LGA responds to IFS report
on the impact of Covid-19 on Council finances
RESPONDING to an
Institute for Fiscal Studies report on the financial risks
facing Councils as a result of the impact of Coronavirus, Cllr
Richard Watts, Chair of the Local Government Association’s
Resources Board, said:- "Councils across the country are
leading efforts to support communities through the unprecedented
Coronavirus crisis we face. They continue to do an amazing job.
Emergency Government funding provided to Councils has helped
them in dealing with the impact of COVID-19 in recent months.
Further funding and financial flexibilities are now needed to
help councils meet a shortfall which we estimate could reach at
least a further ₤6 billion this year. We are pleased that the
Government has indicated it is working on a comprehensive plan
to address the ongoing financial challenges Councils face this
financial year as they lead communities through the pandemic. We
urge the Government to bring forward details of this plan as
soon as possible. This is vital if Councils are to avoid taking
measures, such as in year cuts to local services, to cope with
funding shortfalls and meet the legal duty to balance their
budgets."
Southport Marine Lake is
now open to licensed sailors
SEFTON Council has told
the West Lancashire Yacht Club that:- "Since the 12 June
2020, Southport Marine Lake is now open to those who hold a
current Lake Licence, for:- sailing, canoeing, paddleboarding,
etc. The lake will not be open to day-trippers/holidaymakers
until Government guidance changes. Please observe Government
guidance at all times when sailing, both in and out of the
water."
Pilot scheme to help
restaurants re-imagine outdoor eating in Liverpool
ROAD closures, pop up
parks, architecturally designed furniture, a business grant
scheme and free trading permits are all part of a new pilot
package of support for the hospitality sector in Liverpool. Part
of the ongoing:-
'Liverpool Without Walls'
project to re-imagine
the city under social distancing, a joint project between
Liverpool City Council, Liverpool BID Company; which supports
1,500 City Center businesses, and Liverpool Chamber of Commerce
is being announced today.
Garry Banks, Director of Arup, said:-
“The creative use of space on the streets of the City Centre has
never been more important. The development of a:- 'kit of parts'
concept for parklets will provide high quality and adaptable
spaces that will enhance local character and sense of place,
whilst also enabling businesses to operate safely.”
The scheme is aimed at giving businesses in Liverpool the best
chance of being ready to trade as soon as restrictions on
hospitality businesses trading are lifted by the Government.
Designed to provide support to help cafes and restaurants trade
outside, a range of support is being deployed across the City.
Bold Street will be closed to traffic across the summer and be
the pilot for a new scheme of street furniture and 'parklets.'
Designed by internationally acclaimed urban architects Arup,
these new seating and park areas will take over existing parking
bays to transform the look of the street and, if successful,
could be rolled out to other streets across the City.
Natalie Haywood, Managing Director of the LEAF Group, which has
a restaurant on Bold Street, said:-
"It's fantastic news; the design is really exciting. It'll
make us feel very European and a destination. Hopefully that
will give people confidence to come out again, and inject some
positive energy into the dining sector. It is real progress and
if one positive comes out of the hospitality sector in all of
this, perhaps this is it."
Castle Street will also be closed to traffic to maximize the
space available for restaurants to spill out onto the streets.
Consultation is taking place with businesses and transport
providers to work out the most appropriate timing for closures.
All independent restaurants in the City can now apply for a
grant of up to ₤4,000 for them to purchase furniture which will
allow them to trade outside, with the level of grant depending
on the number of additional seats each restaurant can create.
There is a limit to this fund and restaurants are urged to take
the time to see if they are eligible for the support.
Chief Executive of Liverpool BID Company and chair of the
Liverpool Visitor Economy Network (LVEN), Bill Addy, said:-
"With road closures, parking bay suspensions, social
distancing guidelines and ensuring accessibility, this is a very
complicated piece of work, but I think this is the start of
revolution in how we use the City Centre. I know lots of
restaurants are desperate to open their doors and I wish we
could help every single one of them in this 1st phase, but we
need to be measured and realistic in our roll out so we can get
this right and in turn support more and more businesses over the
coming weeks."
The fee for a new street café licence; around ₤600; is being
waived for all new applications to ensure businesses don't have
extra costs as they aim to get back on their feet. The furniture
installation on Bold Street will be taking place throughout
early July 2020, with the rollout of additional seating expected
throughout the summer.
More information, and details of how to apply for furniture and
a street café licence, is available at:-
LoveYourLiverpool.com.
Consultation has taken place with some of the independent
traders in the area about the designs and the changes. Care will
also be taken to make sure the changes take account of
accessibility and do not adversely impact on, for example,
wheelchair users.
Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Culture and Tourism,
Councillor Wendy Simon, said:-
"This is a phased approach to the reopening of the
hospitality sector and these changes will be made gradually as
we work with businesses on what they need, and how we can
support them in line with the latest UK Government safety
guidance. It is so good that we are starting to see positive
steps forward for a sector that has been so hard hit by the
crisis. We are always thinking of different ways we can use our
City Centre and neighbourhood high streets and it could be that
these changes are in place for the long term, so we need to get
it right. The furniture designs look great and it is so exciting
that in this moment of crisis, we are looking to make our city
centre a better environment than it was before."
The funding for the scheme was announced last month by Mayor Joe
Anderson who redirected ₤450,000 of funds to allow the program
to be developed.
Liverpool City Council has so far distributed more than ₤90
million of Central Government funding to over 7,300 small
businesses and those within the:- retail, hospitality and
leisure sectors.
LGA responds to new
construction industry measures
THE Local Government
Association Housing Spokesman, Cllr David Renard, has commented
about the new measures announced by government to get the
construction industry building again. Cllr David Renard, said:-
"Councils will do everything they can to get developments
moving again as safely and quickly as possible, and we are
pleased the Government has acted on our call for an extension of
the time given to commence planning permissions that would
otherwise lapse. This enables construction activity to start
again quickly, when it is safe to do so, without the need to
potentially have to start the planning process again.
Flexibility on construction site working hours needs to be
negotiated on a site by site basis with Councils so that they
can consider the impact on local residents, many of whom will be
at home all day, including for work purposes, due to current
Coronavirus measures. A genuine renaissance in Council house
building which delivers 100,000 social homes a year should be a
central part of the national recovery. This is why Councils
should be given the powers and tools to build more of the
affordable homes the country desperately needs, with the right
infrastructure, that reduces homelessness, gets people off the
streets for good, supports people's wellbeing and is climate
friendly. This should include ensuring the sector has the skills
it needs to deliver housing."
Response to shielding
guidance announcement
RESPONDING to the
Government's publication of its future roadmap for those who are
shielding, as announced by the Health and Social Care Secretary
at the Downing Street briefing, Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of
the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board,
said:- "Councils continue to play a key role throughout the
pandemic in supporting those who have been shielding, working
alongside the NHS, local communities and volunteers to protect
those most vulnerable to the virus and who are isolated. This
announcement provides some much needed clarity on a planned
return to normal life for those whose lives have been completely
changed by the impact of Coronavirus. Clear communication about
these changes is vital to give people who are shielding the time
to adjust to the new guidance. Councils also need to have all
the necessary information to help with any questions or concerns
from those affected. A plan is needed for those who cannot
afford access to priority supermarket delivery slots who will no
longer be receiving emergency food parcels and to support those
whose wellbeing has suffered as a result of prolonged isolation.
Extra local welfare assistance funding also recognises the
crucial part that Councils play in helping vulnerable households
and councils want to continue working with the Government to
develop the best way to support people, both inside and outside
the shielded group, if there are local outbreaks or to protect
against a potential rise in infection. As all members of our
communities build their resilience to move out of lockdown, they
need to know that support will be there if it is needed.
Councils need to have the additional funding and effective data
to deliver this vital support so they can specifically target
where it is needed most."
Total UK cases COVID-19 cases - update for Liverpool City Region
and surroundings
THE total number of UK
Coronavirus (COVID-19) infections that have been laboratory
confirmed, within the UK, has risen by 958 cases and the total
number now stand at 305,289, that includes tests carried out by
commercial partners which are not included in the 4 National
totals.
Daily number of COVID-19 associated UK fatalities added to the
total, was sadly reported to be 15 according to the Department
of Health. The total number of deaths of people who have had a
positive test result confirmed by a Public Health or NHS
laboratory is 42,647.
In England, there are a total of 159,118 confirmed cases. North
West - total of 27,107 confirmed cases. The number of laboratory
confirmed cases within the following Local Authorities, in and
around the Liverpool City Region are as follows:-
► Liverpool, 1,675 confirmed cases.
► Sefton, 974 confirmed cases.
► Wirral, 1,359 confirmed cases.
► St. Helens, 767 confirmed cases.
► Halton, 417 confirmed cases.
► Blackpool, 678 confirmed cases.
► Blackburn with Darwen, 423 confirmed cases.
► Bolton, 1,054 confirmed cases.
► Bury, 815 confirmed cases.
► Cheshire West and Chester, 1,235 confirmed cases.
► Cheshire East, 1,337 confirmed cases.
► Lancashire, 3,831 confirmed cases.
► Manchester, 1,714 confirmed cases.
► Oldham, 1,151 confirmed cases.
► Rochdale, 881 confirmed cases.
► Stockport, 1,084 confirmed cases.
► Tameside, 863 confirmed cases.
► Trafford, 881 confirmed cases.
► Wigan, 1,231 confirmed cases.
UK Government Coronavirus Press
Conference on 22 June 2020