Council leader honoured for ‘exceptional leadership’ in wake of Southport tragedy

The leader of Sefton Council has won an industry award for her role in the wake of the tragic events in Southport over summer 2024.

Cllr Marion Atkinson was honoured in the national 2024 Local Government Information Unit and CCLA Cllr Awards earlier this month.

She was nominated after she took a leading role in the Council’s involvement in Southport following the July 29th tragedy and ensuing violent disorder.

Responding to the recent news that she has been awarded the Judge’s Exceptional Community Leadership Award for her “exceptional leadership and empathy” in the wake of this summer’s tragic events in Southport Sefton Council Leader Cllr Marion Atkinson said: “I would like to say that while the award was presented to me everything that we have done in response to the terrible events in Southport has been a team effort, both across the Council, with our partners across the Borough and Region and with local people and volunteers.

“We have a long road ahead of us and our vital roles now are to provide ongoing, long-term support for the families of Alice, Bebe and Elsie Dot and the survivors of that fateful day and to ensure Southport can once again become the town that so many people across the North West and beyond, regard so fondly.”