Meols Lib Dems

Councillors Advice Centre - Saturday 11th February

2012-02-08T11:05:00.000Z

Meols Ward Lib Dem Councillors John Dodd, David Rimmer andNigel Ashton are holding their next monthly advice centre on Saturday 11th February,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 Councilproblems you may have. No appointment necessary. Just pop in.

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

Fog Bell Marshside Road

2012-02-03T18:24:00.000Z

John Dodd attended the memorial service at the Fog Bell,Marshside Road on Sunday 29th January.

The service was held to commemorate the anniversary of theburial of the seven Marshside men who lost their lives on the 26th January1869, whilst out hand-putting for shrimps in the estuary.

The men were:

Peter Aughton

William Hesketh

John 'Marshall' Rimmer

John Wright

Peter Wright 'Thomas'

Peter Wright 'Hannah's

Robert Wright

Tree works at Ferryside Recreation Ground

2012-01-30T19:18:00.000Z

Sefton Council will shortly be undertaking tree works onFerryside Recreation Ground. The work involves the removal of trees which arein decline and if left will become unsafe.

Botanic Gardens Fernery the Best in England

2012-01-27T14:09:00.000Z

The Daily Telegraph newspaper gardening column lists the ferneryin Southport's Botanic Gardens as the best in England and the second best inthe whole of the UK.

The Telegraph describes our fernery as "A splendidexample of one of the many public ferneries constructed in the nineteenthcentury. Opened in 1876 and recently restored, the walls are covered in tufa,steps lead up to viewing platforms above grottoes at each end, and mirrorsreflect endless ferny vistas"

John Dodd and his fellow councillors will fight to save the BotanicGardens fernery and the aviary from the proposed cuts that the Labour Leader ofSefton Council decided to consult on.

An online version of the Telegraph gardening column aboutferneries is here.

Work to start on Rufford Road / Bankfield Lane traffic scheme

2012-01-25T16:53:00.001Z

Work will start on the Rufford Road and Bankfield Lane traffic calming scheme on Monday the 30th January. The work is expected to last for five weeks.

The speed management scheme involves speed cushions, improvedroad markings and signage, vehicle activated speed signs, and improvements tothe zebra crossing on Rufford Road.

There was an exceptionally high response to the consultationwith local residents on this scheme, with many very positive comments made. Thetraffic measures are being introduced following 22 accidents that have occurredalong Bankfield Lane and Rufford Road, including the tragic death of a youngmotorcyclist on Bankfield Lane.

Buses and emergency vehicles are able tostraddle speed cushions without any detriment to passenger comfort, delays tojourney times and in the case of the Emergency Services, no delays in responsetimes.

Petition to Save Southport's Tourism

2012-01-19T00:10:00.001Z

One of the cuts that the Labour Leader ofSefton Council has decided to consult on is a proposal to scrap the Tourism Service. This would mean closure of the Tourist Information Centre and end to marketing Southport as a tourist destination.

John Dodd and the Lib Dems in Southport do not believe thatthis is the correct course of action. Over 5,000 jobs in the town are directlyrelated to tourism. Many businesses would be hit if this proposal isn't defeated.

Please support our campaign by signing the petition tooppose any reduction in the Tourism Service.

Sign the petition here

Kings Gardens restoration a step closer

2012-01-13T00:33:00.000Z

The restoration of Southport's Kings Gardens to its formerglory has moved a step closer.

Sefton Council has submitted the final Stage 2 applicationto the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for more than £4m towards the total cost of£5.5m. The rest will come from contributions from local developers (calledSection 106 money).

The highlight of the scheme is the restoration of the famousVenetian bridge, together with the historic seating shelters, a visitor centre,children's play area, improved public toilets and other amenities.

Lib Dem Councillor Mike Booth, Sefton Council's CabinetMember for Leisure, Culture and Tourism said: "The submission of the KingsGardens bid marks the culmination of a detailed development phase includingschool workshops, family fun information events, a community steering group andthe creation of a new 'friends of' group.

"Kings Gardens occupy an important strategic positionin Southport providing a popular and pleasant link between the town centre andthe seafront.

"A lot of hardwork has gone into preparing this bid and we are optimistic that it will be lookedupon favourably by the HLF."

The full story is on Sefton Council's website. You can seedetails of the King Gardens scheme here.

Trading Standards warn of new phone scam

2012-01-13T00:17:00.000Z

Sefton Council's Trading Standards department are alertingresidents to a potential phone scam involving criminals posing as TradingStandards officers. Full details are on Sefton Council's website.

Councillors Advice Centre - Saturday 14th January

2012-01-09T23:41:00.000Z

Meols Ward Lib Dem Councillors John Dodd, David Rimmer andNigel Ashton are holding their next monthly advice centre on Saturday 14th January,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 Councilproblems you may have. No appointment necessary. Just pop in.

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

Enjoy a stroll in Botanic Gardens

2012-01-05T18:38:00.000Z

Come and join in the "Frolic in Botanic Gardens" on Sunday the 8th of January.

You are invited to enjoy a guided walk around the Botanic Gardens and the historic village of Churchtown, led by Sefton Council's park rangers. Please meet at the cafe in the gardens at2pm.

For more details, phone 0151 9342421 (office hours) or you can send an email.

Save Southport Tourism

2012-01-04T18:44:00.001Z

Liberal Democrats in Southport are calling for localresidents to help save the resort’s tourism industry.

As part of the drive to save £20 million next year, SeftonCouncil is looking at all its services to see if savings can be made. Oneproposal is to review the Council’s Tourism function with the “possible outcomeof ceasing to provide a Tourism service”. The consultation process is shortlycoming to an end.

John Dodd

John Dodd said: “Tourism is vital to jobs and to the economygenerally in Southport. Research showsthat tourism is worth hundreds of millions of pounds a year to the localeconomy, and supports 5000 jobs. Sefton Council plays a key role in supportingthis essential industry by promoting events and attracting conferences whichare vital to hotels and other businesses in Southport, and by operating theTourist Information Centre.

"I appreciate that many residents and those involved inthe sector have already responded to the consultation, but I am also askingothers, as one of their New Year’s Resolutions, to find 10 minutes this week togo on-line and express their views about this service which is so essential tothe well-being of our town.”

You can help to save the Southport Tourism Service byresponding to the consultation on Sefton Council's website here. The consultation closes on the 13th of January.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T01:26:00.000Z

The Meols Ward Lib Dem team wish you a Merry Christmas andall the best for 2012.

Sefton Social Care Services over Christmas and New Year

2011-12-24T01:19:00.003Z

Most Sefton Council offices are closed from Friday 23rdDecember 2011 until Monday 2nd January 2012 inclusive.

For Social Care EMERGENCIES during the Christmas and NewYear holidays and during the evenings (ie outside normal office hours) pleasecall the Emergency Duty Team - 0151 920 8234

For Social Care Emergencies during daytime on: 28th Dec,29th Dec or 30th Dec:

- for Children’s Social Care please call 01704 534 975

- for Adult Social Care please call 01704 704 389

THESE NUMBERS ARE FOR SOCIAL CARE EMERGENCIES THAT CANNOTWAIT UNTIL TUESDAY 3RD JANUARY 2012

Information is also available from Sefton Council's website or phone 0845 140 0845

Bin emptying over Christmas

2011-12-11T18:22:00.001Z

Please continue to put out your household rubbish andrecycling on your normal day over the Christmas period.

From 12^th December 2011 until 13^thJanuary 2012 your grey wheelie bin will be collected weekly on your normalcollection day. The green wheelie bin collection service will be suspended forthis period.

The weekly green box and blue bag recycling collectionservice also remains unchanged over Christmas and the New Year.

Further details are on Sefton Council's website.

Councillors Advice Centre - Saturday 10th December

2011-12-08T00:29:00.001Z

Meols Ward Lib Dem Councillors John Dodd, David Rimmer andNigel Ashton are holding their next monthly advice centre on Saturday 10th December,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 Councilproblems you may have. No appointment necessary. Just pop in.

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

Future use for Botanic Gardens Museum

2011-12-08T00:24:00.001Z

Cllr John Dodd & Cllr Nigel Ashton recently attended ameeting at St Cuthbert's Church Hall, Churchtown, to discuss the future of theformer museum in Botanic Gardens.

The outcome of the meeting is that a steering group will beset up to consider potential uses for the former museum building, and to investigatepossible funding arrangements. John Dodd will be part of that group.

Getting young people into work

2011-12-07T19:36:00.001Z

The Lib Dems in Government are taking real action to tackleyouth unemployment. Every young personwho wants it will be guaranteed a job, training or work placement.

The Youth Contract will create over 400,000 new jobs and250,000 new work experience placements to help young people across Britain toget into work.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg MP said, “If people are outof work when they’re young they bear the scars for decades. If they have afalse start, they might not ever fully catch up.

"This £1 billion investment will make sure our youngpeople are earning and learning again, before long-term damage is done.”

The Liberal Democrats are determined to tackle youthunemployment - an issue that has been ignored for too long. During Labour’s 13years in power, youth unemployment rose by nearly 40%.

101 - the new Police phone number

2011-12-07T19:02:00.001Z

Merseyside Police have a new number to ring for all non-emergency calls - 101

You should still ring 999 if it's a genuine emergency, like a robbery in progress. For all other police matters ring 101.

The Police website explains: You should call 101 to report less urgent crime and disorderor to speak to your local officers. For example, you should call 101 if:

your car has beenstolen

your property hasbeen damaged

you suspect druguse or dealing in your neighbourhood

report a minortraffic collision

give the police information about crime inyour area

speak to thepolice about a general enquiry

You should continue to call 999 when it is an emergency,such as when a crime is in progress, when there is danger to life or whenviolence is being used or threatened.

101 is being introduced as part of the government's wider work to improve access to the police, ease pressure on 999, and help to efficiently tackle crime and disorder.

Is Tourism Important to Southport? – Have your Say

2011-11-23T13:33:00.001Z

Sefton Council's Tourism Service could be abolished as part ofthe next round of cuts. The Council are carrying out a consultation to find outwhat people think. It is important that the Council hears from as manyresidents as possible.

Have your say here

The Tourism Service supports the Sefton Visitor Economy(worth £374 million), of which 74% (£278 million) is spent in Southport andgenerates 5,300 jobs in the town.

Proposals could cost 1,000 jobs

Sefton Council itself says that: "At least 22% ofSouthport’s tourism expenditure is directly enabled by Council destinationmarketing, events, conference sales and contracts – and is therefore at risk ifthe Tourism service ceases. This equates to approx 1,000 jobs at risk, with acost to the Exchequer of £7m per annum and to the Council of £1m per annum(council tax rebates, housing benefit etc)."

Sefton Council has to find total savings of around £70million in a three year period. The target for savings next year (2012/13) is£20 million. All services across the council are being looked at to see ifsavings can be made. Your views will inform the Sefton Cabinet, which will meetFebruary 2012 to agree what to recommend to the full Council for decision.

Have your say here

To take part in the consultation on the Tourism Serviceclick on any of the Have your say here links on this page, which will take youto Sefton's consultation. Then click the Give us your views button on the consultation page and answerthe questions. If you want to see the proposals in full click on the Documentstab on the consultation page.

The consultation ends on the 13th of January.

Lancashire flag flies at Southport Town Hall

2011-11-23T13:22:00.001Z

The Lancashire flag is flying at Southport Town Hall tocelebrate Lancashire County Cricket Club winning the County Championship.

Lancashire won the Championship outright for the first timein 77 years and the flag is being flown to recognise the club's achievements.The flag will be seen for a week, coinciding with Lancashire Day which falls onSunday, November 27.

The idea of flying the Lancashire flag was agreed by theCouncil following a motion put forward by the Liberal Democrats. The motionalso congratulated Southport and Birkdale Cricket Club who drew record crowds to their Trafalgar Road ground for the Lancashire match.

STOP PRESS: extra consultation on flood management proposals

2011-11-17T12:07:00.001Z

There will be an extra consultation drop-in session on proposals to cut back on pumping stations near Southport. The consultation session is organised by the Environment Agency and will be at St Cuthberts, Churchtown (PR9 7NA) on Thursday 24th November and you can drop in at any time between 2 pm and 7.15 pm.

The Environment Agency is preparing a plan for future flood risk management within the Lower Alt with Crossens pumped drainage catchment area. This includes a proposal to cut back on pumping at some or all ofthe 13 pumping stations draining the low lying areas around Southport.

Local Lib Dems have welcomed the extra consultation session, which was called for by Cllr John Dodd.

John Dodd said: “Within living memory we have had floodingof some homes in Crossens from the pumped watercourses, so this is an issue ofserious concern. It wasunacceptable that the Environment Agency were only going to hold two consultationsessions for members of the public, one in Formby and one in Halsall.”

“The Crossens Pumping Station is one the two main facilitiesfor the whole catchment area and there is talk of reducing capacity there. It is essential that residents living in the northern end of Southport have the opportunity to have their say.”

Further details of the flood risk management plan for the Alt - Crossens catchment area are available from the Environment Agency website.

Get Ready for Winter

2011-11-11T00:21:00.001Z

Winter weather advice to ensure people are prepared for another coldspell is available from a special Government web page.

The page suggests simple things to do to help you and your family keep warm, healthy and safe. There is advice on protecting your home, health and well-being, travelling and communities.

The web page is called Get ready for winter.

Councillors Advice Centre - Saturday 12th November

2011-11-09T19:14:00.001Z

Meols Ward Lib Dem Councillors John Dodd, Nigel Ashton andDavid Rimmer are holding their next monthly advice centre on Saturday 12th November, 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 Councilproblems 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.

Britain in Bloom Award for Churchtown

2011-11-09T19:07:00.000Z

The North Meols Civic Society entered Churchtown's CivicGarden in Cambridge Road in this year's North West in Bloom Awards.

The entry for the volunteer-run garden in Cambridge Road,opposite the Bold pub's car park, won an award with a "Thriving"commendation for all the community's floral efforts.

Pictured are members of the committee displaying the Gardening Awards (left to right) David Barton, Gladys Armstrong, Jason Reynolds, John Dodd

Have your say on Sefton's budget options

2011-11-09T15:26:00.000Z

Sefton Council is consulting residents on the savings thatwill have to be made to balance the books next year (the financial year2012/13)

Labour as the largest party on the Council have put forwarda list of potential cuts totalling £25 Million. From this, the final list of£20 Million worth of cuts for next year will be decided after the publicconsultation. To have your say please visit the Sefton Council website.

Southport Hospital free bus service on Christmas Day

2011-11-09T15:12:00.001Z

For the first time in many years there will be free busservice to Southport Hospital on Christmas Day.

John Dodd has welcomed Merseytravel's funding of freehospital bus services on Christmas Day, including the service to Southport Hospital. This is good news for residents who are otherwiseunable to get to the hospital to visit relatives or friends.

Cllr Dodd, who is the Liberal Democrat representative on Merseytravel, went on to say "Due to a successful marketing campaign, patronage was improved on the Christmas and New Year 2010/11 services. A subsequent campaign will be developed for 2011/2012 to further raise awareness of this service."

John Dodd concerned about risk of increased flooding

2011-10-30T19:10:00.000Z

A proposal to cut back on pumping water from low lying areasbetween Southport, Ormskirk and Formby is a major worry to local residents,says Lib Dem Councillor John Dodd. The Environment Agency are proposing to cutback on pumping at some or all ofthe 13 pumping stations draining the low lying areas around Southport.


Cllr John Dodd (left) and Cllr Simon Shaw

Cllr Dodd said: “Within living memory we have had floodingof some homes in Crossens from the pumped watercourses, so this is an issue ofserious concern. I think it isunacceptable that the Environment Agency are only holding two consultationsessions for members of the public, one in Formby and one on Halsall.”

“The Crossens Pumping Station is one the two main facilitiesfor the whole catchment area and there is talk of reducing capacity there. It is essential that there is at least onemore drop-in session for residents living in the northern end of Southport.”

Cllr Dodd has raised his concerns with Cllr Simon Shaw (LibDem), Cabinet Member Environmental for Sefton Council.

Cllr Shaw said: “I very much agree that there need to befurther public meetings so that residents can get answers to theirquestions. I fact, I have already beenraised my concerns with the Environment Agency.”

“From what I have been told, if this proposal were to gothrough, it seems that the main impact would be on farmland and that’s a majorissue in itself. In simple terms, whatis being suggested is a different approach involving much less pumping and moreallowing watercourses to overflow onto flood plains in rural areas.”

“It is obviously crucial that councillors and concernedresidents get some clear guarantees that this does not mean any greater risk offlooding in built up areas.”

There is a consultation session at Halsall, next Tuesday (1November) from 1.00pm to 6.30pm at Halsall Memorial Hall.

I Support Southport, Lancs - Thanks

2011-10-27T13:10:00.002+01:00

Sign our petition here

The Boundary Commission for England have issued draftproposals to make all Parliamentary constituencies roughly equal in size. This requires Southport constituency to beexpanded, which could be done in one of two ways.

One way would require adding on half of Formby, splittingFormby in two for the first time in its history. Not surprisingly, the people of Formby seemgenerally to be unhappy with this idea.

The other idea would be to rejoin Southport with itshistoric Lancashire hinterland - the villages to the north and east of our townwhose people mainly work and shop here and who have already been taken out ofthe West Lancashire constituency.

Southport newspapers circulate in this area and, not surprisingly, someresidents of this area already initially contact the Southport MP, rather thanthe South Ribble MP.

Coupled with our Southport Lancs MP proposal is an idea toallow the whole of Formby to be re-united with the Ormskirk constituency inwhich it was placed for most of the past hundred years. Please note that havinga shared MP would IN NO WAY affect the pattern of local government provision inthe area.

Residents of Southport, Banks, Hesketh Bank, Tarleton etc,have until 5th December to make their views known. You can help us send a clearmessage to the Boundary Commission by signing our "Southport LancsMP" petition either online or by downloading a printable copy.

Sign our petition here

The campaign to have a new Southport constituency includingparts of Lancashire has been supported not only by the Liberal Democrats andJohn Pugh MP, but also by the Southport Area Committee and the Southport Party.Parish Councils throughout the neighbouring areas are also being asked toconsider supporting the proposals.

This article first appeared on the Birkdale Focus blog

Labour in the driving seat as Sefton consults on £20 Million cuts

2011-10-12T17:40:00.000+01:00

Sefton Council has published plans to consult residents onthe savings that will have to be made to balance the books next year (thefinancial year 2012/13)

Labour are the largest party on the Council and Labour hasthe responsibility for proposing the budget. So far, they are taking their responsibilityseriously and have put forward a list of potential cuts totalling £25 Million.From this, the final list of £20 Million worth of cuts for next year will bedecided after public consultation.

The Liberal Democrats will scrutinise the proposals putforward by Labour and respond to them accordingly. We welcome the views of residents,community groups and organisations.

However, what Labour have not mentioned is whether they willreinstate the cuts they voted and campaigned against last time. The Labour Partymade some pretty big promises before the last local elections.

There are no Labour councillors in Southport, whereas allthe councillors in Bootle are Labour. Will Labour try to load the cuts on toSouthport in order to protect 'their' voters in Bootle? Your Lib Dem councillorswill be vigilant in trying to stop this from happening. Watch this space!

Labour candidate joins Lib Dems

2011-10-06T00:10:00.000+01:00

Kris Brown, who stood as a Labour candidate in May, has joined the Liberal Democrats. Kris stood for Labour in Maghull and until recently worked for Sefton Central Labour MP Bill Esterson. Kris has already been out campaigning for the Lib Dems.

Cllr Tony Robertson, Sefton Lib Dem Leader, has the full story here.

Councillors Advice Centre - Saturday 8th October

2011-10-04T00:16:00.000+01:00

Meols Ward Lib Dem Councillors John Dodd, Nigel Ashton and David Rimmer are holding their next monthly advice centre on Saturday 8th October, 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.