Liverpool City Council secures fair employer status

LIVERPOOL City Council has been awarded Fair Employment Charter status. The Council is delighted to announce that it has been recognised as being a fair employer after introducing several progressive employment practices.

The Fair Employment Charter scheme; led by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority; recognises good employers who: pay the Real Living Wage; provide opportunities for staff to develop and progress; avoid insecure work and zero-hour contracts and negotiate with trade unions.

All Liverpool City Council colleagues have access to a free employee assistance programme, can apply to be part of an apprenticeship programme, and can benefit from a new scheme to support physical and mental health.

Other initiatives include:-

►  Staff Diversity Forum and Staff Networks which progress inclusion for staff.

►  Staff focus groups to air views, ask questions, express concerns and share ideas.

►  Family friendly policies to support a positive work life balance.

►  A range of equality, diversity and inclusion training.

Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Fairness and Tackling Poverty, Cllr Jane Corbett, said:- "As the organisation tasked with running the City, it is vital that we lead the way in being a fair and compassionate employer. We have to set the highest standards if we are wanting to be an example to organisations and businesses and expect them to establish working practices that will help society and respect staff. We value our workforce and already pay the real living wage to all staff and have done for some years now. We recognise they do a very difficult job in often challenging circumstances, which is why we have been working hard in recent years to put in place appropriate support, help and guidance."

Interim Chief Executive Theresa Grant said:- "We are absolutely committed to providing safe, supportive, inclusive and healthy workplaces for all colleagues, as well as opportunities to grow their skills and, of course, we also offer fair pay. I'm pleased we're 1 of the 1st organisations to receive this Charter Mark, which is welcome validation that we are a fair employer. As we progress our improvement journey and transformation programme, it is vital we attract the brightest and best staff and the Fair Employment Charter status sends out a powerful message about our qualities as an employer." 
 

Conservative MP and Town Centre Councillor call for Southport Pier works to be expedited

SOUTHPORT MP Damien Moore has backed Town Centre Councillor, Sir Ron Watson, in his calls for the remedial works on Southport Pier to be expedited. Earlier this month, Sefton Council announced that the Pier; the 2nd longest in the country, and major driver of visitor footfall into Southport; would be closed for an unspecified amount of time. Concerns have been raised over the impact the closure of 1 of Southport's main tourist attractions will have on local tourism and Hospitality businesses, especially if the works are not completed as the Town heads into its tourism season.

Cllr Sir Ron Watson, who represents Dukes Ward on Sefton Council which covers the pier, has encouraged Sefton and the Pier Trust to provide further clarity on the timescales involved. He has also outlined the wider impacts of the closure, mainly on the recreational and mental health benefits a walk can have for the Town's residents.

Southport MP Damien Moore has affirmed his view that any disruption to the normal use of the Pier must be kept to an absolute minimum, and has raised questions surrounding the maintenance works which have been undertaken over recent years.

Damien Moore, Member of Parliament for Southport, said:- "Over the coming months, tens of millions of pounds will be spent on Southport's Town Centre, as part of the £38.5 million Town Deal given to Southport by the Government. At a time of renewed investor confidence in our Town, we cannot see a major visitor attraction closed for an unspecified period of time. We need to be showcasing to visitors the full range of what Southport has to offer, while supporting existing businesses which rely on visitor trade. Our pier is an outstanding attraction and its closure is already having an impact, even in the Winter months. I invite Sefton Council and the Pier Trust to publish a timescale for the works to be completed, which businesses, visitors, and Southport residents can rely upon."

Cllr Sir Ron Watson, Conservative Councillor for Dukes Ward, said:- "I really do hope that progress can be made, and in a wider context I have always hoped that the Pier Trust would consider a new development at the end of the Pier. My involvement in various non-executive capacities with the NHS has left me in no doubt that the simplest and best form of exercise is actually walking, and there is no better walk that I can think of than up and down our Pier. If a more extensive facility at the end of the pier was secured, it would serve a dual purpose of helping commercially with the Pier's finances, and double-up with health benefits. I hope that further clarity will be issued, so that we all know when we can expect our fantastic pier to be open once more to the public."