Sefton Green Party campaigners have also repeatedly called for more proactive measures to tackle these environmental offences. Last year, Green Party representatives highlighted the scale of illegal dumping in the borough, with Cllr. Neil Doolin calling for urgent action in the Liverpool Echo.²

Cllr. Neil Doolin states:

“The marginal increase in fines for dog fouling and fly tipping is a direct result of our ongoing pressure on Sefton Council to take environmental crime seriously. While we welcome this limited progress, it is clear that more needs to be done, particularly in areas where littering remains a major issue. Residents should not have to put up with fly-tipped waste, dog-fouling, and litter blighting our communities. We will continue to hold the council to account and push for further action.”

The FOI data also suggests that the council’s ‘Why Fly Tip’ campaign, funded by a £50,000 DEFRA grant in 2024, has contributed to an increase in enforcement, particularly in Linacre and Derby wards. However, several areas, including Manor, Meols, Molyneux, Victoria and Park wards, still report no recorded enforcement action. The Green Party is calling for Sefton Council to expand efforts into these neglected areas.In the meantime,

Sefton Green Party members continue to lead by example, organising regular community litter picks and reporting fly-tipping incidents to ensure action is taken.“We encourage residents to get involved in our community clean-up efforts,” Cllr. Neil Doolin added. “Together, we can build a cleaner, greener Sefton.”

ENDS.

Notes for editors:

1. Fixed penalty notices issued for dog fouling, littering and fly tipping during 2024 – a Freedom of Information request to Sefton Borough Council – WhatDoTheyKnow

2. Neighbours ‘horrified’ as mounds of rubbish dumped on street – Liverpool Echo

The post Fixed Penalty Notices issued for environmental crimes in Sefton decline overall by 20% compared to 2023 appeared first on Sefton Green Party.

Sefton’s first Green Councillor, Neil Doolin, has tabled a motion urging the local authority to take decisive action in advancing its 2019 climate emergency declaration¹, which represented a commitment to reducing carbon emissions in line with expert opinion and ultimately achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.

The motion, to be debated at this week’s Full Council meeting, outlines practical steps to integrate renewable energy solutions into major council developments and housing projects. It also calls for a stronger collaboration between the council and the community to retrofit renewable technologies in publicly owned buildings, fostering a greener, more sustainable future for Sefton.

Key proposals include:

1. Renewable Energy for Major Developments: Installing solar PV, air-source heat pumps, and wind technologies at flagship council projects including Bootle Strand and Southport Marine Lake Events Centre.
2. Eco-Friendly Southport Pier: Rebuilding Southport Pier with renewable energy systems and live educational displays, positioning it as the UK’s first ‘eco-pier’.
3. Greener Homes through Sandway Homes Ltd.: Equipping all new housing developments with air-source heat pumps and solar PV to provide clean, low-cost household energy and alleviate pressure on the local power distribution grid.
4. Community Energy Collaboration: Establishing a joint council/community-owned limited company to retrofit schools and public buildings with renewable energy systems.

Cllr. Neil Doolin, Green Councillor for Church Ward, commented:

“Since Sefton declared a climate emergency in 2019, the need for further, meaningful action has only become more urgent. The catastrophic effects of climate breakdown are increasingly visible, with record-breaking temperatures and escalating economic costs. Globally, 2024 was the hottest year on record. We recognise the progress made since 2019 but must re-emphasise the importance of local action in the face of a global crisis.

“This motion is about ensuring Sefton takes practical steps to lead by example, stimulate local green enterprises, and lower energy bills for our residents and businesses. By incorporating renewable technologies into major developments and supporting retrofitting projects, we can help pave the way for a sustainable, low-carbon future.”

ENDS

Notes for editors:

1. https://modgov.sefton.gov.uk/documents/s97052/Climate%20Emergency-%20Strategy%20final.pdf

The post Green Motion advocates for Targeted Local Climate Action appeared first on Sefton Green Party.

The motion, set to be debated at the Full Council meeting this Thursday 16th January, calls on the Leader of the Council to write to the Work and Pensions Secretary, Liz Kendall, expressing opposition to the Government’s refusal to implement the Ombudsman’s recommendation for compensation.

This motion highlights the devastating impact on up to 10,000 women in Sefton, many of whom have suffered financial hardship, diminished retirement savings, and significant emotional stress. The WASPI campaign has condemned the Government’s decision¹, and the motion urges the Council to do the same, reinforcing its longstanding support for the campaign.

Cllr Neil Doolin, Green Councillor for Church Ward and proposer of the motion, said:

“It’s time for the Labour Party—locally, nationally, and in government—to deliver on the promises they’ve made to WASPI women over many years. The sense of betrayal is palpable. Despite past public support from Sefton Labour MPs Peter Dowd and Bill Esterson, there has been silence since the Government’s announcement. Where are their voices now?

“The Government’s decision has caused enormous harm; the affected women state they have lost opportunities to make informed decisions to plan for retirement, which has had a negative impact on their health, emotional wellbeing, and home life. Sefton Council has already supported the WASPI campaign in 2018²; I hope this week we reaffirm that commitment and stand united in seeking justice for these women.”

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

1. WASPI Statement Response to Liz Kendall – WASPI – Women Against State Pension Inequality

2. Motion submitted by Councillor B. McCann – Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) Sefton Home

The post Motion urges government to reconsider WASPI compensation decision appeared first on Sefton Green Party.

The Green Party strongly opposes plans to construct a new road through Rimrose Valley Country Park in the borough of Sefton, Merseyside. We believe there are better ways to improve transport links to and from the Port of Liverpool which would avoid the long-term consequences and harm to the local environment and to the health and well-being of the surrounding communities.

The proposed road would worsen air quality in South Sefton, which already has some of the worst levels of pollution in the country and therefore represent a grave threat to public health.  The CO2 emissions generated through its construction and subsequent use would contribute to the global climate emergency, at a time when the transport sector urgently needs to reduce its CO2 emissions; it being the only sector to see emissions grow in recent years.

Rimrose Valley, and places like it, serve as a vital green space for the surrounding communities, and offer a sanctuary for residents to connect with nature, engage in recreational activities, and find solace amidst the hustle and bustle of urban life. As such, they need to be recognised and protected as resources for both physical and mental well-being. It is the Green Party’s view that we must prioritise the preservation of such green spaces, which are increasingly rare in our rapidly urbanised world.

Green spaces such as Rimrose Valley are home to a rich and diverse range of plant and animal species, making them essential habitats for our biodiversity to thrive. This biodiversity is under threat. We therefore have a responsibility to protect and preserve such places, as they contribute to the overall health and resilience of our planet’s ecosystems.

Building a road through this park would further perpetuate the mindset of prioritising economic growth over environmental sustainability and public health and wellbeing.

It is the Green Party’s view that we must strive for alternative solutions that promote responsible, sustainable development and ensure the preservation of our natural assets, at all costs.

The post Rimrose Valley: Green Party Statement appeared first on Sefton Green Party.

Sefton Green Party has recently made a Freedom Of Information Act request to Sefton Council concerning fixed penalty notices for dog fouling and fly tipping.

The results for 2023 reveal that Sefton issued just 4 notices for dog fouling (just half last year’s abysmal number) and 14 for fly tipping (scarcely up from 5 in 2022).

Dog Fouling: Location (FPNs Issued)  

• Bootle (2)
• Southport (2)

Fly tipping: Electoral ward (FPNs Issued)  

• Ainsdale (2)
• Derby (2)
• Dukes (2)
• Litherland (7)
• St. Oswald (1)

Given that Sefton Council reported to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 3,903 fly-tipping incidents in Sefton in the year to March 2023, just 14 fixed penalty notices issued to offenders for 2023 shows that the current method of enforcing fly tipping laws simply isn’t working.

Neil Doolin, spokesperson for Sefton Green Party, comments:

“Unfortunately, it’s more of the same. Following the FOI request I made last year, local media highlighted the very low numbers of fixed penalty notices issued for fly tipping and dog fouling across Sefton. In response, Sefton Council’s controlling Labour group then staged events highlighting how serious Sefton Council were taking the matter. The council efforts to deal with the issues have come to nothing.

“In 2021 Sefton Council reported issuing over 25,000 penalty charge notices per year for car parking offences. If 25,000 plus fines can be issued for car parking offences in one year then why just 4 for dog fouling and only 14 for fly tipping?

“It’s clear the Council’s current strategy simply isn’t working. It’s clear the Labour Party who have now controlled Sefton for over 12 years simply don’t have the ideas to tackle the problems.

“We know that Local Governments are underfunded but in this case this looks very much like a failure of leadership on the part of Sefton Labour Party to address the issue. They simply can’t hoodwink residents anymore by trotting out the tired old mantra of blaming the Tories as a way of avoiding responsibility for their continued lack of leadership and failure to address these issues.

“I have written to Marion Atkinson, new Labour leader for Sefton Council and Phil Porter, CEO for Sefton Council highlighting our findings and asking for the immediate actions below that can be taken to address the problems:

• In a time of a cost of living crisis, remove the £10 charge for collecting bulky items. Incidents of fly tipping will immediately improve.
• Implement the use of mobile CCTV units in fly tipping hotspots to catch offenders and highlight across the media as a deterrent to others who think they can spoil local communities by dog fouling and fly tipping
• Employ additional council officers to work on reducing incidents of dog fouling and fly tipping and increasing convictions.”

The post Abysmal record of Sefton’s fixed penalty notices appeared first on Sefton Green Party.

Neil Doolin, Green Party Local Campaigner for Waterloo & Seaforth has launched a petition calling on Merseytravel to improve the Bus Interchange on South Road, Waterloo.

Sign the petition

Neil Doolin, spokesperson for Sefton Green Party, says:

“Most of us agree, the Bus Interchange on South Road in Waterloo is ugly. It’s a concrete eyesore that does nothing to enhance the local environment or make local residents proud to live in the area.

“Merseytravel have owned the site since at least 2008 and as far as anyone can remember nothing much has been done to enhance or improve it. Residents all agree on one thing it does do; it attracts a huge amount of litter.

“Transforming this concrete jungle into a lush green space would not only help beautify our neighbourhood but also provide numerous health benefits for residents. Studies show that exposure to nature improves mental health and reduces stress levels (source: NHS). Furthermore, it would contribute positively towards tackling climate change by increasing carbon sequestration.

“We are calling on Merseytravel to take action now. Let’s start turning a grey and sad looking South Road into a vibrant oasis of life and colour! Please sign this petition if you believe in creating cleaner,  healthier and happier communities through greener environments.”

The post Green ideas! Transform Waterloo Interchange appeared first on Sefton Green Party.

The second Climate Scorecard published by the independent Climate Emergency UK, which measures action on climate taken by local authorities, shows that Sefton Council are still failing to properly address Climate Action, despite declaring a Climate Emergency more than four years ago.

Sefton scored 28% on the measure, which is l4 points lower than the 32% they scored 2 years ago, when the first scorecard was published. Effectively this means that rather than pressing ahead, Sefton are actually falling behind compared with other councils.

Despite their recent determinedly upbeat Annual Climate Report, the scorecard shows that Sefton is doing particularly badly with regard to embedding Climate awareness in its Planning and Land Use, and general Governance.

Neil Doolin, spokesperson for Sefton Green Party, says:

“Put simply, Sefton Council are talking the talk about the Climate Emergency, but they are not building climate awareness into the fundamental operations of the council. They have no requirement for net zero in new homes, little or no climate action in procurement, and waste recycling rates remain stubbornly low at around 35%.

“Their recent climate consultation exercise was a step in the right direction, but they have shied away from a Climate Change Assembly, which was a key ask in the consultation, opting instead for a communications strategy devoid of any real community engagement.

“Sefton needs to dramatically up its game, and particularly as highlighted in its own consultation, needs to set up a Climate Assembly, so that local people can be empowered to help drive forward the change we need.”

The post Sefton scores lower than 2 years ago on climate action appeared first on Sefton Green Party.

A Freedom of Information request made and received by Sefton Green Party details the number of fixed penalty notices issued for dog fouling during 2022. Only 8 Fixed penalty fines were issued for the whole of the Sefton area in 2022.

Neil Doolin, Green Party Co-ordinator for Sefton and Local Campaigner for Waterloo and Seaforth, has written to the Labour Leader of Sefton Council Ian Maher and Dwyane Johnson, Chief Executive registering our disappointment and calling for more resources to be given to enforcing local laws.

Neil Doolin states:

“Sefton MBC Public Space Protection Order [Dog Control] 2021 allows a Fixed Penalty Notice of £75 to be issued against offenders who fail to remove their dogs fouling. Sefton MBC state on their website an external contractor undertakes patrols regularly during the day, evenings and at weekends to identify offenders. The council has delegated powers to Police Community Support Officers and Green Sefton Officers who can now all issue FPN’s. Residents in all parts of Sefton face daily the horrible experience of finding dog excrement outside of their homes, so exactly where have all of these staff been patrolling in Sefton to have issued just 8 fines for the whole Borough for a whole year?

“Residents in Sefton are being let down by a lack of enforcement of the laws by Sefton MBC. Dog fouling is a real problem in all areas of Sefton and yet it seems that the risk of being issued with a fixed penalty notice for not picking up your dog’s excrement is virtually zero despite the claims of Sefton MBC to be tackling the issue. Sefton MBC needs to issue fines to more people and make an example of dog fouling offenders, and publicise it so people know there’s a realistic chance of being caught. We all need to behave responsibly and sensibly, and with respect to each other and the environment. Dog fouling is like littering in that it is a crime against society and a form of anti-social behaviour”

Sefton Green Party calls for the following additional measures to be taken by Sefton MBC:

• Dog waste bags should be provided free of charge by Sefton MBC, particularly in areas of high reports of dog fouling.
• Additional officers be authorised to serve Fixed Penalty Notices on owners who fail to clean up after their dog.
• Areas which are particularly prone to fouling should be targeted for investigation as prioritised by reports from the public

The post It’s poo! What are Sefton MBC doing about dog fouling? appeared first on Sefton Green Party.

The recommendation in the recent Air Quality Update by Sefton Council was to start planning for the introduction of a Clean Air Zone for the Waterloo, Seaforth, Litherland, and Bootle areas. This would tackle air pollution caused by HGVs accessing the Port of Liverpool-and Sefton Green Party believes this cannot happen fast enough.

Neil Doolin, spokesperson for Sefton Green Party, says:

“Residents have waited too long for Sefton Council to take action. Lives are being lost every year. Debilitating illnesses, including asthma and chronic obstructive airway diseases, are increasing. The Clean Air Zone is very much needed to tackle the problem of poor air quality in South Sefton. Poor air quality has massive implications for the health of children living in our community.

“Decisive action must be taken immediately to protect the health and wellbeing of our local residents. Sefton Council must stop prevaricating and do what needs to be done.”

Evidence suggests Clean Air Zones have proven to be the most effective tool at a council’s disposal to combat air pollution, and the Sefton Green Party agrees with the Air Quality Report’s focus on commercial vehicles rather than private car owners. It’s time Sefton Council took on Peel Ports and put the community’s health before the interests of big business.

The post Action needed on air quality appeared first on Sefton Green Party.