Our Housing & Communities Cabinet Member Cllr Trish Hardy has written to Seftonâs voluntary, community and faith organisations to thank them for their âamazingâ support for our vulnerable residents.
Here’s her letter.
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Heavy rainfall expected again across Sefton with Met Office yellow warning in place
The Met Office has issued a yellow warning for rainfall expected late on Wednesday and into Thursday of this week.
The warning covers Sefton and means that disruption to transport and flooding is likely.
Last weekâs severe weather resulted in flood alerts in the Maghull and Formby areas of Sefton, and residents were supported at a temporary rest centre when river levels were dangerously high. As a result of the prolonged rainfall, much of the ground is still saturated in the area.
Sefton Council is monitoring forecasts to put necessary measures in place to protect residents and properties from any potential risk.
The Council has distributed its sandbag supplies to residents across the Borough already affected by last weekâs weather warnings, and is urging residents who might be concerned about flood risk to ensure they have a stock of sandbags which can be bought from builders merchants or DIY shops.
Other flood preparations that residents might want to consider whilst the weather warning is in place:
- Find out your own risk of flooding before a flood happens. Floods can happen anywhere, and it is important to remember you donât need to live by water to be at risk of flooding. Visit the governmentâs flood warning information service online or call Floodline on 0345 988 1188.
- If you are in an at-risk area sign up for flood warning messages from the Environment Agencyâs Floodline online or by calling: 0345 988 1188
- Make a personal Flood Plan for what you will do if there is a flood. It could be used if youâre required to leave the house quickly for other risks.
- Think what you would take if you needed to evacuate and consider where everything could be kept.
Anyone concerned about flooding can find further advice on flood risk and what to do to protect their property on the Flood Hub website or Sefton Council website.
Residents can report flooding on a public highway or any blocked road gullies on the Sefton Council website using an online reporting form.
Should anyone end up with flood water in their property, they should report this to flooding@sefton.gov.uk with any photos to accompany the report.
Reporting incidents will ensure that the Council can understand the extent and location of properties affected by incidents of flooding and allow officers to work with other flood risk management authorities to help reduce the risks and consequences of future flooding.
Roads may become impassable across the Borough later this week due to heavy rainfall, and people are urged to only go out if itâs essential. Accidents happen in fast flowing water so avoid walking or driving near floodwater and residents are reminded that there could be hidden dangers like sharp objects or raised manhole covers beneath the water.
Secure water safety equipment installed at Hesketh Park with rollout anticipated for other Sefton sites
Sefton Council has installed new emergency equipment close to the lake at Southportâs Hesketh Park.
Housed securely next to the lake and accessible using a code that can be obtained by calling 999, the throwline can be used to help someone in trouble without the risk of anyone else entering the water themselves.
Storing it in the lockable cabinet will ensure the potentially life-saving equipment is in place when someone needs it. The throwline is registered with the emergency services, and if someone should get into trouble in the water, an access code can be obtained from 999 operators.
Instructions on the cabinet make it clear how people can access the throwline and how to use it safely.
Cllr Ian Moncur, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: âSafety in our parks and around lakes, ponds and along our seashore is paramount to the Council so I am glad to see this new piece of equipment installed at Hesketh Park lake.
âSadly, every year we have reports of life rings and throwlines going missing across the Borough, which can mean lives would be at risk should someone find themselves in difficulty in the water.
âAs a solution to this, we have installed this secure unit at Hesketh Park, and are keen to roll out more of these secure lifesaving stations across the Borough.
âIt is thought that there are only four similar units across the whole of the North West, so I am delighted that in Sefton we are able to look at lasting solutions which will ultimately ensure the safety of everyone enjoying our parks and greenspaces.â
Steve Thomas, Station Manager at Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service and Chair of the Merseyside Water Safety Forum, said: âIt is fantastic to see this potentially lifesaving piece of equipment installed at Hesketh Park. Members of the public should still remain vigilant and be very aware of the dangers of swimming in open water, particularly the effects of cold water shock – even during spells of warm weather.
âWe would urge visitors to Hesketh Park and other waterside locations across Merseyside to NEVER tamper with throwlines or other pieces of safety equipment. You might think itâs only a bit of fun, but these items have been installed for a reason. If the equipment has been removed or tampered with, it could be the difference between life and death for someone who has gotten into difficulty in water.â
Drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death in the UK, and it is important for Sefton residents, and visitors to the Borough, to be aware of the risks and dangers when around water.
It is vital that people follow these important safety tips when near water:
- Never enter the water to try and help a person or animal – always call 999 and use any water rescue equipment if it is available.
- If you are going for a walk or run near water, stick to proper pathways and stay clear of the waterâs edge. Avoid walking or running near water in the dark, if it’s slippery or in bad weather.
- Never interfere with lifesaving equipment such as life rings as you may need it yourself, as might other people who might find themselves in distress.
- Swimming anywhere other than at a purpose-built and supervised swimming pool or water sports centre is highly dangerous and not recommended, unless as part of an organised club.
- There may be hazards under the water such as rocks, debris, broken bottles or even shopping trolleys, which can cause serious injury or may trap you.
- Even competent swimmers may struggle in open water so stick to swimming pools or beaches with a lifeguard and never go swimming alone.
Message from Deputy Chief Constable Serena Kennedy, Chair of the Merseyside Resilience Forum.
My name is Serena Kennedy, and I am Deputy Chief Constable of Merseyside Police and am chair of the Merseyside Resilience Forum. The Merseyside Resilience Forum (MRF) is a multi-agency partnership set up to prepare for and respond to any emergency in the county. Over the last year the MRF has been one of the key forums where local authorities, emergency services, government agencies and all other organisations have worked together on a regional basis to tackle to COVID-19 pandemic. This statement is to update you on the current situation as we move on with dealing with another period of national lockdown and look ahead to the continued vaccine roll-out.
It is increasingly clear that after close to a year of COVID-19 there is growing sense of fatigue with restrictions across many of parts of our communities. Local and national media continue to report how people are still congregating and trying to find ways around the rules, many underestimating the risks they face. However, we must make it clear that the risks remain high. The COVID-19 figures for Merseyside are stark: on December 29 the weekly admissions to hospitals for COVID-198 were 43 in Merseyside. Just two weeks later, by January 12, it had gone up to 178 â and our numbers remain worryingly high.
The steps we take now and in the coming weeks will be crucial in ensuring our region can emerge from the national lockdown at the earliest possible opportunity. The most important step we can all take is to carry on following the lockdown rules, which will remain in place for the foreseeable future. In England this means people must stay at home and only go out where absolutely necessary, such as to shop for basic necessities, or exercise once a day. Also, people are not allowed to leave home to meet people socially if they don’t live together or have a support bubble together. This is the only way we can reduce the rates of infection â the âR valueâ â and begin to see fewer people becoming ill with the virus.
Although the news of vaccine roll-outs is encouraging and going well, we must tackle the increasing risks created by people feeling they are out of harmâs reach â they are not. By working together we can better protect our communities, our families and ourselves and create a resilient position to emerge from the national lockdown.
Finally, thank you for all your hard work so far. Merseyside people have shown true community spirit and strength and we see examples of that every day. Despite this I know it is difficult and I canât promise it will be any easier for a while yet, but all the effort and working together so far has truly paid dividends and we can be optimistic that by carrying on we can do the right thing for our communities and keep people safe and well.
Cheshire & Merseyside Directors of Public Health join call for supermarkets to closely adhere to COVID-19 guidance
Directors of Public Health across the region are appealing to all supermarkets and food/convenience stores to adhere to the COVID secure public health guidance. Several national supermarkets have recently confirmed that they will be tightening up the rules and enforcing the use of face coverings in their stores which is welcomed by Directors. The Directors of Public Health, who are leading the local public health response to COVID, would like to ensure the public are as protected as possible in light of the high numbers of COVID cases in Cheshire & Merseyside.
The public health guidance for supermarkets includes ensuring the use of face coverings by customers and staff (unless someone is medically exempt), a one way system, a limit on numbers of shoppers in store, social distancing markers for 2 metres and allowing only one person to shop with exceptions such as people who need a carer. It also asks supermarkets to remind customers to only handle products they intend to buy.
Ian Ashworth, current Chair of the Cheshire & Merseyside Directors of Public Health Board said, âDespite the great progress being made with the vaccine roll out, it is still important that organisations continue to keep people safe. Supermarkets and food stores can help reduce the spread of COVID by strictly adhering to the public health guidance. Our hospitals are still extremely overwhelmed with COVID patients so we must do everything we can. If supermarkets and food stores can closely follow the guidance, it will contribute to fewer positive COVID cases in our community. We all want to see an end to this lockdown. We would like to thank everyone working in the food/retail sector who have worked tirelessly to serve their customers throughout this difficult time.â
Directors of Public Health would also like to remind members of the public to stay at home and only leave the house for permitted reasons such as essential shopping, exercise and medical appointments. They are also encouraging people to shop locally and use online deliveries where possible. A full list of exceptions to the âstay at homeâ rules can be found at www.gov.uk/coronavirus
If you develop symptoms of COVID (fever, new continuous cough or loss/change of taste or smell) you can obtain a test by visiting nhs.uk/coronavirus or calling 119. If your test is positive you must follow the guidance including self-isolating immediately. More information on self-isolating can be found at www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19
For those who need support during this difficult time please visit www.kindtoyourmind.org which has details of 24/7 crisis helplines and resources to help mental wellbeing.