Sefton is considered less in need of ‘levelling up’ than all other Liverpool City Region boroughs, according to the Government's newly updated levelling up index.
The Levelling Up Fund Index of Priority Places ranks areas across the country based on their need for ‘levelling up’ investment. It is broken down into three categories, one being the highest priority for support, three being the lowest priority.
Sefton remains in category three, grouped with areas like the City of London, Cambridge and Windsor, despite experiencing significant levels of deprivation in its towns in the southern part of the borough - such as Bootle, Seaforth and Crosby.
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During the last round of funding, Liverpool and Knowsley were placed in category one, while Wirral was placed in category two along with Halton.
All other boroughs have remained in the same priority category aside from Wirral, which has now been moved up to category one. This means it is now first in line for Government support and most in need of levelling up.
Cllr Janette Williamson, Wirral Labour Group leader and the most recent leader of Wirral Council, said the change of category is “recognition of what Wirral has done” and the progress it is making on its regeneration.
Over the course of the last two years, the borough has secured close to £140m through levelling up funds, the town deal and support from the city region combined authority. It is pushing ahead with ambitious plans to overhaul Birkenhead and the wider peninsula.
Cllr Williamson added that the secretary of State for Levelling Up, Michael Gove, visited Birkenhead last month and was able to see first hand the levelling up potential as well as where more support is needed.
She added: “He could see the regeneration we’re leading on, smack bang next to the inequalities. That's why we need regeneration.”
However there have also been significant challenges. Last year, Wirral council was recommended by the Government to sell off a range of public assets, such as golf courses, in a bid to bridge large gaps in its budget.
Cllr Williamson said: “The balancing of the council’s books has been really tough. We've been trying to address our budgetary challenges through regeneration and bringing money into the borough. I think that's been recognised.”
In Sefton, facing the peninsula across the Irish sea, the picture is markedly different. The borough remains in category three meaning it is seen as the lowest priority for levelling up support. This is despite the borough being home to areas like Bootle, which has areas included in the 0.5% most deprived in the UK, according to the Indices of Deprivation.
However its northern town of Southport was successful with its town deal bid meaning it will be in receipt of nearly £40m to help on regeneration projects. Although there are renewed calls from Southport’s conservative MP, Damien Moore, to leave Sefton and join forces with West Lancashire.
In the last round of levelling up funding, both Bootle and Crosby’s bids were rejected by the Government.
In the view of Sefton Labour group leader, Cllr Ian Maher, Sefton being in category three “makes no sense”.
He told the ECHO: It makes no sense whatsoever for them not to recognise those kinds of issues and put us in level one which is where we should be.
"I think it's political. It's a political decision. We're not in the blue wall. We're not in an area where we're likely to change political affiliations. That's gone against us. We are at the back of the queue.
"Local people just don't understand these decisions. They are as depressed as me on this. It's just not right. It needs addressing and they need to address it."
Asked whether the Government’s priority categories will impact Sefton’s vision for Bootle regeneration which involves significantly redeveloping the canal and Strand area, the most recent council leader says the authority is still ambitious.
He added: "It's a step backwards with regards to support from the Government, but our ambition is still there. And it's a good ambition. Town centres have to be changed for the modern world. That's the reality of it. If we don't change them, it's just going to rot on the tree.
"The Strand canal side in Bootle is a great opportunity and a great asset. [But the levelling up fund] is similar to what's happened for the last 12 years under this government quite frankly. £230m disappeared and this is just more of the same."
When asked about the decision making behind the Levelling Up priority categories, a Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities spokesperson said: “The metrics used to calculate the Levelling Up Fund Index are fair, robust and transparent and are published online.
“They fully consider the objectives of the fund, which are to invest in local transport, regeneration and growth to level up areas which need it the most.
“Wirral have secured £19.6 million from the Levelling Up fund and Sefton can expect to benefit from Liverpool City Region’s successful ‘Levelling Up for Recovery’ bid, which was awarded £37.5 million. We are committed to levelling up every corner of the UK.”
