Public Consultation in Sefton about a new physical activity strategy for the Borough

SEFTON Council are running a Public Consultation about a new physical activity strategy for the Borough. Danny Woodworth, a Partnership Manager, Health Sefton said:- "The survey closes on the:- 30 June 2023, with further a further stakeholder workshop planned later on in 2023. The consultation and the strategy is looking at building up towards a new physical activity strategy for the borough, residents within Sefton. We are now asking residents for their views about their lives and physical activity. Please help by filling in our online survey, at:- YourSeftonYourSay.Sefton.Gov.UK, and also please ask your readers to pass link on to others who within the area."

InvestSefton says:- "Come join us for breakfast - all options available!"

INVESTSEFTON are launching:- 'Professional Sefton' a networking group targeted at businesses from the Financial and Professional Sector. The meeting will take place on:- Thursday, 27 April 2023, at:- 8am, at:- Southport and Birkdale Sport Club. Prior to COVID, InvestSefton used to host this network twice a year (it was previously known as the Financial and Professional Forum) it was a well attended forum with over 50 businesses in regular attendance. For information about the:- 'Professional Sefton' that is set to meet twice a year, at alternating venues within North and South Sefton, please email:- Sharon.Johnston@Sefton.Gov.UK, and please feel free to forward this information to any Sefton based financial or professional businesses you may work with.

Health and Social Care Secretary statement on Vaccination of at risk children aged:- 6 months to 4 years

THE UK's Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay said:- "Children are at very low risk of harm from Covid. However, there are a very small number of children with health conditions which make them particularly vulnerable, and for those children we want to give parents the choice as to whether they wish to vaccinate their at risk child or not. I have accepted advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation on vaccinating children aged from 6 months to 4 years who are in a clinical risk group. It is a parental decision, and this advice is simply to enable parents of children with medical conditions to choose if they wish to have the protection."

Driving with your dog's head out the window could cost you your Driving Licence

IT might be a popular sight with many British road users, but UK drivers who allow their dog to hang its head out the car window while driving could face a driving ban.

According to the used car buying service, ChooseMyCar.com, one rule of the HIghway Code means that drivers who don't adequately restrain their pet while driving could be in real hot water. Allowing a dog to place its head outside of the vehicle is a sure fire way to demonstrate that the animal is not sufficiently secured and is therefore likely to result in a driver being pulled over.

Rule 57 states that:- "When in a vehicle make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving or injure you, or themselves if you stop quickly. A seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard are ways of safely restraining animals in cars."

If a driver is stopped and found to be not following this guidance, they can face on the spot fines to a maximum of £5,000, up to nine points on their licence, and even a full ban and compulsory retest.

Founder of ChooseMyCar.com, Nick Zapolski, said many drivers are not aware of Rule 57 and are therefore vulnerable to losing their licence. "It always raises a smile when you see a happy dog with its head hanging out the window, ears flopping in the wind, but it's an obvious way to demonstrate that you aren't following Rule 57; and that could cost you your licence. And it's not just that; in the event of an accident, an unrestrained dog could do serious damage to itself and the people in the car. It's cheap and simple to get a seatbelt for your dog or a dog guard for the boot; and can save a lot of heartache."