With around £150,000 currently being spent in the South of the Borough on 99 iron statues that will litter the beaches, is it any wonder that residents in the area are appalled at the thinking of our administrators, who appear to have become leg-locked with their priorities.
For not only have the Crosby beach walkers been aghast at this ludicrous idea, they are now wondering if someone in authority hasn’t gone completely bonkers. There are even some commentators saying that it is in fact illegal, under section 34 of the Coast Protection Act, 1949, in which it states you cannot place obstacles on a tidal beach, unless official approval has been given by the Secretary of State, as they are a danger to public navigation when covered by the sea.

With Sefton Council having tried to denude itself of its responsibility for decent public toilets along our coastline, stating they have no legal obligation and insufficient resources, how are they able to find money to become involved in this ‘statues on the beach’, ‘Another Place’ initiative? How were they able to find money for huge senior staff increases and the amazing £2.9million they spent on consultancy fees whilst neglecting vital facilities such as public toilets?

What is Sefton, in our despair,
It has poor toilets and fails to care.
No time or cash for people’s need,
But finds the dosh for an artist’s feed.
A poor outfit this, when we despair,
It has no time to really care.

Added 2nd February 2006, a part of the "REAL" costs of this project emerge:
MEETING: CABINET MEMBER - LEISURE AND TOURISM DATE: 4TH JANUARY, 2006 REPORT OF: Graham Bayliss, Leisure Services Director ITEM NO. 4 Based on the financial position as at 31st October, 2005 expenditure on the Leisure Services Department’s overall budget is expected to exceed the available resources. 3.ii) Coast & Countryside The success of the “Another Place” visitor attraction (the Gormley’s) which opened in July 2005 has resulted in additional costs for of lifeguard cover, beach cleansing etc of £30,000. These costs cannot be met from within existing budgets.