Southport could enjoy a real 'renaissance' if Town Deal funding is successful says MP Damien Moore

SOUTHPORT could enjoy a real "renaissance" as a destination for families and business delegates if a ₤50 million bid for Town Deal funding is successful, says MP Damien Moore. The Southport Conservative MP was part of a bid board which submitted its proposals to the Government, on 31 October 2020, with the aim of kick starting the redevelopment of the seaside resort.

The plans include the creation of a new Waterside Events Centre, an immersive light and sound show in the Marine Lake, infrastructure funding to support the transformation of Southport Pleasureland into an all year attraction and the conversion of empty Town Centre space to provide incubator space for new businesses.

Mr Moore is calling on Ministers to back Southport's Town Deal bid, which he believes is essential to help the Government's 'Levelling Up' ambitions while also helping the resort to build back from the impact of the Covid19 Pandemic. He said:- "If the Town Deal submission is successful then it will secure the biggest single investment in Southport in generations. It then has the potential to unlock an estimated further ₤350 million of private investment. Southport has suffered over 20 years of neglect which we must work hard to reverse. In the same week that we submitted the Southport Town Deal proposals to the Government, we saw Sefton Council enter into an exclusivity agreement with Go Surf to create a world class Southport Cove Resort in Southport. This is a ₤40 million all year round attraction which would create 120 new jobs, and is a great example of the type of investor interest Southport will attract if our Town Deal bid is successful. This Government is keen to help 'Level Up' the UK. To do this successfully it has to support investment in Towns, such as Southport and not just big Cities. The Towns Fund was set up to invest ₤3.6 billion into over 100 Towns, including Southport, as part of the Government's plan to level up our Regions. This is a Conservative Government which has created this initiative and is giving Southport and other Towns the opportunity to bid for this funding. With that level of funding, the Government cannot simply write a blank cheque and hand it over. It has to ensure that any bids for funding will demonstrate the potential to give value for money and to have the potential to attract further private investment."

During 2020, a Southport Town Deal bid board consulted widely with local people, businesses and other stakeholders in Southport as they put together their funding proposals.

The board was led by Rob Fletcher, the Board Chair and Founder and Chairman of Fletchers Solicitors in Southport. The board also includes Southport MP Damien Moore, representatives of Sefton Council, Southport BID, and other local business and civic leaders.

Southport Theatre and Convention Centre, which was already in need of major investment, closed in March last year. The board felt that creating a new waterside events centre which would attract hundreds of thousands of visitors a year to Southport should be the main focus of its bid.

Also included are requests for infrastructure spending to support the conversion of Southport Pleasureland into an all year attraction; the creation of an immersive light and sound show in the Marine Lake; public realm improvements in Southport Town Centre; and the conversion of vacant Town Centre buildings to create incubator space for new businesses.

The proposals aim to drive long term economic and productivity growth in Southport through investment in connectivity, land use, economic assets, skills and enterprise infrastructure.

The Government has already granted ₤1 million in Town Deal funding to Southport, which has seen ₤900,000 utilised to support the transformation of Southport Market into an exciting new food, drink and events space.

A further ₤100,000 has been provided to Southport BID to back its provision of new decorative lighting along both sides of the mile long Lord Street shopping boulevard.

Damien Moore said:- "I believe that the Southport Town Deal bid board has put together a compelling case for Government investment in Southport. As we emerge from this Pandemic and look to rebuild, Southport is very well placed to benefit from the staycation boom which we are going to see in the UK in the months and years ahead. The Southport Town Deal bid will help our Town to rebuild its reputation as 1 of the premier destinations in the UK and allow us to attract millions of new visitors and business delegates. The Town Deal could create a real renaissance for Southport."

Taxpayers warned 31 January 2021 deadline remains despite Pandemic

THE Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) is urging people to complete their 2019/20 Self Assessment Tax Return online by the usual deadline of 31 January 2021 or risk a fine from HMRC. HMRC charge an automatic penalty of ₤100 for Tax Returns that miss the deadline, and the penalties increase the later the return.

LITRG's call for action comes after HMRC resisted requests from various professional bodies to either extend the 31 January 2021 deadline or not to charge the ₤100 penalty automatically this year despite the pressures faced by some individuals and accountancy firms because of the Covid19 Pandemic. This means that 2019/20 Tax Returns must be completed online before 31 January 2021 to avoid the ₤100 automatic penalty.

LITRG hopes the public heed its warning as ½ of people are yet to file Tax Return; HMRC had received 6.6 million Tax Returns as of 4 January 2021, out of a total 12.1 million returns due to be filed before the 31 January deadline.

Victoria Todd, Head of LITRG Team, said:- "Despite the continuing disruption to our daily lives caused by the Coronavirus Pandemic, it is vital that people understand the 31 January 2021, Self Assessment, deadline remains and act without delay. There is still time to avoid a penalty if you are one of the millions of people yet to complete and submit a Tax Return online for 2019/20. If you have not yet registered for online filing, this process can take a few weeks so you will need to do it now."

HMRC say they will accept Pandemic related disruption as grounds to appeal the penalty if that is the reason for the late filing. Taxpayers must appeal within three months of the penalty charge.

The deadline for payment of any tax due for 2019/20 also remains 31 January 2021. This includes any deferred payments on account which were originally due for payment on 31 July 2020. Taxpayers may also have to pay their 1st payment on account for 2020/21 on 31 January 2021. Taxpayers unable to settle these amounts in one payment can make a time to pay arrangement with HMRC to spread them across a longer period, but they must first submit their Tax Return.

Victoria Todd said:- "We know that people may be facing financial difficulties because of the Pandemic. If you think you might find it difficult to pay your tax bill, you must still try and submit your Tax Return so that you know how much tax you are due to pay. You may qualify for HMRC's expanded online service, which allows you to pay your tax bill in instalments over a maximum of 12 months. If you do not qualify for this or need longer to pay, you should get in touch with HMRC as soon as possible. You may have started your Tax Return but are stuck with the tax treatment of a particular expense, unsure if parts are correct or even if you still need to file a Tax Return. There is guidance available from organisations such as LITRG and HMRC. If you are unable to finalise your return because you cannot obtain certain information, such as a figure for bank interest, consider filing a return with estimated or provisional figures to avoid a late filing penalty being charged. Double check that you have correctly submitted your return online once you have fully completed it. You may complete your Tax Return and print off a draft return and tax calculation but not realise that you also need to submit the return as the last step of the online process. You should get a submission receipt from HMRC once the process is completed if you have used HMRC's online filing system correctly."