LGA responds to the early
years alliance report
RESPONDING to the Early
Years Alliance report which warns that the childcare sector is
at risk of mass closures without urgent government intervention,
Cllr Judith Blake, Chair of the Local Government Association's
Children and Young People Board, said:- "Childcare
providers have been a vital part of the nation's response to
Coronavirus and councils have been working closely with them to
ensure that vulnerable children and critical workers have the
childcare they need. This report reflects the concerns Councils
have repeatedly raised with Government about the financial
pressure facing the sector. While early years and childcare
providers have been asked to step up in the same way that
Schools have in recent months, their costs have not been covered
in the same way. These problems will not go away anytime soon.
Limits on the number of children who can attend settings and
reduced demand from parents mean that settings simply cannot
raise the income they usually would. This is already putting
businesses, jobs and childcare places at risk. Having enough
childcare places will be essential to support families and get
the economy moving again, while supporting children's
development and getting them ready for school. It is therefore
vital that the Government urgently provides additional funding
at a national level to protect childcare providers and see them
through this crisis."
Health precautions urged by
Councils to combat Coronavirus in heat waved
AS Britain braces
itself for a heat
wave
this week, Councils are urging people to take all necessary
health precautions against the rising temperatures, while
maintaining social distancing and protecting those most
vulnerable to Coronavirus. With the mercury in parts of the
country set to reach highs of between 30ºc
to 34ºc between now and Friday, the
Local Government Association, which represents Councils in both
England and Wales, warns that the elderly and those suffering
from heart and respiratory problems are most at risk. It comes
as Public Health England and the Met Office has today updated
its Heat Health Alert to Level 3. Social Workers, Community
Wardens and Maintenance Staff are all going on high alert,
identifying and looking out for those who might be struggling,
while making sure social distancing measures are maintained.
Residents are being urged by Councils to keep an eye on
vulnerable or elderly family and friends and help save lives,
while following Government guidance on preventing the spread of
the virus. Many of these people are already being closely
monitored by Councils and local partners during the pandemic,
due to the overlapping risks from both public health
emergencies. This includes the need for those most vulnerable to
stay at home, such as those who are shielding and self isolating
and who may be exposed to high indoor temperatures. Care
services including care homes and domiciliary care providers
also need to make sure they have the capacity to meet any rise
in demand from both heat and Coronavirus related issues, while
following guidance to reduce and prevent infection.
Following the 2003 heat wave in which more than 2,000 people in
England died due to the extreme temperatures, the country has
developed an annual heat wave plan with local authorities,
health professionals and the emergency services working together
to help keep people safe. Councils are now adapting their heat
wave plans in keeping with the latest Coronavirus advice, making
calls and extra visits to vulnerable people as required. They
are also urging people to call their local council if they
believe anyone needing help is being missed out. Local
Authorities are involved in year round preparations for
exceptional weather conditions, making sure their areas are as
able to cope with high temperatures as they are with freezing
temperatures or flooding, which have been made all the more
important due to the impact of the pandemic.
Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the LGA's Community Wellbeing
Board, said:-
"High temperatures combined with
the impact of Coronavirus makes for a potentially deadly
combination and councils are doing all they can to reduce the
risk, but they cannot do it alone. Hot weather advice might seem
common sense, but local people can make a massive difference by
helping us to identify other residents who may need some advice
or practical help. We know that effective action, taken early,
can reduce the health impacts of exposure to excessive heat.
There are simple preventive measures which, to be effective,
need to be planned in advance of a heat wave. No 1 is immune to
the power of the sun. Drinking plenty of water, keeping our
homes cool, avoiding direct sunlight during the hottest hours of
the day and using sunscreen are sensible precautions we all need
to remember. Looking around at how our older neighbours are
coping as we head out to the shops or the beach for a day out
takes no effort, but could be crucial in making sure they are
also able to make the best of the summer."
Hot Weather Tips:-
► Look out for others, especially older people, young children
and babies and those with underlying health conditions.
► Close curtains on rooms that face the sun to keep indoor
spaces cooler and remember it may be cooler outdoors than
indoors.
► Drink plenty of water and take water with you, if you are
travelling.
► Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially
infants, young children or animals/
► Try to keep out of the sun between 11am and 3pm.
► Walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a hat, if you have
to go out in the heat.
► Avoid physical exertion in the hottest parts of the day.
► Wear light, loose fitting cotton clothes.
CLA publish guidelines for
rural tourism operators
FOLLOWING the UK
Government's announcement on the further reopening of businesses
from 4 July 1010, the CLA has published guidance for rural
tourism operators which will reopen on this date. Businesses
that are allowed to reopen including:- self catering
accommodation, B&Bs, hotels, caravan parks, camping and glamping
sites, public houses and restaurants. Accommodation should be
self contained. However, shared facilities can be used as long
as they are kept clean according to Government guidance. The
Prime Minister also announced that the social distancing rule to
1+m where 2m not possible from 4 July 2020.
► The CLA has produced a series of guidelines to help members
prepare to reopen. The guidelines include:-
► Operational procedures required of businesses under Covid-19.
► Guidance on how to complete a risk assessment together with a
template.
► A series of easy to use checklists to ensure that businesses
cover most eventualities.
► What businesses need to think about in communications with
staff, visitors and the local community.
CLA Director North Dorothy Fairburn said:-
"The reopening of rural tourism businesses will give a much
needed boost to our rural economy, and the CLA wants to ensure
that such businesses are fully prepared to reopen. The guidance
focuses on practical measures that can be actioned to ensure the
safety of both employees as well as visitors to such
establishments. However, we encourage due vigilance by visitors
to continue following government advice on social distancing,
and to use common sense when out and about."
Chief Executive Officer at Raby Estates, Duncan Peake said:- "We
welcome the publication of the CLA's guidelines as it makes for
essential reading for tourism and related businesses in
restarting their operations. Many tourism providers, including Raby, have given their input to this guide to ensure it is fit
for purpose and useful for operators prior to reopening. The
Walled Gardens and Deer Park at Raby Castle and High Force
Waterfall are already open to the public, with parking, take
away refreshments and limited toilet facilities available at
both locations. We are looking forward to reopening and
welcoming back visitors to the Castle, High Force Hotel and
other areas after 4th July as soon as appropriate safeguarding
measures are in place."
The CLA guidelines can be found
online.
The CLA has published a dedicated advisory and information page
(regularly updated) on the Coronavirus; which can be accessed on
the CLA's
website.
Will this affect you? Please email us to:-
News24@SouthportReporter.Com with your thoughts and views on
this issue.
Please stay away from the
Merseyside's beaches if you are not local
PLEASE stay away
from Crosby, Southport, Ainsdale and Formby Beaches this weekend
as temperatures are set to rocket. British Transport Police and
Merseyside Police will be issuing
fines of
£50 upwards to anyone caught drinking alcohol.
Also, fine will be issued for those with BBQ's and to anyone
using quad bikes or motorbikes on the beaches, dunes or
footpaths. On 24 June 2020, Merseyside Police have already been
dealing with a string of issues, from dangerous parking to
people heading to the beach for a
'party.'
You might be allowed to travel, but please thing about the
area you are going to before heading to it. The local roads and
paths can not handle the volume of people that have been going
to those areas since lockdown restrictions have eased.
This risks starting a second wave of Covid-19 infections and
also to increases other dangers, from fires to drowning and
worse. Is a trip to the seaside really worth the risk?
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 653 cases and the total
number now stand at 306,862, 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 154 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 43,081.
In England, there are a total of 159,435 confirmed cases. North
West - total of 27,137 confirmed cases. The number of laboratory
confirmed cases within the following Local Authorities, in and
around the Liverpool City Region are as follows:-
► Liverpool, 1,679 confirmed cases.
► Sefton, 977confirmed cases.
► Wirral, 1,362 confirmed cases.
► Knowsley, 670 confirmed
cases.
► St. Helens, 977 confirmed cases.
► Halton, 418 confirmed cases.
► Blackpool, 681 confirmed cases.
► Blackburn with Darwen, 422 confirmed cases.
► Bolton, 1,055 confirmed cases.
► Bury, 815 confirmed cases.
► Cheshire West and Chester, 1,236 confirmed cases.
► Cheshire East, 1,342 confirmed cases.
► Lancashire, 3,835 confirmed cases.
► Manchester, 1,720 confirmed cases.
► Oldham, 1,152 confirmed cases.
► Rochdale, 881 confirmed cases.
► Stockport, 1,089 confirmed cases.
► Tameside, 863 confirmed cases.
► Trafford, 882 confirmed cases.
► Wigan, 1,232 confirmed cases.