A mobile testing unit will be on site at Aintree Racecourse next Monday so that people who have symptoms of Covid-19 can get tested.
This drive through test site will be available on Monday 23rd November, and appointments must be booked in advance either by calling 119 or visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus. People are asked to stay in their vehicles for the duration of their visit.
A separate area of the racecourse is also being used as a location for a test site for asymptomatic testing as part of Liverpoolâs Mass Testing Pilot scheme. This is a walk-through test site, no appointment is needed.
These two test sites are on entirely different parts of the racecourse to ensure the two groups do not mix.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Sefton Council has shared nearly ÂŁ50 million in grants to 4,000 Sefton businesses and support will continue.
Local businesses have been kept up-to-date with the latest support available and are being reminded of ways that they can seek grants under both the local and national restrictions faced recently.
The Local Restrictions Support Grant helps businesses that have had to close due to the governmentâs national lockdown from 5th November until 2nd December, or if a business has had to remain closed on a national basis since 23rd March.
Businesses that were required to close under Tier 3 restrictions (including pubs not serving main meals, betting shops, casinos, adult gaming centres and soft play areas) from 14th October to 4th November will be entitled to a separate payment for that 3-week period.
At the moment ONLY businesses that have been instructed to CLOSE can access this grant.
Other funding will become available and further details will be issued on this as soon as possible – to be kept up-to-date on these announcements businesses should sign up to InvestSeftonâs mailing list by emailing Investsefton@sefton.gov.uk
Â
Festive joy needed more than ever for Mayorâs Christmas Toy Appeal
Sefton’s Mayor, Cllr June Burns, is urging as many people as possible to help spread a little festive joy with this yearâs Christmas Toy Appeal.
Each year thousands of toys, gifts and stocking fillers are lovingly donated by kind-hearted residents, Sefton Council staff, partners and community groups to put a smile on the faces of Seftonâs children.
After a year quite like no other, there will be many families across the Borough who will receive gifts that will make all the difference and bring them some Christmas cheer.
Due to the current national COVID restrictions in place, the safety of Seftonâs communities is a priority. However, donations can still be made in the following ways:
Purchased online and sent to the following delivery address:
Sefton Mayorâs Christmas Toy Appeal, Town Hall, Oriel Road, Bootle L20 7AE
Dropped off at the in-store donation point at Asda Central 12 in Southport
All gift donations, which must be brand new and unwrapped, are gratefully appreciated. Presents could include toys, pyjamas, slippers and hat & scarf sets for children of all ages.
Donations of gift cards and toiletries are especially welcome for older children and teenagers.
People need to send their donations by Tuesday 22nd December 2020 in time to be sent out for Christmas Day.
This year monetary donations can also be made on Seftonâs Crowdfunding platform, donations can be for as little as ÂŁ2, and all contributions will be used to buy gifts for the Toy appeal. Donations can be made online up until Tuesday 1st December here:Â www.spacehive.com/mayors-christmas-toy-appeal
Volunteers from Sefton Council, following COVID guidelines, will then distribute all presents to children and young people, throughout the Borough on behalf of the Mayor.
Cllr Burns said: âI was overwhelmed by the generosity of the people of Sefton during last yearâs appeal and every year we see thousands of donations given to the annual Mayorâs Christmas Toy Appeal.
âWe can all empathise with one another that 2020 has thrown a lot our way, and Christmas will feel very different for us all. So, this year itâs more important than ever for us to give what we can for others. People might not realise that a small gesture could go a long way to making this year special for Seftonâs children and families.
âWeâre looking for donations for all ages, be that babies right through to teenagers, and we ask that gifts are new and unwrapped so that the right gift can be shared with the right child. We also welcome gift vouchers and smaller stocking fillers as well.
âWeâve seen incredible gestures of kindness and self-sacrifice right throughout the health crisis, and I know that we can count on our communities across Sefton to pull together once again this Christmas. I urge as many people as possible to get involved and donate a present!â
For further information on the Mayorâs Christmas Toy Appeal call or text the Mayorâs Office 07837 863075 or visit www.sefton.gov.uk/toyappeal
Have your say on how social housing is allocated in Sefton
Sefton Council has begun a consultation, along with local authorities in the Liverpool City Region, on how social housing is allocated and are asking tenants and future tenants, residents, landlords and housing associations to have their say.
Property Pool Plus is the system used to match people with social housing and is used by Sefton along with the local authorities in the Liverpool City Region.
The consultation invites residents, landlords, voluntary organisations, and housing associations to comment and provide feedback on the proposed changes to how social housing is allocated.
Social housing is allocated through several different ways â considering a residentâs eligibility, choice, preference, and priority â and proposed changes are suggested to each of these.
Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Councilâs Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: âThis consultation will ensure that people right across Sefton can help to shape how social housing is allocated to residents, and ensure that the process takes into account all factors within an individualâs personal circumstances.
âWe would encourage as many residents, current and prospective tenants, as well as landlords and housing associations to utilise this opportunity to help enhance the process for matching homes with people across the Borough.â
The proposed changes plan to make the social housing allocation process more accessible and quicker for those who need it most by assigning certain people with more priority based on their situation.
Some criteria that may place someone in a higher priority could include:
People who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless
Victims of domestic abuse, racial abuse or hate crime
Members of the armed forces and reserved forces
Medical need
To find out more information about the changes to the policy and to take part in the consultation, please visit www.sefton.gov.uk/PPP-HaveYourSay.
The consultation will take place for 12 weeks, running from Wednesday 18th November 2020 to Wednesday 10th February 2021.
Authorities in the Liverpool City Region will all simultaneously be undertaking this survey, the authorities include Halton Borough Council, Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Liverpool City Council, Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council and Wirral Council.
Southport is set to have its first purpose-built incubator spaces for start-up businesses.
Forming part of Southportâs Town Deal Bid, Crown Buildings, located within one of Southportâs famous grand shopping arcades, Cambridge Walks, is proposed to undergo extensive refurbishment.
Repurposing an historic, empty property to create a new business incubator space to support Southport’s emerging creative, digital and tech sector, the working title for the space is the âEnterprise Arcadeâ.
The Town Deal bid proposes to acquire and repurpose one of the townâs former department stores. The âEnterprise Storeâ has been designed as move-on space from the Enterprise Arcade, supporting further growth and diversification of Southportâs economy, and bringing new footfall to a declining area of Southportâs town centre.
The near 3,000m2 flexible workspace, allowing for event and networking space to encourage cross collaboration, innovation and business growth, can house around 54 Creative, Digital and Tech focused SMEs in co-working and private office spaces.
These two distinct and exciting projects will support the development of a focused Creative and Digital District in the town to play host to a vibrant cluster and community of businesses and like-minded individuals.
The redeveloped Southport Market, near to the Enterprise Arcade, will in turn benefit from custom generated by the new business hubs, playing host to informal meet ups and socials which are known to be vital to the success of these collaborative business spaces.
Cllr Marion Atkinson, Labour Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills, said: âIâm delighted that, as part of the Southport Town Deal Bid, we will be able to repurpose and fill key empty properties in the Town Centre attracting more people to work in the town, supporting the retail and hospitality sector and providing more reasons for young people to stay and work in Southport.
âThe Enterprise Arcade and Enterprise Store will offer a space for start-up businesses and entrepreneurs, creating a community for our existing and future talent.
âThe designs wonât be like any other traditional workplace setting and will capture Southportâs distinctive entrepreneurial character.
âTogether with the redevelopment of Southport Market, all three projects will work in tandem bringing new uses to underused and vacant buildings while generating substantial footfall to the area.
âOur bid has now been submitted and we have done everything in our power to make Southport an attractive proposition for the Government to invest in. Without Government support these fantastic schemes wonât go ahead. We eagerly await their response.â
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
