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Sefton Council has been informed that due to an unforeseen technical issue with the BACS payment system, teacher pay has not been processed today (May 23).

A spokesman for Sefton Council said: “We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused and can confirm that all salaries will be credited to individual bank accounts tomorrow (May 24).

“Individuals affected have been contacted directly and further updates will be provided later today to clarify what will happen around issues such as bank charges.

“If any member of staff suffers bank charges as a result of this issue, please send evidence of the charge to centralpayroll@sefton.gov.uk for the Council to resolve.

“We would like to thank staff for their patience while the problem is rectified.”

Voters across Sefton and the North West go to the polls this Thursday (May 23) to elect the region’s eight Members of the European Parliament (MEPs).

Thousands of polling stations will be open in Cheshire, Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside from 7am to 10pm on the day.

People who have received their postal vote are being encouraged to complete and return it as soon as possible. Anyone who leaves it too late to post can still drop it off at any polling station in the local authority area where they are registered between 7am and 10pm on Thursday, May 23.

MEPs represent the whole of the North West region and so everybody who is eligible to vote in the region will be voting from the same list of parties and individual candidates.

The European Parliamentary Elections are conducted using a form of proportional representation. Each elector has ONE vote, which can be cast for a political party or an individual candidate. The allocation of the eight MEP positions will depend on the overall share of the vote that a party or individual candidate receives across the region.

Counts will take place across the North West on Sunday, May 26, with the overall regional result being declared in Manchester on the night. Votes will be counted at Aintree Racecourse in Sefton.

Joanne Roney OBE, Regional Returning Officer for the European Elections in the North West, said: “There are more than five million eligible electors across the North West in 39 different local authority areas. Some have already voted by post. We don’t want anyone who wants to vote to miss out and are keen to ensure that those who are voting in person are aware of polling day arrangements.

“Your poll card will show which polling station you need to vote at, or you can check your local authority website. You will only be able to vote in person at this polling station. But you don’t need to have your poll card with you to be able to vote.”

For more information visit www.northwestvotes.gov.uk

Mark Waterhouse, Principle Social Worker at Sefton Council, has been recognised for the positive difference he has made to the health and social care sector at Liverpool Hope University’s Leaders Club Awards 2019.

The awards celebrate individuals who have made a significant impact to the Liverpool City Region by demonstrating excellent leadership skills and promoting excellence in leadership in others.

Mark’s work with Sefton Council’s Integrated Re-ablement and Assessment Service has been key to developing a multi-agency collaboration that has delivered transformative support care for those with support needs across the Liverpool City Region.

This work has led him to be awarded the top prize in the award’s health and social care category.

In each category, the judges have looked individuals that demonstrate a number of leadership values, traits and qualities including honesty, integrity, courage, empathy, competency, communication, co-operation and impact.

Mark’s career in social work began 30 years ago when he mistakenly applied for a job in the civil service while looking for work in the catering industry. However, he quickly fell in love with the social care profession and has gone on to do great things for Sefton’s most vulnerable residents.

Dwayne Johnson, Director of Social Care and Health at Sefton Council, said: “Congratulations to Mark for all his hard work with Sefton’s Integrated Re-ablement and Assessment Service – his contribution has helped deliver joined-up care for some of our most vulnerable residents. Well done Mark, this award is very well deserved.”

Mark added: “I’m delighted. I have never won anything before and it was a huge surprise – I didn’t even know I was nominated let alone that I’d won the award! It means so much as I was nominated by the NHS clinical commissioning group. I’m proud of my contribution to the project.”

Southport and Formby Macmillan Cancer Information Centre is doing something a bit different this summer to support children and young people whose lives are affected by cancer, with a free family fun event on Saturday 22 June.

Taking place from 1pm – 4pm at The Salvation Army, Shakespeare Street, Southport and Formby residents are invited to come along. 

As well as some entertaining and free activities, the event is a chance for the team from the Macmillan Centre to raise awareness of the support available to children, whether they have a close relative who has had cancer, is undergoing treatment, or has passed away.

The afternoon will give children, parents and carers the opportunity to speak to relevant professionals such as Child Bereavement UK, Access Sefton, Parenting 2000, Sefton Carers and Queenscourt Hospice. 

Tanya Mulvey, Macmillan Information and Support Centre manager at the centre, said: “We wanted to do something specifically for children so that they can have access to the help that they might need whether they have lost someone to cancer or have a relative who has cancer. There will be  craft activities, a dance workshop, mindfulness and yoga for all the family to relax and enjoy.  The event will be opened at 1pm by a special guest from Starkidz.

“We’ve also been given a signed football from Everton Football Club which will be up for a prize in our free raffle draw on the day. Myself and colleagues from the centre will also be available on the day to talk to adults about the practical and emotional support we can offer.”

Dr Graeme Allan, Macmillan GP and NHS Southport and Formby CCG cancer clinical lead, said: “It’s so important that families and carers are aware of the help they can access for their children which is the main reason for planning this event. We hope everyone who attends has an enjoyable day and that the information and resources provided will be useful, either now or in the future.

“We are hoping that as well as giving children and their families the chance to see how they can get support it will also raise awareness of the centre in Southport for those affected by cancer.”

Refreshments will be provided for adults and there will be party food for children on the day. Parents / guardians are asked to stay with the children during the afternoon. Booking is essential, to book your place please call the centre on 01704 533024 or email sfccg.macmillancic@nhs.net.

Set up by Macmillan Cancer Support, NHS Southport and Formby Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and St Marks Medical Centre, Southport and Formby Macmillan Information & Support Centre is located on 20 Stanley Street. Those affected by cancer, whether it be them directly or a friend or family member are invited to pop in anytime for a chat or you can visit: www.southportmacmillancentre.org.uk