Time left to complete parks
and open spaces survey
THERE is still time for people to give
their views on Liverpool's parks and open spaces.
The survey, part of the City's Local Plan; will help the council better
understand the provision of open spaces across the City by securing views on the
supply, quantity, quality, accessibility and demand for facilities.
So far there have been more than 1,600 responses, but the deadline for
submissions closes on Friday, 28 August 2015.
The results will feed into a wider Open Space Study; highlighting and then
investigating where areas are perceived to be lacking or sufficient in open
space.
It sits alongside the work of the Strategic Green and Open Spaces Review Board,
independently chaired by Simon O'Brien, which is looking at ways to help
Liverpool retain its many and diverse green and open spaces.
The survey is 1 of a number of projects feeding in to the preparation of
Liverpool's Local Plan, which is a Government requirement and will set out how
the City will meet demand for open space, housing, employment and retail between
now and 2032/33.
Councillor Malcolm Kennedy, Cabinet member for regeneration, said:- “We've
had a really good response so far, but want as many people as possible to get in
touch.
The City has got some fantastic parks and open spaces in Liverpool but what we
need to better understand is how people use them, why they visit them or why
they don't.
This survey is about finding out more about their usage, what people think of
the quality and availability and how important they are.
We are keen to hear from local people in order to gain a greater understanding
of local circumstances and views towards the amount and use of open space
provision.”
The questions are relevant to all publically accessible open spaces, whether
owned by the City Council or other organisations.
Simon O'Brien, independent chair of the Strategic Green and Open Spaces Review
Board, said:- “I would urge people to go online and fill in the survey to
help give the fullest picture possible of the use of our parks and open spaces.
This valuable piece of research will make an important contribution to my final
report.”
The Liverpool Parks and Open Space User Feedback Survey can be found
online. Did you know
Liverpool has 10 large parks, more than 90 other parks and hundreds of other
green spaces such as community gardens, sports pitches and allotments.?
Public consultation launches
on future of St Luke's
LIVERPOOL City Council has started a public consultation exercise on the future of St Luke's Church,
known locally as the Bombed Out Church.
People are being encouraged to complete a short online survey, which asks their
views on the role St Luke's should play in the life of the City. It follows a
commitment from Mayor Joe Anderson to keep it in public ownership and secure a
viable future for the building. The survey is available
online and
is open until the end of September 2015.
The consultation will gauge views on how the Bombed Out Church can be preserved
as a living war memorial, the type of events that should be held there and what
further facilities or possible development should be carried out.
The results will be used as the basis to make decisions in relation to its
future, which could include seeking expressions of interest for the appointment
of an occupier/operator to run the site in the 2016.
The successful party must be able to demonstrate that they can offer a viable
future for the site, in line with the results of the public consultation.
Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Councillor Malcom Kennedy, said:- “This
is an exciting phase in the history of Liverpool's famous Bombed Out Church.
We have a great opportunity here to engage with the City to find out what they
want to happen at St Luke's, and to explore options for its future use.
Our aim is for St Luke's to be structurally safe in time for the new year, by
which time we will be in a position to outline how we plan to give it a new
lease of life”
Ambrose Reynolds, who has been running St Luke's as a public space, said:-
“It has been more than a decade since I became involved in St Luke's
re-opening it to the public. It's been amazing to see the profound effect that
it has on all different kinds of people, both as a testament to history, and its
connection to our present lives. St Luke's is a place for everyone and that is
the essence of the existing programme, to commemorate the past and celebrate the
future. We welcome this wonderful opportunity to preserve the Bombed Out Church
for the future wellbeing of the City and the people."
The public consultation comes as the City Council prepares to commence repair
works to the structure of the Church. The £150k project; funded by Liverpool
City Council and Heritage England; will involve repairing and replacing heavy
stonework, meaning the site will be closed to protect public health and safety.
The scheme was postponed earlier this year to allow the summer events programme
to go ahead. You can see a fantastic video of the site taken by us
in in June 2014 by clicking on
here
for the flash and a photo report and on
here for our
Silverlight Player video copy of the Flash video... |
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Merseyside man takes on 15
challenges to beat Cystic Fibrosis
SEAN Chappell, 25, a Team Leader at the
University of Liverpool from Neston, Merseyside is taking on 15 challenges this
year to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust as he was diagnosed with
cystic fibrosis at 6 months old.
Most people don't understand what cystic fibrosis is, or what it does, until
someone close to them is affected by it. They soon discover it's a
life shortening genetic condition; only ½ live to celebrate their 40th
birthday. It causes the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive
system, to become clogged with thick sticky mucus, resulting in chronic
infections and inflammation of the lungs.
Sean tries not to let his condition affect him too much, he says:- “I've
had ups and downs, but I try not to let my cystic fibrosis affect me that much
and if it does, try to make it positive. I use keeping well as a motivation for
spending my time with people I love and doing things I love to.
The good thing is I've always had an amazing group of people around me and not
just family and friends. The team of doctors and nurses who looked after me at
Arrowe Park Hospital, when I was younger and at Broadgreen Hospital since I
turned 18 have been amazing.”
Sean set himself these 15 challenges because a lot of people have raised money
in his name and he has always wanted to give something back. He explains:-
“Inspired by people who take on mammoth tasks, I wanted to do something that
would really get people's attention, not for my own ego, but for other people or
families affected by CF. The challenges have been quite a lot tougher than I had
imagined, but we did do a 100 mile bike ride 3 weeks after running a marathon!
Eating enough has been tough as well. Having cystic fibrosis means I need more
than the normal amount of calories in a day anyway, but when it comes to
exercising and burning more calories, there isn't enough time in the day to eat
enough.
My family think I'm mad. I've caused untold worry and stress by doing all of
this and I think they'll be glad when it's over. In all seriousness though, they
have been as supportive as they always have. Everyone's thrown themselves into
it and they're all getting involved in as many challenges as they can do as well
which is great. It really does seem to be promoting a positive attitude towards
life with cystic fibrosis.”
Cystic Fibrosis Trust Community Development and Fundraising Manger, Serena
Wilson, says:- “The task that Sean has set himself to complete 15
challenges demonstrates his amazing motivation and determination and he should
be very proud of his achievements so far. We are very grateful for all the work
he is putting in to train for and complete these challenges for us.
Money raised will enable the Cystic Fibrosis Trust to invest in cutting edge
research to develop transformational treatments and life changing therapies. It
will also provide support to those with cystic fibrosis and their families and
help the Trust to drive up standards in medical care.”
Anyone wanting to sponsor Sean may do so
online.
Sean's challenges can be followed through his Facebook
Page.
Get involved in Wear Yellow Day, a part of
CysticFibrosis.Org.UK who are a registered as a charity in England and Wales (1079049) and in
Scotland (SC040196). A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and
Wales number 3880213.
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