Patrick Hurley brings in heritage funding expert to strengthen future of Botanic Gardens

PATRICK Hurley MP has brought in an experienced charities and heritage consultant to help strengthen the Botanic Gardens' ability to attract major investment and secure its long term future.

The work will sit alongside Patrick's continued efforts to press the case for the future of the Botanic Gardens Aviary with Green Sefton and other relevant authorities.

Kate Rodenhurst will work with local stakeholders to identify potential funding opportunities and help strengthen the structures and foundations needed to make the strongest possible applications to major funding bodies.

Having worked for many years across the charity and cultural heritage sectors, Kate brings extensive experience of securing and supporting investment in heritage projects. She was part of the research team evaluating Liverpool's year as:- European Capital of Culture in 2008 and has worked on a successful National Lottery Heritage Fund bid for the Royal Albert Dock.

She has also worked across several funding streams including:- Arts Council England, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, local authority grant programmes and charitable trusts and foundations. She currently works as a freelance consultant and serves as a trustee of the Sefton Park Palm House Preservation Trust.

The move comes as efforts continue to identify the substantial investment needed across the Botanic Gardens.

In recent years, potential funding avenues have been explored to support improvements to assets including:- the museum, caf�, Victorian fernery and wooden bridges, alongside the longer term maintenance of the lake, gardens and play areas. Hurley hopes that bringing additional specialist expertise into the process will help strengthen the Gardens' ability to compete for larger external funding opportunities and build a more sustainable long term footing for the site.

The announcement follows months of campaigning over the proposed closure of the Botanic Gardens Aviary. More than:- 15,000 people have signed a petition calling for the aviary to remain open, while Hurley has spoken at two public meetings at which residents had an opportunity to question the decision and discuss potential alternatives.

Sefton Council has maintained its decision to close the aviary, citing concerns over animal welfare and support for re-homing from several animal welfare organisations.

Hurley has stressed that he will continue pressing the case to Green Sefton and relevant authorities over the future of the aviary. At the same time, he believes the extraordinary strength of feeling generated by the campaign should be used to build greater momentum behind securing the future of the Botanic Gardens as a whole.

Patrick Hurley, MP for Southport and the Northern Parishes, said:- "My work to secure a future for the aviary will continue. In addition, the strength of feeling we have seen over the last few months also shows just how much the Botanic Gardens as a whole means to Southport and the wider region. I want to turn that passion into practical action that puts the Gardens in the strongest possible position for the future. That is why I have brought in Kate's expertise. Her experience of heritage funding can help strengthen the structures around the Gardens, identify opportunities and empower those involved to compete for the major investment the site needs. Over the last couple of years, we have already shown across Southport what can be achieved when a strong case is made for capital investment. I want to bring that same determination to the Botanic Gardens and help put it in the strongest possible position to protect and improve our town's Victorian heritage for generations to come."

Global tech leaders join Liverpool City Region's 3rd annual AI Summit

SOME of the biggest names in technology, research and innovation will come together when Liverpool City Region hosts its 3rd annual AI Summit. The Liverpool City Region AI Summit 2026 will take place on:- Tuesday, 27 October 2026, at the:- Liverpool Experience Campus, bringing together leaders from:- industry, academia, healthcare, education, government and the wider technology community.

The University of Liverpool is a Founding Partner of the Summit, having supported the event since its launch in 2024, while CGI, one the largest independent IT and business consulting services firms in the world, has been announced as the event's Industry Partner. Both Partners will play prominent roles in the programme.

Professor Iain Buchan, from the University of Liverpool's CHIL, and Ian Sykes, Director of Consulting Services at CGI, will take part in:- 'Intelligent Health:- AI Transforming Care, Research & Lives,' exploring the opportunities created by AI across health, care and research.

They will be joined by global technology companies NVIDIA and Dell, which are sponsoring the:- 'Connected by AI:- Building Smart Places' theme and will also run an OpenClaw bootcamp for young professionals.

NVIDIA's Anthony Hills will take part in the:- 'Connected by AI: Building Smart Places' panel alongside Ali Nicholl of Connected Places Catapult, while Dell's Scott Andrews will join CGI and the University of Liverpool on the:- 'Intelligent Health' panel.

Liverpool John Moores University will also be represented on the:- 'Intelligent Health' panel by Ivan Olier, while NatWest will host a breakout workshop focused on business support.

Government representatives from MHCLG and international partners from:- Chattanooga, USA and the ARIC centre in Hamburg, Germany, which signed an MOU with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority in May, will add to a programme bringing together local and global perspectives on one of the defining issues of our time.

The full-day programme will feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, breakout sessions, an exhibition showcasing AI technology and opportunities for delegates to make new connections and collaborations.

The Summit comes as Liverpool City Region accelerates Mayor Steve Rotheram's ambitions around developing:- "AI for Good" and explores how the technology can support everything from better public services to innovation, productivity and highly skilled jobs.

Its staging also follows the establishment of a new AI Taskforce to help shape the City Region's ambitions to become a global leader in 'AI for Good.' The taskforce will be chaired by Nicola Hodson, Former Chief Executive and Chair of IBM UK & Ireland, who will be sharing her ambitions for the AI Task Force at the event.

The City Region's efforts in AI and deep tech have also recently been recognised with Liverpool being shortlisted for the World Intellectual Property Organisation's inaugural:- 'City of Innovation' award.

The Combined Authority is exploring future AI infrastructure and capability, including:- collaboration with NVIDIA to assess whether shared regional computing capacity could help public services, researchers and businesses use AI securely and responsibly.

Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram explained:- "AI isn't something for the future. You only need to turn on the news to see that it is transforming our world at extraordinary speed - right now. It's creating huge opportunities while also raising questions about how we make sure that transformation works for everyone in our society and I want the Liverpool City Region to be at the forefront of answering those questions. Here in the Liverpool City Region, we're not chasing AI for its own sake. We're building a future where technology works for people; not the other way round. That's why we've made 'AI for Good' our guiding principle. That means harnessing technology to improve lives, strengthen our public services and create new opportunities for local people. It's about showing that progress and purpose can go hand in hand; and ensuring the benefits of innovation can be shared across every community."

Tiffany St James, Chief AI Officer at Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, commented:- "AI for Good is about more than the technology. It's about the choices we make in how we use it. As a Combined Authority, we have a responsibility to make sure AI is adopted transparently, fairly and with the interests of our residents at its heart. Our Industry Partners, the University of Liverpool and CGI bring different but complementary expertise to that conversation, connecting innovation in industry with pioneering research and helping us explore how AI can deliver practical benefits. The Summit is a chance to share what's working, learn from one another and build the confidence and skills to use AI well, so that it improves the services we deliver and the lives of the people we serve."

University of Liverpool Vice Chancellor Professor Tim Jones said:- "The University of Liverpool is delighted to play a central role in the Liverpool City Region AI Summit 2026. AI has the potential to tackle real-world challenges, improve health, strengthen communities, and drive inclusive economic growth. As a global leader in AI research and innovation, our flagship AI for Life Research Frontier is helping address these challenges. By working with partners across the region, we are combining our expertise to shape an AI future that delivers real benefits and supports the LCR's 'AI for Good' agenda."

Ian Sykes, Director of Consulting Services, CGI, added:- "AI has significant potential to help organisations improve services, unlock innovation and deliver better outcomes for people. Realising that potential requires combining technology with sector expertise and a responsible, outcomes-focused approach. We're pleased to support the Liverpool City Region AI Summit as its Industry Partner and personally to be part of the recently formed LCR AI Taskforce, to be able to the conversation about how AI can deliver practical benefits across health, public services and the wider economy, ultimately benefitting our communities."

Liverpool City Region has been developing an approach centred on AI for Good, supported by initiatives including its Community Charter on Data and AI and Civic Data Cooperative.

Previous Summits have highlighted the City Region's growing AI and innovation ecosystem and the expertise found across its Universities, healthcare sector, businesses and major research assets, including the Hartree Centre.

With Industry Partners CGI and the University of Liverpool helping to lead the conversation, this year's event will build on that momentum, connecting international expertise with regional strengths and providing a platform to explore how AI can support economic growth while delivering tangible benefits for residents.

Matt Robinson, Head of Programme - Nations and Regions, at Tech UK, also responded:- "We are delighted to be a part of Liverpool City Region's AI Summit for the third year in a row. The longevity of this event is a commitment to how seriously Liverpool City Region takes the AI, digital and tech agenda, and a recognition of the importance of this technology for people, the economy, and wider society across all regions of the UK."

Registration for the Liverpool City Region AI Summit 2026 is free. To register, go to:- LiverpoolCityRegion-CA.Gov.UK.

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Patrick Hurley brings in heritage funding expert to strengthen future of Botanic Gardens

Global tech leaders join Liverpool City Region's 3rd annual AI Summit