Conservatives Call on Sefton Council to Make DBS Checks Mandatory for All Councillors

FOLLOWING the shocking news that a former Sefton Labour Group Councillor has pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children, Sefton Conservatives are once again calling for all Councillors to be subject to a mandatory DBS check.

The idea was 1st suggested by Conservative Group Leader, Mike Prendergast, in September 2022. At the Sefton Council meeting on:- 15 September 2022 only the Conservatives voted for the measure with Labour and Liberal Democrat Councillors voting against.

Councillor Mike Prendergast said:- "At the next Sefton Council meeting in November I have asked the Leader of the Council to reconsider the idea that all Sefton Councillors should be subject to a mandatory DBS check. The shocking news concerning a, now, former Councillor has brought the Council into disrepute and undermined public confidence in local Government. I am, more than ever, certain that the public expects us to take action to clearly demonstrate that we are not going to simply pretend this hasn't happened. It can't just be swept under the rug and ignored. The public, rightly, holds us to high standards and all Councillors will come into contact with vulnerable people; through helping vulnerable residents or sitting on committees that deal with issues relating to vulnerable people. Any other profession or vocation would expect those dealing with such members of the public to have a DBS check, why should Councillors be any different? The last time this issue was debated, every single Labour and Liberal Democrat Councillor at the meeting voted against it. I think that was a huge mistake. It was described at the meeting as:- 'interesting' and afterwards as:- 'a misleading gimmick' by Southport Liberal Democrat's. I think it is now essential that this measure is brought in to make it clear to the public that we take our role seriously and will do everything we can to ensure that those convicted of serious offences should not hold public office."

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Liverpool City Region Mayor Steps in to Save £2 Bus Fare Cap

LIVERPOOL City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram has announced that he is extending the Region's £2 bus fare cap until September 2025, ensuring that passengers continue to benefit from affordable travel across the City Region.

Introduced by the Mayor in September 2022 with funding from the Region's Bus Services Improvement Plan (BSIP) settlement, the £2 fare cap has helped to restore ridership in the local bus following the pandemic.

Since its introduction, more passengers than ever have enjoyed cheaper journeys; including:- savings on cross-river services. The £2 fare cap has transformed bus from being the most expensive to the least expensive way to cross the River Mersey.

Bus travel is the most popular form of public transport in the Liverpool City Region, accounting for over 80% of all journeys made every day. More than 1.6 million £2 tickets are bought every month.

Under plans inherited from the previous Government, funding for the existing cap on bus fares had been due to expire at the end of 2024. In last week's Budget Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a new £3 cap set to take effect from January 2025.

The Mayor's flagship decision to maintain the £2 cap locally is part of his ongoing commitment to ensuring that bus travel remains affordable for all residents, especially as the Region moves towards the franchising of its bus network.

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said:- "This is fantastic news for passengers and businesses across the Liverpool City Region. Affordable and reliable bus services are key to ensuring that everyone, no matter their income or background, can get to work, access education, or simply enjoy all that our Region has to offer. When I was re-elected I made a commitment to keep bus fares in the Region as low as possible, and I'm proud to deliver on that commitment. Nationally we're currently operating in a really challenging financial context with the mess inherited from the previous Government, but by saving the £2 cap we're really demonstrating the power of devolution. It gives us the freedom to take bold action, ensuring that the decisions we make are directly driven by the needs and priorities of the people who live here. But this is not just about getting from A to B, it's part of our wider efforts to make clean, sustainable travel more accessible, tackle congestion, and make the Liverpool City Region net zero carbon by 2035. Going forward I'll be looking at how fares will be structured to keep them as affordable as possible as we bring buses into public ownership."

Since taking office, the Mayor has made transformative strides in putting the public back at the heart of public transport across the Liverpool City Region. Key initiatives include the introduction of £500m publicly owned trains and targeted investments that have enhanced the quality and affordability of services.

Looking ahead, the Region is set to take an even bigger step with the franchising of its bus network, starting in St Helens, in 2026. This change will mark a new era of local control, empowering Liverpool City Region leaders to set fares, determine routes, and ensure that any profits are reinvested back into the system to benefit passengers.

By reclaiming control over bus services, Mayor Rotheram aims to create a transport system that better serves local people and their needs. This shift mirrors successful models in other major cities and positions the Liverpool City Region as a leader in delivering reliable, affordable, and community-focused public transport.