2 new Walkthrough Local Testing Sites for Sefton

SEFTON is benefiting from 2 new, walk through Local Testing Sites, at Crosby Library and Netherton Activity Centre, for people who have the Coronavirus symptoms. Open from 8am to 8pm, they provide easy access to Covid19 tests for people who do not have access to a car and for those who have Coronavirus symptoms and should not travel by public transport. Each Test Site has between four and eight testing bays which can each test up to three people an hour. Users will be asked to self swab when attending and visitors will need to wear a mask or face covering which they will be asked to dispose of in bins provided or to take them home, after the test. Unlike the 3 day Mobile Units, the Local Testing Sites in Bootle and Southport will be open for several months. August 2020 saw the opening of Merseyside's 1st 2 Walkthrough Centres, at Bootle Town Hall and at Southport Town Hall and Mobile Testing Units have been at sites across Sefton on most days since the start of July. This has mean tens of thousands of tests have been provided to people across the Borough. Testing is only available for those either with Coronavirus symptoms; a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss or change to sense or taste; or those who have been asked to get tested by a Doctor, public health professional or by their Local Council. Anyone with 1 or more of these symptoms should book a test at 1 of Sefton's walk through or mobile test units online or by calling:- 119.

You may be advised to isolate if you have been in contact with a confirmed case, but you should only get a test if you have symptoms. By following these simple rules, we can ensure people who need a test can get 1. The swab test takes less than a minute and is relatively pain free. Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council said:- "Testing is still a vital tool in helping to overcome the spread of Covid19 infections across the Sefton Borough and I am delighted we have been able to establish these 2 new walk through sites for people with symptoms, in addition to the new Mobile Unit location at Aintree Racecourse earlier this month. The opening of the new walk through centres is the latest important step in ensuring we have accessible testing facilities for the people of Sefton, when and where they need them."

Cllr Maher added that Sefton Council is continuing to explore more opportunities for test sites across the Borough.

Gyms in Liverpool City Region must be reopened says Damien Moore

THE Liverpool City Region's gyms should be reopened urgently as they are:- "part of the solution" for tackling the Covid19 Pandemic, MP Damien Moore told Parliament, on Monday, 20 October 2020. The Southport Conservative MP Damien Moore has urged the Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock to reopen the facilities, which were closed following agreement between Liverpool City Region Council leaders and the Department for Health when the Tier 3 restrictions came into force on Wednesday, 14 October 2020.

Mr Moore, who has spent the past few days campaigning tirelessly on behalf of gym owners and members, was told by the Health Secretary that:- "nobody has stood up for gyms in this country more."

Speaking in a debate in the House of Commons, Mr Moore said:- "The (Tier 3) deal that was struck was not a good deal for my constituents in Southport. Will the Secretary of State review these restrictions as soon as possible and get our gyms open? They are part of the solution, not part of the problem."

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock MP said he would consider Mr Moore's argument, but stressed that the restrictions introduced in the Liverpool City Region area last week had been made in agreement with Council leaders in the local area.

Mr Hancock said:- "Nobody has stood up for gyms in this country more than my Right Honourable Friend (Damien Moore) and he has made this argument endlessly to me. He stands up for Southport and I will take this point away. But as I have said, these decisions were taken in agreement with the local area and we want to, as much as possible, make agreements with local areas so that we can all give out the same public health messages which is if everybody follows the rules then we are more likely to get this under control and get the Liverpool City Region out of Tier 3 altogether."

Council Leaders in Lancashire agreed different Tier 3 restrictions with the Government last week, with gyms in Lancashire allowed to remain open at the request of Council leaders there.

Southport MP Damien Moore said:- "Steve Rotherham said last week that the government imposed the closure of gyms on Merseyside. On Monday, 19 October, the Government made it clear that the decision was made 'in agreement' with local leaders. What the Mayor says behind closed doors and in public are 2 different things. He's back peddling and knows it's his failure to represent our Region effectively in these talks that led to gyms closing. We've been walked all-over in comparison to Lancashire and Greater Manchester. We need to reopen gyms across our Region and promote positive physical and mental health at the earliest opportunity. I spoke with the Health Secretary today who said that he would review gym closures on Merseyside and confirmed that there would be an opportunity for Local Authorities to review this decision in the near future under the 'sunset clause.' It was also confirmed to me today that personal trainers and fitness classes can take place outdoors with no restrictions, provided it is in a private space and risk assessments are in place. I'm determined to support gym owners and their members in Southport and the wider Merseyside Region."

LibDems call on Royal Mail to offer free postage to and from UK care homes for Christmas

THE Liberal Democrats are calling on Royal Mail to offer free postage to and from care homes in the UK to ensure that no vulnerable person goes without love this Christmas. The move comes after An Post Ireland's postal service announced it will carry letters, large envelopes, packets and parcels up to 2Kg addressed to residents in nursing homes, residential accommodation in the mental health or disability sectors and convalescent homes for free until 31 January 2021.

Senior Liberal Democrat spokesperson John Leech has written to Royal Mail asking that they follow An Post's:- "wonderful gesture to support families and loved ones living in care homes, who have been so terribly impacted by the Covid19 pandemic."

Royal Mail handled more than 164 million parcels in December 2018, but the postal service looks set for a record breaking year. It has already handled as many letters and parcels this year so far as it did in the whole of 2019 and the peak Christmas period for 2020 has not even begun yet. Royal Mail reported revenues of ₤10.8 billion with an adjusted operating profit of ₤325 million, for the year to March 2020.

Liberal Democrat Spokesperson John Leech said:- "Times have never been tougher and this Christmas will be one of the toughest times yet. It would be heartbreaking if family members or friends in care homes went without love this Christmas. So, we've got to come together like never before. That means reaching out and staying connected with the most vulnerable and isolated members of our community. That's why I've written to Royal Mail and asked them to follow An Post's lead and offer free postage to and from care homes in the UK to make sure no 1 goes without love this Christmas."

FSB say:- "business support funding for Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region and Lancashire lockdowns welcome, but more help is required."

CHRIS Manka, Regional Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) North West, has responded to Greater Manchester joining Liverpool City Region and Lancashire in the 'Tier 3' classification of 'very high' Covid19 risk areas; and securing business support funding following significant restrictions placed on people and businesses.

Chris said:- "Targeted, flexible support should be made available wherever there is a Coronavirus spike to try to counter the severe restrictions imposed on businesses, so this funding from the Government for Greater Manchester, Liverpool City Region and Lancashire is both welcome and essential. However, there are serious concerns from local businesses and political leaders it will not be enough and that more help is needed."

Following tense negotiations between the Government and local politicians, Greater Manchester, looks set to receive ₤60 million and Lancashire has secured ₤42m. Liverpool City Region Combined Authority's ₤30 million package is in addition to a ₤40m 'emergency' hospitality fund for pubs and other businesses, announced last week, which has been put together, with local Councils, from existing reserves. The negotiations took place after ministers' extension of the new job support scheme and additional cash grants for businesses forced to close, although welcomed, were deemed to be insufficient. The FSB is calling for further support, needed as more businesses moved into Tier 3, namely:-

The updated Job Support Scheme (JSS) and the Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG) should further apply to:-

1. Suppliers who have lost the significant part of their revenue as a result of local restrictions, for instance food distribution firms who supply to hospitality venues.

2. Businesses where activity primarily takes place in workplaces which are either closed or severely restricted by covid-secure guidance, for example those serving wedding venues and sports stadiums, including those providing transport to and from those venues, such as taxi drivers serving the night time economy.

The self employment support scheme should be set at 67% for those who have lost significant revenue as a result of local restrictions, and, as a matter of urgency, a similar level of support should be in place in the form of Business Rescue Grants for those Company Directors who have lost significant revenue.

Chris Manka added:- "Consultation with businesses is key. We will work with the 3 Local Authorities, and others across the North West where lockdown restrictions are imposed, so that the funding helps businesses that need it most. It is also important that communication from Government on how to comply with the restrictions; and what businesses are allowed to do under Tier 3; is clear and concise. Our members are vulnerable and fear for their future. Better communication and reassurance that more support will follow, delivered in a timely fashion in a way that is easy to access, will help ease the uncertainty that is making life so difficult. These funding announcements must be seen as a starting point not the entirety of the support. We have consistently highlighted that far too many are still excluded from the Government's efforts to help business owners; not least company directors and the newly self employed, who have now been surviving for over 6 months without help and, in some cases, with no income. A rescue package for these people is urgently needed. Across the North such measures are paramount as our businesses are put into stricter lockdown measures. Policymakers should now be looking at cross cutting interventions to spur growth, start-ups and future job creation as our economy is changed for the long term. As business and entrepreneurs in the North we have long been challenged to 'level up' the economy, but without support, such aspirations will be impossible and businesses will close. Bringing down Employer National Insurance Contributions and lifting the business rates burden for more small firms would be good places to start."

Covid Secure activities to run for 3,000 young people this autumn ½  term, thanks to PCC funding

COVID Secure activities aimed at keeping more than 3,000 young people safe this Halloween and Bonfire Night will run thanks to funding from the Region's Police Commissioner.

Jane Kennedy is using funding raised from the sale of unclaimed stolen goods or property which can't be returned to its owners to enable 21 charities and community groups to offer safe, organised activities for young people during the busy Halloween and Bonfire Night period, when the public often experience an increase in crime and anti social behaviour.

This is the 11th round of funding released by the Commissioner from the Police Property Act (PPA) Fund. For the last 5 years, she has all directed all the funds towards into activities aimed at keeping young people safe and away from anti social or criminal behaviour during the autumn ½ term.

The successful organisations this year will receive funds totalling more than ₤47,500 and will run a host of Covid secure projects which will complement Merseyside Police and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service's Operation Banger, engaging 3,098 children and young people engaged in safe and supervised activities.

Jane said:- "Running these projects over this ½ term break is clearly more challenging than normal due to the Coronavirus epidemic. But the restrictions actually make it more important than ever to try and keep young people safe. Our community groups and charities have once again risen to the challenge, proposing a host of imaginative and creative projects, aimed at making their communities safer. Local people know their communities best. They know what works when engaging with young people and they have proposed some ingenious ideas. These projects will help to ensure that more than 3,000 young people can still enjoy the festivities in a safe and enjoyable way at organised and well managed events, ensuring the fun and excitement of Halloween and Bonfire Night doesn't get out of hand. This helps to relieve the strain on our emergency services at what is usually one of the busiest times of the year, made even more serious by the Coronavirus epidemic. By using these grants to fund a wide range of well organised community activities across the whole Region, I hope we can help to keep young people safe."

A total of 62 applications were received for the fund, with a combined value of nearly ₤220,000. To avoid any duplication, bids were shared with partners before being reviewed by a panel from the Commissioner's office and the Community Foundation for Merseyside, who manage the fund on the PCC's behalf.

As a result, 8 organisations in Liverpool were awarded funding, with 4 projects running on the Wirral, 3 in both Knowsley and Sefton and 2nd in St Helens.

Among the recipients were The Florrie in Toxteth which received ₤3,500 to run a haunted house project for 250 young people in family bubbles, the Hive in the Wirral which will once again run its successful 'Hiveageddon' project with diversionary activities for 200 young people and the Under Construction Crew in St Helens who received ₤3,500 to engage with 150 young people.

Some of the funding was also allocated to organisations to deliver intensive diversion work with small groups of young people who are at highest of becoming involved in criminal behaviour, including the Merseyside Somali Community Association, the Merseyside Youth Association in Sefton and Equilibrium in Birkenhead and Rock Ferry.

This year's allocation brings the total fund delivered by the PCC to nearly ₤470,000, during her 8 years in office.

The PPA fund is administered by the Community Foundation for Merseyside, (CFM) on behalf of the Commissioner. CFM holds funds from philanthropic individuals and organisations who wish to support deserving causes in Merseyside and Lancashire.

CFM's Senior Programmes Manager James Proctor said:- "'As we all know, this year has even greater challenges and we are so pleased that the PCC is continuing to invest in our local charities and community groups to support their diversionary youth work, being delivered in a Covid Secure manner. This helps to build the capacity of local community organisations during very difficult times with many fundraising activities having to be cancelled and supporting much needed engagement for young people."

Total UK cases COVID19 cases in and around Liverpool City Region