Sefton Council welcomes Downing Street briefing praise

SEFTON Council has welcomed praise from Jenny Harries, the head of NHS Test and Trace and Chief Executive of the UK Health Security Agency for the way it is dealing with the COVID variant 1st identified in India - officially called B.1.617.2. During the Downing Street briefing on 19 May 2021 Ms Harries said:- �Sefton for example has done a brilliant job recently with rising cases of this variant.�

Margaret Jones, Sefton Council�s Director of Public Health said:- "Jenny�s comments are very welcome and reflect Sefton people�s willingness to work with us by getting vaccinated when they are invited, getting tested including coming forward for the targeted testing for the variant in Formby and sticking with precautions. They also reflect all the hard work and dedication by Sefton Council staff and our partners, but it doesn�t mean we can relax. As recent events have shown, Coronavirus is still with us and we all need to remain vigilant, follow the guidelines, and protect ourselves and each other. That�s the only way we are going to return to the levels of normal life that we all want to see."

The India variant is 50% more transmissible than the Kent variant so it is good to know that the COVID19 testing will again be located at the Formby Merseyrail Station and Freshfields Station. This testing will take place between:- 9am and 4pm, until Friday, in an effort to find new cases of the variant.

Proposal to grant NHS workers the Honorary Freedom of the Borough

AT the next week�s meeting of Sefton Council�s Cabinet will discuss a proposal to grant Aintree and Liverpool University NHS Trust and Southport and Ormskirk NHS Trust the Honorary Freedom of the Borough. A report to the meeting proposes the Council place on record its high appreciation of, and the debt of gratitude to the Trusts in the light of their hard work and dedication during the:- "devastation of the Covid 19 Pandemic." If agreed, the report will go forward to a future Full Council meeting and suggests organising a civic reception, at an appropriate time for the 2 Trusts� officers who have, the report says:- "served Sefton Council and its residents tirelessly throughout the pandemic with hard work and dedication putting themselves at risk in ensuring the safety of others."

Cllr Ian Maher, Leader of Sefton Council said:- "There can be no doubt that throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, the staff of the Aintree and Liverpool University and Southport and Ormskirk NHS Trusts have worked tirelessly. They have, selflessly put themselves and to protect the people of Sefton. These 2 organisations illustrate perfectly why the National Health Service is seen by most as the jewel in Britain�s crown and it would seem appropriate to mark their steadfast service by conferring the Honorary Freedom of the Borough on them.�

Conferring of the Freedom of the Borough upon an individual or service is the highest honour the Council can bestow. It gives the receiving organisation:- "the right, privilege, honour and distinction of marching through the streets of the Borough on all ceremonial occasions with colours flying, bands playing, drums beating and bayonets fixed."

Previous organisation to have been granted Freedom of the Borough include:- RAF Woodvale, in 2011, and No. 238 (Sefton) Squadron, 156 Regiment, Royal Corps of Transport, in 1982. Individuals who have had the honour bestowed upon them include:- Jamie Carragher, in 2004, and Donald �Ginger� McCain, in 2006. Scrolls of Honorary Freemen and organisations awarded Freedom of Entry to the Borough are displayed in the Mayor�s Parlour at Bootle and Southport Town Halls. Honorary Freemen can also attend and take part in civic receptions and functions to which all Members of the Council are invited. The costs of the scroll and reception for Aintree and Liverpool University NHS Trust and Southport and Ormskirk NHS Trust would be financed from the Mayoral Hospitality budget provision. Next week�s Cabinet meeting takes place, at 10am, on Thursday, 27 May 2021, in The Ballroom, in Bootle Town Hall. A link to the Calendar of Council meetings can be found at:- Sefton.Gov.UK/Your-Council.

CLA reacts to consultation launch on exit payments to farmers

THE UK Government on 19 May 2021 has published a long awaited consultation on changes to the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) to support farmers through the agricultural transition period from now until 2027. The consultation will be open for 12 weeks and seeks to gain responses from the agricultural sector on 2 key areas:-

► Lump sum exit scheme; The Government proposes to offer farmers, who would like to retire or leave the industry, a lump sum payment to help them do this in a planned and managed way.

► Delinked payments; The Government plans to phase Direct Payments out over a gradual seven year transition period. The consultation includes plans to separate the payment from the amount of land farmed from 2024 as well as encouraging farmers to take up the Government�s new environmental land management schemes, which will reward sustainable food production and environmental improvements.

This follows last year�s announcement of the Agricultural Transition Plan; the Government�s plans to reward farmers and land managers for sustainable farming practices. The proposals within the consultation seek to offer a fairer system for farmers, encouraging generational change by providing more flexibility for new entrants to start up their farm businesses and supporting those who are ready to leave the sector to do so on their own terms.

CLA President Mark Bridgeman said:- �We welcome the launch of this long awaited consultation on the lump sum exit scheme and the administration of direct payments as the scheme is phased out. The consultation does give much-needed information on the exit scheme. But for those considering the scheme, there are still many questions to be answered that will only be available after the consultation. The scheme will not be for everyone, but if the scheme is to contribute to industry restructuring and create opportunities for new entrants and those wishing to expand, there are some critical issues to be addressed; including clarity on tax treatment of lump sums payments, and the eligibility and exit conditions. The biggest challenge is the timing, and there can be no further delays in launching the scheme later this year.�

The consultation will close for responses, on 11 August 2021.

► Consultation link here:- DEFRA.Gov.UK.

► You can find out more about the Agricultural Transition Plan by visiting this link:- Gov.UK.

THE total number of UK Coronavirus (Covid19) infections that have been laboratory confirmed, within the UK, has risen by:- 2,696 cases and the total number now stand at:- 4,452,527 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:- 3 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:- 127,694, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 151,904.

The number of Covid19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 939. The current number of Covid19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 124 Daily number of Covid19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 89.

In England, there are a total of:- 3,887,954 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 613,331 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, 48,595 confirmed cases.
2

► Halton, 11,998 confirmed cases. - Error -

► Knowsley, 17,409 confirmed cases. - Error -

► Sefton, 24,197 confirmed cases. 1

► St. Helens, 17,125 confirmed cases. 5

► Wirral, 24,331 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

36,985,505

20,870,453

Jab Stats correct as of:- 18 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.

Sefton Council welcomes Downing Street briefing praise

Proposal to grant NHS workers the Honorary Freedom of the Borough

CLA reacts to consultation launch on exit payments to farmers

Total UK cases Covid19 cases in and around Liverpool City Region