Roberts
bakery is supporting FareShare Merseyside's rescue mission with
bread donation
THE bakeries in
Cheshire and Derbyshire, owned by Roberts bakery have teamed up
with FareShare Merseyside to help ensure that those most
vulnerable are not put at increased risk during the Coronavirus
outbreak. Recently the UK's largest charity fighting
hunger and food waste appealed to the food industry to step up
and divert more surplus and donated food to charity. As the
Coronavirus situation develops rapidly, demand for its services
has increased. In response, Roberts bakery made its first weekly
delivery of donated loaves to FareShare Merseyside's Speke
depot, which will then be redistributed to some of the 219
charities and community groups that work with vulnerable people
across the North West Region of England.
Stuart Spencer Calnan, Roberts bakery's Managing Director,
said:- "Times are tough for everyone, and especially so
for the most vulnerable in our communities who rely on FareShare
Merseyside to feed them and their families. We simply had to get
involved by supporting them in the tremendously important work
that they undertake. In terms of scale, even before the outbreak
of Covid-19, FareShare Merseyside provided thousands of meals a
week through its charity partners; reaching:- breakfast clubs,
women's refuges, homeless hostels and luncheon clubs for older
people. We're delighted that we're able to do our bit by
donating such a daily staple as bread. We hope to see many more
manufacturers and retailers to support the charity's appeal."
Alyson Walsh, FareShare Commercial Director, said:- "We're
incredibly grateful for Roberts bakery's generous donation of
bread during this crisis, which will be sent to organisations
getting food onto the plates of vulnerable people, as well as
onto the doorsteps of people with serious health conditions and
families facing financial hardship."
For further information visit:-
RobertsBakery.Co.UK.
It is worth adding that the 133 year old firm is still run by
the Roberts family, now in 4th generation, and employs 800
people, serves all major supermarkets and local convenience
stores across the UK. It's the bakery is also behind Crunchy
Cricket Loaves and was the 1st bakery brand in the UK to reduce
plastic in its bread bags by 53%. The favourite white and
wholemeal sliced bread lines now join the Roberts' artisan
Bloomers and Digestion Boost Bloomers gut health range in the
same paper bag, taking potential volume to eight million loaves
or 20% of the bakery's annual production..
Liverpool
City Council urges caution when Recycling Centres re-open
ENVIRONMENTAL chiefs in
Liverpool are urging the public to only use the City's 2
Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) if absolutely necessary
when they re-open on Monday, 4 May 2020, amid fears there could
be long delays and heavy traffic. The message is; only use the
Recycling Centres if it is essential that you dispose of waste
and if you do come, expect long traffic delays. The HWRC's in
Old Swan and Otterspool will start providing a limited service
from Monday, 4 May 2020, after being closed as part of the
Coronavirus lockdown.
The move has been prompted by increased levels of household
waste that have been generated during the COVID-19 outbreak and
also to combat a rise in fly tipping across the City.
The Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MWRA) operates 14
sites across Merseyside and most will re-open on Monday. The
centres, will open between 8am and 8pm, each day, but there will
be restrictions on the amount of people who can attend. The
Authority and Liverpool City Council say that residents can
still do a lot at home, to reduce and recycle their waste during
the lockdown.
Carl Beer, who is the Chief Executive of the MRWA said:-
"We are re-opening the centres but the service will be
restricted to just a couple of cars on site at any 1 time. This
could potentially lead to very long traffic delays. The message
from us is only come if it is essential to get rid of your waste
and if you do come, expect very long queues of traffic.
But please remember 'essential waste' means items that could
potentially cause harm to health if stored at home."
Usage Rules:-
►
You can only take essential waste only!
► The sites will be open
for cars only and only 1 person will be allowed
in each vehicle.
► Social distancing
of 2 metres will be strictly enforced at the sites and
workers will be unable to help visitors with heavy or bulky
items.
► Blue Badge holders who
visit the sites will be allowed to bring someone to help
them.
► The MRWA says
that households that have experienced Coronavirus
symptoms should leave their waste for 72 hours before
disposing of it and personal waste should be double
bagged.
► Liverpool City Council
will be imposing traffic regulations on the 2 sites to
avoid predicted waiting times of up to 4 hours waiting
time. At Old Swan these will include a Southbound 1 way
for all traffic, on Green Lane, between Brelade Road and Prescot
Road. Whilst at
Otterspool, a North West bound 1 way will be in place, on
Riverside Drive, between the Jericho Lane roundabout and Bempton
Road roundabout.
The Authorities say that the
opening of the sites will be reviewed if an expected surge of
visitors creates challenges for the road network and the local
communities surrounding the sites.
Liverpool City Council Cabinet member for Highways and
Regeneration, Cllr Sharon Connor said:- "We understand that
residents of the city may be struggling to manage their waste at
the moment due to the pressure on our services. With staff
shortages due to people self isolating we have been unable to
maintain some elements of our service. The vast majority of
people have been really understanding and co-operative and we
thank everyone in our City for bearing with us through this
difficult time. It is good news that the Recycling Centres have
are re-opening but we would ask everyone to continue to continue
to work with us and only use these centres if absolutely
necessary."
To keep updated on the traffic regulations and roadworks across
the City, visit:-
Liverpool.Gov.UK/Roadworks.
Liverpool City Council's Cabinet Member for Environment and
Sustainability and MRWA member, Cllr Laura Robertson Collins
said:- "It is great news that we have the Recycling
Centres open again. The Centres are a really important part of
our waste disposal strategy in the city and their recycling
rates are very high. However, this is not a return to normality
and we must urge residents to only visit the sites if absolutely
necessary. People with garden waste can look at home composting
rather than bringing it to 1 of the Centres and we would also
urge people to recycle as much as they can through the blue bins
and re-use as much as they can. We have to be really careful in
protecting both our staff working at the sites and also members
of the public visiting them so we would urge everyone to be
cautious and again, only come if there is no other option."
For more information about the Household Waste Recycling
Centres, you can visit the MRWA's website:-
MerseysideWDA.Gov.UK. For
information about bin collections and recycling in Liverpool,
visit:-
Liverpool.Gov.UK/Bins-and-Recycling.
Sefton Council urges
businesses to apply for Business Grants
SEFTON Council is urging businesses in the
Borough to ensure they are applying for the Business Grants that
are currently available for small businesses and those in the
retail, leisure and hospitality sector. These are available from
Sefton Council to provide financial assistance to businesses,
impacted by the disruption and difficulties caused by Covid-19.
The grants are simple to apply for and businesses will not have
to repay them. The 2 grants are available for businesses that
were rate payers in Sefton, before 11 March 2020:-
Small Business Grants are for businesses who are based in a
premises with a rateable value up to ₤15,000 and are in receipt
of Small Business Rate Relief. The grant these businesses are
entitled to is ₤10,000.
Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Grants operate at 2 levels.
Businesses based in a premises with a rateable value of up to,
and including, ₤15,000 and are eligible for the Expanded Retail
Discount are entitled to a grant of ₤10,000. Businesses based in
a premises with a rateable value of over ₤15,000, but less than
₤51,000 and are eligible for the Expanded Retail Discount are
entitled to a grant of ₤25,000.
Cllr Ian Maher, Sefton Council's Labour Leader, says:- "We
urge all business that fall into these categories to follow the
simple processes that are in place so that they can receive
these grants as quickly as possible. To date we are pleased to
say that ₤28million has been distributed to businesses across
Sefton, but we know there are more that have not yet applied and
we would encourage them to do so without delay. These grants are
designed to give small businesses some much needed financial
support at this very challenging time and we want to ensure that
all businesses that are eligible receive them."
Cllr Marion Atkinson, Sefton Council's Cabinet Member for
Regeneration and Skills, says:- "The system that has been
put in place to give small businesses in Sefton this financial
support has been made as straightforward as possible so that the
Council can distribute grants to businesses as a key priority
and within a short space of time. The application process itself
doesn't take long, so if any business is not sure whether they
are eligible or not, we'd urge them to check."
How to apply...
To apply for one of these grants from Sefton Council you will
need your Business Rates Account Number and Unique Property
Reference Number (UPRN), which can be found on the bills sent
out in March 2020. If you do not have your bill you need to
email:-
Business.Rates@Sefton.Gov.UK
and ask for your bill to be re-issued.
Along with your UPRN you will simply need to enter your business
bank account, VAT Registration Number (if VAT registered) and
Companies Number (if a Limited Company) onto the online portal,
which can be accessed via:-
Sefton.Gov.UK.
If you have been in occupation of your current premises since
before 11 March 2020, but did not let Sefton Business Rates know
this you will not be on the rates system and will be required to
provide evidence that you are the occupier.
Ongoing business support and advice for all businesses across
Sefton is available via InvestSefton, which leads on the
Council's business support. It has dedicated information
available on all of the latest Covid-19 updates and support
available to businesses in Sefton. To access this information
visit:-
InvestSefton.com.
Funded
Nursing Care (FNC) Review for 2019/20 Rate
CARE England, the
largest representative body for independent providers of adult
social care, has welcomed the Department of Health and Social
Care's uplift in the NHS Funded Care rate for 2019/20 following
a review.
Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England,
says:- "This has been a long time coming, but we must be
grateful to the DHSC for launching a review of the 2019/20 FNC
rate as a result of Care England representations. The outcome of
the review moves us close to the rate Care England campaigned
for and we put, as part of the review process, very detailed
arguments and evidence to support it. The 2019/20 FNC did not
reflect Nurse costs in Nursing Homes and this was the reason
behind the decision of Care England to push for a review. In
addition, Corona virus has put a significant strain on Care
Homes as they are responsible for the provision of care to some
of the most vulnerable members of our society again
demonstrating the absolute need for properly funded Nursing
Care."
The DHSC lengthy review concluded that for the financial year
2019 to 2020 the NHS funded nursing care standard weekly rate
per person for 2019 to 2020 will increase and be backdated to 1
April 2019. The current rate of:- ₤165.56 will increase by 9%
to:- ₤180.31 for the 2019 to 2020 financial year. During the
review, and with close assistance from David Collins Solicitors,
Care England submitted detailed representations and evidence
supporting why the original decision should be significantly
increased to over ₤180 per resident per week.
The higher rate of NHS funded nursing care will also increase by
9% from the current rate of:- ₤227.77 to ₤248.06 per week for
2019 to 2020, this is only relevant for people who were already
on the higher rate.
The effect of the DHSC's delays are of even greater impact now
than they were prior to the onset of the present pandemic.
Martin Green continues:- "Managing the continued safe
provision of nursing care to all residents at this time is
particularly challenging given the staff shortages that are
resulting from self isolation / illness and the high demand
within the NHS for additional Nurses. Obtaining and retaining
nursing capacity within the Care Home sector during ordinary
times is tough, but the position now is even more difficult and
financially challenging."
Total UK cases
COVID-19 cases - update for Liverpool City Region and
surroundings
ON May Day, of people who have had a
COVID-19 positive test result confirmed by a Public Health or
NHS Laboratory have rise by 739, with the total of recorded UK
Laboratory COVID-19 associated fatalities now standing at
27,510. The number of Laboratory confirmed UK COVID-19
infections have risen by 6,201 to 177,454, according to the
Department of Health. Within England, there have been a total of
120,614 confirmed cases. In the North West we have had a total
of 18,943 confirmed cases. Current Hospital Laboratory confirmed
cases within the following Local Authorities, in and around the
Liverpool City Region now stands at the following:-
► Liverpool, 1,403 confirmed cases.
► Sefton, 800 confirmed cases.
► Wirral, 1,002 confirmed cases.
► St. Helens, 645 confirmed cases.
► Halton, 317 confirmed cases.
► Lancashire, 2,773 confirmed cases.
► Cheshire West and Chester, 800 confirmed cases.
► Cheshire East, 869 confirmed cases.
► Manchester, 1,092 confirmed cases.
► Stockport, 816 confirmed cases.
► Trafford, 592 confirmed cases.
► Wigan, 670 confirmed cases.
► Bolton, 763 confirmed cases.
► Rochdale, 456 confirmed cases.
► Bury, 483 confirmed cases.
► Tameside, 453 confirmed cases.
► Oldham, 622 confirmed cases.
► Blackburn with Darwen, 309 confirmed cases.
These stats are according to Public Health England as of
01/05/2020. Last updated 5.29pm GMT. UK total includes cases
detected through:- "Pillar 2" testing (tests carried out by
commercial partners) and therefore does not equate to the sum of
the 4 countries' counts, which only include:- "Pillar 1" (tests
carried out by NHS / PHE / Devolved Administration Labs)..
UK total includes cases detected through:- "Pillar 2" testing
(tests carried out by commercial partners) and therefore does
not equate to the sum of the 4 countries' counts, which only
include:- "Pillar 1" (tests carried out by NHS / PHE / Devolved
Administration Labs).
UK Government Coronavirus Press
Conference on 1 May 2020 Video
Knock 'N'
Drop - Birkdale
BOTH
Harry and Cameron who run the service that supports local
traders like:- Stanleys, Broughs & Hallidays rather than the big
boys. They deliver groceries from the local traders to elderly
residents in the Southport area. For more info. please visit:-
KnockNDrop.Com or visit the
lad's Facebook
Page. You can also call:-
07380192539.