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LGA statement about the 2021 Local elections

RESPONDING to the Government announcement that the local elections will take place on 6 May 2021, Cllr James Jamieson, Chairman of the Local Government Association, said:- "Local elections play a crucial role in our nation�s democracy. This year�s will see everyone in England having a ballot of some kind, with many places having multiple ballots taking place at once; this is unprecedented. Councils have been working hard to put preparations in place to deliver these with their usual efficiency. It is good that the Government has set out this action plan to help guide local planning for these elections. We are pleased the Government will provide some extra funding to Councils to ensure Covid19 secure measures can be implemented for voters, council election teams and the army of volunteers in polling stations and count venues. The scale and cost of these vital extra measures to ensure everyone�s safe involvement in the elections and the counting of votes are now being assessed by councils. The level of extra government financial support will need to be kept under review as the real world costs and implications are calculated. Councillors make a huge difference to the quality of life of local people and how local issues are dealt with. It is vital that candidates have the ability to run campaigns so residents can make informed decisions about who they want to represent them. We look forward to seeing further details from government on this. We also want to explore with the Government how all candidates can best set out their case for election to voters as national restrictions are lifted."

FSB launches start up support for new generation of business owners facing unprecedented challenges created by the Covid Pandemic

THE UK's leading business organisation, the Federation of Small Businesses, has launched a start up hub and free guide to help a new generation of small businesses in the wake of the Covid pandemic. In the UK business incorporations were up 30% in the 4 weeks to mid-December compared with the same period of 2020, with those setting up a business facing significant and unprecedented challenges created by the Pandemic. The hub has been designed to inspire and empower the self employed and small businesses of tomorrow, whatever their ambitions, with a vast range of resources, including legal advice, networking and support for winning new business. The FSB�s free start up guide will help budding entrepreneurs begin their business journey armed with the essential information they need to succeed. The step by step guide to starting a business focuses on:-

► Step 1:- How to do market research.

► Step 2:- Registering your business.

► Step 3:- Building your brand identity.

► Step 4:- Writing a brilliant business plan.

► Step 5:- Business finance basics.

► Step 6:- Your workplace.

► Step 7:- Marketing your business online.

Michael Sandys, FSB Merseyside and Cheshire Area Leader for Liverpool City Region, said:- "From business plans and contracts to making connections, we're helping new businesses get it right the 1st time. We are seeing a significant rise in start ups as a result of the pandemic so it has never been more important to ensure these fledgling businesses can access the full range of information and support to help them hit the ground running, and avoid the pitfalls on the road ahead. This is about helping businesses prepare and put in place processes to succeed and grow."

FSB�s start up hub and free guide is available at:- FSB.Org.UK/Start.

Celebrating Chinese New Year at home

THE Year of the Ox will be celebrated online as Liverpool's Chinese New Year activities go virtual for 2021. From Friday, 12 February 2021, a whole host of activities will be promoted online, so that everyone can celebrate from the safety and comfort of their own homes. For 3 days, until Sunday, 14 February 2021, people will be able to enjoy creative workshops, photo galleries, music and dance performances as well as marital arts demonstrations. There will also be archive footage of previous celebrations which have all been curated by the City�s Chinese community in partnership with the City Council�s Culture Liverpool team. All this can be found online at:- CultureLiverpool.Co.UK/CNY. Some of the highlights include:-

Footage of the Chinese Lion and Dragon dance; an integral and popular part of the City's usual celebrations.

A variety of fun workshops hosted on Saturday 13 February by the Everyman and Playhouse Theatres (booking required). These include:-

► Decoration making, calligraphy, Chinese dancing, discovering Chinese rap and street dance.

► The stunning Chinatown illuminations which wowed crowds during the 2017 to 2019 events.

► A traditional Tibetan dance performed by the Friendship Dance Group.

► A puppet show re-telling the story of the Chinese zodiac calendar by VIP Puppets.

► Tai Chi demonstrations by Merseyside Tai Chi in association with See Yep.

► There will also be a special welcome message from the Chinese Consul General Zheng Xiyuan.

All the content will be available across the 3 days for people to enjoy whenever they want. As well as the virtual celebrations, hundreds of Chinese lanterns will decorate Nelson Street in the heart of Chinatown and across the three nights buildings will be lit up red to mark the new year. These include:- Liverpool Town Hall, St George�s Hall, Cunard Building, George's Dock building and Sefton Park Palm House.

During the New Year period local cultural organisations Writing on the Wall and Pagoda Arts will also be working with the local community and artists from the CreArt network to develop a new Year of Ox inspired mural in the Chinatown area. More information on the new artistic addition will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Acting Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Wendy Simon, said:- "Liverpool's Chinese New celebrations are always hugely popular, attracting tens of thousands of people each year. Staging events isn't an option at the moment, so working in collaboration with the Chinese community we have produced the next best thing which allows people to celebrate safely. It�s a fantastic mix of brand new content alongside film footage and photos of past events which really show the City at its best; coming together to share the new year with our much loved Chinese community. We are all hoping that in 2022 we can see the return of our more traditional celebrations, but for this year please stay at home and enjoy everything on offer from the comfort of your own sofa!"

Secretary of the Liverpool Chinese Business Association, Ming Wang, said:- "Chinese New Year is a very important time for our community and it's a time for families to come together to celebrate. Although we are disappointed that we can't be together as is tradition in Chinatown, we are very pleased to work on producing this website which will allow us all to virtually share this experience and mark the Year of the Ox."

You can follow the conversation on socials with:- #CNYLiverpool.

Did you know? CreArt (Network of Cities for Artistic Creation) is a network of 12 European Cities, led by Valladolid (Spain), that work to foster creativity and maximize the economic, social and cultural contribution that the visual arts can make to their local communities, through collaboration in a permanent European exchange program for emerging creators. Liverpool is a member of the 2017 to 2021 programme. Creart is funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union. The website can be found at:- CreArt2-EU.Org/

Total UK cases Covid19 cases in and around Liverpool City Region

THE total number of UK Coronavirus (Covid19) infections that have been laboratory confirmed, within the UK, has risen by:- 19,114 cases and the total number now stand at:- 3,911,573 that includes tests carried out by commercial partners which are not included in the 4 National totals.

The total number of Covid19 associated UK fatalities added to the total, was sadly reported to be:-1,014 within 28 days of positive test, according to the Department of Health. The total number of deaths of people who have had a positive test result confirmed by a Public Health or NHS laboratory is:- 111,264, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 112,660.

The number of Covid19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 30,508. The current number of Covid19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 3,572 Daily number of Covid19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 2,578.

In England, there are a total of:- 3,426,193 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 537,384 confirmed cases.

The number of laboratory confirmed cases within the Liverpool City Region are as follows:-

Area and number of confirmed cases:- Risen by:-

Liverpool City Region

Nation Lockdown

National UK Restrictions

► Liverpool, 44,494 confirmed cases.
224

► Halton, 10,923 confirmed cases.
44

► Knowsley, 15,967 confirmed cases. 73

► Sefton, 21,751 confirmed cases.
151

► St. Helens, 15,031 confirmed cases.
98

► Wirral, 22,436 confirmed cases.

128

Colour Key:- 0 1 to 10 11 to 20 21 to 30 31 to 40 41 to 50 51 to 100 100 to 199 200 & over

The number of laboratory confirmed cases within Local Authorities around the Liverpool City Region, since start of the Pandemic, are as follows:-

► Blackburn with Darwen, 16,190 confirmed cases.

► Blackpool, 8,287 confirmed cases.

► Bolton, 22,162 confirmed cases.

► Bury, 15,086 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire East, 18,331 confirmed cases.

► Cheshire West and Chester, 19,227 confirmed cases.

► Lancashire, 86,610 confirmed cases.

► Manchester, 46,722 confirmed cases.

► Oldham, 20,374 confirmed cases.

► Preston, 11,797 confirmed cases.

► Rochdale, 18,556 confirmed cases.

► Salford, 20,169 confirmed cases.

► Stockport, 17,886 confirmed cases.

► Tameside, 15,619 confirmed cases.

► Trafford, 14,663 confirmed cases.

► Warrington, 15,960 confirmed cases

► Wigan, 25,482 confirmed cases.

Total UK people who have received vaccination

1st Dose 2nd Dose

10,971,047 505,993

Jab Stats correct as of 4 February 2021

The vaccination programme began on 8 December 2020 with people receiving the vaccine developed by Pfizer / BioNTech, and people began receiving the Oxford University / AstraZeneca vaccine from 4 January 2021. Both vaccines are given as 2 doses, at least 21 days apart, for a full vaccination course.

Daily reported Covid19 deaths are now measured across the UK as deaths that occurred within 28 days of the 1st laboratory confirmed positive Covid19 test. Daily and cumulative numbers of Covid19 patients admitted to Hospital. Data are not updated every day by all 4 nations and the figures are not comparable as Wales include suspected Covid19 patients while the other nations include only confirmed cases.

The latest R number is estimated at:- 0.7 to 1.1, with a daily infection growth rate range of:- -5% to -2%, as of 5 February 2021.

Previous 24hr Data

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