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Sefton Council are reminding residents across the borough of Domestic Abuse support services available during COVID-19.

Many residents will be following the national advice around household isolation and social distancing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

While this advice is in place to keep as many people as safe and well as possible, a small number of vulnerable people in our communities will be more concerned than others about the prospect of staying at home for a number of reasons.

This includes those who have been the victims of domestic abuse such as violence or coercive and controlling behaviour.

A spokesman for Sefton Council said: “While all public services are adapting to new ways of working during this pandemic, our message to anyone who is experiencing domestic abuse could not be more clear.

“You are not alone and you don’t have to suffer in silence – we are always here to offer help and support to anyone who needs it.

“Sefton are working with multiple partners including Merseyside Police and providers of domestic abuse support across Merseyside and we will continue to work together to maintain essential services and contacts for anyone affected by domestic abuse during the weeks and months to come.”

More information about those services and who to contact is available via www.sefton.gov.uk/isolationabuse.

Sefton Council have been awarded a government grant to help residents who may be struggling to pay their Council Tax during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Sefton will receive a grant of £3.037m as part of £500m available nationally from the government’s emergency Council Tax Hardship Fund.

Any residents who are of working age, and have had their bill reduced by an award of Council Tax Reduction, will be eligible for relief of at least £150 from the fund.

The local authority will make a decision on a case by case basis for any relief above £150, taking into account the funding available.

A spokesman for Sefton Council said: “This relief will reduce Council Tax bills for eligible claimants for the financial year of 2020/2021.

“Any eligible council tax bills will be re-issued once the relief has been applied.

“Any balance remaining from the £3m will be added to the Council’s Council Tax Exceptional Hardship Payment Fund.

“This fund can be applied for by anyone who is responsible for Council Tax who is suffering financial hardship.”

For more information on this visit https://www.sefton.gov.uk/council-tax/council-tax-hardship-fund-(covid-19)