Join the conversation - how can we make Merseyside safer?

MERSEYSIDE'S Police Commissioner is inviting people from across the region to join the conversation about how we can make Merseyside even safer at a virtual public meeting. Emily Spurrell is holding the 1st of a series of online meetings on to listen to the views of residents, at 3pm, on Tuesday, 29 June 2021. At the online  meeting, which will be held on Teams, the Police Commissioner will outline the 3 key pillars of her Safer Merseyside consultation:-

► Fighting Crime; Proactive Policing;

► Supporting Victims; Safer Communities;

► Driving Change; Prevent Offending.

She will then ask local people to vote on their priorities and give her their ideas and feedback as to how we can make the Region even safer.

Members of the public can use this link to join the Police Commissioner's online meeting. The views shared during the meeting and throughout the consultation will be at the heart of Emily's spearhead document, Merseyside's Police and Crime Plan, which will set the policing and community safety priorities for the region for the next 4 years. Emily is required by law to create a Police and Crime Plan. It details how policing and community safety is delivered in the region and sets out how the Commissioner, Merseyside Police and her community safety partners will focus their energy and resources on the issues that matter most to local people. The Plan is then used by the Police Commissioner to monitor how Merseyside Police is progressing against those priorities.

Emily said:- "I've launched my Safer Merseyside consultation to listen to the views of local people about what matters most to them when it comes to keeping our region safe. Hundreds of people have already taken part in the consultation online and in person since it launched on Monday, 21 June 2021. This is a crucial consultation and I want to hear from as many people as possible; I'd encourage everyone to join this virtual meeting, on Tuesday, 28 June 2021 or take part through my online survey at:- SmartSurvey.Co.UK. More virtual events and meeting in public will be scheduled and publicised over the next few weeks, including some evening sessions, if you are unable to join this event. The views of people across Merseyside are at the heart of everything I do and will form the backbone of my Police and Crime Plan. This is an important document for our region, so I really want local people to share their thoughts and concerns to help shape the Plan for the next 3 years and give me their ideas for what steps we can take to Merseyside even safer. Join the conversation and tell me your priorities."

The #SaferMerseyside consultation began on:- Monday, 21 June 2021 and will run until:- Sunday, 1 August 2021. It was launched with a meeting at The Florrie community centre in Dingle and, due to the on going restrictions around meeting due to Covid19, the Police Commissioner has already held a series of virtual meetings with community stakeholders from each area of Merseyside. A range of formal engagement events and online sessions will also be held over the next 6 weeks. To participate in a consultation event, please email:- Info@MerseysidePCC.Info. The Police and Crime Plan is a living document which is continuously reviewed to ensure it continues to accurately reflect local priorities. It can be refreshed at any time.
 

Sefton Council has submitted a ₤14.5 million bid to the Government's Levelling Up Fund that will help kick start Bootle's economic recovery

PROPOSALS in the bid will transform the hard hit Town's night time economy and include plans for the North of England's 1st 'Flying Theatre.' Bootle is 1 of the Towns in the UK hit hardest by the effects of the Covid19 Pandemic. As a result, the Council has submitted a bid based on a 2 stage plan to establish the Bootle Canalside site as a destination for residents and visitors alike.

Stage 1 will see the completion of:- 'Bootle Canalside,' a multi functional events, entertainment, food and drink space. Bootle Canalside has been designed to kick start new energy and optimism in Bootle, attract more visitors to the Town, with the aim of increasing footfall on the High Street and create new jobs in the area.

Located on a once derelict site alongside the Leeds Liverpool canal, it will include:- an urban garden, food and drink offer, leisure uses and events space. It will be a vibrant recreation and leisure area that makes full use of its fantastic setting and brings a new element to Bootle's local economy.

Stage 2 will see the construction and launch of a new, hi tech digital and Virtual Reality (VR) venue hosting a unique visitor attraction and providing places for technology enhanced:- 'competitive socialising.'

Bootle's:- "Flying Theatre" will use a robotic hydraulic platform to create the feeling of flight and will enable visitors to take an exhilarating airborne tour showcasing the geographic and cultural beauty and diversity of the British Isles.

A VR Time Travel Tunnel will take visitors on a journey through the:- 'History of Bootle and Liverpool,' including an experience of the Blitz with audio and visuals adding to this immersive and educational experience.

Additionally, the funding would be used to maximise the potential of Bootle's proximity to Liverpool and the new Everton stadium development at Bramley Moore Dock, with Everton FC supportive of the Council's bid. Working with the Canals and Rivers Trust, there are plans to improve the tow paths and the navigability of the canal all the way down to by Bramley Moore Dock, enabling a:- 'blue / green' highway between the new facilities in Bootle and the new stadium. This will include:- improved walk ways, cycle ways and 'canal taxi' services.

Sefton Council Leader, Cllr Ian Maher commented that:- "Bootle is a proud, passionate and resilient place whose people have made many sacrifices during the Pandemic on behalf of their communities, their families and friends and the Borough's businesses. But as 1 of the country's Towns hardest hit by Covid, Bootle and its people now need support from the 'Levelling Up Funding,' and we look forward to starting a conversation with Government about investing in the Town."

Bootle MP, Peter Dowd said:- "I would like to commend the submission prepared for Bootle. This submission comes with support from a wide range of local stakeholders who passionately believe that this bid could potentially have a significant and transformational impact on the prospects for Bootle, its residents and local communities, and help drive the much needed change this area deserves to help bring it level with the rest of the UK and contribute positively to the regional economy."

Steve Rotherham, Metro Mayor, Liverpool City Region added:- "I'm excited by the opportunities arising from this project. Not only will it provide an immediate boost to the local economy through job creation, but it will act as a catalyst for wider investment. Bootle lies adjacent to key investment opportunities including Liverpool Waters and Bramley Moore Dock Everton Stadium, as well as being only 10 minutes by train from Liverpool City Centre. The Town is undergoing economic change, but has strong fundamentals to enable it to revitalise its offer and thus benefit its community."

Sefton is eligible to submit up to three bids to the ₤4.8 billion Levelling Up Fund, which has been established to invest in projects focused on Town Centre and high street regeneration, local transport, cultural and heritage schemes. A second bid based on Crosby has also been submitted.

Cllr Maher added:- "Our Levelling Up Fund bid contains innovative opportunities to bring jobs, investment and recovery to parts of our Borough that have been hit hard by the Pandemic. Community remains at the heart of our plans for regeneration and we want to attract people to our Town Centres as well as improving them for the people who live there. The projects that will be submitted as part of our bid for funding are varied, ambitious and will shine a light on what Bootle and Crosby have to offer, bringing much needed footfall and focus to our Town Centres."