Cole Murphy is officially the North West's 'Young Neighbour of the Year'

A School boy from Skelmersdale in the Northwest has been crowned as the Regional winner in the UK's Young Neighbour of the Year Awards by Co-op Insurance and Neighbourhood Watch for cleaning and picking up litter every day in his local area.

Cole Murphy, 14, who is a pupil at Ormskirk Grammar School, received multiple nominations from grateful friends and supporters in his community for his commitment to keeping his neighbourhood clean.

Every day, Cole cleans and picks up litter, taking great pride in keeping his community clean and free from waste. Cole uploads photos to Facebook each day so that the residents in his neighbourhood are aware of which area he has cleaned up and hopes that this will encourage others to do their part and keep litter off the streets.

Cole said:- "I am so happy to have won the Young Neighbour of the Year Awards in the North West; it was such a surprise! I believe that it is so important to keep our community clean and tidy and show how proud we are of the lovely place we live. I hope that when residents see me on the streets or see my daily posts on Facebook, they will be encouraged to place litter in the bin when they see it."

Sharon Cranny, who nominated Cole, has got to know the Schoolboy through her work as an enforcement officer with the local Council. Sharon adds:- "Cole is a wonderful young man, and I am over the moon that he has won this award, he truly deserves it. He is a role model for other young people in our community and I know that there are a lot of people who have been inspired by his efforts."

Charles Offord, managing director of Co-op Insurance, said:- "The number of entries we received this year was amazing to see. It's clear that so many young people are doing great things as neighbours, and Cole really stood out and can be very proud of the time and effort he has put into cleaning up his streets. It was heart warming to read his story and all the incredible acts of kindness of young people all over the UK."

John Hayward Cripps, CEO of Neighbourhood Watch, said:- "We are thrilled to crown Cole as our Young Neighbour of the Year Awards winner in the North West. His hard work and passion for keeping his community litter free shone through and we hope his work will inspire many other young people to get out in their community and make a difference."

The Co-op Insurance and Neighbourhood Watch Neighbour of the Year Awards, now in its 5th year, launched in 2018 to shine a light on the UK's unsung heroes who are carrying out work in their communities to improve the lives of others. Winners are chosen in the categories of Neighbour, Young Neighbour and Community of the Year.
 

Bill Esterson MP warns School is at risk of missing out on rebuild due to survey uncertainty

BILL Esterson MP has warned that a Sefton School may miss out on a vital rebuild due to out of date surveys being used to assess its bid. Mr Esterson said Lydiate Primary School on Lambshear Lane has deteriorated significantly since a survey was carried out that the Department for Education are due to use to decide which Schools qualify for funds.

Mr Esterson, MP for Sefton Central, asked Education Ministers in the House of Commons to commit to using the most up to date surveys and information in assessing the School's bid.

Mr Esterson said in the House of Commons:- "Parts of the building at Lydiate Primary School are unsafe. The basement floods and the damp conditions are a health hazard. The latest survey shows a significant recent deterioration in conditions, yet the DfE says it will use an out of date survey to assess the funding bid made to them. Will the Minister at least promise the children at Lydiate Primary School that the department will use the latest survey data and information in deciding whether to fund the new building that they need."

Education Minister Robin Walker MP responded:- "I hear what the Hon gentlemen says. We have consulted, obviously, on the approach that should be taken assessing these types of schemes. As we've discussed in questions earlier today, changing condition is 1 of the factors the department can take into consideration in cases such as that, so please do write to us with more of the detail."

Mr Esterson had previously raised the case of the School after it was closed as an emergency measure and staff and children moved to Maghull High for a short period in late 2019. Sefton Council has since carried out work totalling more than ₤800,000 to repair the roof and do a re-wire, but more repairs are needed.

Mr Esterson said following the exchange in the Commons:- "Staff at Lydiate Primary School do an excellent job, but the building is damp, the heating system needs constant repairs, the roof leaks, the basement floods and parts of the building are unsafe. The Department for Education's own surveyor has told the School he's extremely concerned at the state of the building. It is vital that this most recent survey is used when the Government assesses the School's bid. Lydiate Primary needs a complete rebuild."

Lydiate Primary was hoping to receive funds from the 1st ₤1bn of the Government's School buildings fund but the School was not selected among the 1st 50 Schools announced last year. The Government is now considering Schools for the next round of funding.

Mr Esterson said:- "What we are seeing is Schools in desperate need of repairs and rebuilds following 12 years of Conservative and coalition Government where funding has been cut to the bone. Sefton Council has bid for support from the Government for a number of Schools and Lydiate Primary desperately needs funding for a new build and the children deserve it. There are leaks in the roof and the teachers can't even display children's work on the walls without it getting ruined by water running down. The only real answer is a new building. It is an opportunity to look after children who are at the School now and to invest in the future of a good School for generations to come."