Agenda item

Additional Resources for Enforcement

It was moved by Councillor Irving, seconded by Councillor Bennett that:

Over the last five years’ visitor pressure on Sefton’s attractive coast line has increased in such large numbers that the areas at Crosby, Blundell Sands, Ainsdale and especially Formby have been over whelmed by visitors.   In Formby the majority of visitors arrive by car, car parks become full early on so visitors park in residential areas completely ignoring yellow line restrictions.   The roads become impassable and Sefton Councils Civil Enforcement Officers are unable to deal with the sheer numbers of illegally parked vehicles with many motorists not getting fined for their complete disregard to traffic regulations which are clearly marked on roads.

The most recent case to prove this point of vehicle numbers was Sefton Council’s green bin collection on May Bank Holiday Monday when collection was abandoned as the vehicle was unable to maneuver through the densely illegally parked vehicles in the area of Harington Ward, Formby and was rescheduled several days later at an extra cost to Sefton Council’s collection.  The lack of enforcement has now led to a belief by visitors that the same sort of tolerance will be accepted in the nature reserve and beach.   This has resulted in large numbers of people attending ‘Raves’, lighting Barbecues on the beaches, in the Pine Woods and taking alcohol with them.    All of these restrictions are prohibited and clearly marked as you enter the area. Due to the fact that this area has been defined as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSS.i)   

Anti-social behavior activities have now increased to such a level that we have had two separate stabbing incidents on the beach, one of which resulted in a male running amok with a Samurai Sword and almost murdered two people.    The Police who are over stretched throughout Merseyside have had to deploy extra patrols to this area and have issued over a hundred fines, closed the beach area for two days in the last month as well as removing disposable barbecue’s and alcohol off visitors.   Sefton Councils over worked C.E.O’s did remarkably well issuing 121 tickets in Formby over two days at the recent Bank Holiday in May.   Taking into account that they did not take a refreshment break but worked right through they should be praised for the diligence.   It is clearly obvious that there is insufficient enforcement being put into the traffic parking problem that we have in Sefton.      Enough is enough and I am asking this council to support my motion of requesting for additional funds to resource the service adequately in order that there is capacity to tackle the issues of illegal parking throughout the Borough and more specifically near to Sefton Coast.   This action alone will undoubtedly convey the message to visitors that Sefton Council will not tolerate bad behavior either by drivers or organized groups who cause this anti-social behavior to our wonderful coast line.  If the the Motion is agreed then it be referred to the Cabinet for further consideration

Council Motion   

That this council be requested to refer the matter of additional resources for additional enforcement to the Cabinet for consideration.

Following a debate and on a show of hands the Mayor declared the vote was lost by 36 votes to 14 with 0 abstentions.