Liverpool City Region COVID-19 statistics
... & Important Emergency Notices ...

RESPONDING to the publication of the NHS Test and Trace service figures for the period 11 June to 17 June 2020, Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the Local Government Association's Community Wellbeing Board, said:- "We all need to do whatever is possible to get this pandemic under control. It is good that the NHS Test and Trace scheme is up and running and vital that the system works as planned and that the majority of people continue to do their civic duty and share their contacts. Today's figures show the service has not yet been able to reach a ⅓ of people who tested positive for COVID-19, whose contact details were unavailable or incorrect or where there has been no response to text, email and call reminders. This is concerning and Councils remain ready to work with the Government so they can use their experience and expertise to help contact and trace these people. Those testing positive for the virus have a responsibility to help halt its transmission and protect those most at risk, including older people and those who are most vulnerable. It is good that more data is being shared with Councils' Directors of Public Health, which will help in our collective efforts. With the right powers, flexibilities, data and long term funding, Councils can maximise their capabilities, skills and experience, to help ensure the programme is run effectively and is sustainable."

THE District Councils' Network (DCN) who are a cross party member led network providing a single voice for 187 District Councils has responded to the licensing and planning changes made by the Government for pubs, cafes and restaurants. The representative, Cllr Mark Crane, District Councils' Network lead member for stronger economies, said:- "District Councils, as the Authorities responsible for high streets and Town Centres, who know every pub, café and restaurant in their local area, will be doing all they can to help food and drink outlets reopen and make sure customers are able to enjoy them in as safe and secure a way as possible. As the lockdown eases however, it is important that everyone plays their part and continues to exercise maximum care and caution. District Councils have already implemented a range of measures to keep people safe, such as creating more pedestrianised spaces, providing floor markings and signage, more frequent street cleaning, and adapting market places to allow safe trading. But even after a few drinks, we need members of the public to respect these efforts, and take extra care when visiting their local high streets and Town Centres during this challenging period."

RESPONDING to the latest Department for Education School's attendance statistics which show that class sizes are increasing, Cllr Teresa Heritage, Vice Chairman of the LGA's Children and Young People Board, said:- "Councils have a strong track record of doing everything they can to rise to the challenge of ensuring no child goes without a place and as many pupils as possible are allocated their 1st preference, having created more than 800,000 new places since 2010. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to keep up with demand. Councils have a legal duty to ensure capacity but need powers to open new Schools or direct academies to expand. This is the best way to ensure as many children as possible get the places they want."

THE Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, has issued a warning that the UK Government has the power to close beaches after major incidents were declared at Bournemouth, by Christchurch and Poole Council, after thousands of people defied advice to stay away and descended on beaches. Many other English coastal areas have also reported that services were completely overstretched or near breaking point, including Merseyside.

On Merseyside, Police and Emergency Services have been working hard to try and keep people safe and local communities from being affected, but it has been the perfect storm as lockdown easing and hot weather coincide, leading to major issues that if not tackled soon, will end in disaster.

Merseyside's Coastline as with many other English coastlines have been repeatedly hit with larger and larger tidal waves of visitors as the temperatures rockets and lockdown eases off within England. Sadly this week has seen massive problems on the Merseyside beaches and sand dunes, leading to fires, drunk and disorderly behaviour, drug taking, and extremely bad parking.

On Wednesday, 24 June 2020, Officers seized music equipment and arrested 5 people at Formby Beach and that was just the start! It has lead to a 48hr Section 34 Dispersal Zone being put in place, in response to the incident, which will run until 2:30pm, Friday, 26 June 2020.

Chief Inspector Andy Rankine said:- "We appreciate the fact that people want to go out and take advantage of the weather, but it is so important that you do so safely. While we want everyone to enjoy themselves, anti-social behaviour and criminality will not be tolerated and Merseyside Police will take action where necessary, as seen yesterday when 5 people were arrested after a group decided to congregate and engage in anti-social behaviour to the detriment of other trying to enjoy the good weather and beaches. We will remain in the area today and will continue to respond to reports of people forming large gatherings. The virus has by no means gone, so please continue to abide by government guidance to ensure the safety of yourselves and others."

Despite warnings and requests to stay away, people headed again to the area on 25 June 2020, flooding the area with cars. Most people parked sensibly, but a small majority parked badly, resulting in residents getting upset, as they could not get out of their drives. Traffic jams and delays also made hindered emergency services when responding to call outs.

This tidal wave of vehicles were from all over the UK, with Taxi Cabs from as far away as:- Wolverhampton and Birmingham, along with some marked as Bristol and even Bath!

A local Police Officer said:- "We are doing very our best to try and keep order, but we have had to respond to accidents on the A565, Formby Bypass, plus other incidents all over Merseyside, plus this. With Covid19 still a major issue, this is an extremely dangerous time for us all."

A local Nurse who was on call commented to us:- "The virus has not gone away and the amount of people here makes me shiver. It is just... Sorry I'm lost for words! I'm on a call out and I can't even get to park and visit my appointment. The strain this is putting on the local areas resources is off the charts. I understand why people would want to go to the seaside, but is it really worth the risk?"

A Community Support Officer also said that:- "If people want to go out, that is fine, but this just shocking. People really need to think and act responsibly. I had a car parked on the pavement of a junction. when the owner came back, I asked if they would do this normally. The car driver said:- 'No!' So I then asked why they did it now, and they could not answer."

A local resident also said:- "I have had to sit on my drive now as I have had people parking on it and on my lawn! This is totally unacceptable. People have come out of lockdown and are just disrespectful. Where is all that community spirit we had throughout the lockdown now?"

Many people are asking was it really wise not to have set a stringent control on distances travelled, as have the other British countries, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Please email us to:- News24@SouthportReporter.Com with your thoughts and views on this issue.

Covid-19: Merseyside PCC praises Force's '1st class' response to pandemic

MERSEYSIDE Police's handling of the global Coronavirus pandemic has been '1st class', the region's PCC has said as she continues to scrutinise the Force's response. Jane Kennedy oversees and scrutinises the work of Merseyside Police through a variety of mechanisms, including quarterly Force Inspection meetings and fortnightly 1 to 1's with the Chief Constable. During the Covid-19 crisis, these meetings have been held virtually, and she has also remotely attended high level briefings with Chief Officers to assess the issues and challenges caused by the epidemic and how they are being dealt with by the Force. At the start of the outbreak these meetings were held daily. Key issues that have arisen include how the Force is working with the public on the emergency legislation introduced during the Coronavirus outbreak designed to control the spread of the disease and the 4E's approach which sees Officers engage, explain and encourage residents to follow the guidance, only using enforcement as a last resort. Other topics have included the provision of PPE and equipment required for Officers and staff to continue to deliver the same level of service safely and monitoring crime trends, such as domestic abuse, in light of the unique circumstances generated by the lockdown. Jane said:- "Holding the Chief Constable to account for the management of the Police response is 1 of my key roles and while the way I do this has had to adapt in light of the restrictions imposed on all of us during the pandemic, I have been continually impressed and reassured by the way Merseyside Police has risen to the challenges created by the Coronavirus pandemic. Merseyside Police is consistently assessed by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary as the top performing urban Force in the country, and I am in no doubt these high standards of service have been maintained despite the unique and exceptional circumstances they have had to contend with. It is clear their handling of the Covid-19 crisis has been 1st-class and I applaud the Chief Constable and his team on steering the Force through this unprecedented time. They have had to grapple with emergency legislation relating to public gatherings, the distances people can travel from their own front door and even seeing members of their own family; all things we normally take for granted and would not expect to be a matter for the Police and they have done it in a practical and common sense way, without putting Officers and staff at unnecessary risk. My abiding thanks also go to the Officers and staff who have acted with professionalism, strength and indomitable courage throughout this crisis. Their sense of public duty and service has shone throughout this time of emergency. The commitment to public service is exemplified by the high availability of staff and Officers, making themselves ready to be deployed to keep us safe at even higher than normal levels, with consistently over 91% of the organisation committing to keeping us safe in the face of the same stresses we have all endured. Merseyside can be proud of their Police Force."