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One-stop shop to boost
awareness of Police and Crime Commissioners launched
A new website has been
launched by Lancashire Police Authority to provide the public and
potential candidates with everything they need to know about Police
and Crime Commissioners (PCC).
The website has been developed by the Authority under the theme Be
Part of It and is a one-stop shop for anyone wanting to discover
more about the role and purpose of PCCs ahead of the elections in
November this year.
The online tool encourages residents living in Lancashire to
"Be part of it" by arming themselves with relevant
background information on the new governance structure before
polling day. It will include latest news on the transition to the
new structure, information about the duties of PCCs and Police Crime
Panels, who will hold them to account, important information and
advice for candidates and details about the voting system.
The website is the first in a host of activities to be launched by
the Authority to mark the start of an exciting period for policing
during the build up to the arrival of Lancashire’s first PCC in
November. The change from Police Authority to Commissioners is part
of the Government’s plan to make the police service more accountable
to local people and to do that, people need to Be Part of It.
The Electoral Commission and the Home Office will oversee the
election process and provide national direction throughout the
transition stage. However the Authority is aiming to inform people
about the changes earlier, and subsequently very regularly, thereby
explaining on a more localised basis the role they can play in
future policing services in Lancashire.
Miranda Carruthers-Watt CEO of Lancashire Police Authority, said:-
"The introduction of PCCs marks an important turning point in the
relationship between the public and the police and we want to equip
Lancashire residents with all the knowledge and information
necessary to enable them to make informed decisions about the future
of policing in our county. This website rallies our communities
together under one common aim: to Be Part of It and have a greater
influence over the way local policing is delivered. It will also act
as a valuable source of information for potential candidates,
providing them with a clear local insight into policing in
Lancashire to enable them to build a suitable campaign. Although the
elections will take place in November, we are calling on all our
residents to act now by arming themselves with the knowledge they
need to influence the policing agenda in Lancashire."
The website will be live and can be viewed at:-
lancspcc.co.uk.
Sculpture returns home after nearly 70
years
A bust dedicated to the
memory of Liverpool’s first organist has returned to its original
home. The sculpture of William Thomas Best was be re-installed in
the Great Hall, at St George’s Hall on Wednesday, 28 March 2012. It
was removed from its location in front of the organ when the Second
World War broke out. Within 2 months of it being taken away, the
Hall suffered severe bomb damage. The bust been in the Walker Art
Gallery’s stores since 1972, but now, following a campaign by the
Friends of St George’s Hall, it has now return to its original
location.
St George’s Hall Manager, Alan Smith said:- "It’s fantastic
news that the statue has been returned to its rightful home, another
reason to come and visit the Hall. I would like to thank the Friends
of St George’s Hall who paid for the reinstallation."
William Best became Liverpool’s first organist in 1855, and his Hall
performances were famous across the country, with people travelling
long distances to listen to him play. He retired in 1894 and died in
1897. The 56.5cm bust was created by artist Conrad Dressler who also
made all the other friezes in the Great Hall which make up
"The Progress of Justice" series. Reinstalling the bust
means that the Hall will now showcase the complete set of Conrad’s
works.
The Willis Organ is the 3rd largest in the UK. It was built in 1855
in Liverpool by 'Father' Henry Willis and within
months was acclaimed as the finest concert instrument in the world,
thanks in part to Best who was regarded as one of the world's
greatest concert virtuosi.
In its 156 year history, St. George’s Hall has had only 6 organists,
all local men with international reputations. The city’s current
organist is Professor Ian Tracey. |
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Sweeping
changes!
10 apprentices are being
employed to help make Liverpool cleaner and greener. The
street scene apprenticeship scheme will involve them working in
street cleaning, grounds maintenance and driving while they receive
training.
They will be employed by Liverpool Futures, the community interest
company set up by the city council, Chamber of Commerce and
Community College, as an Apprentice Training Association and they
will work throughout Liverpool. The apprentices will take part
in a 2 year programme during which they will receive training
equivalent to a National Vocational Qualification.
"One of main priorities as an administration was to ensure
there are hundreds more apprenticeships in the city. We want our
young people to gain skills and work experience while receiving
proper training.
The people who are being employed in this scheme are what are
described as NEETS – not in employment or training; and it will
open the door to them to be employed and fully trained.
But just as important it is also a way we can add to our capacity
for keeping our streets clean and our open spaces well maintained.
We want to have a city which is clean, litter-free and green.
Everybody has a part to play in this by making sure they do not drop
litter, allow their dogs to foul and generally treating their
neighbourhood with pride." said
Councillor Joe Anderson, City Council leader.
City pledges
military support
THE City of Liverpool is
making an historic pledge to the military through the signing of a
Community Covenant. It commits the local military and civilian
authorities to working together more closely in support of serving
personnel, ex-service and their families. It was one of the key
measures in the Armed Forces Covenant published in May 2011.
The most senior soldier in the North West, Brigadier Nick
Fitzgerald, Commander of 42 (North West) Brigade signed the
agreement at a special ceremony at Liverpool Town Hall on Tuesday, 27
March 2012.
The Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Frank Prendergast, said:-
"Liverpool has a proud tradition of supporting our Armed Forces,
and I welcome the signing of this agreement. Liverpool and
Merseyside are one of the UK's main recruitment areas for service
personnel, which makes it so important that we have a major project
for supporting our Armed Forces community and their families.
Servicemen and women sacrifice valuable time with their loved ones
to serve for their country, often moving from place to place at
short notice. It is vitally important we do all we can to show we
value their important contribution to keeping us safe, and support
them when they return home to the community."
Brigadier Fitzgerald said:- "Liverpool has always been a
hugely supportive and Service-friendly city. The community has a
strong record of supporting Service Personnel and their families,
serving and veteran.
I know that this same sense of welcome will be extended to those
service personnel yet to return here from wherever in the world
their Service has taken them. That's why we in the military are
extremely proud to be part of the Liverpool Community Covenant.
This initiative is an enormously important document that represents
a commitment to cement and build upon that support. I hope too
that it will also help promote a better understanding and awareness
of the issues that affect the Service community, creating even
stronger enduring bonds."
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