About Sefton Council

A Vision for 2030

Sefton Council is committed to building a thriving, resilient and inclusive borough. The Council’s long-term framework, Imagine Sefton 2030, was shaped by extensive engagement with thousands of residents, community groups, businesses and partners. It sets out a shared ambition for the future: a borough that is confident, connected, prosperous and sustainable.

This vision provides the foundation for everything the Council does, ensuring that services, investments and partnerships are directed towards delivering a better quality of life for all residents.

The Council’s Core Purpose

To deliver on the 2030 Vision, Sefton Council has defined a Core Purpose, outlining the roles it plays and the principles that guide its work. These include:

• Building confident and resilient communities by enabling residents to help themselves and shape their local areas.

• Commissioning and delivering services that are person-centred and accessible to all.

• Leading and influencing place by bringing together partners and stakeholders to achieve shared outcomes.

• Driving change and reform through continuous improvement of services and systems.

• Promoting economic prosperity by supporting business growth, investment and opportunities for residents.

• Generating income for social reinvestment by adopting commercial approaches to fund community priorities.

• Championing cleaner, greener communities by protecting Sefton’s natural environment and tackling climate change.

This balance of economic ambition, social responsibility and environmental stewardship reflects the Council’s role as both a service provider and a community leader.

Strategic Plans and Priorities

Sefton Council’s strategy is delivered through a series of focused plans and policies that bring the 2030 Vision to life. At the centre is the Corporate Plan 2024–2027, which sets out seven priorities:

• Children and Young People

• Adult Social Care

• Health and Wellbeing

• Inclusive Growth

• Working for Our Communities Every Day

• Financial Sustainability

• Sefton Communities

These priorities are supported by a major transformation programme covering areas such as social care, housing, transport and regeneration. Together they provide a clear framework for improving outcomes and delivering long-term sustainability.

Alongside the Corporate Plan, the Council has a number of key supporting strategies, including:

• Workforce Plan 2023–2026 which sets out how the Council will build the skills, culture and capacity needed to meet future challenges.

• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2023–2027 which ensures services are fair, accessible and representative of Sefton’s communities.

A Borough Shaped by Its People

Sefton is home to approximately 275,000 residents, across urban centres, coastal towns and rural villages. The borough has a higher than average proportion of older residents, particularly in its northern towns, while its southern areas are more youthful and diverse. This demographic mix shapes the Council’s priorities, from investing in children’s services and education to supporting an ageing population with health and social care.

Community engagement sits at the heart of the Council’s work. The Imagine Sefton 2030 vision was built through conversations with residents, and this collaborative ethos continues through regular consultations, partnerships and forums. This ensures that policies and regeneration projects reflect what matters most to local people.

Political Leadership and Governance

Sefton Council operates a Leader and Cabinet model of governance. The Council is currently under Labour control, with the Labour group forming the administration. Opposition parties, including Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Independents, contribute to debate and scrutiny, ensuring diverse perspectives are represented.

The Council is made up of 66 elected members, representing 22 wards across the borough. This structure ensures strong local accountability and provides a direct link between communities and decision-making.

An Organisation with Purpose

Sefton Council is more than a service provider. It is a facilitator of change, an advocate for residents and a partner in shaping the borough’s future. Guided by the Imagine Sefton 2030 Vision and the Corporate Plan 2024–2027, it is committed to creating a borough that is cleaner, greener, fairer and full of opportunity for all who live and work there.

Our Vision and Values

At Sefton Council, our vision is to deliver high-quality services that make a real difference to the lives of our residents, visitors, and communities. Everything we do is guided by a strong set of values that shape how we work and interact:

• We put people at the heart of what we do – ensuring our services are responsive, inclusive, and focused on improving lives.

• We listen, value, and respect each other’s views – fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual respect.

• We develop a culture of challenge, ownership, innovation, and improvement – encouraging creativity and continuous development.

• We are ambassadors for Sefton – promoting the Borough positively and proudly representing our communities.

• We are responsive and efficient – delivering services that are timely, effective, and customer-focused.

• We are clear about what we can and cannot do – being transparent and honest in all our communications and actions.

These values underpin our commitment to excellence, inclusivity, and innovation, ensuring that Sefton remains a great place to live, work, and visit.

An Inclusive Workplace

We are committed to fostering an inclusive Council that reflects the diverse communities we serve. Our workforce brings a wide range of experiences and perspectives, and we value an environment where everyone feels respected, supported, and able to reach their full potential.

Sefton is proud to be the first local authority in the Liverpool City Region to achieve Navajo accreditation, recognising our commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion. We are also a Disability Confident employer and continue to build a workforce that represents our communities.

We support several staff networks, including groups for Black and Ethnically Diverse colleagues, LGBTQ+ staff, women, disabled employees, and a Christian Workplace Group.

As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we base recruitment solely on skills, experience, and suitability for the role. All applicants are treated fairly, and we have also recognised ‘care experienced’ as a protected characteristic within Sefton.

For more information, please refer to our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy

Liverpool City Region Fair Employment Charter

Sefton Council is proud to support the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Fair Employment Charter, an initiative that promotes fair, healthy, inclusive, and just workplaces across the region. The Charter celebrates good employers and encourages the highest standards in employment practice, including fair pay, secure work, opportunities for progression, strong employee voice, and a commitment to staff wellbeing. By aligning with the Charter, we demonstrate our dedication to providing a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work and to fostering an equitable and supportive working environment for all colleagues.

Our Successes and Key Projects

Sefton Council is proud of its recent achievements and ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality services. Our Adult Social Care services were recently graded Good by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and our Children’s Services also achieved a Good rating from Ofsted. These successes reflect the dedication and professionalism of our teams and our focus on continuous improvement.

Alongside these achievements, Sefton Council is actively delivering a range of major capital projects that will transform the Borough and stimulate economic growth. These include the Marine Lake Events Centre in Southport, the Strand Shopping Centre redevelopment in Bootle, and exciting developments such as the Cove Resort and Enterprise Arcade in Southport. We are also proud to support cultural and community initiatives like Salt and Tar, Bootle’s vibrant events space, which hosts live music, comedy, and family-friendly activities, bringing people together and boosting the local economy.

These projects form part of our strategic investment programme to attract private sector-led development and create vibrant spaces for residents and visitors. We work closely with local communities to ensure these projects reflect their needs and foster a sense of ownership and pride.

For more information on these projects and to stay updated on progress, visit the Sefton Council website at www.sefton.gov.uk