invested through the Combined Authority’s Strategic Investment Fund.

Speaking about the project, Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “Since I was elected, I have made it a priority to get our town centres on the up again and I know it is even more important to our communities in the light of the impact Coronavirus has had on them.

“We invested £1m in Bootle last December and are continuing to invest and work with Sefton Council to help see the area revitalised. This work should help kickstart that, by freeing up space for vibrant and innovative new projects.

“Town Centres are at the heart of our communities, providing a hub for people to meet, shop and socialise but sadly too many have seen better days. The Council has some really exciting plans that should help make Bootle Town Centre thrive.”

Minister for Regional Growth and Local Government, Luke Hall MP, said: “Transforming unused spaces so that they can better benefit their communities is a key part of our work to level up towns across the country.

“I’m proud that we’re supporting the redevelopment of Bootle New Strand Shopping Centre with a £1.65 million Local Growth Fund investment.

“Exciting plans are in the pipeline for the unused area around the Strand, which will help support the local economy, brining opportunities and jobs to the community.”

Moooove over for grazing winter visitors at Sefton’s Nature Reserves

11 December 2020
Martin Driver
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Latest News, Uncategorized

Sefton Council is welcoming sheep and cattle on to the local Nature Reserves at Ainsdale and Birkdale this week, as part of the its continuing conservation works.

Each winter, the Council brings grazing animals onto the reserves as part of Green Sefton’s management of the dunes. The seasonal grazing benefits nature conservation, as the animals help to control vegetation growth, encouraging diverse plant species to grow and dune specialists such as Natterjack Toads to thrive.

This year, Herdwick sheep from Cumbria alongside Belted Galloway and White Shorthorn cattle from neighbouring Lancashire have been moved on to the reserve. Before the cattle and sheep arrived for the winter, the fenced enclosures on the reserves were checked by Rangers to ensure that they were secure and safe for this year’s grazing.

Belted Galloway cow
Belted Galloway cow on Ainsdale reserve

Green Sefton is urging everyone to act responsibly if they visit the reserves to catch a glimpse of the special winter visitors. Dog walkers are reminded that pets should be kept on a lead and under close control within fenced grazing areas, following the Countryside Code.

Gordon White, Countryside Officer for Green Sefton, said: “These grazing animals are an essential tool in the management of Sefton’s scientifically important sand dunes. Not only do they help us to improve habitats, but they really help to optimise the potential of Sefton’s important natural assets.

“We urge all dog walkers to keep their pets on a lead, under close control and away from the sheep and cows they may see in the fenced grazing areas this winter – just as you would on any site or farmers field where livestock are kept. Whilst they are docile animals and used to seeing people, they could be a little nervous in their new Sefton home.”

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “Conservation grazing is a fantastic, cost effective and natural way to protect our dune systems and it is great to see the animals making a return to our reserves again this winter.

“Sefton’s coastline is one of the most important areas in Britain for nature conservation, enjoying the highest level of protection under UK law as a site of specific scientific interest for its flora and fauna. On-going initiatives like this really help to enhance these important coastal ecological systems.”

Gordon White added: “We all have an obligation to protect these very special features, and balancing their needs with those of our visitors can be a tricky task. Part of our role at Green Sefton is to help our communities to learn and understand how fortunate we all are to have such incredible and fantastic species right on our doorstep. Working with our communities, as well as with partner organisations on specific environmental projects, we can achieve great improvements to our wonderful sand dune habitats.

“Ultimately this will enable us to be confident that we have contributed to passing them on to the next generation in a strong condition, to continue to survive, and provide them with fascinating wildlife spectacles.”

The animals will graze the reserves until early April 2021.

 

Statement on recent fire damage at South Park, Bootle

10 December 2020
Martin Driver
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Latest News

Sefton Council has issued the following statement regarding numerous reports of deliberate fire damage at the children’s playground in South Park, Bootle.

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

“It is incredibly disappointing to hear of numerous instances of deliberate fire damage happening at South Park playground. At a time when people need their local outdoor spaces more than ever, it is really devastating to see that children’s play equipment has been mindlessly vandalised in this way.

“Green Sefton’s Playground Team attended and made the area safe by removing damaged items such as seats and springers. They will be assessing the repairs that are needed and the cost incurred over the next couple of days – money that could otherwise be spent on new or upgraded facilities for local people to enjoy.

“People might think that their actions are just a bit of fun, but sadly they have taken away a vital piece of our local community, a place where children and families would normally have been able to enjoy the fresh air.

“We do hope that mindless acts like this don’t put people off visiting our playgrounds and parks, as we have some fantastic outdoor spaces for all to utilise right across our Borough.

“We continue to work with and support our colleagues in Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service and Merseyside Police to monitor anti-social behaviour of this sort in the area.”

Merseyside Police and Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service are urging parents to speak to their children about the consequences of their actions following the spate of fires.

People in Sefton being reminded ‘Your GPs are still there for you’ during COVID

9 December 2020
Martin Driver
No comments
Categories: Front Page, Health, Latest News

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect our daily lives, people in Sefton are being reminded that although GP practices may be working a little differently at the moment, they are still there for those who need them.

Since March, we have all adapted quickly to using phone and video in all aspects of our lives – shopping, pre-booking time slots to access various services and venues – and GP services have been no different.

Fiona Taylor, chief officer of NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Southport and Formby CCG, said: “GPs and practice staff across Sefton have been amazing in their response to the pandemic – drastically increasing the number of telephone and video consultations to ensure patients could still access services during the pandemic.

“I cannot thank them enough for their dedication to supporting residents throughout this challenging and very busy time.”

Dr Craig Gillespie, chair of NHS South Sefton CCG, said: “As GP surgeries enter their busiest time of the year and manage additional pandemic pressures, I’d like to thank Sefton residents for their ongoing patience and support of their local GPs and practice staff.

“We know that it is a worrying time, but we would like to reassure you that your GP is there for you should you need them. If you are unwell or have a concern about your physical or mental health then please contact your surgery by calling them, going to their website on using the NHS App.

“Where possible, your GP will talk to you over the phone or online to find out more and discuss the next steps. If you are asked to come in for an appointment, please don’t delay getting the care or treatment you need and attend your appointment straight away. Coronavirus safety measures are in place to ensure that we can continue to see patients face-to-face when necessary.”

Dr Rob Caudwell, chair of NHS Southport and Formby CCG, said: “The COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer/BioNTech has met strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness and therefore been approved for use in the UK. Other vaccines are being developed and will be thoroughly tested and approved before we start to use them.

“At first, the vaccine will be offered to people who are most at risk from Coronavirus, before being offered more widely. You will be contacted by the NHS when it’s your turn so please do not contact your GP to ask about the vaccine.”

See NHS.uk for more information about the Coronavirus vaccine.

If you have any Coronavirus symptoms such as a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – you must self-isolate at home and get a test as soon as possible. Get a test online or call 119.

If you need medical advice or treatment, there are lots of options available to you:

  • Self-care is about keeping fit and healthy, understanding when you can look after yourself – including managing any long-term conditions you have, and knowing when you need to speak to your GP, pharmacist, or another health professional.
  • Pharmacists are trained to help with a range of symptoms and are often open in the evenings and at weekends. Find your nearest pharmacy online and check their opening times. Do not go to a pharmacy if you have Coronavirus symptoms.
  • If you’re not sure which service is right for you or if you need urgent medical help, use the NHS 111 online service, or call 111 if you are unable to get help online.
  • For help with mild to moderate stress, anxiety, or depression, contact Access Sefton or call 0151 955 3200 to access talking therapies.
  • For help from a GP, visit your GP surgery’s website, use an online service to contact your GP, or call the surgery.
  • For life-threatening emergencies, call 999 for an ambulance.

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