North and South Podcasts

S2 Ep11: (173) 17 - Amy and Pritchard's Independent Bookshop in Crosby

Today at Building a Better Sefton, we speak to Amy Wright of Pritchard’s Independent Bookshop in Crosby, Sefton! We chat about books and reading and the importance of independent bookshops! Amy speaks well and her passion shines through!  You can support Pritchard’s via this link - http://libro.fm/switch?bookshop=pritchardsbookshop [http://libro.fm/switch?bookshop=pritchardsbookshop] – Libro is a platform for audio books that helps local independent bookstores!!!  We cover: -  -              The importance of reading.  -              World Book Day. -              Book Clubs at Pritchard’s. -              Children and the benefits of reading.  -              Encouraging creativity linked to reading with children.  -              Pritchard’s links with schools and the community.  -              The benefits of independent bookshops in an online world.  -              Bookshops as part of the local economy.  -              Chain bookstores as big corporations.  -              Human contact in bookshops. -              Favourite books and the importance of recommendations.  -              Why we read. -              Finding connection and meaning through reading.  Please subscribe to our YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/@BuildingaBetterSefton [https://www.youtube.com/@BuildingaBetterSefton]  Please join our Facebook Page, for written pieces and our podcasts - https://www.facebook.com/groups/695280703082811 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/695280703082811]  We are also on Substack – where you can access podcasts and written pieces - https://buildingabettersefton.substack.com/ [https://buildingabettersefton.substack.com/] - You can subscribe and contribute financially on here.  Follow us on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/timshortsefton.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/timshortsefton.bsky.social]  You can also contribute financially through our Ko-Fi page - https://ko-fi.com/northsouthpodcasts [https://ko-fi.com/northsouthpodcasts]

S2 Ep10: (172) - 16 - Building A Better Sefton = Chris Lewis and the Big Onion - Community, Business, Economy!!!

Today at Building a Better Sefton, we speak to Chris Lewis from Merseyside Expanding Horizons and The Big Onion about helping people into business and enterprise and helping people in Sefton with skill development and employment. We also chat about community and connection. Chris is an inspirational figure.  -Visit the Big Onion in Bootle Strand. New venue opening on Lord Street in Southport. Also expanding into Prescot! –  Big Onion Website - https://thebigonion.co.uk/ [https://thebigonion.co.uk/]  -Merseyside Expanding Horizons Website - https://www.expandinghorizons.co.uk/ [https://www.expandinghorizons.co.uk/] We cover: -  -            The Northern Lights! -            The history of Merseyside Expanding Horizons. -            Helping the Third Sector, Social Inclusion and Networking Across the EU. -            Helping people to be financially secure and independent.   -            Providing support hubs for local business and enterprise.  -            Social connection and opportunity.  -            Skills training and business development and support.  -            The New Venue on Medway Mall in Bootle Strand with its café!!!  -            Big Onion Hubs in Bootle, Southport, and Prescot. -            Combating loneliness. -            Running employment training.  -            Business Support Clubs. -            Meeting people where they are. -            The impact of Brexit. -            Resilience.  -            Providing Credit Unions and links with colleges and universities. -            The importance of listening and feedback.  -            The importance of networking and collaboration.  -            How to get involved!  Please subscribe to our YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/@BuildingaBetterSefton [https://www.youtube.com/@BuildingaBetterSefton]  Please join our Facebook Page, for written pieces and our podcasts - https://www.facebook.com/groups/695280703082811 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/695280703082811]  We are also on Substack – where you can access podcasts and written pieces - https://buildingabettersefton.substack.com/ [https://buildingabettersefton.substack.com/] - You can subscribe and contribute financially on here.  Follow us on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/timshortsefton.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/timshortsefton.bsky.social]  You can also contribute financially through our Ko-Fi page - https://ko-fi.com/northsouthpodcasts [https://ko-fi.com/northsouthpodcasts]

S2 Ep9: 15 (171) How does Sefton Council compare to others? What is life like as a Councillor?

Today at Building a Better Sefton, we do an in-house talk with Lara about her experiences as a Green Councillor in Warwickshire and draw comparisons with Sefton. Lara has a lot of insight. We also chat about other general political themes.  We cover: -  -              Being ill over Xmas!  -              The weather in David’s absence!  -              Being a councillor in Warwickshire. -              The different levels to councils in different areas. -              What councils are responsible for.  -              Labour changes to local government. -              Workload issues in local government. -              How councillors form Political Groups.  -              Sefton having one Green Councillor, and Warwickshire having many.  -              Going into coalition in Warwickshire.  -              Neil Doolin and the Green Party in Sefton.  -              The positives of being a Councillor.  -              Issues in Sefton.  -              The opinion that councillors are ineffective and lazy. -              The whipping system and how the Greens had free votes.  -              Councillors pay.  -              The importance of regular change in politics/politicians. -              Accountability and transparency and cross-party scrutiny.  -              The importance of political engagement.  -              Conflict and coalition.  -              Local Action Groups and Cabinet Government. -              Styles of government. -              The rise of Reform.  -              Performance of Reform Councils.  -              Violence Against Women and Girls. -              The education system. Please subscribe to our YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/@BuildingaBetterSefton [https://www.youtube.com/@BuildingaBetterSefton]  Please join our Facebook Page, for written pieces and our podcasts - https://www.facebook.com/groups/695280703082811 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/695280703082811]  We are also on Substack – where you can access podcasts and written pieces - https://buildingabettersefton.substack.com/ [https://buildingabettersefton.substack.com/] - You can subscribe and contribute financially on here.  Follow us on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/timshortsefton.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/timshortsefton.bsky.social]  You can also contribute financially through our Ko-Fi page - https://ko-fi.com/northsouthpodcasts [https://ko-fi.com/northsouthpodcasts]  You can also support our Crowdfunder - https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/VWE0qPrl?utm_campaign=sharemodal&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=shortlink [https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/VWE0qPrl?utm_campaign=sharemodal&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=shortlink]

S2 Ep8: 14 - (169) - Mike Sammin - How the Liberal Democrats are Building a Better Sefton

Today at Building a Better Sefton, we speak to Mike Sammin of the Liberal Democrats. He is the newly elected councillor for Cambridge Ward in Southport. Mike speaks with passion and vision about politics and his role as Lib Dem Councillor. We chat about: -  -            Why it is important to be an opposition councillor in a council controlled by one party.  -            Why Mike is a Liberal Democrat.  -            Balancing Freedom and Society.  -            Regeneration at Bootle Strand and South Sefton.  -            Whether the Council buying Bootle Strand was the right option.  -            Children’s Services in Sefton. -            Labour Council marking its own homework.  -            Transportation issues for SEND Children.  -            Southport Redevelopment and Regeneration.  -            Issues with contracts on newbuilds.  -            Ideas to assist hospitality, local businesses and the service sector.  -            Parking and Transportation issues in Southport.  -            The financial situation in Sefton Council.  -            Streaming Council Meetings.  -            Saving Sandpipers Care Centre. -            The importance of respite care.  -            The critical role of the Liberal Democrats in Sefton.  -            The Lib Dems performing better in North Sefton.  -            The impact and the legacy of the Coalition Government of 2010-15. -            The current government. Please subscribe to our YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/@BuildingaBetterSefton [https://www.youtube.com/@BuildingaBetterSefton]  Please join our Facebook Page, for written pieces and our podcasts - https://www.facebook.com/groups/695280703082811 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/695280703082811]  We are also on Substack – where you can access podcasts and written pieces - https://buildingabettersefton.substack.com/ [https://buildingabettersefton.substack.com/] - You can subscribe and contribute financially on here.  Follow us on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/timshortsefton.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/timshortsefton.bsky.social]  You can also contribute financially through our Ko-Fi page - https://ko-fi.com/northsouthpodcasts [https://ko-fi.com/northsouthpodcasts]  You can also support our Crowdfunder - https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/VWE0qPrl?utm_campaign=sharemodal&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=shortlink [https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/VWE0qPrl?utm_campaign=sharemodal&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=shortlink]

S2 Ep7: 13 - Building A Better Sefton - Former Mayor/Councillor Bobby Brennan - Does Sefton Council Work?

Today at Building a Better Sefton, we speak to friend of the podcast Bobby Brennan, former Labour Councillor and Mayor of Sefton, about the structure of local council government. This is particularly important given the lack of local media and even online coverage of basic council policies and structures. Bobby is tremendously insightful and critical. We also chat about his new book about Christmas and his upcoming book ‘Love on the Dole.’ Check out Robert J Brennan on Amazon.  We chat about: -  -              Writing and new books.  -              The seemingly complicated ward system of Sefton Council.  -              The history of boundary changes. -              Upcoming all-out elections.  -              Perceived criticisms of councillors.  -              Reform Councils. -              The Cabinet System of local government.  -              One party domination and a lack of transparency and consultation.  -              Bobby going against the ‘cabal.’ -              The scrapping of Area Committees. -              The role of Scrutiny Committees.  -              The importance of multi-party accountability and transparency.  -              Working with Council Officers.  -              The impact of austerity and privatisation. -              Council Tax rises.  -              What councillors do.  -              Bootle Strand.  -              The removal of Area Action Groups.  -              Bobby’s resignation from the Labour Party locally.  -              Principals and politics.  -              Money in politics.  -              Democratic Deficit in local politics.  -              The danger of Reform.  Please subscribe to our YouTube Channel – https://www.youtube.com/@BuildingaBetterSefton [https://www.youtube.com/@BuildingaBetterSefton]  Please join our Facebook Page, for written pieces and our podcasts - https://www.facebook.com/groups/695280703082811 [https://www.facebook.com/groups/695280703082811]  We are also on Substack – where you can access podcasts and written pieces - https://buildingabettersefton.substack.com/ [https://buildingabettersefton.substack.com/] - You can subscribe and contribute financially on here.  Follow us on Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/timshortsefton.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/timshortsefton.bsky.social]  You can also contribute financially through our Ko-Fi page - https://ko-fi.com/northsouthpodcasts [https://ko-fi.com/northsouthpodcasts]  You can also support our Crowdfunder - https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/VWE0qPrl?utm_campaign=sharemodal&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=shortlink [https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/qr/VWE0qPrl?utm_campaign=sharemodal&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=shortlink]