Tate Liverpool honoured

TATE Liverpool is to be given the Freedom of the City in recognition of its 2 decades as a major cultural presence in the city.  The high-profile art gallery, which opened at the Albert Dock in 1988, has exhibited some of the very best displays from the national collection. 

It is an integral part of the artistic and cultural life of the city - and is the most visited modern and contemporary art gallery outside London.  Since it opened it has hosted more than 150 exhibitions, and in 2008 was responsible for one of the highlights of Liverpool’s Capital of Culture year when it displayed the work of Gustav Klimt. It is currently showcasing the work of Picasso in Picasso: Peace and Freedom.

Artist and long-serving Tate Liverpool supporter Sir Peter Blake has created a new artwork as a gift to the city in recognition of Tate Liverpool’s Freedom Ceremony, which is taking place at Liverpool Town Hall on Wednesday, 14 July 2010.

Liverpool’s Lord Mayor Councillor Hazel Williams said:- “Tate Liverpool has been an outstanding success and is now a fully established major cultural institution.  I personally enjoy visiting its thought-provoking and high quality exhibitions and it is wonderful to have such an internationally renowned gallery on our doorstep.”

Tate Liverpool Director Christoph Grunenberg said:- “We are delighted that Tate Liverpool has been admitted to the Freedom Roll of the City.  Tate is enormously grateful to the city and the local people who have supported Tate Liverpool since its inception in 1988.”

Executive Director Andrea Nixon continued:- “We look forward to our continued work with the city and our local communities: attracting more visitors to the city, expanding on the 60,000 local school and community participants we engage with each year, and allowing as many people as possible to enjoy an exciting range of special exhibitions and Tate collection displays."

Leader of Liverpool City Council, Councillor Joe Anderson, said:- “Tate Liverpool is a great example of the way in which the city has reinvented itself.  It is one of Liverpool’s major tourist attractions which has played host to millions of visitors during the last two decades.  As well as attracting national and international visitors, Tate Liverpool is equally popular locally and is a particularly prized visit for local schoolchildren.”

Opposition leader Councillor Warren Bradley said:- “Tate Liverpool is a real gem. It was an immediate success and was the first example in the UK of culture-led regeneration for a major inner city project.  It has gone from strength to strength and played a leading role in the bid for and delivery of Liverpool’s amazing year as European Capital of Culture 2008.”

Housing benefit cuts put over 25,000 at risk of homelessness

BRUTAL cuts in housing benefit, announced in the recent Budget, will put more than 25,000 people across in the North West at risk of homelessness, according to the National Housing Federation.  Do you agree?  Let us know by emailing our news room at:- news24@southportreporter.com.

According to the National Housing Federation, the cut would hit single, childless claimants hardest because they would not be entitled to any other income support from the state - other than their job seeker's allowance cash. They would be forced to make up the shortfall in their housing benefit with a substantial proportion of their allowance, which is worth just £65.45 a week.  With not enough cash to cover their basic household bills, the Federation warned that thousands of unemployed people on housing benefit will fall into arrears on their rent and be evicted.

The Federation believes 25,660 people are at risk of being made homeless in the North West as a result of the benefit cut, which will come into force in April 2013. The Federation, which represents England's housing associations, fears people will struggle to pay their rent and fall into arrears, with most of them being evicted and ending up homeless.  As they would be deemed to be 'at fault' for their eviction, they would generally be classed as intentionally homeless and would not be entitled to emergency accommodation from the local authority.

The new rules could also make vulnerable people easy prey for loan sharks as they struggle to make ends meet - further fuelling a cycle of poverty, fear and debt.  The benefit cuts would apply to tenants in both the private and social rented sector.

Sallie Bridgen, Federation North West regional manager said:- "Cutting housing benefit could have a catastrophic impact on the lives of thousands of people who - despite their best efforts - have failed to find work after 12 months.  These changes mean that over 25,000 people in the North East could end up homeless. Quite frankly, the proposals are disturbing and unfair."

Southport Access For Everyone Forum Update

THE next meeting of the Southport Access For Everyone forum will be held at the Community Room of the Southport Fire Station at the corner of Manchester Road and Lord Street, on Thursday, 22 July 2010 at 7.00pm. People who experience access problems to the town's facilities because of a disability are welcome to attend and discuss their problems. The premises are fully accessible for wheelchair users. Enquiries:- 01704 567046.

Cunard Liner Queen Victoria

DID you know that the Cunard liner Queen Victoria is to make a visit to Liverpool on 26 July 2010? The world famous Mersey Ferries will be adding special cruises that day can be booked online:- merseyferries.co.uk or by calling:- 0151 330 1444.