Report Page 8 - Southport, Formby, Liverpool, 2020-10-11

News reports located on this page = 4.

Brake comments on increase in video calling behind the wheel

THE 2020 RAC Report on Motoring has revealed that 1 in 5 drivers aged 17 to 24 admit to making or receiving video calls when driving, and a further 1 in 10 say they play games on their phone when behind the wheel. Brake, the road safety charity, have voiced their concern on these findings and are calling for a complete ban on the use of a phone when driving, including hands free. The road safety campaigners claim this view is supported by evidence, which shows hands free devices impairing driving as much as hand held, and are urging the Government to provide clarity in the law, before more lives are lost. Commenting, Joshua Harris, Director of Campaigns for Brake said:- "Any use of a phone behind the wheel is dangerous but the fact that such a large proportion of young people admit to making video calls and playing games when driving really beggars belief. We need clarity in the law around phone use behind the wheel, and we need it now. The Government must implement a full ban on phone use when driving, including hands free, to make the dangers crystal clear to the public and to crack down on this reckless behaviour. The Police must also be provided with the right tools and investment to enforce the roads effectively. In the wrong hands, a car is a lethal weapon and even a moment's distraction from the road can have catastrophic consequences. More than 75 people are killed on UK roads every day and with driver distraction levels seemingly on the rise, the Government must step in and act, now."

Morrison's introduces new measures to help people who are self isolating

MORRISON'S is launching a service aimed at ensuring customers who are self isolating can get a delivery of food to their doorstep. With Coronavirus cases rising, Morrison's wants no customer to be left behind and the:- 'doorstep delivery' service will offer all customers who are self isolating a next day food delivery, from 10am to 6pm. Customers simply have to ring the doorstep delivery service where they can choose the items for their emergency delivery. The service was previously only available for elderly and clinically vulnerable people. Morrisons will be delivering from more stores in order to extend the service across the country. Anna Lane, Morrisons Local Director, said:- "This doorstep service will ensure that more people who can't leave their home to go shopping will be able to get a delivery of affordable food."

Now anybody who is self isolating can:-

► Phone:- 03456116111 and select:- 'option 5.'

► Choose from a items across the supermarket, guided by the telesales operator.

► Place the order and then the delivery is made the following day by a store colleague from their local store, often the store's Community Champion, who is tasked with helping the community.

► Pay for delivery on their doorstep via a mobile chip and pin device. The delivery charge is ₤4.50 (students ₤2). There is no delivery charge for elderly and vulnerable people.

Students can also contact Morrisons by sending them an email to:- Students-UG@Morrisons.Co.UK.

Merseyside football giants back NSPCC campaign to make sports clubs safer for children

LIVERPOOL and Everton football clubs have backed an NSPCC campaign to raise awareness of safeguarding standards in UK sports clubs and improve safety measures. New research found less than 4 in 10 parents actively sought to understand the safeguarding procedures of their local sports/ leisure clubs before signing their child up to take part in practice sessions, matches and competitions. An online YouGov survey, conducted on behalf of the NSPCC showed that 38% of parents actively tried to find out whether basic safety measures were in place before allowing their child to join a club. Further cause for concern is that 38% of parents said they had either never received or could not recall whether they had been sent any information about safeguarding measures by their child's sports / leisure club once they were a member. Tackling these issues and encouraging positive parental involvement in youth sports is the aim of the NSPCC's:- 'Parents In Sport Week,' which was launched on 5 October 2020. The Merseyside clubs joined former Lions captain Sam Warburton and sports presenter Charlie Webster, in supporting the annual event, which also calls on parents to make:- 'The Sports Parents Promise,' an online commitment which helps them choose a safer club for their children. 'The Sports Parents Promise' also encourages parents to be a positive influence when watching their child's games from the side lines.

Julie Lloyd, Head of Safeguarding at Everton Football Club, said:- "Participation in sport has a positive impact on children's physical, social and mental wellbeing. All children should have the opportunity to enjoy the sport they love in an environment that is safe, fun and inclusive. At Everton and Everton in the Community we have safeguarding policies and procedures in place to ensure this happens. An important part of that is ensuring that parents understand what they can do to support safe participation in sport, what safeguarding is and where to turn if they have any questions or a safeguarding concern. We are very happy to renew our support of the NSPCC's Sports Parents Promise and encourage all parents to sign the pledge and learn more about the ways in which they can support their children."

John Pout, Director of Safeguarding at Liverpool Football Club, said:- "Sports participation has a hugely positive impact on children and young people, and we get to see that 1st hand every day. Liverpool, like other teams across the country, have safeguarding policies and procedures in place to ensure that all young people taking part in sport can thrive in a safe, fun and inclusive environment. An important part of providing this positive environment involves ensuring that parents understand what safeguarding is, and where to turn if they have a safeguarding concern. We are very happy to support the NSPCC's 'Parents in Sport Week', and encourage all parents to make the Sports Parents Promise, which will help them find out more about how they can support their children."

Michelle North, Director of the NSPCC's Child Protection in Sport Unit, said:- "Sport is a huge part of childhood with many young people spending countless happy hours practicing and playing and making new friends. Checking on a club's safeguarding procedures before signing up will give parents the peace of mind that their child is in a safe and secure environment. That's why we're encouraging parents and sports clubs across the country to make our Sports Parents Promise, because it's essential that everyone plays their part in protecting children and help make every sporting experience a positive 1."

Every sports club and activity provider should have a welfare or safeguarding Officer as well as a safeguarding policy and the NSPCC is encouraging every parent to find out who to contact in their children's sport if they have any questions or concerns. Former British Lions and Wales rugby captain Sam Warburton said:- "For many young people, sport plays a huge part in their childhood, as it did for me, and now as a father myself I recognise how important it is that any child or parent who has concerns about safety, wellbeing or potential abuse is able to speak out and seek support. Safeguarding isn't always a priority for parents when deciding which sports club their child will join, often overshadowed by a team's success rate, subscription cost and the experiences of other families. If we are to make sport safer for our children we need to make it easier for parents to know how they can support a safer sports environment and give them the confidence and knowledge to act when needed."

Over the last few months the NSPCC has been working with the British Athletes Commission in response to concerns being raised within gymnastics. It has set up a free, confidential and independent helpline as a safe space for anyone involved gymnastics to voice any concerns or issues they may have. As part of our activities during:- 'Parents In Sport Week' there will be special webinar, on Sunday, 11 October 2029, involving gymnasts Amy Tinkler and Mimi Isabella Cesar, a coach, a psychologist and a member of the NSPCC's CPSU who together will be looking at how parents, coaches and young gymnasts can support each other and feel safe in sport. Places in the online audience can be booked online, and there is also a link to make a voluntary donation to support Childline. The event is available for all to join and will be presented by NSPCC Campaigner for Childhood Charlie Webster. Charlie said:- "It's vital that any child or parent who has concerns about safety, wellbeing or potential abuse is able to speak out and seek support. By supporting 'Parents in Sport Week' and making the 'Sports Parents Promise,' you can help ensure your child and every other child is properly protected by their clubs, and by sharing the details of the campaign on social media, you can help spread the word about the campaign."

To keep up to date with the latest news from the NSPCC's Child Protection in Sport Unit, follow @TheCPSU on Twitter. To support the NSPCC's Parents In Sport week on social media, follow the campaign using #ParentsInSportWeek2020.

New approach aims to broaden the range of organisations responsible for improving air quality locally

THE UK Government has launched a call for evidence, from 5 October 2020, in which public bodies should be designated to become Air Quality Partners to help cut emissions. This approach will ensure all relevant public bodies, not just Local Authorities, are playing their part in helping to reduce pollution at a local level, ensuring a better joined up delivery.

Under the new approach, the Environment Secretary will have the power to designate Air Quality Partners which have some responsibility for sources of local pollution (such as a specific stretch of road or site that emits pollution). Air Quality Partners will be required to assist in developing and implementing an action plan to cut the pollution output.

The call for evidence asks for views as to which public Authorities should be designated. A public authority may be relevant for designation where:-

► It carries out duties of a public nature.

► It is responsible for a source of local air pollution.

► It is able to take certain actions to reduce local concentrations of pollution.

Environment Minister Rebecca Pow said:- "Local Authorities are best placed to tackle certain issues at a local level, but we want to ensure they don't shoulder the burden alone and that all relevant public bodies are pulling in the same direction to help clean up our air. I encourage all Local Authorities to provide their thoughts on which organisations we should designate under powers we are bringing in through the Environment Bill, to help reduce local pollution levels."

Through the Bill we aim to update the Local Air Quality Management Framework (LAQM) to broaden the range of organisations that play a role in improving local air quality across the country. This call for evidence aims to harness the knowledge of Local Authorities to better shape how these plans are implemented ahead of a full consultation once the Environment Bill becomes law.