Mersey Reporter - #Merseybites #News

THIS week, Sefton Council Leader Marion Atkinson looks back at 2025 and ahead to 2026.

Marion Atkinson said:- "For Sefton Council, 2025, has been a year of hard work and important achievements. We have been recognised nationally with our Children’s Services being rated:- “Good” by OFSTED, and our Adult Social Care receiving a:- “Good” rating from the Care Quality Commission. We were also praised by the Local Government Association for providing excellent services, even when money is tight. The Government has shown confidence in Sefton by giving us funding for major projects. These include the:- restoration of Southport Pier, improvements to Town Hall Gardens and the new Marine Lake Events Centre. We have also secured support through the Trailblazer Fund for the long term regeneration of the Bootle Strand and the surrounding area, including:- the Salt and Tar venue. Around 10,000 people visited the 4 day, 2025, Salt and Tar Music Weekender, which raised over £980,000 for the area. Bootle#s Salt and Tar will be holding another year of events, including:- a Music Weekender in August that will feature Nile Rodgers and CHIC, The Waterboys and the Saw Doctors."

Marion Atkinson went on to say:- "Gold Awards from the Royal Horticultural Society's Britain in Bloom were handed to Bootle, Crosby and Waterloo, Ainsdale and Southport,, which helped bring the:- ‘Champion of Champions' trophy to Sefton for the 1st time in the awards' 50 year history. Sefton has also been chosen as a pioneer for the Neighbourhood Health Programme, which will help improve people's wellbeing and prospects across our communities. Sefton Council has invested heavily in making Sefton cleaner and greener, and we've continued to focus on tackling the things that matter most to you, like fly tipping and litter."

Marion continued:- "Looking ahead to 2026, there's even more to be excited about. Southport will be hosting a world class cultural events programme that kicks off in February and continues until October. And the world famous Open Golf Championship will return to Royal Birkdale, bringing visitors from around the globe. Work will continue on the major regeneration projects in Southport and Bootle, and new public spaces. We will carry on investing in health and education, including our Ready to Learn initiative, which helps young children start School ready to succeed. In October, we announced our Sefton Home 2030 initiative with Sovini Group to deliver 1,000 affordable homes by 2030. Through 2026, this plan will take shape as we invest more and work with Sovini to develop housing for local people."

She concluded saying:- "As we celebrate Christmas and look forward to the New Year, we want to thank our staff who will be working over the festive period in a range of roles from emptying bins to caring for those who need support. We want to thank all the amazing individuals and groups who have given their time to work with us on a vast range of schemes. And a big thank you once again to everyone who donated so generously once again to the Mayor’s Toy Fund to provide gifts for children and young people across Sefton. From all of us at Sefton Council, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Here's to an exciting 2026, which sees us continuing to make Sefton a great place to live, work, do business and visit."