Liverpool City Region COVID-19 Updates

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LGA launches report to help Councils tackle climate change

COUNCILS across the country are leading local communities to combat climate change, the Local Government Association has now out a report aimed at helping Councils tackle this change. The LGA, which represents Councils in England and Wales, has worked closely with the Centre for Public Scrutiny and has published a guide to help Councils play a leading role in tackling the climate crisis at a local level. The resource, which sets out 10 scrutiny questions, will help all Councils and policymakers to embed the necessary environmental, social and cultural changes that communities need to see to build resilience to respond to climate challenges such as investment strategies and transport plans.

The LGA said that the:- "10 scrutiny questions in the report are designed to invite further questions from Council Officers and members which will help to identify and understand local needs, including how Councils will be adapting their climate change action plans in response to the COVID-19 pandemic."

It said scrutiny can support Councils to:- "engage with partners to channel local views, as well as playing a formal accountability role as Councils make public commitments to climate action."

The LGA is hosting a webinar for Councils on 18 September 18 2020 to outline a practical approach for scrutineers to understand and seek oversight on climate action in their localities.

Cllr Liz Green, Vice Chair of the Local Government Association's Improvement and Innovation Board, said:- "Climate change and the challenges it brings have been thrown into sharper focus during the Coronavirus pandemic, demonstrating the need for places and communities to become more resilient. The impact of climate change cuts across all communities, Council departments and functions, and our guide will help leaders to continue to deliver effective responses through scrutinising and testing climate action plans. We hope that our report will help Councils to explore questioning, identify key stakeholders, plan effective scrutiny work and consider the impacts that scrutiny can play in terms of delivering on climate issues."

Jenrick extends ban on evictions and notice periods

RENTERS affected by Coronavirus will continue to be protected after the Government extended the ban on evictions for another four weeks, meaning in total no legal evictions will have taken place for 6 months, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has announced on Friday, 21 August 2020. The Government also intends to give tenants greater protection from eviction over the winter by requiring landlords to provide tenants with 6 months’ notice in all bar those cases raising other serious issues such as those involving anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse perpetrators, until at least the end of March 2021. The Government will keep these measures under review with decisions guided by the latest public health advice. When Courts do resume eviction hearings they will carefully prioritise the most egregious cases, ensuring landlords are able to progress the most serious cases, such as those involving anti-social behaviour and other crimes, as well as where landlords have not received rent for over a year and would otherwise face unmanageable debts. The Government has taken unprecedented action to support renters during the pandemic, preventing people getting into financial hardship and helping businesses to pay salaries; meaning no tenants have been evicted since the start. As a result, according to independent research, 87% of tenants have continued to pay full rent since the start of the pandemic, with a further 8% agreeing reduced fees with their landlords. The vast majority of landlords have shown understanding and leadership, taking action to support tenant. With Coronavirus still posing a ongoing risk to public health, the Government will continue to take action where necessary to further protect households in both the private and social rented sector are supported over winter, helping to keep them safe. Today's extension to the stay and 6 month notice periods will ensure those most at risk are protected. If tenants are unable to afford their rent we encourage them to speak to their landlord to agree a solution, and some households may decide to consider moving. Government will continue to work with the judiciary and stakeholders to ensure that the courts are prepared for eviction cases to be heard safely. Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick MP said:- "I know this year has been challenging and all of us are still living with the effects of COVID-19. That is why today I am announcing a further 4 week ban on evictions, meaning no renters will have been evicted for 6 months. I am also increasing protections for renters, 6 month notice periods must be given to tenants, supporting renters over winter. However, it is right that the most egregious cases, for example those involving anti social behaviour or domestic abuse perpetrators, begin to be heard in court again; and so when courts reopen, landlords will once again be able to progress these priority cases."

Liverpool City Region steps up local support for GCSE and A level graduates

LIVERPOOL'S new Armed Forces Forum will be holding its 2nd meeting next month, and wants to hear what organisations think about proposed legislation. The forum had its 1st meeting in January 2020, and is a platform for organisations that offer services to people who have left the Armed Forces and their families as well as those who are still serving.

The forum's 2nd meeting has now been set for Tuesday, 1 September 2020, from 1.30pm to 3pm and will take place online, via Zoom.

The focus of the session will be to consult on new duties that are being placed on Local Authorities and other public bodies. These bodies will be asked to take the Armed Forces Covenant into consideration when making day to day decisions including healthcare, education and housing to make sure that people serving and those who have served and their families are not disadvantaged.

Organisations that were unable to take part in the January meeting are invited to get involved in September's session and can book on to the session via Eventbrite, but please note, the session is not open to members of the public.

At September's event attendees will also be able to hear how the Armed Forces supported Liverpool City Council's response to the pandemic as well as from recent Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme gold award recipients Veterans HQ on how the pandemic has affected service families in Liverpool.

Liverpool City Council leads a long established strategic group for Armed Forces Communities however the forum was set up to capture the variety of services and support available to the Armed Forces community in the City.

Liverpool City Council currently holds the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award of the Employer Recognition Scheme and also hosts the website Service Leavers Liverpool at:- ServiceLeaversLiverpool.Co.UK.

Cllr Roy Gladden, Liverpool's Armed Forces champion, said:- "We've always prided ourselves in Liverpool of supporting our Armed Forces community but we always welcome ideas on how we can do even better. This event is a great opportunity for the Council to hear from other organisations how we can really embed the Armed Forces Covenant into our day to day work and address any disadvantages the Armed Forces community may feel that they face. This is also a real chance to shape legislation that will support people who have served their country and their families. I would urge any organisation that was unable to attend our 1st meeting in January to get involved on 1 September 2020, we really want to hear what you think."

Bob Blanchard, CEO and senior case worker, Veterans HQ, said:- "We know from service requests that we have received at Veterans HQ over the past months that Covid has affected veterans and their families as much as if not more so than most. We're looking forward to sharing what we've been learning with other organisations and also letting them know how we can support them and the people they work with. Partnership is very strong in the city and we want as many organisations as possible to get involved and to share their expertise and knowledge."

Total UK cases COVID-19 cases in and around Liverpool City Region

THE total number of UK Coronavirus (COVID-19) infections that have been laboratory confirmed, within the UK, has risen by 1,033 cases and the total number now stands at 323,313, that includes tests carried out by commercial partners which are not included in the 4 National totals.

The number of COVID-19 associated UK fatalities added to the total, was sadly reported to be 2 according to the Department of Health. The total number of deaths of people who have had a positive test result confirmed by a Public Health or NHS laboratory is 41,405.

The number of COVID-19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 841. The current number of COVID-19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 76. Daily number of COVID-19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 97.

In England, there are a total of 279,459 confirmed cases. North West - total of 50,973 confirmed cases:-.

The number of laboratory confirmed cases within the Liverpool City Region are as follows:-:-

► Liverpool, 2,760 confirmed cases.

► Halton, 733 confirmed cases.

► Knowsley, 1,067 confirmed cases.

► Sefton, 1,640 confirmed cases.

► St. Helens, 1,262 confirmed cases

► Wirral, 2,112 confirmed cases.

The number of laboratory confirmed cases within Local Authorities around the Liverpool City Region are as follows:-

► Blackburn with Darwen, 1,734 confirmed cases.

► Blackpool, 1,085 confirmed cases.

► Bolton, 2,194 confirmed cases.

► Bury, 1,506 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire East, 2,341 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire West and Chester, 2,106 confirmed cases.

► Lancashire, 7,894 confirmed cases.

► Manchester, 3,968 confirmed cases.

► Oldham, 2,719 confirmed cases.

► Preston, 1,379 confirmed cases.

► Rochdale, 2,142 confirmed cases.

► Salford, 1,706 confirmed cases.

► Stockport, 1,937 confirmed cases.

► Tameside, 1,820 confirmed cases.

► Trafford, 1,589 confirmed cases.

► Warrington, 1,394 confirmed cases

► Wigan, 2,270 confirmed cases

Daily reported COVID deaths are now measured across the UK as deaths that occurred within 28 days of the 1st laboratory confirmed positive COVID test.

Areas within England which are currently in Lockdown or have Enhanced Restrictions imposed on them:-

West Yorkshire...

► Bradford
► Calderdale
► Kirklees

Lancashire...

► Blackburn with Darwen
► Burnley
► Hyndburn
► Pendle
► Rossendale

Greater Manchester...

► City of Manchester
► Trafford
► Stockport
► Oldham
► Bury
► Wigan
► Bolton
► Tameside
► Rochdale
► Salford

Targeted action to control Covid19 cases through further intervention in:-

► Oldham
► Blackburn
► Parts of Pendle

Current measures will be released in:-

► Wigan
► Rossendale
► Darwen

Preston City Council said:- "As restrictions continue in Preston, it's important we all help stop the spread of Coronavirus:- 1. Wash hands regularly. 2. Wear a mask in enclosed public spaces. 3. Give each other space. 4. Get tested, with or without symptoms."

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