RESPONDING to speculation that the Government is going to announce further Covid19 restrictions across Merseyside Leader of Sefton Council, Cllr Ian Maher said:- "As a result of the continued rise in numbers of confirmed Covid19 infections, both regionally and nationally, we understand that the Government is planning on imposing further restrictions across Merseyside. This could mean that households will not be able to mix and we await clarification about any other possible restrictions. This is despite the further measured introduced across Merseyside on 22 September 2020. While, along with other Merseyside leaders, I would have liked to have seen enforcement of current restrictions before new ones are added, I will support any measures that will protect vulnerable people in our communities. However, I have joined Merseyside leaders in writing to the Government to seek clarity on what resources they will make available for us and the Police to enforce these measures. We want the Government to extend the furlough scheme, and to provide further financial support for our businesses and their employees, particularly in the leisure, hospitality and sport industries. We will await the Government's guidelines on mixing and we have highlighted the potential effects of separating children from key workers in school and early years settings as we as stressing the importance of maintaining resilience in the health and public sectors to minimise isolation. Once again, I would like to thank Sefton's residents and businesses for all the efforts and sacrifices they have made during the pandemic. I would also stress how important it is that people stick to the current guidelines and any new regulations, not just to avoid the heavy fines they could face but to protect our communities, our vulnerable, our economy and our future."
 

A new set of recruitment campaigns will help Councils match their vacancies with people looking to return to their careers, the Local Government Association that has been announced. The LGA, which represents Councils in England and Wales, said the three Return to Work campaigns; focusing on ICT, planning and legal; will identify and provide skilled professionals with free training or resources, so they can restart their highly valued roles and support Councils with their Covid19 recovery strategies. Councils who sign up to the free programme will be given the chance to connect with a carefully selected pool of participants to discuss job vacancies.

Cllr Peter Fleming, Chairman of the LGA's Improvement and Innovation Board, said:- "We know that returning to work after a period away can be tough for many people. Our expertly created programmes will support people to gain the skills, confidence and knowledge they need to work in ICT, planning or legal professions, and to shape the areas where they live. As Councils look to lead communities through the Coronavirus pandemic, there has never been a better time to work in these professions. These campaigns offer the opportunity to match Councils with candidates ready to return, for the benefit of local residents and businesses."

As Local Authorities look to recover from the Coronavirus pandemic, it will complete the recruitment of professionals so that Councils can focus on the response to the pandemic until a suitable time to interview and select 1 of the candidates. With funding provided by the Government Equalities Office, the campaigns aim to support those who have taken extended career breaks to care for someone. The programme will also consider applications from ICT, planning and legal professionals who have caring responsibilities and have become unemployed due to Covid19, or who have been in long term unemployment.

Minister for Women, Baroness Berridge said:- "Returning to work at this time is more important than ever. By supporting hundreds of dedicated workers, this recruitment campaign will help bolster the economy at a time when we need it most; securing the right talent and, creating a confident, competent and collaborative workforce."
 

Liverpool City Region to introduce free Digital Skills for the Workplace training

HUNDREDS of Liverpool City Region residents are set to benefit from free training in the digital skills needed by local employers. "Digital Skills for the Workplace" is a free, flexible course of up to 12 weeks in duration, which is part of the Government's Digital Bootcamps programme. The Liverpool City Region is 1 of the 1st 6 areas nationally to introduce the skills training aimed at helping participants to find jobs in the growing digital and tech sector. The programme has been funded by the Department for Education and developed locally by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, working with local employers. The training is open to adults aged 19 and over, either in work, looking for work or returning to the workforce. The course is intended to be as inclusive as possible, to increase diversity within the digital and tech sector.

Speaking about the training, Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:- "Even before the Coronavirus struck, investing in digital skills was really important, but these past few months have only made it an even bigger priority. The economic shock of the pandemic will continue to be felt for a long time to come and will radically change the nature of work. We know that local employers are already crying out for people with these skills and making sure that our people have them will help them find work and succeed both now and in the future."

The training programme has been developed with local employers and participants who complete the programme will have the opportunity of an employer interview and support to apply for relevant jobs.  Digital Skills for the Workplace will start later in the Autumn. Anyone interested in undertaking the training should visit:- LiverpoolCityRegion-CA.Gov.UK.
 

RESPONDING to the Children's Commissioner's call for a comprehensive recovery package to tackle the rising tide of childhood vulnerability caused by Covid19, Cllr Judith Blake, Chair of the Local Government Association's Children and Young People Board, said:- "It is vital that children's needs are at the heart of future planning to ensure that they are safe, happy and have opportunities to thrive. As the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic becomes apparent, more children, young people and their families are likely to need support, including child protection plans or even coming into the care system. But for many, they will just need some extra help to get through a difficult period. We are calling on the Government to use the forthcoming Spending Review to properly resource Councils to enable investment in local safety nets and the universal and early help services, including mental health and wellbeing services, that children, young people and their families will need to support them through the short and long-term impacts of the pandemic. The Government should also work with Councils and schools to reduce the attainment gap, including immediate work to stabilise the early years sector and support children and young people to attend school or to continue learning from home where required."
 

Sefton businesses need to create and display test and trace QR codes says Environmental Health Inspectors

SEFTON Council's Environmental Health Team is reminding some of the Borough's businesses that they need to create a QR code for their premises which people can use to check in on the national Covid19 app. Businesses required by law to display QR code posters include:- pubs, bars, restaurants and cafés, hotels, museums, cinemas and amusement arcades and close contact services, such as hairdressers, barbershops and tailors. Council facilities such as Community Centres, Libraries and Village Halls are also covered as are places of worship, community organisations with a physical location and events taking place at a specific location. All of these businesses and organisations need to use the Government's simple process to create a unique QR code required for their premises. Visitors can then scan the QR code with the Covid19 app when they enter the premises, as part of the drive to trace and help prevent the spread of Coronavirus.  To create their QR code poster, business owners and managers should visit:- Gov.UK and follow the instructions.

To complete the process, they will need their email address, the physical address of each location plus an email address and phone number for the manager of each. Applicants will receive their QR code poster or posters by email soon after submitting their information. They should then print the poster and display it prominently where visitors can see it upon arrival. Businesses without a printer should show the QR code on a display screen, such as a TV or tablet, making sure it's within reach so that visitors can scan it with their mobile phones. Supermarkets, where customers generally move around the space rather than congregate, and are expected, by law, to wear face coverings, are not required to display QR code posters.  Cllr Paulette Lappin Sefton Council's Cabinet Member for Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services said:- "Creating these Test & Trace QR code posters is a vital, yet incredibly simple way of helping to prevent the spread of Covid19 infection and we need the businesses across Sefton displaying them now. Displaying posters, will be protecting Sefton's businesses and their customers by enabling them to receive important public health messages and keep a digital diary of the places they've visited."
 

RESPONDING to the Prime Minister's announcement of an expansion of the training and skills system to help the country recover from Coronavirus, Cllr Kevin Bentley, Chairman of the Local Government Association's People & Places Board, said:- "Our economic recovery depends on people being able to retrain and learn the skills they need for the future, therefore it is good that significant support will be offered including free Level 3 courses for those who want to start new roles and occupations, which we have been calling for. Using the National Skills Fund to fund this is a step in the right direction. Flexible loans will be helpful for some, but may not be the best way of encouraging adults to go back into learning. Retraining must be supported by a good mix of local providers including colleges, independent training providers, and Council run adult education centres, which can join up and offer a clear pathway to further learning and work. It is right that courses should target employers but they also must respond to the needs of different local areas, with a strong role for Councils, combined authorities as well as colleges. The upcoming Spending Review is an opportunity to devolve and further target funding for people and places."
 

THE total number of UK Coronavirus (COVID-19) infections that have been laboratory confirmed, within the UK, has risen by 4,044 cases and the total number now stand at 439,013, that includes tests carried out by commercial partners which are not included in the 4 National totals.

The number of COVID-19 associated UK fatalities added to the total, was sadly reported to be 13 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 42,001.

The number of COVID-19 patients currently in UK Hospitals:- 1,727. The current number of COVID-19 patients currently in mechanical ventilation beds in UK Hospitals:- 262. Daily number of COVID-19 patients admitted to UK Hospitals:- 266.

In England, there are a total of 377,035 confirmed cases. North West - total of 80,555 confirmed cases.

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

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

►  Blackburn with Darwen, 2,651 confirmed cases.

►  Blackpool, 1,374 confirmed cases.

►  Bolton, 4,690 confirmed cases.

►  Bury, 2,600 confirmed cases.

►  Cheshire East, 2,916 confirmed cases.

►  Cheshire West and Chester, 2,679 confirmed cases.

►  Lancashire, 12,347 confirmed cases.

►  Manchester, 7,249 confirmed cases.

►  Oldham, 4,182 confirmed cases.

►  Preston, 2,265 confirmed cases.

►  Rochdale, 3,302 confirmed cases.

►  Salford, 3,036 confirmed cases.

►  Stockport, 2,693 confirmed cases.

►  Tameside, 2,992 confirmed cases.

►  Trafford, 2,324 confirmed cases.

►  Warrington, 2,381 confirmed cases

►  Wigan, 3,435 confirmed cases.

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.