Councillor calls for return of Southport Area Committee

Conservative Councillor Sir Ron Watson has called for the Southport Area Committee (SAC) to be reinstated by Sefton Council.

The SAC was established in 2000 and saw quarterly meetings regarding affairs specific to Southport. It was abolished in 2017 despite opposition from councillors, who challenged the legal validity of the closure.

Sir Ron Watson has now tabled a motion for Thursday’s Council meeting to reinstate the SAC.

His motion reads: “Experience has now shown that the decision to abolish the Southport Area Committee against the majority view of the public who were consulted needs to be reviewed as it is now clear that it was a mistake.

“Whilst the situation varies in various parts of Sefton the Southport Area Committee was a success and enabled the public who often attended, in not insignificant numbers, the opportunity to directly question their Councillors, make observations on local issues, present petitions, but also hear from other organisations, such as the Police, who came and gave regular updates.

“Members of the public could also listen to the decision making that took place by Councillors in respect of a range of local issues.

“The case therefore for the re-establishment of the SAC has therefore been made many times and is backed up with significant public support.”

While the motion could see some support from members of the Liberal Democrats who opposed the 2017 closure of the committee, it would need significant support from Labour councillors.