₤1.2m funding lifeline for survivors of domestic abuse & sexual violence announced by Merseyside's Police Commissioner

MERSEYSIDE'S new Police Commissioner has marked her 1st week in office by announcing a huge cash boost of ₤1.2m to expand services offering specialist support to victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence today. Emily Spurrell, who took office as the Region's Police Commissioner, on Thursday, 13 May 2021, confirmed ₤1,238,281 had been secured to expand the Region's vital Independent Domestic Abuse Advocates (IDVAs) and the Independent Sexual Violence Advocate (ISVA) services. The new funding, which will run until March 2023, will pay for an extra 13 IDVAs to provide essential practical and emotional support and advocacy for victims of domestic abuse, and three extra ISVAs who provide similar support for survivors of sexual violence. IDVAs and ISVAs also provide much needed support for survivors through the criminal justice process, as well as providing practical help with issues including housing, employment and financial advice.

Signing her 1st key decision paper to secure the funding, Emily said:- "Ensuring victims of crime get the support they need to recover from the trauma they have suffered was one of my key election promises. It is now one of my main priorities as Police Commissioner, so I am absolutely delighted to announce this much needed cash boost to support victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence. Our IDVAs and ISVAs provide an essential service providing a lifeline to people who have been subjected to the most devastating and horrific crimes to help them to cope and recover. The caring, dedicated professionals who deliver this specialist support are highly skilled and are on the frontline of care. Yet due to years of chronic underfunding by the Conservative Government, their caseloads are staggeringly high. ISVAs in Merseyside are currently trying to provide support for up to 75 victims at any one time. This is totally unacceptable. This desperately needed injection of short term funding will significantly increase the service we can offer over the next 2 years, meaning each IDVA and ISVA can dedicate more time and care to each victim and we can reduce the worryingly long waiting lists. While this is very welcome, we need this funding, and more, to be provided year on year. It is not sufficient for the Government to provide one-off pots when we hit crisis point. We need a long term sustainable funding model which guarantees that all victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence can access the support they need. The Pandemic has brought into even sharper view how critical these services are, with domestic abuse and sexual violence workers rightly recognised as:- 'key workers,' and our services demonstrating remarkable resilience to keep victims safe. It is now time for the Government to commit to a strong funding package to support services and improve the response in the long term and this is what I will lobby for as Merseyside's Police Commissioner."

Confirming the funding, the Ministry of Justice praised the high quality of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner's bid and its ongoing commitment to supporting victims.

Thornton park to be transformed with much needed improvements

RUNNELLS Lane Park in Thornton is to be transformed by Sefton Council with much needed improvements to its play and recreation facilities as well as its paths and landscaping. Officers will be hosting a socially distanced drop-in session, on Thursday, 20 May 2021, from 3pm to 6pm, to offer residents and park users the chance to see detailed plans of the improvements. They are also looking for members of the community to help establish a Friends of Runnells Lane Park group who would undertake volunteer duties and support events and activities. Those interested should contact Green Sefton by email:- GreenSefton@Sefton.Gov.UK. Funding has been secured by Manor Ward funding, the Council's Green Sefton service in partnership with the Neighbourhoods Team though the Veolia Environmental Trust, who support community projects across the whole of England. A contribution of Section 106 Planning monies has also been allocated to the park improvements.

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council's Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing said:- "It's fantastic news that our Neighbourhoods Team have worked collaboratively with our Green Sefton Officers to source funding for these improvements that will benefit people of all ages in this area. This is the only public park in Thornton and our residents have asked us to look at how we could improve children's play opportunities and make the most of this important community space."

Cllr Ian Moncur, Sefton Council's Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said:- "As our outdoor spaces are proving more popular than ever, we are dedicated to finding ways to develop sites like this so that our residents have green spaces right on their doorstep that can be enjoyed by all."

Designs have been drawn up that include a new play area for toddlers with a mixture of play equipment including:- swings, springers, a seesaw, climbing net and an accessible roundabout for those with disabilities. Plans also include the introduction of a cantilever swing suitable for teens to broaden the age range of the play equipment in the park.The existing multi use games area will be refurbished, and new paths will be created around the edge of the site. New bins and benches will be installed, and trees are to be planted around the boundary of the park to improve the local environment and wildlife.

Cllr Moncur added:- "I'd urge people to get in touch with Green Sefton to find out more about these exciting plans and to think about ways to get involved in the Friends of Runnells Park initiative. Volunteering just a small amount of time in our outdoor spaces can be hugely beneficial for health and wellbeing, it's a great way to connect with others and to influence how your local space can be used to benefit the community that live there."

Lizzie Cooke, from The Veolia Environmental Trust, said:- "We are really pleased to award ₤75,000 via the Landfill Communities Fund to support this project. We look forward to seeing the improvements that will create an accessible outdoor space for all to enjoy, promoting active lifestyles and contributing to the health and well being of all the community."

It is planned that the work will take place towards the end of 2021 with opening of the new facilities in early 2022.

CLA joins calls to support British farm in Australian Free Trade negotiations

THE UK Farming Roundtable, made up of 19 farming bodies from across the United Kingdom, has agreed on five principles that are of crucial importance to UK food and farming. These negotiating principles are:-

► Upholding our high standards of production and positioning the UK as a global leader in sustainable farming and in tackling climate change.

► Recognising the specific sensitivities of some UK farming sectors, such as beef and sheep, in the current negotiations.

► Balancing improved access and lower tariffs for agricultural imports with quotas and other safeguards to avoid irreversible damage to UK farming.

► Ensuring any trade deal is genuinely reciprocal and that the benefits properly reflect how valuable UK market access is for foreign exporters.

► Acknowledging that these deals will establish precedents that will be reflected in all our trade deals.

Country Land and Business Association President Mark Bridgeman said:- "A free trade deal with Australia provides many opportunities for the British agri-food sector. British food is produced to some of the highest environmental and animal welfare standards in the world and there is every reason why our friends in Australia would want to buy British. Whilst many British consumers might look forward to cheaper Australian goods too, we owe it to them to ensure any food we import under this, or any other, trade deal meets the same high standards as is expected of UK producers. Herein lies the risk. If Government does not back British farmers in these negotiations then producers run the risk of being undercut by cheaper imports produced to much lower standards. This would be unacceptable. The Department for International Trade has promised to "include protections for the agriculture industry and will not undercut UK farmers or compromise our high standards."

Some reports suggest that British and Australian negotiators are:- 'in the tunnel,' a term used to describe the final phase of negotiations, suggesting that the deal could be finalised within weeks.

THE total number of UK Coronavirus (Covid19) infections that have been laboratory confirmed, within the UK, has risen by:- 2,412 cases and the total number now stand at:- 4,450,392 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:- 7 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:- 127,691, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 151,904.

The number of Covid19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 932. The current number of Covid19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 125 Daily number of Covid19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 116.

In England, there are a total of:- 3,886,364 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 612,872 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, 48,593 confirmed cases.
- Error -

► Halton, 11,999 confirmed cases. - Error -

► Knowsley, 17,412 confirmed cases. - Error -

► Sefton, 24,196 confirmed cases. - Error -

► St. Helens, 17,120 confirmed cases. - Error -

► Wirral, 24,334 confirmed cases.
- Error -

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

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.

Total UK people who have received Vaccination

1st Dose 2nd Dose

36,811,405

20,546,452

Jab Stats correct as of:- 17 May 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 Vaccine s are given as 2 doses, at lEast 21 days apart, for a full Vaccination course.

₤1.2m funding lifeline for survivors of domestic abuse & sexual violence announced by Merseyside's Police Commissioner

Thornton park to be transformed with much needed improvements

CLA joins calls to support British farm in Australian Free Trade negotiations

Total UK cases Covid19 cases in and around Liverpool City Region