Southport Town Deal's consultation and engagement process has been shortlisted for a prestigious Planning Award

'A Whole Town Engagement - Southport Town Investment Plan' has been shortlisted in the Award for stakeholder engagement in planning (plan making or pre-application) category. In partnership with Turley's, Sefton Council led the largest recorded response to a single consultation in the Town, engaging with thousands of local people, securing thousands of pieces of feedback. Much of the consultation was successfully delivered during 2020 with Covid19 requiring an innovative approach to virtual engagement, through partners such as Stand Up For Southport. The feedback generated formed a significant part of Southport's Town Deal Bid, resulting in ₤37.5 million being awarded to Southport.

Dwayne Johnson, Chief Executive of Sefton Council, said:- "The Plan we submitted was informed by the biggest conversation that the town has ever had about its future. We had 7,000 pieces of individual feedback from residents, businesses and visitors; over 1,000 young people from the town also put their ideas forward. The breadth and quality of consultation and engagement with all ages no doubt helped us to secure one of the largest Town Deals that the Government has agreed nationally and across 101 Towns."

The Awards presentation will take place, on Wednesday, 9 June, and Thursday, 10 June 2021.

Should we fly flags and make St George's Day a Bank Holiday?

OVER the last few weeks we have had letters and emails complaining about the Union Flag being flown on Government and other public building buildings, so, should we fly flags to celebrate the day? Also, should St George's Day become a bank holiday? In Scotland and Wales the flags are flown often, without complaints, so why are the English Flag and the Union Flag any different? Please do let us know your thoughts on this, by emailing us to:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com.

North West small business confidence bounces back as economy reopens

SMALL businesses confidence in the North West is among the highest in the UK, bouncing back this quarter from a record low as the economy begins to reopen. With some trading restrictions now eased, the FSB's quarterly Small Business Index (SBI) monitor shows the confidence measure for the region rising to +39 in Q1 of 2021. In Q4 2020 the reading stood at -57%, showing a remarkable turnaround in business sentiment as lockdown eased. The Region's confidence figure is matched by the South West and West Midlands, and only surpassed only by the East Midlands. It also stands higher than the UK SBI measure of +27.3. North West small firms' investment intentions were the highest of all the UK Regions, at 27%; a figure that moved into positive territory for the 1st time since Q2 2020. The average UK figure was 18%. The survey also shows 66% of small businesses in the region expect their performance to improve this quarter, compared 28% that expect theirs will worsen. 52% of those surveyed for the SBI in the North West expect their revenue to increase over the coming 3 months, with 23% expecting sales to fall. You can read the North West SBI report online.

FSB England Policy Unit Representative for the North West, Paul Wareham, said:- "It's fantastic that our retailers, our hairdressers and other businesses like gyms are now up and running for what is actually the 1st time this year. Our members, by and large, have welcomed the Government's roadmap for easing lockdown restrictions, and we're all hoping the virus doesn't create any unexpected deviations from the current course; that would be a disaster. But it's clear from our NW SBI report that if everything goes to plan businesses on the whole are optimistic about the trading prospects for the remainder of the year. Confidence levels are a vast improvement compared to the previous quarter in the North West, to the extent we are now back in positive figures for the 1st time since early 2020. The vaccine roll out and easing of lockdown measures are likely to be contributing factors to this. However, it's concerning whilst the number of North West businesses losing staff has improved since Q4 2020, overall net employment is still negative (-10%). Also, with emergency loan repayments now starting to bite, and as the economy shifts, support measures need to evolve; particularly where support for start ups is concerned to ensure this confidence is realised. What business need now is certainty. While we aren't out of the Covid19 woods just yet, many business owners will be banking on a restriction free remainder of the trading year as they begin the job of rebuilding."

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:- 2,678 cases and the total number now stand at:- 4,401,109 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:- 40 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:- 127,385, within 28 days of positive test. Deaths with Covid19 on the death certificate:- 150,841.

The number of Covid19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 1,879. The current number of Covid19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 261 Daily number of Covid19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 174.

In England, there are a total of:- 3,845,537 confirmed cases. North West - total of:- 605,057 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, 48,418 confirmed cases.
5

► Halton, 11,927 confirmed cases. 4

► Knowsley, 17,362 confirmed cases. 6

► Sefton, 23,876 confirmed cases. 5

► St. Helens, 17,047 confirmed cases. 6

► Wirral, 24,255 confirmed cases.
6

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

33,388,637 11,623,671

Jab Stats correct as of:- 22 April 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.