I recently met with senior figures at Sefton Council (including Chief Executive Margaret Carney) to discuss the concerns I had over the levels of funding that Southport is receiving for various local services. Ms Carney has now provided me with the requisite information so that I can provide constituents with an update on Sefton Council’s spending.

I was delighted to hear that, thanks to the Conservative Government, a grant from the Pothole Fund, run by the Department for Transport has been awarded to Sefton Council for the years 2017/18 and 2018/19. Funding to support pothole repairs is estimated to be £311,000 this year and I will be campaigning to ensure that enough money is spent on alleviating Southport’s pothole problems. I am also assured that the necessary resurfacing work on Lord Street will be taking place in June.

In the aftermath of both last year’s air show and the firework display, constituents expressed concern over the lack of disabled toilets available for spectators. I raised these concerns with Ms Carney who stated that at the Air Show there are two disabled viewing areas on the Seawall, one close to the Eco Centre Car Park and the other one close to the pier…. there are also disabled toilets positioned in between the ‘cabin style’ toilets along the seawall – there are 3 sets of these. With regards to the availability of disabled facilities at the fireworks, she said that portable disabled toilets at each side of the site and there are also disabled toilets in the permanent toilet block within the park. Ms Carney did reference that she will be meeting with the Chair of the Corporate Equalities group to discuss possible improvements. I also asked whether there were a “Changing Places” accredited toilet facility in the Atkinson? But disappointingly, I was told that we [Sefton Council] have no budget provision to include this facility. I will continue to campaign on this matter and try and secure the necessary funding.

Finally, following the confusion over the status of the £1 swimming lessons in Southport, I am pleased to report that the £1 swimming lessons for children (under 16) and the over 65s remain in place at Dunes Splash World, Esplanade. Currently, there is no difference in the availability of £1 swimming lessons between Southport and other parts of the borough.

I was pleased to have met Ms Carney and update her on the serious concerns of Southport residents, but a lot of issues remain and I continue to be concerned that Southport’s voice within Sefton is not always heard. I will continue to fight for Southport and work to ensure that my constituents are afforded the same benefits and privileges as those that reside in other parts of the borough.

...so somehow you managed NOT to talk about the thing that really matters... the near quarter of a billion pounds shortfall in funding by 2020 that your party and the Lib-Dems have inflicted the council and our services?!!
...He's like a man commenting on how the paintwork of the Titanic has been scratched after the iceberg has holed it!

Originally Posted by Gwhizz

...so somehow you managed NOT to talk about the thing that really matters... the near quarter of a billion pounds shortfall in funding by 2020 that your party and the Lib-Dems have inflicted the council and our services?!!
...He's like a man commenting on how the paintwork of the Titanic has been scratched after the iceberg has holed it!

That magic money tree again, from the economically illiterate.

Originally Posted by ECHOEONE

That magic money tree again, from the economically illiterate.

...the Labour manifesto got a FAR better write up re. its costings than the Tory manifesto did... and of course the Tories managed to find the money to buy off the DUP and then also provide the free school meals in Northern Ireland that they denied to kids in England, so perhaps they have a magic sofa they keep finding it down eh?