Cllr Marion Atkinson has welcomed the announcement that Sefton Council has been shortlisted in the ‘Most Improved Council’ category for this year’s prestigious LGC (Local Government Chronicle) Awards.

Big changes

Cllr Atkinson, who is leader of Sefton Council said: “Being shortlisted for this national award shows how much the Council has improved.

“In the last two years, we have made big changes to the services people rely on every day. This has included the improvement of our Children’s Services from an ‘Inadequate’ to a ‘Good’ rating and our Adult Social Care being rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission.

“Council staff were also praised for their positivity, energy and commitment in feedback report from a recent Local Government Association peer challenge.

“Also, we have worked with a wide range of partners and the local community to lead the Southport Recovery. And we have made significant progress on major regeneration schemes such as Bootle Strand, the Marine Lake Events Centre and the Southport Legacy Gardens.

“Plus, we have secured major Government funding for the restoration of Southport Pier, which will start later this year.

“And most importantly, we’ve done this with our residents at the heart of everything we do.”

Positive signs of progress

Cllr Atkinson also mentioned the Council becoming a Neighbourhood Health Pioneer and Bootle Neighbourhood Trailblazer as positive signs of progress. And she highlighted the new partnership with the Sovini Group to build 1,000 new homes for local people.

She also said Sefton Council had shown strong financial resilience, and a renewed commitment to civic pride with major action on fly‑tipping, borough‑wide clean‑ups through its Cleaner Greener campaign.

Immensely proud

Council Atkinson continued: “Being shortlisted for this award is a great moment for the whole of Sefton.

“I am immensely proud because it means the hard work and dedication of our staff, partners, and communities, who have driven the improvements that have been recognised at a national level.

“And we are not stopping here. We remain absolutely focused on delivering even more for our communities, better services, stronger neighbourhoods, and a fairer, more resilient Sefton for everyone.”

You can find out about the LGC Awards here.