We are a new community group based on the Waterloo Crosby and Hightown beaches. We are determined to ensure local people have a say in local affairs and become directly involved in improving our beautiful coastline. We work closely with the Council and other major stakeholders such as the Anthony Gormley Foundation to protect maintain and develop the coastline. Since the Gormley Iron Men arrived over ten years ago we have had masses of new visitor's but when they get here the front is shabby and looks neglected. The litter bins are falling to bits much of the railings on the promenade are in need of repair or replacement. At the south end, three skips which are used for litter collected form all the litter bins in tare the first impression as people see the beach. At the northern more natural beach dune protection and conservation work is needed for a beach that locals love and frequent. Our group needs extra capacity to make this all happen

What we'll deliver:

• Recruit train and equip volunteers
• Run a competition in local schools to design new bigger eco bins
• Build a new compound to hide the large council waste collection skipsd maintain an attractive website
• Build our social media platforms

Why it's a great idea:

Our new group, Crosby Coastal Park Forum, established 9 months ago is made up of residents, various volunteer and community groups , and stakeholders. We all have a huge commitment to the area, The massive influx of new visitors, primarily as a result of the Iron Men installation, has made a substantial difference, the experience for those visitors has been limited by the lack of investment in the area. Visitors have also increased the demand on the current facilities. The Vision for the future of the area as spelt out by the Council in 2021 is of a vibrant area promoting and improving both the health and wellbeing of the community, offering an improved experience to visitors but at the same time protecting our wildlife and natural assets and contributing to the challenges faced by climate change. A tall order but one that the community believes it can make an enormous contribution towards achieving. Through this project we can prove the value of effective community engagement.

Steps to get it done:

• Establishing a competition for local schools to designing at least five new bins
• Commissioning the installation of the new bins
• creating a new compound for the waste skips currently located on the prom
• advertising recruiting training and equipping new volunteers
• developing our social media profile

To achieve the Council's Vision for the future of the area more financial investment will be needed. The project will start the process of proving that more effective joint coordination of what is already provide to protect and maintain the area can make a substantial difference. In addition, we will seek to ensure that any new spending thorough the area is undertaken with the involvement and commitment of other stakeholders. New funds can successfully lever in other funds as matched funding and significantly increase the additional finances needed. But this project will show how crucially effective it is to engage local communities to offer voluntary time and skills as vital added value. In addition the new English Coastal Path includes all our coastline. This when it finally opens hopefully later this year will bring even more visitors to our area. We want to make there visit enjoyable and encourage even more people to use our coast to improve their health and well being