A campaigning councillor is urging fellow district representatives to support extra clean-up work on Southport’s Promenade.
Cllr David Barton has called on fellow councillors to back the use of local funding to pay for a fourth session to tidy up the revetment area during the peak tourist season in September/ October.
Cllr Barton, who represents Dukes Ward on Sefton Council, is a leading campaigner for the rejuvenation of Southport and said the move could lead to sponsors coming forward to pay for ongoing clean-ups in the area.
He said he had initially been contacted by residents, Lakeside Church, a multitude of dog walkers and community groups regarding the poor condition of the lower circular walkway of the Promenade attached to the revetment, which is prone to fouling by dogs and swans as well as discarded litter.
He has already requested Sefton council to increase litter and dog fouling patrols to monitor the area in addition to extra cleaning provided by the Council.
Three revetment edge cleaning sessions are carried out by the council each year, at Easter and in June/July and October, but it will not meet the £700 cost of a fourth session.
A request for local councillors to support the cost from their district funding pot was rejected and Cllr Barton’s town-wide request for help was also turned down at the latest meeting of the Southport Area Committee.
Cllr Barton said: “Despite being supported by around ten various community groups including the Lakeside Church, SUP North paddle boarders, the Sandpipers Respite Centre, and many dog walker, etc this funding request has been blocked by the Opposition councillors.
“I have now once more asked for my original funding request to be met by both Dukes and Cambridge Ward district funds, however if this cannot be done I have pledged my full consent to the entirety for this sum to be derived from my own Dukes Ward district fund.
“As per constitution funding rules this can only be a once funded item so as not to become a revenue item, however upon my own close consultation across the local neighbourhood community several corporate sponsors have pledged to match and potentially financially support ongoing maintenance of the revetment and pathway cleaning if the Council has been seen to be doing its absolute maximum on behalf of the whole community in this respect.
“This funding request therefore is highly crucial in securing long-term investment for the maintenance of the Promenade North.
“Whilst myself and my many residents are naturally disappointed at this apparent lack of care for local residents’ welfare, I am now hopeful that the same remaining district councillors can now commit to my original funding request.
“One such Councillor has now changed their mind since this week’s area committee proceedings, and cast aside partisan beliefs for the true betterment of the local community.
“During the course of the meeting and previously I have requested da full comprehensive report be produced including details on recommended times for dog/ litter fouling patrols to remind people to be more considerate to others so that people may once again come back to this prominent area.
“In addition, I have requested precise cleaning times when they occur so that residents may keep a vigilant watch on how long it takes for the area to become fouled again with a view to assisting the fouling/ litter patrols.
“I have also requested additional bin placements along here including surrounding town centre side streets and am requesting these requests are finally authorised by the other Councillors who can learn to start putting their communities first above their political agendas.
“As a key focal point for local communities and the tourist economy alike we should be doing everything we can to improve this area and make Southport a better place for people to live, work and visit.”
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