On The Spot News | OTS News - Southport

In full: Council leader Ian Maher’s open letter to public after tax raise

Dear all, Last night (Thursday, March 4) Sefton Council set its budget for 2021/22. As a result of Covid, this is the most technical budget the council has set. We’ve always managed

5th March 2021

Sefton Council confirms 4.99% council tax rise

Council tax in Sefton will rise by the maximum 4.99% following the approval of the Council’s budget for 2021/22. The rise will take effect from next month. The budget means anyone living

5th March 2021

Police warn dog owners of suspicious pellets found in Hesketh Park

Local police have received two reports from dog owners that their dogs have ingested pink pellets discarded on Hesketh Park this week. Sefton Police said: “As a precautionary measure both dogs were

4th March 2021

New director joins Southport FC board

Southport FC have announced that local businessman Anthony Evans will join the club board. SFC said: “The Board are pleased to welcome, as a new Director, West Lancashire based entrepreneur Anthony Evans.

4th March 2021

2021 Census instructions begin to arrive in Southport homes

Instructions to complete the 2021 British Census are starting to arrive in Southport homes. Census 2021 will be the first British census to collect most data online and will be completed despite

4th March 2021

Two men arrested after suspected theft of children’s bikes and scooters

Police have arrested two men and recovered children’s bikes and scooters after an incident in Formby on Sunday, February 14. At around 8.15pm, patrols on Duke Street sighted two men in possession

4th March 2021

Metro Mayor backs ‘Hands Off’ campaign to save Piccadilly rail route

The Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor has come out strongly in defence of Southport’s threatened rail service to Manchester Piccadilly, warning that the town could be ‘left behind’ if it is cut. Steve

4th March 2021

Minor traffic disruption at Town Lane after car collides with lampost

Paramedics and police have dashed to Kew this evening after a car collided with a lamppost. Police officers and paramedics were alerted to the scene after a black hatchback left the road

3rd March 2021

Councillor candidate criticises Sefton car parking charges

Dukes Ward Conservative candidate, Michael Prendergast, has criticised Sefton Council’s decision to maintain Southport town centre car parking charges at current levels. “It is very disappointing for businesses operating in Southport town

3rd March 2021

Southport set for £37.5m regeneration after Town Deal Bid is partially passed

Southport has been offered £37.5m of the £50m requested in the Town Deal Bid as part of the Budget unveiled by Chancellor Rishi Sunak this afternoon. Luke Hall MP, the Conservative Minister

3rd March 2021

Southport man arrested for attempted thefts from cars

A Southport local man aged 48 was arrested on Thursday the 25th February, in connection with a number of attempted thefts from cars in various locations around the Southport area. He was

3rd March 2021

Pontins exposed for ‘gypsy name’ blacklist

Pontins have said they will now change their working ways after being exposed for blacklisting a set of surnames that ‘had connotations related to the travelling community.’ The Equality Human Rights Commission

2nd March 2021

Sefton MP: Families face triple blow to finances unless Chancellor changes course at Budget

Bill Esterson says Chancellor Rishi Sunak is set to hit families in Sefton Central with a triple blow of council tax hikes, frozen pay and cuts to social security at his Budget

1st March 2021

Police called to ‘high speed smash’ in Birkdale

Two cars have been involved in a serious collision in Birkdale this afternoon in what appears to be a high speed crash. A Toyota and a BMW collided with each other on

1st March 2021

Councillors warn of serious flaws to child benefit system

Two Southport councillors have been alerted to serious flaws in the Child Benefit system which has denied local families thousands of pounds they were entitled to. Councillor Pat Keith and Councillor Lynne

1st March 2021

20 fines issued, 100 cars turned away from Formby Beach

Officers have issued approximately 20 fixed penalty notices and turned over 100 cars away from Formby beach today. Throughout the day, patrols have been in attendance along the coastal area following reports

28th February 2021

Bomb disposal clear discovered device with controlled explosion

Merseyside Police have confirmed that officers are in attendance at Formby beach today (Friday 26 February) following the discovery of a suspected unexploded ordnance device. Officers were called around 5.30pm yesterday (Thursday

26th February 2021

Queenscourt Hospice open applications for 2021 London Marathon

Queenscourt Hospice are on the hunt for one lucky Southport resident to take their spot on Team Queenscourt for the 2021 London Marathon. Queenscourt Hospice said: “We have just one of our

26th February 2021

Hotel group plans Southport job creation with expansion

A Southport group are appealing for hospitality staff who sadly lost their job during the coronavirus pandemic to contact them with a view to getting a new role as part of their

26th February 2021

Blind man attacked from behind at Formby Iceland

A registered blind man was attacked from behind and kicked while on the floor at the Formby Iceland store on Chapel Lane yesterday. Reports say the victim was leaving the shop The

25th February 2021

Casino building gutted by contractors following closure

Contractors have begun gutting the former Genting Casino building on the promenade. Casino bosses announced last month the Southport casino, part of a multi national chain, would close down permanently having been

24th February 2021

Body of missing man found in Scarisbrick

Officers searching for a missing man have sadly found a body. Ormskirk and Rural West Lancs Police said:“In the early hours of this morning (Tuesday, February 23rd), Lee Sims, 45, was sadly

23rd February 2021

Resort pair arrested after police officer assaulted in illegal rave bust

A heroic police officer had been assaulted after they tried to break up an illegal late night gathering at a Liverpool music studio. Two men from Southport have been arrested over the

22nd February 2021

Police guard town centre hotel after serious incident

Three police units, including an undercover patrol, are currently standing guard at the Scarisbrick Hotel in Southport following a serious incident. Officers arrived on scene at the Lord Street based hotel just

22nd February 2021

Minor RTC causes disruption at Churchtown Lights

Police have responded swiftly to the scene of a two car smash in Churchtown village this afternoon after a utility truck collided with another car. Three police units responded to the scene

20th February 2021

Council says no decision yet on STCC future after Lib Dem criticisms

Council says successful £50m Town Deal bid will see Marine Lake Events Centre redevelopment

20th February 2021

Southport doorstep surge testing to pause

The surge testing operation across the Cambridge and Dukes wards of Southport will continue this weekend at the dedicated Mobile Testing Unit at Southport Theatre and Convention Centre, with doorstep testing to

19th February 2021

Wedding dream turns to nightmare after Clifton collapse

Local bride-to-be Wendy Patrick’s wedding dream has turned into a nightmare following the collapse of the Royal Clifton Hotel. Wendy met her now fiancé Brian Heron back in 2013 on holiday in

19th February 2021

Southport FC’s season declared null & void

Clubs in the National League North and South have voted to declare the 2020/21 season null and void. Clubs had been asked to vote on four different resolutions to decide how the

18th February 2021

Police launch appeal after attempted Screwfix burglary

Police are appealing for information following an attempted business burglary in Southport last night, Tuesday 16 February. At around 9.20pm, officers were called to Screwfix in Old Hall Farm Business Park on

17th February 2021