The Steam Packet Company has issued the following notice following cancellation of the 2021 TT

FOLLOWING the cancellation of TT 2021, due to the Covid19 Pandemic, the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has confirmed it will be contacting those with bookings for the TT period to offer a priority transfer, from Friday, 4 June 2021 to Friday, 3 June,2022, the equivalent sailings for TT 2022.Those customers affected will be sent an email within the 1st 2 weeks of December, with the option to automatically transfer their booking to the 2022 equivalent sailings at the same fare or, alternatively, opt to receive a full refund. The email will contain a link to an automated process that will enable them to select from 3 options:-

►  Option 1 - Keep their booking as it is, despite the cancellation of TT 2021, in the hope that current travel restrictions to/from the Island are relaxed.

►  Option 2 - Transfer their TT 2021 booking to the equivalent sailings for TT 2022.

►  Option 3 - Cancel their booking and receive a full refund. Customers will be asked to confirm their selection, by Friday, 8 January 2021, before the link expires.

Those that have not provided an email address will be contacted by telephone via the number provided at the time of booking. New bookings or amendments for TT 2022 will now be possible from Tuesday, 19 January 2021. This has been brought forward from May 2021. Demand for new bookings for the TT 2021 was high when reservations opened earlier this year.  More than 71% of passengers who had been due to travel with the Company to this year's TT (which was also cancelled due to the Covid19 Pandemic) transferred their bookings forward 12 months. Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Chief Executive Mark Woodward said:- "Although it is naturally disappointing that there will be no TT in 2021, the health and wellbeing of everyone has to be the number 1 priority. Despite this latest setback, the enduring popularity of the TT, and the resulting demand for travel, remains exceptionally high. We look forward to welcoming back all travellers, including of course the many motorcycling enthusiasts, to our Island in safer times."

Appeal for North West people who were Hospitalised with COVID to donate blood plasma

NHS Blood and Transplant needs more people who were in Hospital with Covid19 to donate blood plasma. Donors who received Hospital treatment for Coronavirus are more likely to have the high level of antibodies needed for convalescent plasma, which could help others in Hospital struggling to develop their own immune response to the virus.  People of all levels of illness can donate; including those people with minor symptoms, but there is a special need for the most seriously ill people to donate as new analysis shows generally they have the highest antibody levels. The North West has taken donations from 114 people who needed Hospital care. This included 45 people at Liverpool's 2 Plasma Donor Centres, 62 in Manchester's 2 Donor Centres, and 7 at Lancaster's Donor Centre. A new Donor Centre has also just opened within Bolton.

Jason Crescenti, from Grassendale, in Liverpool, spent a week in Hospital and is 1 of the top donors from the North West into the plasma trial.He has made 12 plasma donations so far at the NHSBT Speke Donor Centre. The 53 year old retired engineering manager was treated at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, at the end of March 2020. He said:- "After spending 10 days in bed with what I thought was flu my wife arranged a video consultation with the GP. Within a couple of minutes the Doctor made the decision to call an Ambulance. I think it was the fact I was so ill looking and when she asked me to count back from 10. I think I got to seven before I was struggling to breathe. After the week I had in Hospital, I would do anything to help anybody with this disease. I saw people dying. It's a horrible and devastating thing to go through for both patients and their families. After the excellent care I received it is the least I can do to give something back. I would say to anyone else who needed Hospital care; donating is the simplest thing in the world. It doesn't hurt. Giving up a couple of hours of your time is insignificant compared to the benefits your plasma can do in helping others."

NHSBT is taking donations for the plasma arms of the RECOVERY and REMAP CAP trials. The trials will determine whether the antibody rich blood plasma found in people who've had Coronavirus could be an effective treatment for general use in the NHS. Professor David Roberts, NHSBT associate medical director for blood donation, said:- "Our analysis shows people who had Hospital care make our best donors. They have the highest antibody levels and their antibodies stay higher for longer. Your body quickly replaces the donated plasma and antibodies and it does not affect antibody levels in the long term. We are grateful to people like Jason in the North West who have been willing to donate their plasma. Especially to those who were in Hospital and will have had a difficult time this year. By donating, they could be helping to save lives."

If you've had confirmed Coronavirus or the symptoms, you can volunteer today to donate plasma at:- NHSBT.NHS.UK or simply search online for 'donate plasma.'

Don't miss the chance to have your say on the future of the Liverpool City Region

RESIDENTS and workers in the Liverpool City Region still have time to have their say and shape the future of the City Region, as plans are drawn up that will influence everything from housing and transport, to jobs and health. Launched in early November by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram:- 'LCR Listens - Our Places' is the 2nd stage of an engagement exercise that will help form the blueprint for the City Region's approach to planning and development for years to come.

Speaking about 'LCR Listens - Our Places,' Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region said:- "When I 1st ran to be Mayor, it was because I was excited by the potential for more decisions to be taken locally and for local people to have a much bigger say about the future of their communities. With 'LCR Listens - Our Places,' we're putting local people's views front and centre when it comes to developing the Region's policies. Your views will help us make important decisions about the future of everything from jobs and transport, to health and housing right the way across our Region. We might be in a difficult time at the moment, but your answers could help decide the direction of our Region for years to come. I'm really keen to hear from you so, if you get a chance, please take a couple of minutes to fill out the survey."

Councillor Graham Morgan, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Spatial Framework, said:- "I'd encourage everyone to get involved with:- 'LCR Listens - Our Places' to help us understand what is important to them and enable us to put policies in place for the future. This isn't a dry planning exercise; these policies will influence many aspects of our lives, from how our local communities develop to how we tackle climate change. The point of devolution is that we are better placed to make decisions than distant bureaucrats and this type of listening exercise helps ensure that is the case."

In addition to an online survey, the Combined Authority is conducting a series of events with community groups to help ensure that local people's views are central to the Region's priorities.

Responses will influence the Combined Authority's 1st Spatial Development Strategy (SDS), which will set out a strategic framework for the development and use of land moving forward for at least 15 years. When complete, it is thought that the SDS will be the 1st in the country outside of London.

The 1st stage of the engagement exercise focused on asking people what they wanted the plan to cover. It set out specifically to hear from communities whose voices tend to go unheard in the planning process and won a prestigious National Planning Award for its innovative approach to engagement.

Of 2500 respondents, more than 42% were young people, more than ½ were from neighbourhoods among the most deprived 10% in the country, and 18% were from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities.

The 2nd stage of the engagement will take the same approach and will concentrate on people's vision for the Spatial Development Strategy, alongside its objectives in 5 key areas:-

►  Climate change and the environment.

►  Health and wellbeing.

►  Inclusive economy.

►  Placemaking and communities.

►  Social value.

It will also seek people's views on a number of suggested policy areas, including:- air quality, active travel and employment skills.

The SDS is a statutory planning document. When it is published, it will form part of the 'development plan' for the City Region's 6 Local Councils alongside their own Local Plans and Neighbourhood Plans. The policies that make up the SDS, when finalised, will be considered when determining planning applications across the City Region. After receiving all responses, the Combined Authority will review them and take them into account along with any evidence needed as it drafts the policies. A draft of the SDS will then be presented to the Combined Authority followed by a 13 week consultation when the public will be able to comment on specific policies.  Anyone wanting to have their say on planning issues and the development of the SDS should visit:- LiverpoolCityRegion-CA.Gov.UK where they can comment on a range of different policy themes.

₤50,000 for your idea to supercharge growth in "left behind" Britain

THE idea is delighted to announce the launch of the 4th Richard Koch Breakthrough Prize, with Dehenna Davison, Member of Parliament for Bishop Auckland, on the judging panel. In economic terms, the UK is 2 countries. On the one hand we have a prosperous enclave in London and the South East, with a high performing economy that compares favourably on measures such as GVA per person with the richest parts of Northern Europe. But many Towns and communities have witnessed decades of decline; made worse by the Coronavirus Pandemic. They suffer from deep seated problems, such as:- failing businesses, boarded up high streets, unemployment, and poor housing.

What can be done to re-energise these areas? What would it take to make them thrive?  The Richard Koch Breakthrough Prize 2020/21 is looking for answers. The topic of each year's essay question is formulated in conjunction with a prominent British MP, who identifies a policy area which they passionately believe is in need of new ideas. The 2020/21 question, developed in collaboration with Dehenna Davison MP, is:- "In the current severe economic climate, what pro-market, pro-enterprise policy would be the best way of supercharging growth, employment and living standards in 'left behind' Britain?"

That policy must be both politically possible and compatible with a free market society. Once again, the competition carries a 1st prize of ₤50,000; plus additional prizes for highly commended entrants and students. And the winners will be announced at a special awards ceremony in:- Central London, which will take place; Pandemic permitting; next summer (2021). It's the chance to win 1 of the biggest prizes of its kind; and the chance to have a significant impact on 1 of today's burning political issues.

Commenting on the launch of the competition, Dehenna Davison, Member of Parliament for Bishop Auckland, said:- "The Breakthrough Prize is a fantastic opportunity to influence one of the key political challenges our country faces; as well as winning a great prize. We have an exciting opportunity to promote pro-market ideas, especially on the Government's plan for the COVID recovery, and I can't wait to see the ideas brought forward."

Mark Littlewood, Director General at the Institute of Economic Affairs said:- "Successive governments over the last few decades have failed to come up with effective solutions. This has manifested itself in repeated attempts to subsidise low productivity industries; from car plants to the nuclear industry, Concorde, steel or shipbuilding. The Breakthrough Prize is a timely and important contribution to healing the growing economic divergence between different parts of the country, and to resolving an issue that is vital for our prosperity and society."

Richard Koch, Businessman, Author and Sponsor of the Prize, said:- "Some policymakers are resigned to a North South divide. They view it as inevitable; particularly in the light of the Covid19 Pandemic. I disagree. We can reverse the fortunes of our broken cities and Regions. We can find ways to transform them into prosperous hubs replete with high wage, high productivity jobs. My Breakthrough Prize, now in its fourth year, could provide an important starting point for popular ideas to supercharge growth, employment and living standards in those 'left behind' areas. I'm looking for new, exciting, and radical free market ways to tackle this burning political issue; and I am optimistic that, as with previous years, I will find them."

Tackling online loan sharks and illegal money lending

SEFTON Council is backing a national campaign aimed at tackling illegal money lending on the Internet and warning of the dangers of online loan sharks. Coordinated by the England Illegal Money Lending Team, the campaign comes amid concerns more people are falling prey to unscrupulous lenders online. Statistics show one in 5 victims met their lender on social media in the 1st half of 2020.

Loan sharks are increasingly using social media platforms, such as:- Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat, to advertise their illegal loans and target potential victims. These criminals will lure people in with seemingly attractive loan offers but will quickly resort to intimidation, threats and violence to enforce repayment and trap borrowers in a spiral of debt.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council's Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said:- "We know that Covid19 has had an impact on many people's circumstances and has had a negative effect on many households' incomes, which could make them vulnerable to scams such as this, especially in the build up to Christmas. What we want to do is remind Sefton residents that seemingly attractive and affordable offers are illegal schemes being cooked up by criminals who do not have their best interests at heart. People already struggling financially will be likely to find themselves in a worse position than before if they fall victim to such online offers, sometimes facing threats and intimidation."

Tony Quigley, Head of the England Illegal Money Lending Team, said:- "We are aware that loan sharks are becoming more active on social media, particularly in community groups and on local selling pages, which we will not tolerate. I urge people to remain vigilant when online; if you spot a suspicious loan advert on social media, report it. If you need to borrow money, always check the lender is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority and contact your local Credit Union about ethical financial products and services."

Cllr Hardy added:- "There are ways that the Council can advise and support people who are struggling with their finances. Whether it's problems paying rent or business owners forced to close because of national and Regional Coronavirus restrictions. There is a whole host of support available through services like Invest Sefton, Homeless Prevention and Early Help, to name just a few. Further support on a wide range of issues that might affect someone's finances are outlined on our website. The sooner anyone in Sefton facing problems contacts us, the better chance that we can work with them to find practical solutions to their money concerns. And I would urge everyone to be vigilant when online and on social media, don't get caught out by loan sharks or money lending scams."

There is a dedicated section on the Council's website with helpful resources for all common situations. Residents can also get in touch via Sefton Council's Contact Centre on:- 03451400845 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm or Saturday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm, for Covid19 related calls only).  The campaign, titled:- '#SharkFreeSurfing,' will run across social media platforms, from Monday, 30 November to Sunday, 6 December 2020. It is hoped that the campaign will help encourage not just victims, but the wider community to report online illegal money lending activity.

The key advice for people to protect themselves from loan sharks online is:-

Know who you're dealing with. If you've only ever met someone online or are unsure of the legitimacy of a lender, take some time to do a bit more research. Check the lender is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). If not, don't borrow from them, report to the Stop Loan Sharks team.

Beware of loan adverts with no credit checks. Loan sharks have been known to advertise in community groups and on local selling pages. They may seem friendly and accommodating, but their behaviour can quickly change, and you might be harassed or threatened if you get behind with your repayments. Lenders must carry out credit checks to make sure borrowers can afford to pay back their loans. You should never hand over your bank details to strangers, even if they lure you with attractive offers. Remember, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Beware of any requests for your details or money. Loan sharks may ask for copies of your passport or pictures of your house, the street and your house number.

Never send money or give card details, online account details or copies of personal documents to anyone you don't know or trust.

Anyone who has been approached by a Loan Shark or someone acting inappropriately, can report them anonymously to:- StopLoanSharks.Co.UK or by calling the Stop Loan Sharks Helpline on:- 03005552222. Alternatively, they can email the team:- ReportALoanShark@StopLoanSharks.Gov.UK or access support via live chat on the website, Monday to Friday, between 9am to 5pm.

Other useful websites:-

►  FCA Financial Services Register:- Register.FCA.Org.UK.

►  Find Your Credit Union:- FindYourCreditUnion.Co.UK.

►  Citizens Advice:- CitizensAdvice.Org.UK.

►  Step Change:- StepChange.Org.

►  Money Advice Service:- MoneyAdviceService.Org.UK.

The research within this report was conducted by the England Illegal Money Lending Team, as part of their half year witness statistics report for January to June 2020.

CLA comments on Government's announcement on the 'Path to Sustainable Farming'

ON Monday, 30 November 2020, Mark Bridgeman, President of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) which represents 30,000 rural businesses, said:- "From January, we will embark upon the biggest shift in agricultural policy in 70 years. The new Environmental Land Management scheme has the potential to be a genuinely world leading policy that will allow land managers and government to work together to reverse biodiversity decline and mitigate climate change, as well as deliver quality food, grown and reared to the highest standards. But the transition from the old system to the new is fraught with risk. Many farmers will find it hard to see past the drastic cuts to the Basic Payment Scheme, that begin of 2021. The average family farm will see cuts of over 50% before the new schemes are fully available in 2024. The Government has announced the Sustainable Farming Incentive to help bridge the gap, but with only a month to go before the transition phase begins we have no details whatsoever about how this will work on the ground and the level of investment it will provide. This lack of detail risks casting a shadow over Government's laudable aims."

Sefton supports Taxi Drivers with ₤400k grant amidst impact of Covid19 Pandemic

SEFTON Council is currently distributing over ₤400,000 in grant funding to support Taxi drivers who have been affected by the Coronavirus Pandemic. On Monday, 30 November 2020, over 4,000 Taxi Drivers Licensed in Sefton, and who live in the Liverpool City Region, will each be eligible for a ₤100 Support Grant. Drivers who are eligible will receive a letter sent to their home address containing details of how to access the Grant. Once approved, the Drivers will receive their Grant within 5 working days Sefton Council has ensured a dedicated team will be on hand to support all applicants through the claims process. Those drivers who do not meet the criteria for this Grant are able to access other support schemes which offer financial aid. Check your Local Authority for their support offer.  For more information visit:- Sefton.Gov.UK/TaxiGrant.

Hospitality, leisure and retail businesses urged to apply for latest Grants

SEFTON Council is urging businesses to apply for the latest round of financial support through the Hospitality, Leisure and Retail Grants (Expanded Scheme) which opened on Monday, 30 November 2020. National Lockdown and Local Restrictions have had a significant impact on many businesses in Sefton and the Liverpool City Region. Some have benefitted from national support schemes. Other businesses such as:- non-essential retail, the self employed, sole traders, licensed market traders and limited companies based at home who predominantly supply the Hospitality and leisure sectors haven't met the criteria and have not received any financial support.

They are being encouraged to apply for funding from the previously announced ₤40 million COVID emergency fund to support the Hospitality and leisure supply chain, to address this identified gap. The Hospitality, Leisure and Retail Grants (Expanded Scheme) will be open for applications that meet the eligibility criteria from 11am, on Monday, 30 November and close at 5pm, on Friday, 11 December 2020. The 1st round of funding has already seen over ₤1 million of grant assistance paid to 152 Sefton businesses. Councillor Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council, said:- "We have seen the impact of the Pandemic on our local economy with businesses forced to close at various stages over the past nine months. This latest round of funding aims to help those businesses who have been unable to access other national support schemes by providing financial support to enable them to continue trading."

Business must be based in Sefton, or 1 of the other Liverpool City Region Local Authority areas. The grants are simple to apply for and businesses will not have to repay them. To find out more about the eligibility criteria and how to apply, businesses should visit the Sefton Council's website. Cllr Maher added:- "We recognise the key contribution these businesses make to the Sefton economy and we urge all that fall into these categories to follow the simple processes that are in place so that they can receive these grants as quickly as possible."

Ongoing business support and advice for all businesses across Sefton is available via InvestSefton, which leads on the Council's business support. It has dedicated information available on all of the latest Covid19 updates and support available to businesses in Sefton. To access this information visit:- InvestSefton.Com.

LGA responds to Health Foundation report on the future of public health

RESPONDING to a Health Foundation report on the future of public health and its analysis that there are at least 77,000 premature deaths caused by heath inequalities each year, Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the Local Government Association's Community Wellbeing Board, said:- "Coronavirus has demonstrated the crucial role of Councils' public health services in keeping us healthy and well throughout our lives. As this report highlights, Covid19 has exposed the stark health inequalities in different parts of the country and urgent need to level up our communities. This in turn reduces pressure on our health, care and criminal justice systems. Councils want to play their full part in the future of public health. This Pandemic has proven the value of local knowledge and leaders, supported by Regional and national coordination. The Government should use this opportunity to strengthen public health and improve integration across health and care, backed up by necessary funding. If we are to finally tackle our long standing health inequalities, we need to start investing in these vital services now. No new public health funding for Councils in the recent Spending Review, despite the ongoing pressures caused by the Pandemic, makes this incredibly challenging."

Top of the mask! - Face covering competition winners announced

6 Liverpool young people are set to see their artwork exhibited across the City, and you won't need to go to a gallery to see it. The quintet are all winners in a competition that will see some Scouse flair lent to the latest addition to most people's wardrobes; face coverings. And now their handiwork is also being given to other young people in the city to help keep them safe. The competition, led by social enterprise Open Culture on behalf of Public Health Liverpool, and supported by partners in COoL (Creative Organisations of Liverpool), attracted 113 entries. Originally, four winners were to be chosen, 2 from each of 2 age categories, but an additional winner was chosen in the age 14 to 17 category.

The judging panel was:- Kiara Mohammed, a Liverpool Multidisciplinary Muslim trans, Gender Fluid Artist; TEE, Spoken Word and Rap Artist; and representatives from Public Health Liverpool and Open Culture. A group of young public health activists also gave feedback on the shortlist before the winners were selected. The activists have been working with Public Health Liverpool to give insight into their experience of the Pandemic.  As well as having the designs made into limited edition face coverings, the 5 winners have all also scooped ₤200 each (prizes funded by arts organisations).

The winners are:-

►  Category ages 14 to 17:-

►  Aubrey Sanchez - from Anfield. Bellerive FCJ Catholic College.
►  Euan Lee - from Garston. Abbot's Lea School.
►  Nikoleta Pioro - from Norris Green. Holly Lodge Girls' College.

►  Category ages 18 to 25:-

►  Evie Warwick - from Wavertree. Liverpool John Moores University.
►  Belita Edi - from Toxteth. City of Liverpool College.

►  4000 double layered coverings have been produced by Cheshire based English Fine Cottons and also have an anti viral coating.

The face coverings will not only be distributed at the winners' Schools, but will also be given out to young people via the Council's Children's Services teams including:- looked after children, the Youth Offending Team and the City's Youth Clubs.

Cllr Paul Brant, cabinet member for Public Health, commented:- "As expected, the designs that were submitted to the competition were truly impressive and it was so hard to whittle down the entries that 5 instead of four winners were chosen. It's great that young people took the competition to heart and saw it not only as a way of expressing their creativity but also understood that washable masks are a valuable way of reducing the waste that comes with using disposable masks. Wearing a face covering in public places is likely to be part of our lives for many months to come and it's great that young people have embraced them and are setting this example for the older people in our community."

Cllr Barbara Murry, cabinet member for education, employment and skills, said:- "The thought that our winners have put into their designs underlines what I already know about our young people; they are engaged, creative and embrace the challenges and opportunities that come their way. Time and time again we're shown the incredible emerging talent in Liverpool and these face coverings are a further example of our city making a positive out of a tough situation. I look forward to seeing these fantastic designs when I'm out and about!"

Aubrey Sanchez, of Bellerive FCJ Catholic College, added:- "I entered the competition because, 1stly, I thought it would be fun to give it a shot. But my main reason was because of my mum, as she is a nurse in the NHS and she inspired me to be creative. The inspiration for the design from the top of the mask came from the stained glass window effect from the Metropolitan Cathedral. Then, as it is nearing Christmas, Christmas baubles are layered underneath. The last layer consists of colourful tassels and a chess board, as I love playing chess."

Euan Lee, of Abbots Lea School, responded:- "All of our class were entering the competition during our lockdown curriculum and I didn't think I would win at all. I picked my design based on Team Fortress 2, a game I play, and thought black and white would stand out. I draw for fun in my free time."

Nikoleta Pioro, of Holly Lodge Girls' College, said:- "I was on cloud 9 when I found out I won the competition because it was my 1st time ever taking part in such an event and I did not expect to win. I hope my mask design will encourage those who still object to mask wearing to follow the guidelines and wear a mask because, as my mum repeats, a drop of prevention is worth a pound of cure. My design is a Liver bird made up of multiple NHS initialisms. It shows that we are each other's strength and cannot win the battle with Covid19 without each other."

Evie Warwick, Liverpool John Moores University, said:- "I'm really excited to see my design on an actual object. To have my design on what now could be classed as an item of clothing is mind blowing for myself as a young designer and illustrator. Especially seeing other people in the street wear them too."

Belita Edi, of City of Liverpool College, finished up saying:- "The idea for my design actually came quite suddenly, without prior research. I just knew that I wanted words on the mask, something short, but meaningful, like a slogan. I was playing around with the words 'power.' 'peace' and 'unity' when I came up with the phrase 'Power IN unity.' which needs no explaining. I want people to be proud to wear this mask, to spread the message that is so significant during these difficult times."