Cllr Nina Killen and Bill Esterson MP request better security for playing fields to deter traveller encampments

ON Monday, 12 July 2021, Sefton Councillor Nina Killen and MP Bill Esterson asked the Sefton Council to take steps to improve security, at Deansgate Lane playing fields, Freshfield, after travellers set up camp for 6 days. A lock was broken and wooden stumps cut down at around 10pm, on Monday, 5 July 2021, and around 15 caravans were moved into the site. The Council began eviction proceedings the next day and Police responded to a number of calls from residents of antisocial behaviour, such as:- the riding of quad bikes and motorbikes, the dumping of waste, fires being set and stones being thrown. The Police seized a quad bike. A meeting is being arranged for residents with Councillors and Council Officers to discuss ways to make Deansgate Lane playing fields recreation ground more secure. The date, time and location of the meeting will be communicated to residents in due course.

Cllr Nina Killen said:- "There are several groups of travellers staying across Sefton and this group were previously evicted from a site in Southport. Gates had been placed on the car park, at Deansgate Lane, to stop cars and caravans from gaining access to the recreation ground. The gates were locked, but the lock was broken off. This was reported to Police who attended within � an hour, but no suspect was identifiable. The Council immediately began the process of evicting the travellers from the site, but unfortunately this took a few days longer than 1st expected. I was in constant contact with residents, Police and Council Officers during this time, and Police attended the site many times in response to residents' calls and also during routine patrols. Police tell me a quad bike was seized prior to the group leaving on Sunday evening. The Council will carry out a full clear up of the site and a meeting will take place in the coming weeks to consider what measures can be taken to ensure this does not happen again."

Bill Esterson MP said:- "This was very worrying for local people. The Council and Police did their best in responding to what was a difficult situation and I would like to thank them for doing what they could. Councillor Nina Killen was in touch with the Police and Council throughout and was able to make sure that the Police in particular were on hand as much as possible in response to reports of anti social and criminal acts. I would also like to thank residents for being so patient and I am pleased that the Council and Police are working with residents to find the best way of protecting the recreation ground against future incidents. What happened was unacceptable and we must do all we can to ensure it doesn't happen again. Please get in touch with my office if you have any suggestions for the Authorities."

CLA launches educational resource pack on the Countryside Code at the Great Yorkshire Show

ON 13 July 2021, at the Great Yorkshire Show, CLA President Mark Bridgeman launched an educational resource pack which was designed by the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) and LEAF Education. Resources include teaching materials, which are aimed at teachers and youth group leaders to communicate crucial messages to Key Stage 2 pupils about the Countryside Code. The code�s messages of respecting everyone, protecting the environment and enjoying the outdoors are highlighted in these packs through a list of fun filled activities including:- a soil investigator�s exercise, sky lantern role play activity and waymarker memory game. It is hoped these packs will help children and young adults understand that safe and responsible behaviour in the countryside is fundamental to enjoyment of it.

CLA President Mark Bridgeman said:- "The British countryside is famed the world over for its beauty. It's no wonder millions of people every year visit rural communities for holidays and day trips. But the countryside is a working environment, where farmers and land managers work tirelessly to produce world class food with high environmental and animal welfare standards, and it�s important young people, in particular, learn to enjoy their time in rural areas safely and responsibly. These resource packs offer will enable teachers and group leaders to put fun and engaging lessons plans together on the Countryside Code so children can put what they learn into practice."

Carl Edwards, Director of Leaf Education, said:- "LEAF Education is delighted to have been able to work with the CLA on the production of these resources. Together we believe it is incredibly important that young people learn from an early age about the important messages in the Countryside Code. The earlier young people experience the joy of the countryside, the greater their chance of developing a life-long enjoyment and respect of the environment around them. Supporting teachers through these curriculum linked resources will not only help them in delivering an understanding of how the countryside works, but also help their pupils translate the importance of how to respect, protect and enjoy 1st their local environment and then the wider countryside."

The code, which was 1st introduced in 1951, was recently refreshed following a rise in the number of visitors to the countryside during the Pandemic. The CLA continues to lobby the Education Secretary Gavin Williamson to include the code as part of the School Curriculum. The pack is free to download from the CLA�s website and is also available on the Countryside Classroom; a website regularly used by teachers seeking materials related to rural affairs.

Sefton Council is recommending we continue to be cautious over Covid

RECOGNISING the concern expressed by many about the Government�s decision to next Monday�s scrap all COVID restrictions from Monday 19th July, despite growing infection rates locally and nationally, Sefton Council is recommending continued caution. This approach is in line with the Prime Minister�s. Sefton Council is advising people should continue wearing face coverings in busy indoor spaces where social distancing isn�t possible, continue getting tested if they do or don�t have Coronavirus symptoms and continue getting vaccinated as soon as they can. By wearing masks, we can protect ourselves, but also those around us while we are carrying Covid, but not showing symptoms. And we can do this even if we have had both vaccine jabs. Buses, trains shops, supermarkets, GP Surgeries and Hospitals are all places where mask wearing might make people feel safer. Everyone who doesn�t have Covid symptoms should undertake free, rapid Lateral Flow Tests twice a week. These help confirm they are not among the people who carry Covid, but don�t show the symptoms, which includes those who have been fully vaccinated, who can infect others. Anyone who does show the Coronavirus symptoms of a new persistent cough, raised temperature or loss of taste or smell should take a rapid Lateral Flow Tests and follow up with a PCR test if the LFT test is positive. The should stay home and self isolate until they have the PCR test. Vaccination is still the safest and most effective way of avoiding COVID infection and potential serious illness. It also helps prevent you passing the virus on to someone else, although not 100%. Anyone aged 18 or over can now book a vaccination appointment or go to 1 of Sefton�s Walk In Sites or Vaccine Centres. In addition to individuals continuing mask wearing, testing and getting vaccinated, organisations and employers should continue to ensure workplaces are as safe as they can be with hand washing facilities and proper ventilation with external fresh air in place. And, maintaining existing Covid control measures in settings such as care homes could help to protect vulnerable people. Margaret Jones, Sefton Council�s Director of Public Health said:- "Covid19 continues to be with us in Sefton and that presence will continue, but if we all continue to take the precautions that could protect ourselves and others, we can carefully continue down the path back to normality."

Cllr Nina Killen and Bill Esterson MP request better security for playing fields to deter traveller encampments

CLA launches educational resource pack on the Countryside Code at the Great Yorkshire Show

Sefton Council is recommending we continue to be cautious over Covid

Total UK cases Covid19 cases in and around Liverpool City Region