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Borough Of Culture

Sefton Citizens 4 Good Scheme returns with nominations now open

17 March 2022
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Bootle Strand, Borough Of Culture, Business and Economy, Essential Sefton, Front Page

Nominations are now being accepted for a major scheme that recognises Sefton residents who make a positive difference to life in their local communities.

Citizens 4 Good is a joint initiative from Sefton Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) and the Mayor of Sefton’s Office and recognises local people for good deeds, kindness and support that they provide to other members of the community.

This is the first round of nominations launched since the Coronavirus pandemic, which meant that the events were put on hold.

Anyone can make a nomination of someone they think deserves to be recognised.

People can nominate any Sefton resident who they think makes a difference the people around them. They may go that extra mile to be a great neighbour, help to organise a local community group, or something else that deserves recognition.

Mike Howlett, Senior Citizenship and Volunteering Officer for Sefton CVS, commented: “Since launching the scheme in 2017, Citizens 4 Good has recognised over 100 people for their kind acts and support for their local communities.

“Over the last two years, during the Coronavirus pandemic, we have heard so many examples of how community members have stepped up to help their neighbours. So I’m sure people won’t be short of local people to nominate.”

Shortlisted nominees will be invited to a celebration event where they will be presented with a certificate by the Mayor of Sefton, Cllr Clare Louise Carragher.

The deadline for nominations is Monday 4th April, with the celebration event taking place later that month at Bootle Town Hall .

To nominate a Citizen 4 Good go to www.sefton4good.org.uk/citizens.

For further information about Citizens 4 Good call 0151 920 0726 or email info@sefton4good.org.uk.

 

New council Tech Rooms will support refugees across Sefton

16 March 2022
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Borough Of Culture, Business and Economy, Essential Sefton, Front Page, Latest News

Sefton Libraries team are set to install special technology rooms in Southport, Bootle and Crosby, designed to help refugees and isolated residents throughout the borough.

Funded via a grant Arts Council England, the brand new state of the art ‘Tech Rooms’ will be installed at The Atkinson Library, Bootle Library and Crosby Library, with its primary uses being to help refugees and asylum seekers access language courses, while also helping isolated residents connect digitally with distant family members.

Use of the Tech Rooms, which come fully equipped with top of the line audio and visual communication equipment, will also be available to small business owners and students from across the borough.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: “We’re delighted that our bid for Arts Council funding for this project was successful and we can now begin creating these highly beneficial Tech Rooms.

“Primarily we envisage the rooms being of the most benefit to those residents who are ‘digitally isolated’ and need a way to reconnect with family and friends who are far away.

“We also will use the rooms to facilitate specialist language learning for refugees and asylum seekers so they can better integrate with their communities and study in a safe, high tech environment.

“There are also huge benefits for local businesses, small enterprises and home workers who will now have access to the highest quality digitally enabled workspaces.”

Darren Henley, Chief Executive Officer, Arts Council England, added: “Our artists, arts organisations, museums and libraries are experts in making villages, towns and cities better places to live, work, visit or play.

“This investment means they’ll be able to help more people across England to lead happier, more creative lives.”

Sefton Libraries were successful in securing a Libraries Improvement Fund grant of ÂŁ68,000 for the project from Arts Council England. Work to create the rooms will begin from April.

Sefton’s Derek praised for tackling mental health issue among town planners

18 February 2022
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Borough Of Culture, Business and Economy, Essential Sefton, Featured Friendship News, Front Page, Latest News

A Sefton Council officer has been recognised for his work to raise awareness of mental health support for town planners with a top industry award.

Derek McKenzie, Sefton Council’s Chief Planning Officer has received an Outstanding Contribution Award by the outgoing president of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) for leading on a project to create a mental health and wellbeing hub for people who work within the high pressure sector.

The ‘President’s Special Award’ for 2021 was bestowed upon Derek after he championed the need for a platform to support his colleagues across the UK and further afield after recognising that more needed to be done.

Derek said: “We all have a duty of care to ourselves, but sometimes our focus in this area can be distracted by the many events that can impact on us in life. Sometimes we just might want some help, advice and support from someone else when all that is in our brain is a fog that inhibits our thought processes.

“Our profession covers a diverse area with public, private and third sector organisations and businesses of varying size and complexity. In my experience, members who work in the public sector or for large private businesses generally have more access to mental health support when feeling under pressure, while smaller private sector business, sole traders, retired members and some students generally have access to none or very little.

“In my own capacity as a Chief Planning Officer at Sefton Council, I am all too aware of the significant and sustained increases in the number of planning applications that have been submitted, which can quickly cause additional pressures on staff so it is vital that efforts are made to keep staff morale and wellbeing high.”

Derek is a well known figure in the Planning sector, having worked across local government organisations for a number of years, as well as playing a key role in delivering the iconic Dubai Palm island projects.

Sefton Council Chief Executive Dwayne Johnson welcomed Derek’s award, saying: “Derek is a fantastic member of our Planning & Building control service and he really appreciates the importance of maintaining good mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.

“It is a testament to Derek’s commitment to his position that he has worked on a wider mental health provision for his contemporaries elsewhere in the UK and abroad. Well done Derek!”

For more information about planning processes in Sefton, visit www.sefton.gov.uk/planning

How to plan a street party for the 2022 Platinum Jubilee

2 February 2022
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Borough Of Culture, Business and Economy, Essential Sefton, Front Page, Latest News

Community spirited Sefton residents considering hosting a street party for Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee are being asked to contact the council as soon as possible.

While food, drink and tablecloths may be high on any party planner’s list for the celebrations, which take place over the long weekend of June 2nd – June 5th, many residents may not be aware of the need to formally close off their street.

There is no cost involved for this service but party organisers will need to let Sefton Council know of their plans by Wednesday, May 11th, in order for the local authority to begin official street closure proceedings.

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Cllr John Fairclough, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Locality Services, said: “Sefton Council is keen that as many people as possible enjoy this once in a lifetime special occasion and for many closely knit communities, that will likely mean a street party is being planned!

“In order for street parties to take place however, Sefton Council has a legal duty to formally publish notice of any road closures where parties are taking place.

“Already we have been contacted about a number of Jubilee celebration road closures and we would urge anyone thinking of doing similar to get in touch with us as soon as possible.

“Organising a street party has many different rewards and brings together neighbours and local communities, showing off Sefton at its very best as a warm hearted and caring borough for everyone.”

It will not be possible to process any street closure requests for the Jubilee weekend after the May 11th deadline.

Organisers will need to provide their contact details, proposed closure dates and the road or section of road they wish to close.

Each application will be assessed on a case by case basis, however residents are reminded that all parties should take place away from busy roads, such as main roads and bus routes.

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has released some useful links to websites to assist organisers of street parties.

More information and additional support packs on street party planning can be found via www.sefton.gov.uk/jubilee2022.

To apply for a temporary road closure in Sefton please click here or call 0345 140 0845.

Sefton set to welcome thousands of golf lovers to Southport

17 January 2022
Ollie Cowan
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Categories: Borough Of Culture, Essential Sefton, Front Page, Latest News

Hillside Golf Club has been named as the host venue of this year’s Cazoo Classic, with a limited number of Launch Price tickets now available to purchase on a first come, first served basis, here.

The Cazoo Classic returns for a second year to the DP World Tour schedule from July 21-24 and marks the Tour’s first visit to the historic Merseyside golf course since home favourite Tommy Fleetwood successfully hosted the Betfred British Masters in front of huge crowds in 2019.

Designed by Fred Hawtree, the Southport venue is part of the glorious stretch of terrain and celebrated links recognised as England’s Golf Coast.

Sefton Council Leader Cllr Ian Maher said: “It’s great news that Hillside Golf Club will be the venue for the 2022 Cazoo Classic in July, as part of the DP World Tour.

“Hosting this prestigious competition in the Borough will mean more visitors will have the chance to discover Sefton’s legendary Golf Coast, which has produced some of the biggest stars of the golfing world. 

“A huge amount of work goes on behind the scenes to prepare for events like this and our partnership with the DP World Tour is proving to be repeatedly successful in bringing thousands of visitors to our beautiful borough.

“As well as providing a major boost to the local economy, we are keen to ensure the excitement generated by the Cazoo Classic helps to leave a legacy especially amongst younger people, boys and girls, to enjoy this fabulous sport.”

“And anyone who is inspired will be able to practice or try out the sport at the Council’s Bootle Golf Course where the new Driving Range will be open, and Southport Golf Links.”

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