“I’m delighted with the results,” enthused Jenny Clark, co-owner of the Miniature Railway. “This is the first time we have seen the track side clear of litter for I don’t know how long.”

“What was particularly gratifying was the large number of children involved, the youngest of them only three years old,” said Councillor Keith.

“There’s nothing like starting young and we were grateful to the parents for getting the children involved. It’s amazing what we can achieve when we all work together.”

Councillor Sue McGuire said: “Spurred on by our success under the pier, we will be tackling the Marine Lake again in early July. Becoming a ‘Rubbish Friend’ not only helps the environment but is also a great way to keep fit, meet new people and bring the sparkle back to Southport”

Councillor Tony Dawson congratulated everyone on their efforts: “Thanks to them, and our growing army of Rubbish Friends, we will be able to set up a programme of big spring and summer clean-ups.”

^{A Big Spring clean-up campaign has been launched by Lib Dem Councillors Sue McGuire, Tony Dawson and Pat Keith, who have declared war on local litter in Southport. This follows the hugely successful litter pick the team did last year at the Marine Lake,when over a tonne of litter was collected. But to match last years total, the Councillors are encouraging people to roll up their sleeves and join them for their “Big Spring clean-up” from 10.30am on Saturday May 4 under Southport Pier by the Miniature Railway.}

^{The three councillors have expressed deep concern over the massive build up of litter in various parts of town. Councillor McGuire says:}

^{“Southport is a beautiful place to live and to visit but there are grot spots, such as the one under the pier, which spoil the look of the resort and can discourage visitors. As the town prepares and hopes for the summer influx, we are determined to make our environment more attractive for tourists and local people alike.”}

^{Councillor Keith declares:}

^{“As people stroll along the pier or travel on the miniature railway they are confronted with a barrage of litter that has been strewn under the pier. It is a real eyesore and it’s essential for the image of Southport that this awful mess is removed and also that people are discouraged from dropping litter in the first place.”}

^{Councillor Tony Dawson says that we have become too tolerant towards the litterers. “Whether it is dumping mattresses in the streets or tossing single drinks cans under the pier, it brings down the town and makes work for someone else to do.”}

^{Miniature Railway owner Jenny Clark is furious at the way the rubbish is thrown down. She says :}

^{”We need to send a clear message to the lazy litter louts. Visitors tell me they are astonished that a prestigious seaside resort like Southport should present this image. I believe that we deserve a cleaner, greener place to live.”}

^{Volunteers from the YMCA will join Southport’s litter heroes ‘Rubbish Friends’ at the clean up. YMCA Youth Co-ordinator Katy Hibbert believes the good thing about this campaign is the widespread support it receives and the only losers will be the litter louts. Our local landscape is too lovely to trash. This is a wonderful cause and the YMCA is proud to be a part of it.”}

^{If you would like to become a “Rubbish Friend” to Southport and help with the big spring clean up please contact:}

^{Pat Keith email cllrpatriciakeith@gmail.com}

^{Phone – 07735005802}

^{Sue McGuire email sue@bluefountain.co.uk}

^{Phone – 07766968162}

A new flight of steps has opened up an attractive countryside walk to the delight of residents.

A public footpath, which runs from Fleetwood Road between the Hesketh Golf Course and Stanley School to the sea defence bank, had previously proved impassable for many people due to the steep, slippery slope near the end of the path on which a number of walkers have fallen.

Councillors Sue McGuire and Pat Keith inspect the new steps.

Councillors Sue McGuire and Pat Keith took up the cause and using funds from their ward budget paid for a set of new steps and hand rail to be installed.

“The slope down the sea bank was treacherous after rain and a number of residents had contacted both Pat & myself to complain that it was dangerous. We are delighted with the new steps, they make the whole public footpath accessible to many more people and give a fantastic view over the RSPB Reserve and salt marsh” said Councillor McGuire

One local resident explained: “I have young children and enjoy taking them out and about locally. They have struggled getting up the bank especially when it was muddy. We are lucky to live in such a beautiful area and the steps are a great boon and provide us with freedom to enjoy this lovely walk.”

Councillor Keith Added “I would encourage anyone who has not been on this public footpath to check it out and once on the bank its possible to go either towards Hesketh Road through the Hesketh Golf Course or towards Marshside Road.”

The Councillors are also investigating whether wood chips can be installed on the footpath as well.  As Councillor McGuire explained “In the past we have worked with North Meols Civic Society and Stanley High School to lay down wood chipping - these make the path less slippery and keep help to keep weed growth under control.”

Councillor Sue McGuire is leading the campaign to improve the appearance of the key roundabouts in Southport.

Sue, who has been working on Roundabout Sponsorship for over 12 months said “Its vital that something is done to improve the appearance of the roundabouts in Southport  – they are the gateways to the town for most visitors and should be made as attractive as possible.”

Cllr Sue McGuire inspects the main roundabout at the north end of Lord Street “This roundabout is a main gateway to Lord Street and its appearance should reflect this.”

Councillor McGuire added “The Council have the idea that the roundabouts should have corporate sponsorship but so far this sponsorship simply involves a charge for putting an advertising sign on the roundabout.  I believe this sponsorship should go further and include taking responsibility for the roundabout display and maintenance. I am sure that local companies would fully support this idea and I am already speaking to some Southport businesses about this.”

Sefton Council have started to consult residents on their proposals to charge for the fortnightly collection of green waste.

Sefton Council are considering:

a) Charging for the collection of “green” or garden waste from residential properties in the borough

b)  Offering the service to any household in the borough that is willing to pay for a green waste collection service, including areas where the service

is not currently provided.

To have your say on this please visit the Sefton Council website

As Councillor Sue McGuire explained “I think this is a very ill thought out proposal which takes no account of the possible outcome of introducing a charge for this service.  I believe such a charge will be damaging to Southport and Sefton.

Councillor Pat Keith added “Apart from increasing fly-tipping, this proposal is completely contrary to everything we have been encouraged to do in recent years with regard to reducing land fill and recycling.  Such a move will force residents to put green waste in their grey bins destined for the land fill.”

Sue and Pat both agree that this is a totally backward step and shows a complete lack of regard for the environment and residents of Sefton.

We would encourage everyone who uses the green waste facility to make their voices heard by taking part in the consultation.

Southport MP John Pugh has been busy in Westminster this week asking questions on Communities and Local Government which can be see at theyworkforyou

My favourite of which was John’s question on Local Government Constituencies

John Pugh (Southport, Liberal Democrat) To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what his policy is on the alteration of local authority boundaries in order better to deliver the localism agenda.

And the answer

Brandon Lewis (Great Yarmouth, Conservative)The Government believes that it is preferable for local authorities not to be distracted by boundary changes, but to focus on combining and sharing operations across boundaries on both front line service delivery and back office. Where all councils concerned believe a boundary change would be of genuine benefit, the Government will not stand in the way of their pursuing this, providing there is clear evidence of public support and the changes unambiguously would lead to greater value for money. 

 

Friends of Churchtown Library are urging library users to join the fight to save our
libraries. After receiving a verbal reprieve at the Council meeting last week the race
is on to recruit a team of volunteers to keep Southport libraries open.

Sefton Council has committed to saving £400K from library services despite the
efforts of the 17,000 strong anti-closure movement and the rousing speeches and
impassioned pleas put forward by Library activist Chris Turner and the Lib Dem
councillors.

Plans to close Ainsdale, Birkdale and Churchtown and four other borough libraries
were approved by the ruling Labour Party at the budget council meeting. Then at
the eleventh hour, a plan detailing how the libraries could be saved was submitted,
and verbal assurances were given by the leader of the council, Peter Dowd that the
proposals would be looked at.

Lib Dem Councillor Nigel Ashton welcomed the reprieve and said: “it gives campaigning groups time to work out their plans. The three Southport campaigning groups have already been looking for volunteers and have had an excellent response so far but we have a lot of work to do. We are hopeful that we will be able to get a viable sustainable plan together within the schedule laid down by Cllr Dowd.”

The benefits of our branch libraries cannot be overestimated. People use the
internet to apply for jobs and pay bills on line. Elderly people come in to read the
papers, enjoy the companionship and learn new skills. Libraries have a vital impact
on children’s literacy skills.

Councillor Pat Keith explained “We all understand that a child’s desire to read and to be read to increases familiarity with language but not everyone can afford to buy the range of books children need to acquire good literacy skills such as rhymes, stories, factual books and well known fairy tales. But all are free to borrow on the library shelves. We need our libraries to carry on promoting early literacy skills and lifelong learning.

Pat added “I believe that closing a library during a recession is akin to closing a hospital during a
plague.”

If the libraries are able to continue they will depend heavily on volunteers. If you value our library service and are able to give up some of your time to save our library

please contact;

Elaine Langley at Friends of Churchtown Library (FOCL) elaineflangly@gmail.com