England star Alex Greenwood will become the first ever woman to be awarded the Freedom of Sefton.
The Bootle-born Lioness, who captured the nation’s hearts in the summer of 2022 by helping to secure the UEFA Women’s Euros Championship, will become the first woman to be given the illustrious Freedom of the Borough civic honour.
Alex will join fellow Bootle footballer Jamie Carragher and famous horse trainer Donald ‘Ginger’ McCain as the only three individuals on Sefton’s Honorary Freedom Scroll, which officially confirms her status as Freewoman of the Borough.
Being bestowed the Freedom of the Borough is the highest honour Sefton Council can give to an individual and is only ever considered in exceptional circumstances.
At a meeting of Full Council (Thursday, November 17) councillors voted to award Alex with Freedom status.
It follows Sefton Council conferring Honorary Freedom of the Borough status on Alder Hey Childrenâs NHS Foundation Trust, Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Southport & Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: “Alex is a fantastic role model for young people in Sefton and has long been a major influence in the advancement of women and girlsâ football within our borough.
“Despite still being at the top of her game and competing in the Women’s Super League, Alex regularly takes time to motivate and inspire future generations of sporting stars throughout our communities.”
Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Councilâs Cabinet Member for Health & Wellbeing, said: ââI want to take this opportunity to urge all our young sporting stars to take a look at Alexâs hard work and dedication to getting where she is today as one of the worldâs best female footballers.
âHer progress is a testament to the excellent school and sports facilities we have within Sefton.â
A ceremony to present Alex with her Freedom of the Borough honour is expected to take place in 2023.
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Local businesses are urged to act now as free flood surveys and fully funded follow up support âwonât be available foreverâ
The Flood Innovation Centre is urging local businesses to take action to better protect their premises, employees and other assets against the risk of flooding by requesting a free flood survey and follow-up support before itâs too late.
The message from the team at the Flood Innovation Centre, which is part of the University of Hull but is funded to provide support to eligible Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in several areas of the country, is that the funding wonât be around forever. Eligible businesses are rapidly running out of time to take advantage of the funding thatâs on offer because it comes from European Regional Development Fund and is only available for a few more months.
As well as offering free flood surveys, the Flood Innovation Centre team works with business owners to help them understand the findings of their survey and how to make changes aimed at making their businesses more resilient to flooding.
Pip Betts, Project Manager at the Flood Innovation Centre, said: âWeâre now entering the final few months of the project so weâd urge any businesses that are concerned about flooding to contact us as soon as possible if theyâd like to arrange a free flood survey and take advantage of the fully funded support thatâs on offer.
âThe funding wonât be around for much longer, so this is a golden opportunity to take steps to boost the flood resilience of your business, ensuring that youâre better protected for future flooding events. Youâll be supported by our friendly, knowledgeable team every step of the way.â
âCommunities across the Lancashire area face a variety of different types of flood risk, but climate change, coupled with increasing urbanisation, means that flood events are happening more frequently.â
The Environment Agency estimates that the average cost of damage suffered by businesses during a flood event is around ÂŁ82,000. As many as 40 per cent of businesses never reopen after being flooded, and a further 25 per cent of businesses that do reopen go on to fail within a year. Thankfully, by taking a few simple steps to protect their premises, businesses can give themselves a fighting chance of surviving future flooding events. In fact, every ÂŁ1 spent on property flood resilience measures can save businesses around ÂŁ5 in flood damage. Property flood resilience is a term used to describe measures that reduce the risk of flood damage to properties, speed up the recovery process and enable people to get back into their properties quicker after flooding. These measures are installed in business premises, as well as peopleâs homes, to make them less vulnerable to flooding. Property flood resilience solutions are bespoke to each property; the aim is to identify the measures that are most appropriate for your premises and the type of flooding you face.
To find out more about the fully funded support on offer, contact the Flood Innovation Centre by telephoning 01482 462275, emailing flic@hull.ac.uk or completing the online registration form at www.floodinnovation.co.uk/register.
Bloominâ good news for Seftonâs gardening community groups
Community groups across the Borough have once again been recognised for their green-fingered expertise for the 2022 North West in Bloom competition.
Through the summer, the North West in Bloom judges visited various locations across Sefton to see for themselves the good work the volunteers have been doing. Judges consider categories equally, including community involved and environmental quality; looking at litter and highway presentation.
Seftonâs gardening enthusiasts have once again showcased their skills by maintaining flower beds, supporting community initiatives, and creating wonderful displays.
So much so that over 30 entrants were recognised by the judges, including the In Your Neighbourhood category.
Special recognition was also awarded to Seftonâs In Bloom entrants:
- Southport In Bloom: Best Large Coastal Resort Award 2022; Gold Award, Coastal Resort Category 2022
- Ainsdale In Bloom: Gold Award, Town Category 2022
- Crosby & Waterloo In Bloom: Gold Award, Small Coastal Resort Category 2022
- Bootle In Bloom: Silver Award, Urban Community Category 2022
Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Councilâs Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: âThe Green Sefton team has been absolutely bowled over by the determination and commitment of our green-fingered community groups and volunteers.
âNot only do their continued efforts help to make our Sefton greener, but they also help to bring communities together making them stronger and happier. Weâve all enjoyed spending time outdoors, perhaps more than ever in recent times, and having passionate gardeners across our Borough looking after our valued green spaces has really enhanced our time spent outdoors.
âThe standard of competition in North West In Bloom is always very high, so these awards are testimony to the hard work and dedication of our brilliant volunteers â congratulations to them all. The many groups and individuals who won In Your Neighbourhood awards further reflect the hard work that is put into numerous parks, gardens and open spaces in the community.â
North West in Bloom is the voluntary regional organisation that administers the Royal Horticultural Societyâs (RHS) Britain in Bloom competition in Lancashire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside, and is one of the 18 regions and Nations that comprise Britain in Bloom.
Sefton Councilâs Green Sefton Service â who help co-ordinate North West in Bloom within the Borough â are encouraging people interested to get involved by emailing greensefton@sefton.gov.uk
For more information on taking a more active role in community gardening the RHS has lots of helpful resources, simply visit:Â https://www.rhs.org.uk/get-involved/community-gardening
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Full list of results:
Southport In Bloom: Best Large Coastal Resort Award 2022; Gold Award, Coastal Resort Category 2022
Ainsdale In Bloom: Gold Award, Town Category 2022
Crosby & Waterloo In Bloom: Gold Award, Small Coastal Resort Category 2022
Bootle In Bloom: Silver Award, Urban Community Category 2022
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In Your Neighbourhood Awards:
Southport –
Friends of Bedford Park – Level 2
Hesketh Park Volunteers Rose Garden Group – Level 4
Friends of Kings Community Garden – Level 4
Rotten Row – Level 5
Botanic Gardens – Level 5
Bootle –
Litherland Community Centre – Level 5
Hatton Hill (Triangle should be friends of) – Level 4
Ykids – Level 3 plus a special award overcoming adversity
South park – Level 3
Derby park community volunteers poulsom memorial – Level 4
Blooming Oxford Gardens – Level 3
North park community garden – Level 3
Ash street memorial garden – Level 3
Leicester and Somerset road community entry – Level 3
Leicester Road community garden – Level 3
Rufford Road community garden – Level 4
Independent initiative – Level 4
Crosby and Waterloo â
Friends of Alexandra and Coronation Park – level 4
Waterloo community forest – level 5
Mere park residents – level 5
Crosby and district (lions) – level 4
Rotary garden – level 4
Best front garden – Paul Weston
St Michaelâs church – level 4
St Lukeâs church community garden Level 5 – Outstanding
Merrilocks Park Level 5 – Outstanding
Rosemount – level 5
East Street Triangle – level 4
Chenye close – level 5
Ww D bed – level 3
Ainsdale –
Friends of Ainsdale Community Garden – Outstanding
Ainsdale Village Bloomers – Outstanding
Edda – Outstanding
Merefield Special School Special Award
Formby –
Bridge Inn Community Farm – Outstanding (& also won Grow Your Own Award 2022)
Continued Care at the Chemist
Seftonâs âCare at the Chemistâ scheme continues to provide treatment for urinary tract infections (UTIs), better known as water infections, directly from local pharmacies without the need to be seen by a GP.
Women between the ages of 16 and 65 years who have symptoms of a common UTI, who are not pregnant or breastfeeding, can now access the treatment by visiting a participating pharmacy.
Expert treatment
The Care at the Chemist scheme in Sefton offers quick and easy healthcare advice and medicines for a wide range of illnesses and conditions and is available at 31 pharmacies in the Borough. It means that, where appropriate, residents can go directly to their local pharmacy for expert treatment or medicines for a wide variety of conditions, without needing to see their GP first.
The medicines are prescribed free of charge for anyone who does not pay for their prescriptions. Those who do pay will be charged the current prescription charge, or lower if they are cheaper to buy over the counter.
Easier treatment
Susanne Lynch MBE, head of medicines management for NHS Cheshire and Merseyside in Sefton, said: âOur local pharmacists are fully trained and qualified to help you with a wide range of minor illnesses and common conditions. They are your local healthcare experts.
âIn addition to the healthcare advice and support available from all pharmacies, itâs great that we can offer easier treatment for things like simple water infections and more, as part of the Care at the Chemist scheme.â
Right treatment
Dr Pete Chamberlain, local GP in Sefton said: âA lot of problems do not need a GP to resolve. Accessing help through the Care at the Chemist scheme means that youâll get the right treatment faster and start feeling better sooner.
âGP practices are busier than ever, so if you have a common or minor illness, avoid the queues and visit a chemist near you to get help quickly and easily.â
The conditions that are covered by the scheme include common illnesses like coughs and colds, fever and headaches, as well as conditions such as conjunctivitis, scabies, thrush and allergies. The full list of conditions included in the scheme are show below.
| Athleteâs foot | Haemorrhoids (piles) | Pain |
| Cold sores | Hayfever & allergies | Scabies |
| Conjunctivitis | Head lice | Sore throat |
| Constipation | Headache | Sprains & strains |
| Contact dermatitis | Heartburn | Teething |
| Coughs & colds | Indigestion | Threadworm |
| Cystitis | Infant colic | Toothache |
| Diarrhoea | Insect bites/stings | Thrush |
| Dry eyes | Nappy rash | UTI (urinary tract infection)* |
| Ear wax | Nasal congestion | Warts and verrucas |
| Fever |
Sign up
Residents in Sefton can drop into one of the 31 participating pharmacies who are signed up to the scheme and ask about joining Care at the Chemist. Those offering the extended service for UTIs are highlighted with an asterisk (*) and you can find the full list of pharmacies below:
South Sefton
- Alexanders Pharmacy, Stuart Road, Crosby*
- Asda Pharmacy, Aintree*
- Asda Pharmacy, Strand Road, Bootle*
- Bridge Road Chemist, Litherland*
- Cohens Chemist, Bridge Road, Crosby*
- Cohens Chemist, Marian Square, Bootle*
- Daveyâs Chemist, Randall Drive, Ford*
- Higgins Pharmacy, Crosby Road North, Waterloo*
- Knowsley Road Pharmacy, Bootle
- Netherton Pharmacy, Gordon Youth Centre*
- Rightdose Pharmacy, Liverpool Road South, Maghull*
- Rowlands Pharmacy, Sefton Road, Litherland*
- Station Road Pharmacy, Maghull*
- Superdrug Pharmacy, Bootle Strand
- Whitworth Chemist, Moore Street, Bootle*
Southport and Formby
- Asda Pharmacy, Southport*
- Bispham Road Pharmacy, Southport*
- Cambridge Road Pharmacy, Churchtown*
- Care+ Chemist, Banastre Road, Southport*
- Crossens Pharmacy, Rufford Road, Southport*
- Formby Health Rooms and Pharmacy, Liverpool Road
- Fylde Road Pharmacy, Southport*
- Hesketh Park, Queens Road, Southport*
- Rowlands Pharmacy, Chapel Lane, Formby*
- Rowlands Pharmacy, Liverpool Road, Birkdale*
- Rowlands Pharmacy, Upper Aughton Road, Birkdale*
- Sedem Pharmacy, Roe Lane, Churchtown*
- St Marks Church Pharmacy, Southport*
- Whitworth Chemist, Norwood Avenue, Southport*
- Woolleys Internet Pharmacy, Bispham Road, Southport*
Sefton businesses invited to December Economic Forum in stunning surroundings of âThe Lake Houseâ Crosby
InvestSefton is inviting local businesses to attend its next Economic Forum & visit its Growth Hub Marketplace on Thursday 8th December.
Lake House Crosby
Taking place at The Lake House Crosby, the free event will welcome guest speakers Bank of England Deputy Agent Ken Clark and Robin Tudor, Head of PR at Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
Geraldine Fuller, Business Engagement and Marketing Manager Business & IP Centre Liverpool City Region, and Mick Gallagher from the Capital Growth Fund St Helenâs Chamber of Commerce will also be speaking at the event.
As ever, the forum is a relaxed and informal and offers opportunities for networking and meeting other business owners, leaders, and support providers from across Sefton and beyond.
High calibre
Sefton Economic Forum events usually attract at least 100 delegates and over 20 providers in the Growth Hub Marketplace. Feedback received by InvestSefton about the events from delegates, tends to highlight how interesting they have found them and on the high calibre of speakers
Decemberâs event, which starts at 9am, will cover a range of topics including a Bank of England economic update from Ken Clark.
Following the Forum, businesses will be able to explore the Sefton Growth Hub Business Marketplace, where there will be more information about funded business support including skills development, digital marketing, and carbon reduction.
Informative
Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Councilâs Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, said: âSefton businesses of any size and from any sector are invited to come along to this informative event which is also a chance to network and find out what support is available to them through our Invest Sefton service in the Growth Hub Marketplace.
âPlus, if theyâve not already visited, see what a great venue The Lake House is for business and social events.â
To book a place at the December Forum, businesses should call Dom or Sharon on 0151 934 3452 or email investsefton@sefton.gov.uk
Business support
InvestSefton is Sefton Councilâs enterprise, business support and inward investment service. It offers free information and advice and access to a wide range of services. It is there to help any business, of any size, in any sector.
People wanting to find out more about how the InvestSefton can help support their business, can visit www.investsefton.com or contact the team on 0151 934 3452 or investsefton@sefton.gov.uk
You can find out more about InvestSefton here