Southport Conservatives today announced plans for the creation of a Southport Town Council, to take back some control over decisions made affecting Conservative Southport from the Labour-dominated Sefton.
The proposal, submitted by Councillor Terry Jones and seconded by Councillor Harry Bliss, has the full backing of Southport Conservatives and recognises the unique characteristics of the town within Sefton and the implications of this for local governance, while maintaining a cooperative arrangement with Sefton MBC.
The local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 enables Sefton Council to undertake community governance reviews and this proposal, if accepted, will set in motion a Community Governance Review to explore the creation of a new Town Council for Southport and could involve public consultation.
The move represents a clear indication by the Conservatives that they are serious in considering Southport’s future relationship with Sefton.
Councillor Sir Ron Watson CBE (Dukes ward) said:
‘Town councils have been a well-established form of Local Government since 1894 and are already used in Sefton (e.g. Maghull Town Council).
The creation of a town council in Southport would provide an element of control we don’t currently have, and it is what I believe people want. Whilst there is a limit on the amount of money any such council could raise, local people would have complete control of it.’
Damien Moore MP, in support of the proposal, said:
‘Together we can work to give Southport its voice back, restore some local pride and address the lack of investment in our community.’
‘This Notice of Motion submitted by my Conservative colleagues addressed the disparity in how much Sefton Council listens to Southport in comparison to Bootle. Very recently, the Labour Police and Crime Commissioner for Merseyside announced her aspiration to increase the police precept on Southport, before proceeding to announce that Southport will not be consulted, but Bootle will.
‘Whilst this NoM won’t go far enough for some, it does present itself as a step in the right direction and at the very least, Southport will have a voice.’
