Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram leads search for Halewood women who helped change the course of history

7 June 2018 will mark 50 years since women sewing machinists at Ford's plant in Dagenham walked out in a row over equal pay. The strike is now regarded as a watershed moment in the fight for equality and the role played by the women in Dagenham has been told on stage and on screen.

However, the role of ladies working at Ford's plant in Halewood, who downed tools in solidarity with their southern colleagues, is a part of the story that has largely been forgotten. The strike, which started because of the pay grading system used by Ford at the time, eventually resulted in production grinding to a halt as the supply of covers for car seats ran out. It was only due to the intervention of Barbara Castle, Secretary of State for Employment, that a resolution to the dispute was found, but by that point, momentum was on the side of the women workers, and it was just 2 years later that the Equal Pay Act (1970) was passed by Parliament.

As we approach 50 years since this historic event took place, Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram is trying to track down some of the women who were involved in the walk out at Halewood, and invite them to a commemoration event that is being organised in conjunction with Dagenham Council.

While the women of Dagenham are now famous in their own right, due to the success of the film Made in Dagenham, the Halewood ladies have proven more difficult to track down.

Attempts by Unite the Union to find them some years ago were not fruitful. It is clear that, although the women worked at Halewood in the 1960's, they could now be living anywhere in the City region or further afield.

Speaking about the upcoming anniversary, Steve Rotheram said:- "The women who worked at Halewood in 1968, and walked out in solidarity with their colleagues from Dagenham, played an instrumental role in the fight for equality.  The car industry at that time was very much a man's world, but the women were not intimidated; and were relentless in their demand equal pay.  Without the stand they took, we would not have had the Equal Pay Act. They are an inspiration to young women here in our City Region and throughout the country. It would be great if we could find some of them and give them the recognition they deserve."

If people wish to get in touch with information, they can contact:- 0151 330 1467 or Info@LiverpoolCityRegion-CA.Gov.UK.

Morrisons announces new measures to tackle plastic pollution

MORRISONS is announcing a number of measures to reduce plastic pollution as well as committing that by 2025 all of its own brand plastic packaging will be reusable, recyclable or compostable. Morrisons will also be 1 of the signatories to WRAP's UK Plastics PACT, an industry initiative which aims to transform the way businesses use plastic and prevent plastics polluting the environment.

The company is taking steps to reduce plastic pollution which include:-

► Allowing customers to use their own containers for meat and fish from the Morrisons' Market Street Butcher and Fishmonger counters.

►  Working through all of its own brand products to identify, reduce and remove any unnecessary plastic packaging.

►  Trialling the effect of removing plastic packaging from fruit and vegetables in a number of stores. The aim is to look at how plastic packaging, which keeps food fresh, can be reduced without increasing food waste.

►  Making more packaging recyclable. 1 of the 1st pieces of packaging to be replaced will be black plastic trays, used for fresh meat and fish. They will be phased out by the end of 2019.

►  Fitting drinking water fountains into new stores. Morrisons has already made water freely available in its cafés for customers who want to refill their water bottles.

The company is taking action as its own research says that plastic reduction is now the 3rd most important issue to Morrisons customers.

Currently 82% of the plastic by weight in the supermarket's packaging is recyclable. To achieve the 100% target, it will be collaborating with suppliers, other retailers, local authorities and WRAP.

Plastic reduction work already completed includes:-

►  Morrisons no longer buys plastic drinking straws.

►  Morrisons now only buys cotton buds with paper stems rather than plastic ones.

►  Morrisons no longer sells 5p single use carrier bags.

David Potts, Chief Executive of Morrisons, said:- "Reducing the damage caused by plastic is 1 of the most challenging issues society can address. Because we make most of the fresh food we sell, we're in an important position to make changes to our packaging. Joining WRAP's Plastic PACT also offers a special opportunity to work collaboratively to take this opportunity."

Since 2010, Morrisons has reduced the weight of packaging used across its Market Street counters by 50% (10,000 tonnes).

Centre stage for learning disabilities

PEOPLE with learning disabilities will get more support to live within the local community thanks to the major makeover of a Liverpool care hub. Work has begun this week on the transformation of Besford House, a Learning Disability Facility, located in Belle Vale.

Liverpool City Council and NHS Liverpool Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) successfully bid to the Department of Health for ₤850,000 to create the modern accommodation for people with autism and learning difficulties. The investment will mean a complete refurbishment for the 16 bed centre, including:- decorating, new carpets and flooring, new bathroom suites, kitchens and furniture. But the transformation is about much more than upgrading the fixtures and fittings.

The centre will become a model for 'step up, step down' care. This means it will allow people to 'step down' from a Hospital setting when they are ready to live more independent lives. At the same time it will allow people already living within the community to 'step up' into the facility should they need more support.

Once the work is completed, Besford House will help to free up valuable Hospital beds, relieving some of the pressures facing the NHS and cutting costs.

The Council and CCG have joined forces with City based social care charity Alternative Futures Group (AFG), who will run the centre and provide a range of services for people with learning disabilities and mental health issues.

Besford House consists of 3 bungalows, have previously used for short-term accommodation and respite.

AFG has been involved in the design of the new centre to help create a layout that is tailor made for the people who will use the service. Crucially, the views of service users and their families have been taken into account as well.

A report to the City Council's Cabinet says of the plans:- "The aim of the scheme is to ensure that local needs are met and that the site is an integral part of the local community. Those that live and work in the area are familiar with people that have used the service and this will help us to deliver effective and safe care in the community for future service users."

The improvements are part of a much larger ₤30 million plan to transform Adult Social Care Services, within Liverpool, which also includes 3 new Dementia Care centres.

If all goes according to plan, the new look Besford House will be open for business in September 2018.

Liverpool City Council's Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, Cllr Paul Brant, said:- "The improvements at Besford House will provide a state of the art new centre for people with learning disabilities. The facility will be pivotal in allowing people to retain as much independence as they possibly can whilst still receiving the support they need. We are looking forward to working with Alternative Futures to see this exciting new centre take shape."

AFG Regional Director Kathy Farmer said:- "We're delighted to be working closely with Liverpool City Council on Besford House. It's an example of the way that AFG is working innovatively in the community to provide a wide range of leading edge and bespoke care services delivering life enhancing person centred support to people with a diverse range of care needs. Our services focus on personalised support; tailoring services to the needs and aspirations of each individual; supporting them to lead the lives they want as active citizens in their communities."

While Jane Lunt, who is Chief Nurse at NHS Liverpool CCG added:- "Providing the best quality care possible lies at the heart of everything we do, and this new centre will allow us to do exactly that. It aligns with the aims of our local Transforming Care programme and will give our service users greater choice and flexibility about the type of support they receive, allowing people to retain or work towards their independence whilst having the reassurance that support is always there when they need it."