Library Service consultation

Sefton Council are consulting on the future of the library service. It is important that as many local residents as possible make their views known - especially if you use our local Churchtown Library. Please fill in the questionnaire on the Sefton Council website using this link

Library questionnaire is here

The Council says on its website "At this stage of the review we wish to seek information about how you use the current library service, and at a later stage we will gain your views about some possible options and recommendations for the future. You can take part in this consultation by completing this questionnaire."

The first stage of the library service consultation ends on 10th July 2012.

New Lib Dem Leader attacks Bootle Labour takeover

Councillor Iain Brodie Browne, newly elected leader of the 20-strong Lib Dem opposition group on Sefton Council, has spoken out against the Bootle takeover of the Council.

Following Labour's success in the local elections in winning seats in Sefton Central and Bootle, although none in Southport, Sefton Labour Leader Cllr Peter Dowd has announced his new Cabinet  - and every Cabinet member is a Bootle Labour councillor.

"I am appalled at the lack of geographical balance in the all-powerful Cabinet," said Cllr Brodie Browne. "Before Labour gained overall control of the Council the Cabinet comprised 4 councillors from Southport, 2 from Sefton Central and 4 from Bootle. It is now 100% from Bootle."

"More than a third of the Labour Group comes from Sefton Central - places like Crosby, Maghull and Formby, but not a single one of those has been appointed to the Cabinet. When people in those places voted Labour in early May, did they realise they were handing over complete control to Bootle Labour councillors?"

Former Lib Dem leader, now deputy leader, Cllr Tony Robertson also voiced his concern: "Is it simply 'Old Labour', as they like to call themselves, looking after long serving Bootle members? Yes, I am sure it was but that's no way to run a diverse Borough like Sefton. All those Sefton Central Labour councillors clearly have no clout when up against the Bootle Comrades."

Councillors Advice Centre - Saturday 12th May

Meols Ward Lib Dem Councillors John Dodd, David Rimmer and Nigel Ashton are holding their next monthly advice centre on Saturday 12th May, from 11 am to 12 noon at St John's Primary School, Rufford Road, Crossens.

We will be there to meet you and discuss any Council problems you may have. No appointment necessary. Just pop in.

We hold our advice centre every month (except August) on the second Saturday of the month at St John's School.

So Grateful

I would like to say "Thank You" to all those in Meols ward who voted at the recent local election and also for re-electing me as a councillor.  There have been many important issues raised during the election campaign, and I will continue to work to achieve the best possible outcome for Meols ward and Southport.

I, and my two ward councillor colleagues, David Rimmer and Nigel Ashton will continue to keep in regular contact and offer help, regardless of politics, to all local residents.

Cllr John Dodd

John Dodd re-elected as a councillor

John Dodd has been successfully re-elected as a local councillor for Meols Ward, representing Churchtown, Crossens and Marshside.

The full result, which was declared on Thursday night at the Southport count at Dunes Leisure Centre is:

John Dodd, Liberal Democrat  1,327
Conservative                               600
Labour                                         560
Southport Party                           489
UKIP                                             372

The results for every ward in Sefton are available on the Council's website.

Vote for John Dodd - Thursday May 3rd

The local council election on Thursday May 3rd is about choosing the best person to fight for our local area. John Dodd is an experienced, hard-working campaigner who gets things done.

Our local Liberal Democrat team has a long record of action. They are a team that works together, a team that listens to residents, and a team that keeps in touch.

Many local residents say that they appreciate getting the Lib Dem FOCUS newsletters, which are delivered regularly throughout the area. In fact, the Meols Focus has been going for over 25 years, proving that Liberal Democrats don’t just appear at election time.

John Dodd is a key member of the Meols Lib Dem team, working with his fellow councillors David Rimmer and Nigel Ashton. To keep the strongest Lib Dem team working for residents of Southport's Meols Ward - vote for John Dodd on Thursday May 3rd.

Voting information: The polls are open from 7 am to 10 pm on Thursday 3rd May. You do not need your polling card to vote. You can find out where your polling station is by ringing Sefton Council on 0845 140 1049.

Councillors Advice Centre - Saturday 14th April

Meols Ward Lib Dem Councillors John Dodd, David Rimmer and Nigel Ashton are holding their next monthly advice centre on Saturday 14th April, from 11 am to 12 noon at St John's Primary School, Rufford Road, Crossens.

We will be there to meet you and discuss any Council problems you may have. No appointment necessary. Just pop in.

We hold our advice centre every month (except August) on the second Saturday of the month at St John's School.

Do you support plastic and cardboard recycling?

Local residents are being asked to play their part in helping to bring in cardboard and plastic recycling. Please sign our petition to show your support for cardboard and plastic recycling collection.

Sign our petition here.

Sefton Council has now expressed interest in claiming a share of a £250million Government fund to help councils give residents the recycling and bin collection service they want.

The Government wants councils to show that there is support from local people, so the Lib Dems have launched a petition to show the strength of feeling locally.

John Dodd said "I hope as many people as possible will sign our petition online, it only takes a minute." 

Sign our petition here.

John Dodd nominated for re-election

John Dodd is standing for re-election in Meols ward at the local council elections on Thursday 3rd May. He’s a key member of the local Liberal Democrat FOCUS team.

• John Dodd gets things done in our area, and keeps in touch all year round
• he stands up for Marshside, Crossens and Churchtown  on the council
• John is proud to be a Sandgrounder
• he listens to residents
• John Dodd wants Southport to get more control over its own affairs
• he holds monthly Advice Centres with his fellow Liberal Democrat councillors
• John Dodd is a hard-working, experienced and effective local councillor

Massive rise in children's bus fares condemned

The 40% increase in Arriva child bus fares has been unanimously condemned by Southport councillors.

Many Southport parents and children are appalled at the increase in child fares brought in by Arriva buses on the 1^st of April. The increase will particularly hit families with young children and add to the already heavy car traffic at 'school run' times.

Councillors on the Southport Area Committee unanimously backed a Liberal Democrat proposal that the Council should write to Arriva expressing opposition to the increase and calling for a re-think.