Southport to join the Bee Network's public transport revolution
Plus: Maximum council tax budget increase approved and What's On this week
Hello and welcome to the 15th edition of The Southport Lead.
I write this edition while attending the Convention of the North 2025 which has been taking place down the road in Preston and has brought together political and business leaders to discuss the region of the future.
As well as a headline-grabbing speech from Deputy Prime Minister Angela Raynor and an insight from the opposition through Shadow Levelling Up Minister Kevin Hollinrake, the convention has hosted a series of panels covering the convention’s key topics, including trade, transport and manufacturing.
It is from one of those panels where today’s main story comes from - the plan to extend Manchester’s Bee Network public transport system to Southport.
Also in today’s edition is news of Sefton Council’s latest budget which will see council tax rise by the maximum allowed amount. You can also read on for the latest headlines from across the town and Andrew Brown’s What’s On guide to the week ahead.
Southport to join Manchester’s Bee Network transport system within three years
Cheaper fares, station improvements and better connectivity are being promised with Southport set to be connected to Manchester's publicly-owned Bee Network transport system.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham explained that passengers in the town would also benefit from cheaper bus and tram tickets when travelling to the city as he confirmed the Southport-Manchester Victoria Line would be added to the network.
The Bee Network is Manchester’s integrated transport network which has so far taken the city’s buses under public ownership and management. Through the creation of a London-style system, it aims to encourage people to use public transport and active travel rather than cars.
One of the advantages is a planned “tap-in, tap-out” system which allows passengers to make contactless payments and would include a daily price cap.
Speaking at The Convention of the North in Preston this week, Burnham explained eight new lines will be added to the network, with Southport joining by 2028. This would mean the service no longer being run by Northern Rail and would involve improvements to Southport rail station.
Speaking on a Transport for the North-led Transport Policy Panel, outlined his vision for more collaboration across the devolved regions across the North and argued that local leaders would achieve better results than those achieved by national governments, citing the billions wasted on the HS2 plans which will no longer reach the North.
He said: “Some people are second class citizens when it comes to transport and most of those people are in the North […] There has to be a successor to HS2 in the North [..] Devolve it all. They’ve shown they can’t do it.”
The panel was questioned about potential improvements by a wheelchair-using audience member who lives in Burscough and explained he faces a choice of an hourly train journey, a 40 minute bus trip, or a four mile walk to attend Edge Hill University.
Panel members argued that public ownership allowed rural areas to be better served by public transport and, as part of his response, Burnham explained how the area would benefit from devolution of powers and the expansion
He said: “To Steve Rotheram’s great credit, when I said to him ‘the Southport line doesn’t go to Liverpool, it comes to us, can it be in the Bee Network?’ he said ‘of course’. It’s not what matters in terms of a territorial thing, it’s ‘what’s the service to the public?’.
“That line is coming into the Bee Network and it runs through Burscough Bridge. You’ll tap in there and you’ll get more for your rail ticket because when you get to Victoria that’s counted towards the cap like London.
“So you’ll be able to use our buses and trams for much less than if you’d just bought a train ticket which expires at Victoria.
“That daily cap will apply. It’ll be the same for people coming from Buxton, from Glossop, and from elsewhere. So that I think brings a degree of equity. You’ll be in the Bee Network and you’ll get the cheaper trams and buses because of it.”
According to Bee Network publicity, planned service improvements for those areas added include the introduction of “new, environmentally friendly trains with improved onboard facilities and better accessibility”. Meanwhile, stations are to be upgraded with Bee Network branding, improved access and better toilet and waiting facilities.
Liverpool City Region mayor offers support for Southport Pier
As well as Burnham, all but one of the North’s mayors were present at the Convention of the North which meant we had the chance to quiz Liverpool City Region mayor. Steve Rotheram about Southport Pier.
As you’ll read in the next section, there is still no funding to restore and reopen the attraction, with the latest estimated bill given to The Southport Lead now at £15 million.
Rotheram regrettably informed there isn’t “a pot of cash” waiting for the development but insisted the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) was ready to give support.
Pointing to substantial investment in Southport Market and Marine Lake Events Centre, he said he wanted to see Southport succeed. The mayor also offered support to Sefton Council leader Marian Atkinson in leading on the pier redevelopment, insisting she is "doing a fantastic job”, adding the LCRCA would be ready consider a “robust business plan” when one is ready.
In the more immediate short term, plans are focused on improving the rail links between Southport and Liverpool.
Maximum council tax rise approved as social care costs add huge budget pressures
A maximum Council Tax increase of nearly 5% has been agreed for the residents of Sefton.
Sefton Council held a budget meeting tonight on Thursday February 27 at Bootle Town Hall where the cabinet voted through the 2025/26 revenue budget and decided on funding for day to day services across the borough.
Households across Sefton are bracing themselves for an above-inflation council tax rise after the local authority approved a maximum 4.99% increase in council tax to be applied in April. It is the same figure which was approved for last year’s budget.
However, the local authority was quick to provide context and highlighted the importance of the tax rise to maintain its financial sustainability. The financial difficulties of local authorities has been widely reported across England and the Local Government Association said 1 in 4 councils are likely to need emergency government support.
Earlier this month, Sefton Council said it is financially ‘exposed’ for the 2024/25 budget period and expects an overspend of almost £20m. According to Sefton Council officials, the revenues needed for its adult social care and children’s services have placed it at ‘maximum financial risk.’
The LDRS was presented with one example of the band increase for the average Band C properties in Sefton. This will amount to an increase of approximately £86 per year for each household.
The budget was passed with the support of the Labour members with Lib Dem councillor, John Pugh and Conservative Mike Prendergast leading their respective parties in voting against the proposed budget.
Cllr Pugh and Cllr Prendergast both cited the costs and £17.8m budget overspend on children’s services with the latter member questioning whether resources were being used effectively in light of a well-documented ‘inadequate’ Ofsted rating.
After the meeting, Cllr Prendergast criticised the Labour administration for rejecting amendments which he said would have freed up £500,000 towards Southport Pier by scrapping two long-term vacancies and two roles in equality, diversity and inclusion.
He said: “This latest Council Tax rise will be a kick in the teeth for residents across Sefton who are being asked to pay for the incompetence and shocking decisions that have been made by Labour over more than a decade.
“Many vulnerable groups across Sefton have already been punished by the Labour national government, with almost 56,000 pensioners losing their Winter Fuel Allowance, and now Sefton Labour are following their lead by increasing taxes locally. All of this is a direct consequence of decisions made by Labour.
“Massive overspending in Children’s Services, with over £250 million spent since April 2022, huge sums wasted on speculative property developments like Bootle Strand and Sandway Homes and a hospitality company that loses money hand over fist are just a few examples of the shocking decisions taken by Labour which Sefton residents are now being asked to pay for.”
“No one should be under any illusion, every budget is a political choice and Labour have, once again, chosen to make hard working families across Sefton pay for Labour’s mistakes.”
Council Leader Marion Atkinson delivered her second council budget speech and provided context to the council tax rises, offered support to the Labour government’s plans to implement a three year funding settlement and addressed the financing of children’s services.
Cllr Atkinson said: “We are continuing to invest in those services most needed by our residents, including children’s social care, adult social care and education, including home to school transport services. The three areas creating gaps in council budgets are the same everywhere.
“There are challenges ahead and we have to make savings and take out from our reserves, but we have a plan to replenish them. We have a plan for growth.
“Our children and young people and most vulnerable remain our priority, and that’s why we will continue to do the right thing. We are determined to do the right thing and Madam Mayor, I believe this budget is an example of that determination.”
News in headlines
Lidl to open second Southport store by the end of 2025 with 40 new jobs (Stand Up For Southport)
Car crashes into Southport shop (BBC)
Drunk XL Bully owner shouted 'my dog's going to maul you' in police stand-off (Liverpool Echo)
Many thanks for reading this latest edition of The Southport Lead. If you haven’t already, please do sign our petition to Save Southport Pier and also spread the word about The Southport Lead too.
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What’s on this week
By Andrew Brown
Let’s dance! Bring your dancing shoes to Southport Market this Sunday sas they join the national Let’s Dance campaign, led by Angela Rippon, with funds raised going to the Elsie’s Story charity.
The circus is in town too, as Big Kid Circus celebrates its 20th anniversary.
Here are some of the many things you can enjoy in Southport this week (22nd March 2025 - 9th March 2025):
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