Community Involvement Crucial in £7.3 Million Botanic Gardens Improvement Scheme

Earlier this year Sefton Council published a report containing the results of the public consultation and the next steps of the ambitious improvement scheme for Botanic Gardens in Churchtown.

The details of the report can be found at Botanic Gardens Improvement Scheme Consultation Findings.

Today, the Council held the first of many Botanic Gardens Stakeholder Group meetings. The meetings are an important opportunity for the Council to gather views and ideas from the community directly and begin discussions around match funding opportunities. 

As the Council doesn’t have the capital resources to fund these works, match and grant funding will be explored. The most suitable funding streams will be identified, and subsequent bids will be submitted.

The funding required is expected to be in the region of £7.3 million overall. Because it is not likely that all match funding will be available immediately, nor that a single funder would meet the full costs anticipated, a phased approach is likely to be required.

Cllr Mhairi Doyle, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, who is Chair of the Stakeholder Group, said: “It is exciting to be moving forward with the next steps of this ambitious scheme. It is hugely important that the Council has these discussions with our dedicated community volunteer groups and start the lengthy process of exploring appropriate funding opportunities.

“Southport’s Botanic Gardens is an important asset to our borough, and we are committed to improving this historically significant site.”

Botanic Gardens Community Association is a long-standing voluntary group overseeing maintenance and activities at the park. Anyone interested in volunteering or getting involved in the project can contact the group at https://botanicgardensca.org.uk/

People can find out more about Botanic Gardens in Churchtown at www.sefton.gov.uk/Botanic-Gardens