Liverpool City Region Leaders Call on Government for Vaccine Surge

ON Friday, 11 June 2021, Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, the Mayor of Liverpool and the Leaders of:- Halton, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral Councils have issued a joint call on the Government to accelerate COVID19 vaccination across the Liverpool City Region.

In a letter to Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi, on Friday, 11 June 2021, the political leaders say that rising rates in the areas surrounding the Liverpool City Region increases the likelihood of higher infection rates locally, as was seen over Christmas and the New Year.

The Leaders write to the Vaccines Minister on 21 May 2021, but have not yet received a response. Since then, the situation has continued to deteriorate in neighbouring areas, meaning that there is an urgent need to act now to achieve maximum vaccine coverage amongst vulnerable communities.

The Liverpool City Region has been hit harder than other areas during the Pandemic and in autumn 2020 was the 1st to be put into Tier 3 measures. It is already challenged by deep-rooted health inequalities, which have been exacerbated during the pandemic.

In a joint statement, the Metro Mayor, City Mayor and Leaders said:- "Today we have called on the Health Secretary and Vaccines Minister to urgently provide our City Region with the supplies of the vaccine and the flexibility of approach which we need to get our most vulnerable communities vaccinated as soon as possible. We know from previous experience that it is inevitable that this wave of infections will hit us in next couple of weeks. Coupled with the potential further relaxation measures and increased social mixing, this will create a larger wave with deeper impacts, exactly as we have seen in previous waves across the North West. We need to heed the lessons from previous waves and not simply repeat the approaches taken previously. We wrote to the Vaccines Minister on 21 May and have yet to receive a response. The situation is now urgent and we need extra vaccines and the flexibility and resources to use them to achieve maximum vaccine coverage across our vulnerable communities and also to accelerate the vaccination to provide wider population coverage. It is vital that we do this now to get ahead of the situation and minimise the impact of this new wave of infections."

Enjoy the warm weather at Sefton's beaches, but don't be a litter bug

AFTER a fortnight of fabulous sunshine and with the good weather set to continue this weekend, the Council's Green Sefton team are urging beach goers to respect Sefton's beaches and to take litter home.

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council's Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said:- "As restrictions now allow more people to meet up outdoors, we've seen an influx of visitors across our coastal gateways at Southport, Ainsdale and Crosby, with National Trust partners at Formby also experiencing extremely high visitor numbers. Sadly, it has resulted in an increase of litter at our beauty spots. Our message is simple; if you brought it to the beach with you, then you can take it home with you. People also need to continue to be vigilant and adhere to Covid19 measures so that our coast remains a safe place for everyone to spend time. At busy times people might like to look at visiting other outdoors spaces and attractions across Sefton."

Mark Shaw, Sefton Council's Green Sefton Service Manager, said:- "Our Rangers are prioritising litter clearance and bin emptying, they are constantly doing this throughout their shifts and providing visitors with free bags for their rubbish, but more visitors means more rubbish. People should think ahead and be prepared to take it home with them. I do want to say a huge thank you to the continued efforts of our local volunteers who are going out in their own time and clearing up after the minority of beach users who flagrantly disregard their responsibility to look after the environment around them. We have brought in large skips that we would ask people to dispose of their rubbish in when small bins reach capacity. Leaving bags next to smaller bins might seem like the right thing to do, but unfortunately it can attract seagulls and other pests and result in the mess being spread around again."

A range of measures have been put in place at the coast by Sefton Council under its Visitor Action Plan to manage concerns as restrictions ease further allowing more people to enjoy the outdoors again:-

► Both Ainsdale and Southport beach car parks are now open until the end of September 2021, to ease parking complaints in residential areas and to maximise the number of parking spaces.

► The implementation of a cashless payment system, at beach car parks, is providing quick, easy and safe access.

► Variable traffic signs continue to be used to direct vehicles to locations where parking is available and away from areas that are full; like Formby, which often reaches capacity.

► Enforcement for illegal and inconsiderate parking is being targeted at the areas where concerns persist,� keeping clear access for emergency vehicles is also essential.

► Additional Green Sefton Rangers are assisting with car park management, beach cleaning and providing assistance to visitors;
Portable loos are located at:- Crosby and Ainsdale beaches once again; with increased maintenance owing to the high volume of visitors.

► Skips are again positioned at coastal locations to ensure litter can be disposed of, but visitors are reminded to take their rubbish home with them.

► Rangers are providing free rubbish sacks to visitors during peak periods.

► Volunteer:- 'beach ambassadors' are also on hand at peak times to educate visitors on the special nature of the Sefton coastline, and asking that they respect it when they come.

Anyone planning a visit to the Sefton coast should visit:- Sefton.Gov.UK/Beaches to find out about travel options and facilities at its beaches and to read its Visitor Action Plan for 2021. Sefton Council continues to work with the Sefton Coast Landscape Partnership that brings together organisations who want to ensure the safety of visitors and residents along the 22 mile coastline. Members include:- Sefton Council, Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue, British Transport Police, National Trust Formby, Natural England, the RNLI and others.

Lifeways Group responds to UNISON's claim:- "Care workers who 'dread' pay day"

IN response to UNISON's claim:- "Care workers who 'dread' payday" a Lifeways Group spokesperson has said:- "The figures quoted by UNISON bear no relation to the information we have from our payroll helpdesk regarding payroll issues, and we are disappointed that UNISON did not share their concerns with us before approaching the media. We take very seriously our obligations to our colleagues with regard to their pay. We work very hard to ensure that all our colleagues are paid correctly and on time, and we actively encourage our people to contact us if they experience any problems. All our colleagues have direct access to the payroll helpdesk and a manager who has the Authority to resolve any problems without delay. We are always seeking to improve how we work and will continue to do so."

To read the report about UNISON's claim, please click here.

Liverpool City Region Leaders Call on Government for Vaccine Surge

Enjoy the warm weather at Sefton's beaches, but don't be a litter bug

Lifeways Group responds to UNISON's claim:- "Care workers who 'dread' pay day"

Total UK cases Covid19 cases in and around Liverpool City Region