Sutton Labour Councillors

Making sutton greener, cllr Anthony johnson planting in the planters on junction lane. Let's make sutton better together

🏗 Preparation starting today on external repair works to the historic Gamble Building.

St Helens Borough Labour said we were committed to protecting it and we meant it ✊

📸 Claire Rigby

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The census is coming on Sunday 21 March.

By filling in your census, you will help shape our community for the next 10 years.

Find out more at http://orlo.uk/gC5ls

This election is our chance to choose how we rebuild after Covid. Labour believe we need to .

View our record for yourself at https://sthelenslabour.org/review2020/ and watch this space for our manifesto launching in April.

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The local elections coming up are a clear choice about the direction we want our country to go in.

Do we want be the type of country that rewards nurses with a pay cut, or do we want to give them a fair pay rise that they deserve.

These elections offer the first opportunity to decide what type of nation we want to be in recovery from coronavirus. We need a more equal country so that no matter where somebody grows up, they have the same opportunities available.

The NHS are now inviting anyone 56 and over to book their Covid-19 vaccination.

You can do so by visiting: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination

Labour nominate local NHS for Freedom of the Borough - St Helens Labour Knowsley and St Helens Labour Groups have announced their intention to nominate their local hospitals for a prestigious Freedom of the Borough accolade, in recognition of the exemplary service provided during the COVID-19 pandemic Cllr David Baines (Leader of St.Helens Borough Council) and Cllr Grah...

We are honouring the incredible efforts of NHS staff by awarding St Helens and Whiston Hospitals Honorary Freedom of the Borough.

The recognition will be jointly made alongside Knowsley Council in honour of the dedicated staff who have supported those in need in challenging circumstances this year.

Council leader Councillor David Baines said: "The challenge of COVID-19 has been enormous, but the hospitals have not faltered in their service to the community and the staff delivering that important care have dug deep, made their own personal sacrifices and been there when our residents have needed them."

The Mayor of St Helens Borough, Cllr Paul McQuade, added: "This nomination recognises the service and sacrifice of the hospitals during the pandemic and hopefully demonstrates to them the highest esteem in which they are held by the council and the people of the borough."

Did you know?

The consequences for fly-tipping can range from a £150 fixed penalty notice to an unlimited fine, a criminal record or time in prison.

and use the tip or book a bulky collection.

You can report a fly-tipper, book a bulky collection, or find tip opening times here - http://orlo.uk/4xGBG

✍ My column for this week's St Helens Star: Chalon Way car park demolition is just the start of changes to the town centre, and our £100m capital investment strategy and other projects make this a very exciting time for the borough 👉

"It’s great to see work begin on the demolition of Chalon Way car park, marking the start of regeneration for the town centre.

The historic canal area is a priority and I think people will be surprised by how large the area is that’s currently taken up by the car park. It will make a huge difference.

We’re also looking at the rest of the town centre too, and the council and our partners at English Cities Fund are continuing work behind the scenes on ambitious and deliverable masterplans for St Helens and Earlestown town centres. We’ll publish these later this year ahead of planning applications being submitted.

We’ve also agreed to create a £10m fund for acquisitions to unlock regeneration – we can’t redevelop what we don’t own, so this is a crucial step in the process.

It’s also that time of year when council budgets are set. As part of that, we’ve agreed and published a new medium term financial plan for the council which features a comprehensive capital strategy.

This is funded by money we can’t use for services and includes projects totalling over £100m of investment, such as £40m for town centre regeneration; more than £4m for the Gamble and Earlestown Town Hall to bring the buildings back into full public use; funding for completely new school buildings at Ashurst Primary School and Penkford; a new St Helens bus station; a Youth Zone; and investment at Sutton Leisure Centre including reopening the swimming pool and creating a new 3G sports pitch.

Our new capital strategy, our partnership with English Cities Fund, the acquisition fund, and the town deal bid we submitted to government last month – taken together is a transformative programme. Alongside schemes such as Glass Futures, for which the planning application has been submitted, and private developments such as the Imperial Quarter, it’s an exciting time.

We’re determined to deliver on the potential in our borough. The demolition of Chalon Way car park is just the start.

Best wishes to all Star readers."

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Labour delivering for borough 🌹

Town deal bid, Parkside redevelopment, Omega investment, Glass Futures, Chalon Way car park demolition and more 👇👇👇

Both Knowsley and St Helens Labour groups have tonight agreed to nominate St Helens and Knowsley NHS Hospitals Trust for Freedom of the Borough for both Knowsley Council & St Helens Borough Council 🙌

It’s the highest honour we can bestow and our deserve it 💙

Full statement below 👇

📣We’ve just launched our new plan to draw on the strength our communities have shown through to revitalise the entire borough.

Find out more about St Helens Together - Our Borough Strategy here: bit.ly/3dMtEGK

There's still time for St Helens Borough businesses that have not accessed funding through the Liverpool Region to apply for a Local Business Support Grant, aimed at small and microbusinesses - including self-employed.

More here: http://orlo.uk/cAqPS

Do you have to leave home to work? Or maybe you have more than one job?

If you don't have COVID-19 symptoms but are out working in the community, please drop in to one of our walk-in centres to get tested regularly - we recommend twice a week.

www.sthelens.gov.uk/letsgettested

📣 We want to hear your views on proposals to deliver sustainable and active transport improvements at Lea Green railway station.

Plans include:

🚉 a new station building
🚲 safer routes for walking and cycling
🚘 increased park and ride capacity

More: https://tinyurl.com/f2vle0he

FEBRUARY HALF TERM! HEALTHY MEALS AVAILABLE.

We have been supplying food to families for several years now and are committed to supporting the most vulnerable in St Helens.
Our chef is cooking healthy meals that are available for collection Monday - Wednesday 12-2pm.

We also have food parcels for anyone that may need them.

We only have a limited amount of food available, so please get in touch if you are struggling or you can turn up between 12-2pm.

These meals are for collection only, we don't have capacity to deliver to you.

There’s no right or wrong way to talk about suicidal feelings – starting the conversation is what’s important.

It’s for help.

>http://orlo.uk/jt6zq

St Helens Borough businesses that have not yet accessed
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority funding are encouraged to apply for a new £10m Local Business Support Grant.

Demand is likely to outstrip supply, so businesses are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

More: http://tinyurl.com/5624yol6

before paying someone to take away your waste or disposing of your own waste illegally!
Just ask Kate!

http://orlo.uk/Ge5iF

You're tired of COVID-19. You want to return to some normality. We get it - we feel the same way. But now is the time for us all to really dig deep - keep following the rules to protect each other. We'll get through this together.

A mobile testing unit will be open at Sherdley Park tomorrow, Sunday.

This site is for people with any of the symptoms including the widened list we released yesterday including things like persistent headaches and aches and pains. If you feel unwell, even if mild, please book a traditional PCR test at sites like Sherdley Park to help us contain the spread of COVID-19.

It will be based at the car park and access will be from Eltonhead Road and leave on Sherdley Road.

It’s strictly by appointment only - book at www.gov.uk/coronavirus

📰 A new test site for people with symptoms of Covid-19 will launch on Saturday in Earlestown.

The Local Testing Site will be in place seven days a week at Fairclough Street Car Park between the hours of 8am and 8pm.

More here: http://orlo.uk/fl0KH

About the census: The census during the coronavirus pandemic - Census 2021 Information about why and how the census will take place during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

This , we're signposting to some of the support available in St Helens.

Kooth is an online counselling (one-to-one) and emotional wellbeing platform for people aged 11-25. Counsellors are available midday-10pm on Mon-Fri and 6pm-10pm on Sat/Sun.

There is also a wealth of useful support and information, the ability to be creative and share experiences and moderated forums to discuss with others who may be feeling the same.

👉 www.kooth.com

Have your say on a new pattern of electoral wards for St Helens Borough, drawn up after consultation with local people and organisations last year by the independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England.

Consultation closes 12 April!

https://www.sthelens.gov.uk/news/2021/february/02/have-your-say-on-a-new-political-map-for-st-helens-borough-council/

🌧️ All of our crews are out tonight dealing with flooding in St Helens Borough caused by .

We have filled more than 750 sandbags to deploy to help residents and businesses with property flooding.

⚠️ If your home or business is at risk of flooding, please contact our helpline on 01744 676789.

We would like you to tell us what you think about our options for St Helens Borough Council's Budget 2021/22.

Demand for our services is increasing and we face substantial funding pressures. To help address our significant budget gap we've been looking at a number of options, including offering services differently to make savings and reviewing how we can raise income.

We are asking residents to have their say on our budget options. No decisions have been made and we will be looking very carefully at your suggestions on our options.

Please read our budget challenge here and have your say ➡️ sthelens.gov.uk/budget

Due to flooding on Peasley Cross Lane anybody attending the mass vaccination centre at the Totally Wicked Stadium is being asked to access the site via the St Helens Linkway and park on Tesco’s car park.

Stewarding is on hand for anyone with a blue badge or mobility issues.

Please note the vaccination centre remains open and is not affected. The vaccination centre is open until 8pm tonight.

The vaccination centre will be open tomorrow Thursday 21 January and these plans will remain in place.

Current road closures and traffic disruption due to flooding.

We’ll update this post with the latest information!

Any businesses currently open in these areas are unaffected. Please drive safely, avoid floodwater, use an alternative routes wherever possible.

Updated at 7pm:

We previously said we were on our way to close Clock Face Road between Gorsey Lane and Warrington Road, but this isn't necessary currently.

The road is flooded in places but passable, so please be extra cautious or use an alternative route if you possibly can.

Updated at 6:50pm:

Peasley Cross Lane closure now in place at the Sherdley Road crossroads. As posted separately, vaccination centre at Totally Wicked Stadium still open, parking available at Tesco.

Access to St Helens Retail Park maintained via Peasley Cross Lane, and open businesses unaffected.

Updated at 6:40pm:

Rainford Road now closed between Kiln Lane and Bleak Hill Road due to the flooding at the Crematorium and Malt House Court.

Travers Entry in Bold is also closed at The Pastures. Will be reopened as soon as possible.

Earlier:

College Street is now closed, while Lingholme Road and Blackbrook Road remain open, but still affected by heavy flooding.

Further reports that College Street, Lingholme Road and Blackbrook Road/Stanley Bank Way at the Ship Inn has seen heavy flooding.

The fishing lake next to the St Helens Linkway McDonald's roundabout has flooded Burtonhead Road, which is now closed to all traffic between roundabouts.

Traffic management blocking access to the household waste and recycling centre (the tip) has temporarily been lifted allowing exit from the retail park.

Motorists advised to avoid Rainford Road at St Helens Crematorium, where Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service are working from the road to clear flooding at the crematorium and Malt House Court.

Peasley Cross Lane close at bridge, safety barriers active and diversion route in place. Access to Totally Wicked Stadium and mass vaccination centre maintained via Peasley Cross Lane.

Gorsey Lane closed from Neills Road to Warrington boundary. Diversion Neills Road-Bold Lane-Back Lane-Phipps Lane-Chapel Lane.

Vista Road remains closed due to flooding near to Makerfield Drive.

These roads have not currently been closed by us, but we’ve had reports of flooding at Pimbo Road Kings Moss, Abinger Road Garswood, Martin Avenue Windle, and Malt House Court Windle.

Please take care out there!

https://postalvote.labour.org.uk/

Apply for an early vote Use your vote to help transform our country. Apply for a postal vote today.

In my St Helens Star column this week I wrote about St Helens Borough Council post-Covid Economic Recovery Plan 👉 https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/19017185.planning-future-jobs-growth-business-across-st-helens-borough/

As I say in the column, Councillor Kate Groucutt, Cllr Jeanie Bell and Cllr Richard McCauley have done a great job bringing this forward, and thanks as always to our amazing council officers.

Now we need YOU to have your say. The council has a role but we have to do this together. We want as many residents, businesses, and public sector partners as possible to have their say.

Read the draft action plan and have your say 👉 orlo.uk/YpUUQ 🏡🏗📲

We’re proud to announce that the Trust is opening the 1st COVID-19 mass vaccination centre in Cheshire & Merseyside, in St Helens!
Launching on Monday 18th January at St Helens Rugby League Ground, the Totally Wicked Stadium.
This is an appointment only service, please do not attend until you are contacted by the NHS.

More details: https://bit.ly/2XGBubF

‪Spreading coronavirus 👎‬
‪Spreading grit 👍‬

‪Our orange squad will be out again from 4pm to treat St Helens Borough’s major routes.‬

‪Read the key facts at sthelens.gov.uk/gritting ❄️‬

We are attempting to contact all clinically extremely vulnerable residents in St Helens Borough who may need help or support during lockdown.

We have been sending emails and text messages – you may have received a message as you are the designated contact for someone else.

Find more info at sthelens.gov.uk/shielding.

If you’re a key worker who can’t work at home make sure you use our symptom free testing centres to keep yourself and others safe.

Find out how we are focusing our quick tests for people who have to go out to work and if you qualify here: bit.ly/3i6TFQR

If you can work from home please do so to keep yourself and others safe.

This new strain of is easier to catch so please continue to wash hands regularly, wear a face covering and keep at least 2m from others when you do need to leave home for shopping or exercise.