Bill Esterson MP slams Tory NHS Bill and privatised approach to the Covid19 Crisis

ON Wednesday, 14 July 2021, Bill Esterson MP spoke in the House of Commons debate on the new Conservative Health and Social Care Bill. During the debate, he slammed the Bill, saying it could consolidate:- "the cronyism and privatisation that has characterised the Conservatives approach to the Covid19 crisis." In his speech, he cited National Audit Office statistics that show companies without political contacts only had a 1% chance of securing a Government Covid19 contract, compared to 10% chance if you were linked to the Conservative Party. Additionally, he pointed out that funding cuts by successive Conservative Governments have increased waiting times, pointing out that Aintree Hospital Foundation Trust has a list of nearly 50,000 patients waiting to start routine treatment.

Peckish beach visitors to benefit from further food and drink outlet trials this summer

ON Saturday, 17 July 2021, visitors to Ainsdale Beach will be able to taste test fish and chips, as well as coffee and cakes, as a pop up food and drink trial begins. North West based company, B-Eat On The Street, will be offering tasty treats out of 2 shipping containers located on the corner of Shore Road near the entrance to Ainsdale Beach. The new pop up is part of a Sefton Council trial to provide more visitor facilities at busy coastal locations. It will run throughout the summer and until late autumn. In other good news, The Bus Yard will be returning to Crosby Coastal Park later this summer to undertake a 2nd trial, following a successful run earlier in the year. This 2nd helping will be served from Monday, 9 August 2021, until Friday, 3 September 2021.

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council�s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said:- "These temporary pop up food and drink offers, at Crosby and Ainsdale, are in response to regular feedback from visitors and residents, who feel there are not enough hospitality facilities along our coastline. Our Green Sefton Officers have organised these trials to explore ways to answer those calls and to offer the best possible experience for all beach users. They've worked really closely with the local businesses taking part, as well as understanding community concerns about any adverse effects, and from the positive feedback we received from the trial, it seems they've got it right. Now we're hoping that the Ainsdale trial will receive a similar response and are urging people to submit their thoughts to the Green Sefton team."

Alexandra Richardson, B-Eat On The Street, said:- "We're very excited to have been given the opportunity to create a pop-up food offering for Ainsdale beach and we have commissioned 2 new container conversions. 1 selling fish and chips and the other is a dessert offering with coffee, crepes and fresh waffles."

Sefton Council adopted a Coast Plan in 2017 and it recently set out its Coast Visioning Position Statement to bring together much of the hard work already undertaken over the past 4 years. It includes a summary of the Crosby Coastal Park public consultation outcomes and a positive outlook for on going investment at Ainsdale On Sea, where a public consultation is now underway. People have until the end of September to take part by going online to:- Sefton.Gov.UK, also feedback can be submitted by email to:- GreenSefton@Sefton.Gov.UK.

The Statement also outlines the overall approach to managing the Sefton coast that balances the competing demands of People, Place (nature) and the Economy. Cllr Moncur added:- "If we get this balance right, Sefton's beautiful coast can become an even greater asset to the Borough while maintaining its unique character. By supporting initiatives such as this, we can help create jobs and offer a boost to the local economy as well as enhancing our visitor attractions; really complementing our longer term vision to get the right offer for everyone while protecting our special landscape."

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Bill Esterson MP slams Tory NHS Bill and privatised approach to the Covid19 Crisis

Peckish beach visitors to benefit from further food and drink outlet trials this summer

Total UK cases Covid19 cases in and around Liverpool City Region