Damien Moore MP condemns Sefton Council's fining of Armed Service veterans on Remembrance Sunday

LOCAL Member of Parliament, Damien Moore, condemns Sefton Council for administering Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) to Southport's veterans and other motorists on Remembrance Sunday due to inoperative parking meters.

Those wishing to pay their respects at the Southport Cenotaph were unable to pay and display at locations including the Tulketh Street car park, with faulty parking meters resulting in nowhere issue payment for parking.

Mr. Moore has been informed that attendees to the service, and even veterans taking part in the parade, were quickly issued with FPNs, despite not having been given reasonable means to make payment.

This news comes as Sefton Council and its private parking subsidiaries have already imposed significant parking charges and fines on the Town's residents, generating:- £2,117,162 during the 2022/2023 fiscal year at the following locations:-

•  Floral Hall Car Park = £59,784.72.
   

• Tulketh Street Car Parks x2 = £325,622.06.
   

•  Marine Drive Car Park = £94,766.35.
   

•  Central 12 = £95,964.88.
   

•  Dunes / Splashworld = £30,178.35.
   

•  The Sands, Ainsdale Car Park = £8,747.78.
   

•  Esplanade Car Park = £140,180.50.
   

•  Kew P&R Car Park = £27,000.
   

•  On Street Parking = £1,334,917.82.

Mr. Moore has since contacted the Chief Executive of Sefton Council, demanding that the FPNs to constituents within the affected parking locations are withdrawn at the earliest opportunity.

Member of Parliament for Southport, Damien Moore, said:- "It is disgraceful that our Town's veterans have been wrongly subjected to Fixed Penalty Notices while attending this weekend's poignant Remembrance Service, a service I was proud to participate in. I have made clear to the Chief Executive that administered FPNs within the affected parking locations should be waived at the earliest opportunity; it is only right that our veterans are treated with the utmost respect, and no additional distress should be caused in this manner. I would also suggest that any affected residents contest their fines; if you require any assistance, my office and I can be contacted on:- 01704500577, or email:- Damien.Moore.MP@Parliament.UK"

Council wins landmark listed building neglect case over the dilapidated state of a Grade II listed mansion in Woolton

LIVERPOOL City Council has won a landmark case in successfully prosecuting a building company for letting a historic Grade II listed building fall into ruins. Woolton Developments 1 Ltd has been fined £80,000 for its neglect of St Gabriels, a late Georgian mansion once used as a Nursery and convent. The Manchester listed company has been found guilty of ignoring a listed building enforcement notice for 5 years. It was the 1st case of its kind won by Liverpool City Council and sets a precedent for any future cases of neglected historic buildings in the City.

The case was brought to Liverpool Magistrates Court by the Council when the company failed to adhere to planning permission, granted in 2015, for development in the grounds of the building on Beaconsfield Road, Woolton, south Liverpool, and its conversion to flats. Due to poor security, the site had also been accessed by vandals over the years, with reports of at least 3 fires. As a result of the decay to the building, which was built in 1828, as Knolle Park, a listed building enforcement notice was issued in May 2017. An appeal extended the time period for replacing some of the key architectural features of the building which had been lost. This extended timetable was not adhered to and the building continued to suffer further damage and decay.

Despite written notice and instructions from the Council, Woolton Developments 1 Ltd, which has 1 Company Director, a Mr William Rogers, did not appear in Court. After hearing submissions from a representative of the Council's Legal Services Department, District Judge Healey concluded that:- "The company's culpability was high due to their lack of engagement, both in terms of the notice compliance and the Court proceedings."

Judge Healey also explained that this case involved a valuable community asset that the company had allowed; and continues to allow; to deteriorate. Having considered the above factors, he sentenced Woolton Developments 1 Limited as follows:-

• Fine = £80,000.
   

• Costs = £5,688.87.
   

• Surcharge = £2,000.

Reacting to the verdict, Councillor Nick Small, Cabinet Member for Growth and Economy, said:- "The Council welcomes this landmark verdict against Woolton Developments 1 Ltd. This is a significant fine which reflects the severity of the neglect of what is a community assert that has sadly been allowed to rot and become a blot on the landscape. This successful prosecution also supports the great work of our planning and legal teams to encourage development in the city, but also to protect our historic assets. I hope this judgement sends a clear message to any company that is looking to renovate a historic building in Liverpool. If they fail to honour their permission and responsibilities, we will be coming after you."