Southport Foodbank at work during lockdown

NEWLY unemployed and those self employed; who have been left "virtually destitute" by the lockdown; have been helped by Southport Foodbank in the last week.

Meanwhile, generous locals responded to the Foodbank emergency appeal, donating what they could afford to help Foodbank, which is operated by Compassion Acts.

Richard Owens, Compassion Acts CEO, said:- "I am so proud of our team running Foodbank and Food Pantry sessions in the first week of lockdown in extraordinary circumstances. 100 vouchers were processed, including newly unemployed and those in self employment who are virtually destitute. However, I'd like to remind our voucher holders that this provision is for emergency food aid, according to Trussell criteria, and not for those who are housebound. Food donations from the public are intended for the most vulnerable and economically challenged and that is what we'll continue. We will signpost others to the Sefton Council scheme for home deliveries and outreach to those in self isolation at home."

The Food Pantry at Bishop David Shepherd Primary School in High Park, and at Grace Church in the Town Centre, continued to serve members, despite the challenges, including:- 10 new families identified by partners in Social Services.

Richard added:- "Our Welfare Benefits Advisers are continuing to work hard to assist people by telephone. But we are now most concerned at what will come our way in the months ahead, and that is why we are now appealing for more regular monthly givers. We're also desperate for hand sanitizers and sturdy bags, if anyone can help out in bulk. Thanks, last week to Ainsdale Coop for bags and Bloom Care for gloves, but we need more of these items to continue to operate effectively."

Contact:- Community@CompassionActs.UK if you can help with any of these items, or message Southport Foodbank on Facebook.

MERSEYSIDE'S Police Commissioner has announced the preferred candidate to be her Deputy during the coming year with the aim of adding resilience to her office.

Jane Kennedy has confirmed her choice to take up the role of her new Deputy Police Commissioner is the former Leader of Wirral Borough Council, Phil Davies.

Mr Davies will go before the body which scrutinizes the Commissioner's decisions, the Merseyside Police and Crime Panel, at a virtual confirmation hearing on 9 April 2020, when they will review the appointment and consider his suitability for the role.

The Panel are required to hold a confirmation hearing within 3 weeks of being notified of the Commissioner's preferred candidate and they will provide a public report with their recommendation.

Former Chair of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Mr Davies stepped down as a Councillor for the Tranmere and Birkenhead ward in 2019 after serving the people of the Wirral for 28 years. In his new role, he will work with the Commissioner, deputising when necessary.

Jane said:- "As many people know, my plan was to retire in May 2020, but due to the unprecedented emergency that the epidemic has caused and the subsequent cancellation of PCC elections, I now have to remain as Merseyside's Police and Crime Commissioner until May 2021. The role of PCC is too important to the smooth running of Merseyside Police for it not to be carried out in the event that I was not able to. I am therefore taking steps to underpin my resilience and enable the duties to be carried out through periods of emergency and uncertainty. I'm delighted that Phil Davies has accepted my invitation to assist me through this period. Phil has a long and distinguished record as a public servant, serving the communities of the Wirral as a Local Councilor for the Birkenhead and Tranmere Ward for 28 years and 7 years as the Leader of Wirral Council. He also chaired the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, comprising the leaders of:- Sefton, St Helens, Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool and Wirral local authorities. He played a central role in negotiating the Region's devolution settlement with the Government. Phil's knowledge and experience of working locally, Regionally and nationally will be an enormous advantage to Merseyside Police and to me. He is perfectly placed to provide the resilience, stability and continuity required in these challenging times. It would be impractical and unsafe to conduct a normal recruitment process consisting of advertising the post, short listing and interviewing. I acknowledge that this is a decision without precedent but I believe and hope that the Panel will agree that Phil has the skills, political understanding and experience in delivering public services to make him a solid candidate for this role. He would hold the post until my next effective date of retirement in May 2021. This decision will now be reviewed by the Police and Crime Panel and I look forward to receiving their assessment of this appointment next week."

Mr Davies said:- "I am thrilled to have been selected as the Commissioner's preferred candidate for the role of Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner. I am passionate about delivering good public services and championing the interests of the communities I represent, ensuring they have a strong voice and their views are listened to and acted upon. This was at the heart of my work as a Councillor and Council leader for the Wirral and it is the approach I would bring to this role, supporting and working alongside the Police Commissioner representing people from across the whole of Merseyside."

Mr Davies would join the Commissioner's Office on a part time basis, working 3 days a week for a salary of ₤32,718.

The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 provides Police Commissioners with the statutory power to appoint a Deputy. There is no specific guidance or criteria on the process and it is entirely up to the Commissioner who is appointed and how the selection is carried out.