Combined Authority Chief Executive Announces 2021 Retirement Plan

FRANK Rogers, the Chief Executive of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, has announced his plan to retire in September 2021. Born in Liverpool and with a career spanning almost 40 years in both the private and public sectors, Frank returned to Liverpool as General Manager of the Mersey Tunnels, rising to be Director General of Merseytravel and then the 1st Chief Executive of the Combined Authority. Over the last 15 years, he has made a major contribution to both transport; overseeing major projects like the ₤500 million procurement of new trains for the Merseyrail network, and the setting up of the new Combined Authority.

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:- "Frank has played an absolutely pivotal role in the progress we have made in the City Region over recent years. He has made a huge contribution to improving the lives of the 1.6 million people we serve, with an unshakeable determination and integrity. In many ways, his career and contribution reflect everything that we are striving to achieve, where a working-class kid from Kensington can rise to be Chief Executive of our Combined Authority and give so much back to create opportunity for others. I want to put on public record my personal thanks for his outstanding service and wish him all the very best for a long and happy retirement; although I'm sure that it won't be long until someone tries to tempt him back."

Frank Rogers, Chief Executive of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority said:- "I have been exceptionally privileged to have had the opportunity to serve the City Region I love over the last 15 years and to have played a part in the huge progress we have made. The last few months have brought us all unprecedented challenges, but we have pulled together as a City Region to meet them head on and map our route to economic recovery. Setting a clear timetable for my retirement next year means that we can put in place a smooth transition for appointing my successor to take the Combined Authority on the next phase of our journey as we work to build back better. I'd like to thank the Metro Mayor and the many people who have supported me over the last few years."

The recruitment process to find the next Combined Authority Chief Executive will start later in autumn.

DIVERSIONARY youth work carried out by Merseyside's Violence Reduction Partnership is featured in a new national publication showcasing some of the best initiatives to reduce serious violence across England and Wales.

The 42 page digital publication 'Violence Reduction Units In Focus' has been produced by the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) and is the latest in a series of documents produced to showcase the work of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs).

The report aims to provide an insight into the work being delivered by Violence Reduction Units (VRUs) across England and Wales, illustrating how they are using a multi agency, public health approach to support young people and prevent serious violent crime.

The document, which includes a foreword from the Minister for Crime, Policing and the Fire Service, the Rt. Hon Kit Malthouse MP, demonstrates how PCCs around the country are supporting their local VRUs in using an evidence based approach to prevent violence.

Among the 18 case studies showcased in the new publication is one from Merseyside's Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP) supported by the Region's Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy. It details how much of the VRP's work is focussed on evidence based interventions designed to give young people a brighter future.

It highlights that, despite the challenges posed by the Coronavirus outbreak, more than 32,600 young people have engaged with interventions funded or supported by the VRP during 2019, with more than 6,600 pupils engaged in educational activities and nearly 5,800 young people involved in specific targeted interventions. It also promotes some of the projects currently being run and some of the VRP's key achievements to date.

Jane said:- "Violent crime brings devastation and misery, blighting the lives of victims, their families and whole communities. The best way to fight it is by preventing crime in the 1st place. For me, it was crucial Merseyside's VRP took a long term, evidence based approach to tackling the underlying factors which lead to violent crime, to drive lasting change. I'm delighted that a snapshot of this work has been featured in this new national publication produced by the Association of PCCs, enabling more people to find out about the really effective work our VRP is delivering to engage with vulnerable young people."

Merseyside's VRP lead Andy Ryan said:- "The VRP has supported a whole host of organisations whose excellent youth engagement work across Merseyside, both before and during Covid, is testament to their commitment to; and expertise in; helping young people who are at risk of being involved in serious violence, either as a victim or a potential perpetrator. We are extremely proud and pleased to support this work and remain committed to this; especially as the unprecedented challenges faced by young people prompt new ways of working, new perspectives and the need for sustained delivery of youth work."

Crime, Policing and Fire Service Minister Kit Malthouse said:- "In their 1st year of delivery, over 2019/20, VRUs have generally made good progress in embedding a local, multi agency approach. Local communities and young people are the biggest stakeholders in this work; they experience violence and its devastating consequences at home, on the street and in their communities. Listening to them and ensuring they have a say in the design of local responses is essential if we want to see success."

APCC serious violence lead and West Yorkshire PCC Mark Burns Williamson OBE said:- "Police and Crime Commissioners have a hugely important role in taking a lead to tackle serious violence in our communities. We have to intervene earlier where necessary, to ensure we are providing positive alternatives to those at risk and vulnerable to being drawn into violent crime. I believe PCCs are very well placed to do this working through local Violence Reduction Units, by further embedding a whole system public health approach to make an impact on the ground. And many good examples of the progress already being made through VRUs are shown in this special 'In Focus' edition."

Take a look at:- APCC Violence Reduction Units In Focus. Find out more information about:- Merseyside's VRP.