News reports located on this page = 4.

MFRS urges bar and restaurant owners to make fire safety a priority ahead of re-opening

MERSEYSIDE Fire and Rescue Service (MFRS) is calling on bar and restaurant owners to make sure they are operating safely and adhering to fire safety regulations ahead of planned re-openings this weekend. Many pubs, bars and restaurants across Merseyside are now  allowed to open, as long as they are:- 'COVID-secure.' In many cases, this will result in changes to the internal layout of premises, additional partitions, seating outside and security measures. Officers from MFRS will be working alongside local authorities this weekend to carry out inspections of licensed premises to ensure they are conforming to fire regulations and that social distancing measures are not having an adverse impact on fire safety.

Station Manager Brian Massie, from MFRS' Fire Protection Department, said:- "We understand that pub landlords, bar owners and restaurateurs will be keen to re-open their doors to the public after a long period of closure, but it's really important that business owners continue to prioritise the fire safety of the business, the safety of the people working there and those visiting their establishment. Many premises will have had to change the way they operate as a result of Government guidance, including changing the layout of tables and chairs and the introduction of partitions where necessary. But these changes should be done in a way that does not significantly impact on fire safety; escape routes should still be kept clear and designated fire exits should not be blocked by furniture or excess stock. It's also really important that any outdoor seating or tables are not positioned on fire hydrants. Many businesses will still be experiencing reductions in staffing levels so it's vital that premises have the adequate amount of competent people who understand the fire safety measures that have been put in place; do your staff know what to do in the event of a fire? Do they know how to check the fire alarm is working, where fire fighting equipment is kept and how to use it safely, how and where to evacuate? Remember; Coronavirus is not an excuse for disregarding your responsibilities. A fire could call last orders on your premises for good."

As well as urging bar and restaurant owners to help keep customers safe, MFRS is also reminding people that they must also take responsibility for their own safety, particularly when consuming alcohol. Mark Thomas, GroupManager for Prevention at MFRS, said:- "All too often we hear of people who drown despite never intending to enter the water. Slips, trips and falls are common and many alcohol-related accidents begin near, rather than in water. If you are planning on heading out for a drink this weekend, make sure you stay away from water. Alcohol can seriously impair your judgement, reactions and ability to swim. A quick dip might seem like a good idea but it definitely isn't. Even during the summer, open water remains cold and sudden immersion can lead to cold water shock. Avoid walking home alone and avoid routes near water. Once you get home, you might be hungry but alcohol and cooking just don't mix. Don't cook if you've been drinking alcohol, especially if you feel tired or drunk. If you are having a drink, let someone else do the cooking or consider eating beforehand."

There are a number of steps that businesses can take to reduce their risk of fire:-

COMPETENT PERSONS:-

Ensure you have an adequate amount of competent persons to help in the implementation of preventative and protective fire safety measures. If you have absent staff you must ensure that there are adequately trained staff on site at all times, to ensure the fire safety measures are not adversely affected.

PROTECTION FROM ARSON:-

► Make sure your business premises are secure out of hours.

► Any combustible materials should be removed from site or stored securely.

► Remove or store all rubbish securely away from the premises.

► Keep all entrances and exits clear at all times.

► Stock should not be kept in excessive amounts.

► Lighting, CCTV and fencing will deter criminals.

FIRE SAFETY TESTING:- Onsite fire safety provisions should be tested regularly. This includes carrying out alarm tests and fire drills.

FIRE DOORS:- Do NOT prop open fire doors, even if this is intended to minimise contact between staff and door handles. We would advise businesses to follow Public Health Advice around regularly washing your hands for 20 seconds or more to minimise the spread of Coronavirus.

LONE WORKING:- With a reduced workforce, there may be an increased likelihood of people working alone within buildings. You need to ensure that these people are provided with adequate warning in case of fire so they do not become trapped.

FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT:- It may be necessary to review your fire risk assessment during this time to ensure suitable and sufficient measures are in place. Further information on your fire risk assessments can be found at:- Gov.UK.

SECURE BUILDINGS:- Try to ensure premises are regularly checked to ensure that the security of the building is not compromised and identify any attempts of arson. Any issues should be reported to Crimestoppers by calling:- 0800 555 111.

Merseycare University application approved by Sefton Council

SEFTON Council's Planning Committee have this week approved the creation of a brand new mental health facility in Maghull. The low level secure mental health inpatient facility, which is set to be built on land adjacent to Ashworth Hospital, will form a state of the art service supporting some of the region's most vulnerable people. The Department for Health and NHS have committed ₤33 million to provide the new low secure University and the development is expected to provide a welcome boost for jobs and the local economy. For more information on planning applications in Sefton, visit:- Sefton.Gov.UK/Planning.

Cllr Daren Veidman, Sefton Council's Cabinet Member for Planning and Building Control, welcomed the news, saying:- "This development will not only help some of the North West's most vulnerable persons, but also provide considerable economic benefits to the borough of Sefton. Planning has been identified as 1 of the key factors in helping boost the borough's well being once the COVID-19 pandemic is over and this latest development is testament to our commitment to help kick start the economic recovery of Sefton following COVID-19."

Cheshire afternoon tea raises over ₤1000 for NSPCC

AN NSPCC committee has raised more than ₤1000 for the children's charity by baking and delivering 100 cream teas in 2 hours. The Bowdon and District branch of the NSPCC organised for 7 of the group's bakers to work socially distanced with packers and deliverers, who hand delivered each carefully prepared tea. Even though the committee expected around 50 teas to be ordered, more than a hundred people had teas delivered, and many sent them as gifts for friends and relatives.

Emma Smyth, from the Bowdon and District branch, said:- "The lockdown has starved people of their usual social interactions and engagements out, so it seems a home delivered tea was just the ticket. We're so glad that people loved it as much as they did, and in the meantime, helped us raise over ₤1000 for the NSPCC, to help them support children at this challenging time."

Janette Drew, Community Fundraising Manager for the NSPCC, said:- "We are so thankful that the Bowdon committee received such an amazing response to their cream teas. It will go towards funding our services like Childline, which are working hard to answer thousands of calls from worried and anxious children in this time of crisis."

Childline recently announced its emergency appeal 'We're Still Here.' encouraging people to donate so that the service can continue to answer children who are feeling worried or scared. Across the UK, between the 10 of January to the 10 of May 2020, our Childline Service has delivered 6,938 counselling sessions to children and young people who are worried about Coronavirus and lockdown. 

Waitrose right to oppose chlorinated chicken and hormone injected beef, says a Sefton MP

MP Bill Esterson has welcomed an announcement from the supermarket Waitrose that chlorinated chicken and hormone injected beef will never be sold in their stores. The MP for Sefton Central said the statement from the new boss of the supermarket chain, James Bailey, supported the MP's efforts to have such foods banned as part of the Trade Bill, which is currently making its way through Parliament. Mr Esterson, who is a Shadow International Trade Minister, recently voted in favour of amendments to the Trade Bill which would have ensured that future trade deals, such as that with the US, did not lower food standards in this country.

Mr Esterson said the Government had failed to follow through on verbal assurances that food standards would be protected in future trade deals. He said:- "We keep hearing from the Government that food standards in this country are not up for negotiation, but when we tried to pin them down in legislation they have refused to do it. It begs the question what are they scared of? Why won't they put food standards in the Trade Bill? This bill will set the legislative framework for future trade deals, yet we have no assurances on a number of issues. The Government is just ploughing on and leaving Parliament in the dark."

1 million people have signed a National Farmers University on (NFU) petition calling for laws to prevent future trade deals leading to food imports that would be illegal to produce in the UK.

Waitrose boss Mr Bailey told the store's Weekend magazine:- "We will never sell any Waitrose product that does not meet our own high standards. Any regression from the standards we have pioneered for the last 30 years would be an unacceptable backwards step. It would be simply wrong to maintain high standards at home yet import food from overseas that has been produced to lower standards. We would be closing our eyes to a problem that exists in another part of the world and to animals who are out of our sight and our minds." Mr Bailey said:- "Waitrose, which has a store in Formby, in Mr Esterson's constituency, would not stock such products."

Mr Esterson said:- "Well done to Waitrose for being bold in coming out against a lowering a food standards. Washing chicken in chlorine is supposed to remove harmful bacteria that can cause food poisoning, but all it does is cover up the appalling animal welfare standards that are allowed in the US. And it doesn't even do that effectively as 14 per cent of Americans suffer food poisoning every year, compared to just one per cent in the UK. In the UK we reduce the risk of salmonella poisoning by having high animal welfare standards and that is the best way to maintain food safety. Treating beef with hormones also creates problems. The steroid hormone drugs used in beef production in the US were banned in the UK in 1989. Hormones induce faster, bigger animal growth and one of the commonly used hormones is carcinogenic according to an EU scientific review in 2003. If hormone-treated beef is to be sold in the UK after a UK-US trade deal, it could pose public health risks."

The National Farmers University on is campaigning to ban imports of food produced to a lower standard than currently allowed in the UK and during committee stage of the Trade Bill this week, Mr Esterson and his colleagues from the Shadow International Trade team argued in favour of amendments that would have given clarity on food standards, as well as guarantee Parliamentary scrutiny of future trade bills, and a commitment to tackling the climate crisis and protecting workers' rights. Trade Secretary Liz Truss recently told MPs that the UK's food standards will not be compromised by new trade deals, but her Department for International Trade Ministers voted down the amendments.

Mr Esterson said:- "If the Government is so committed to protecting food standards and tackling the climate emergency they would not fear these being part of the Trade Bill. But they voted against them meaning there is no protection now for our farmers and for food standards as we continue trade talks with the US. Lowering food standards could now form part of the UK-US trade deal and Parliament will be given little opportunity to scrutinise it. We know the US President wants to put lower standard food on our supermarket shelves as part of a trade deal, because his trade representatives have told us. I shall continue to try to block the UK Government's efforts to give Mr Trump what he wants."