Unlawfully fishing within Hesketh Park

READER Nick Anderson, who lives in Southport has alerted us to the fact people have been unlawfully fishing within Hesketh Park. Others have also reported this to us since we got his email. If you do not already know, Hesketh Park is a public park situated near the North End of Lord Street, just outside the Town's Centre. The park does have a hand written notice, located within the middle of the lake on the South Island, but no other notices are visible. Sadly, the single sign that we could see is very hard to spot and doesn't look official. As the lake was designed for pleasure boats, as we know, the lake doesn't have any fish in it. But since the restoration of the lake, back in 2007, the boats have not returned, instead it has become a home for a host of wild birds. Sadly, discarded fishing line, plus hooks, sinkers, swivels, trace and lures can easily kill them and other wild life that use the park. Not only that, but discarded line can be very problematic for people as well, who can catch it around their feet, or legs, and many are worried that items like this are being dropped. Plus, the actual fact, that hooks can easily cause injuries to dogs and children, as well as adults, if they are trodden on. As the Lake is the biggest feature in the park, many runners use its perimeter for training; also parents take their children around it when visiting the play area, so there's a high probability that should this fishing continue, an accident will happen. Nick Anderson has contacted Sefton Council about this issue, and they have replied:- "Thank you for contacting Sefton Council with regard to unlawful fishing in Hesketh Park. Our community ranger Wilhelm Snellink is in the process of creating 'No Fishing' signs for the park and will look at patrolling where possible. Sadly, unauthorised fishing appears to be becoming a problem at a number of our sites. Hopefully signage and patrolling will help address the issue. If you see any more incidents, please do not hesitate to contact me." John Dempsey, Engagement Officer, Green Sefton. So what are your views and thoughts about this? Already we have been told by another local park user, who commented to us:- "Most anglers I have seen on canals and rivers are very responsible when disposing of their litter, but it only takes 1 careless person. Hesketh Park is not the place to fish though, as the lake doesn't have fish in it! The paths are all around the lake edge and lines can easily get entangled on people as well as the wildlife, plus I don't think fishing is allowed anyway in this area." Please do send us an email to:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com and let us know.

The CBI President says the UK's Business rates system is entrenching Regional inequalities

REFORM to the business rates system cannot come soon enough for British business, John Allan, the CBI President, on Wednesday, 8 May 2019, addressed business leaders in central London. He argued that the system is now:- 'uneconomical, unsustainable, and frankly, unintelligible'. In his speech, Mr Allan decreed that the broken system, identifying 2 key reasons for serious reform: long gaps between revaluations means punishing areas of the country that are already struggling, but also eventually undermining those that are on the way up. Secondly, the system makes businesses less likely to invest in growth.

John Allan, CBI President, before the speech said:- "The business rates system has; over time; become uneconomical, unsustainable, and frankly, unintelligible. In short, it's a system in need of reform."

On business rates entrenching regional unfairness, John said that:- "Part of this problem is the uncertainty around when the next rates revaluations occur. The last revaluation period was extended from 5 years to 7. We can now expect revaluations every 3 years. But in practice, any longer than 1 year means business rates lag far behind economic cycles and over the years; the significant rises in UK property costs. The result is a system that rewards those places already on their way up in the short term, but eventually pulls the rug from under them. And one that punishes those areas that are already struggling, with boarded up shops an all too common sight. Take Hackney, for example. Almost a decade ago, the borough was known as the centre of the London riots. A world away from the Hackney we know today: A vibrant vessel of investment, buzzing with interest; a magnet for new businesses. Part of London's 'Silicon Roundabout' which in 2018 attracted almost 20,000 new start ups. But the lag between the area's boom in property prices and its latest business rates revaluation has seen firms suddenly having to cope with an almost 50% increase in their bill. A temporary benefit before businesses take a hefty hit to their costs. A hit that some won't be able to survive. We can compare this to somewhere like Redcar. A Town, once considered a powerhouse of coal, steel, and shipbuilding which, following the closure of its steelworks 4 years ago saw a huge rise in unemployment. To more than 5%; well above the UK average alongside a significant drop in property prices. Meanwhile firms in the area continued to pay business rates at up to 20% above their rateable value. It's clearly counterintuitive. But it's also the inevitable result of a system unable to account for rapid change; whether growth or decline that we've witnessed across the UK. It can mean local authorities being underfunded, in areas where businesses are on the rise. Or companies going under, creating a vicious cycle of decline and dependence.  And it's the way that business rates currently work against the economic cycle that makes the Tax uniquely damaging. Just compare this approach with other types of Tax. Fuel duty, or corporation Tax, for example. They increase when business is booming in proportion to the amount of fuel you buy, or profit you make. It's a much fairer system. One that doesn't reinforce economic disparities; like the current business rates system does."

On the business rates system deterring investment, John commented:- "The business rates system; in its current form; disincentivises investment. At the heart of the problem is the way we assess property. If you're a climate conscious business owner and you want to improve your office, or your energy supply with solar panels; or new energy efficient lightbulbs. Whether it's a large capital investment, or several smaller upgrades to existing property, any real efforts to invest will see your business rates rise. It certainly doesn't give businesses a strong reason to invest in the UK. Let alone in areas where capital is most sorely needed. That adds yet another barrier to growth at a time when the UK already faces its lowest level of business investment since the financial crisis far behind our competitors; at only 9% of GDP compared to 13% across the G7 fuelling an ongoing productivity challenge."

Both the Conservatives and Labour party must come good on manifesto promises to undertake a comprehensive and independent review. John will say:- "To understand the impact of these problems, we need only look at the headlines of the past few weeks. Debenhams, once a stronghold of the British high street, fell into administration. Exactly 'why' is a complicated question. But I've yet to read an explanation that doesn't cite business rates as at least part of the cause. And the same has been true of countless firms over the years.  And every year, thousands of firms try to appeal their business rates bill. It more than suggests a lack of confidence in the system.  While we have seen warm words and small solutions from the Government over the years these tweaks have only served to reinforce the idea that business rates are a high street issue rather than a problem for our whole economy. And the more sticking plasters we add, the greater the signal that the system is broken and in need of a fundamental re-think. So here's our solution. A comprehensive and independent review of the business rates system. It's in the manifesto for both Labour and the Conservatives. Now why not follow through on that promise."

So do you agree the the CBI?  Please let us know your views and thoughts, via emailing them to our News Rook, at:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.

A night of 'Madness' is heading to Aintree Race Course

IT'S 'Madness' if you don't already know, that the Jockey Club Live and Aintree Race Course are about to host a of the music industry's best loved British bands.  In the last few years they have also delivered historic performances at the Queen's Diamond Jubilee concert and at the 2012 Olympic Games closing ceremony, cementing them as 1 of the nation's most successful bands. 

The band 'Madness' is the 1st act for the Racecourse's summer season entertainment program, on the same night as Liverpool's Night Lights, on Friday, 17 May 2019.  The band Fronted by the charismatic Suggs, have had so many hits that have left their mark on British pop culture and society as a whole, throughout the UK and beyond, including:- 'Baggy Trousers', 'It Must Be Love', 'Driving In My Car', 'Our House' and the 1982 #1 'House of Fun' we can not list them all. So no matter what your age, you will know at lease 1 of their songs!

John Baker, Managing Director, Aintree Racecourse, said:- "We are delighted to welcome Madness to the home of the Grand National, and are looking forward to hosting a likely sell out crowd at Aintree. 1 of the music industry's most successful bands, we are looking forward to them belting out a set list packed with all their favourite and most popular hits from across the years. Our music events are renowned for combining a fun filled evening at the races with a spectacular evening concert in an informal and relaxed open air setting, so we look forward to welcoming race goers to a great night at Aintree and definitely urge everyone to book early."

The Jockey Club Liveare leading promoters on the UK live scene, delivering spectacular line ups of some of the hottest chart talent and legendary household names to some of the world's most famous racecourses. The Jockey Club Live concerts at Aintree Racecourse are turning into a staple in the region's social calendar and over the past few years have hosted thousands of fans of live music, with performances from artists including:- Craig David, Lightning Seeds, Jess Glynne and Kaiser Chiefs.

The events are renowned for combining a fun filled evening at the races with a spectacular evening concert in the informal and relaxed open air setting of the hallowed turf.

The Jockey Club racecourses have world class customer facilities, featuring an array of award winning restaurants that cater for all tastes, be it Fine Dining through to delicious bistro food. The Jockey Club venues welcome over 2million people a year for some of the UK's biggest racing events so you can be sure of a fantastic evening.

Tickets are on sale online and all Terms and Consitions are available on:- Aintree.TheJockeyClub.Co.UK. In addition to Aintree, The Jockey Club Live will again be hosting live concerts across:- Market Rasen, Newmarket, Sandown Park, Haydock Park and Carlisle racecourses.