Category: News

Community News, News, Politics

Tributes for Manchester’s Deputy Leader, Cllr Sue Murphy who died today
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Cllr Sue Murphy

Tributes have been paid to Wythenshawe councillor, Sue Murphy who died this afternoon following an illness.

The Brooklands councillor, who was also Manchester City Council’s Deputy Leader had served the city since being elected in 1995, and had been had been Deputy Leader. She had also been Executive Member for Employment and Skills and Executive Member for Finance.

She had been suffering from an ongoing illness which was not related to Covid 19.

Cllr Murphy will also be remember for her work as chair of trustees for the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund established after the 22 May 2017 terror attack She was also on the board of Manchester Health and Care Commissioning Group and  and was also chair of governors of the LTE Group, which runs Manchester College based in Benchill.

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Today Manchester has lost a great socialist and public servant who has dedicated her life to social justice and making the city, and the world, a better and fairer place for everybody – but especially those with the greatest needs,” said Sir Richard.

“Over the years she has taken on many roles locally and nationally, including some of the most challenging issues we face as a society – tackling homelessness and the scourge of family poverty being just part of her council portfolio.

“I have lost a friend and colleague who has been alongside me for over a quarter of a century, for the last ten years as my deputy leader.

“The loss is a devastating shock. I will miss Sue, Manchester will miss Sue, but we can only imagine the feelings of her husband Paul and her family at the moment and, above all, my thoughts are with them.”

Colleagues and friends joined Cllr Leese in paying tribute to Cllr Murphy.

 

 

 

 

 

Community News, News, Sport

Generosity, compassion and caring spirit getting Wythenshawe through the lockdown

 

 

foodbank

Here is the latest round-up of some of the things Wythenshawe people are doing to support each other during the lockdown.

News, Politics

City Council unveils plans to support residents facing Covid 19 hardship

ollerheadManchester City Council has unveiled a £7.5 million plan to support people facing hardship because of the Covid 19 outbreak.

The measures are being funded through £7.46m allocated to Manchester City Council through the Government’s Covid-19 Hardship Fund.

More than 34,000 people who already receive Council Tax Support, reducing their annual bills by up to 82.5 per cent, will have a further £150 chopped off their bill for 2020/21. It means, for example, that someone living on their own in a Band A property and receiving full Council Tax Support would have nothing to pay this year.

It is anticipated that the £150 should be paid into the majority of these accounts in the next two weeks.

Some £5.63 million has been set aside for this element of support, including a contingency amount to cover potential new claimants as well as existing recipients of Council Tax Support.

In addition, the Council has allocated a further £1.8 million to boost the support available to the most in-need residents:

● £700,000 to help pay for lunchtime meals for school age children who already get free school meals, or whose families fall into hardship. For free school meals this applies until Monday 20 April when it is replaced by the national scheme. The Council scheme is bridging the gap, including over the Easter Holidays.

● £500,000 for emergency Council Tax Support for people facing hardship who may not be eligible for the existing scheme.

● £200,000 to support emergency food provision

● £200,000 to support carers

● £200,000 to enhance the Council’s existing Welfare Provision Scheme which provides emergency cash grants to households in urgent need.

Councillor Carl Ollerhead, Executive Member for Finance, said: “This is a tough period for a lot of people, especially those who were already struggling to make ends meet. We are determined to do all we can as a council to help people get through it.

“This almost £7.5m package of support measures, designed to be accessible quickly to those who need them, is a prime example of that commitment. It will benefit tens of thousands of Manchester’s most economically vulnerable people and make a real difference.”

To find out more about the different schemes and the support available visit:
http://www.manchester.gov.uk/coronavirus

Community News, Football, News, Politics

Wythenshawe Celtic FC thanks key workers as community spirit stays strong in the face of Covid 19
Wythenshawe Celtic
Pic: YouTube

The Wythenshawe community continues to be strong in the face of Covid 19. Here is some of the latest news and information and stuff that might make you smile.

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Community News, News

Council services during the Covid 19 crisis: green bin collections stop

Manchester City Council has pledged to keep residents informed of how the battle against Covid 19 will affect services

In their latest announcement there have said there will be no green bin collections until further notice.

Food food waste can be put in the grey bin which will be collected as normal.

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Council staff are going above and beyond to ensure vital services for our residents can continue and we can support residents as we work together through this period.

“It’s vitally important that we all play our part and follow the advice from Public Health. Washing our hands regularly, distancing ourselves from others and supporting vulnerable people during this crisis will be essential in limiting the spread of the disease.

“It makes me proud that at times such as this Manchester people show their true mettle. Our city will be a different place for a little while, but we will carry on and we will get through this together.”

Find a set of FAQs here.

What Council services are affected?

The Customer Service Centre in the Town Hall Extension is now closed to walk-in visitors until further notice.

A list of email contacts for Council services can be found here. This includes contacts for support around benefits, Universal Credit, licensing, council tax and school admissions.  The call centre is currently experiencing unprecedented demand so email enquiries are being prioritised and the most urgent are being dealt with as quickly as possible. The public is asked to only phone the Council if absolutely necessary.

Support and advice for people at risk of homelessness is available here. If you or someone you know does not have somewhere to stay immediately, please call 0161 234 4692 or email hss@manchester.gov.uk

Business owners can find support advice here.

Leisure Centres and Events

All Council-run leisure centres closed Friday 20 March to limit the potential spread of the virus. The NHS has  information online, including free exercise tutorials that can be done at home, along with tips and advice about staying active. And follow @GmMoving on social media for more advice and inspiration.

 Libraries

The following libraries will remain open to the public, maintaining provision in the north, central and south areas of the city. They will close by 5pm each day.

– Higher Blackley (The Avenue)

– Newton Heath Library

– Gorton Library

– Longsight Library

– Central Library

– Chorlton Library

– Didsbury Library

– Withington Library

– Wythenshawe Forum

Closures are currently in place at the libraries listed below. The closed libraries are currently under review to consider how we can reopen them safely to increase library provision across the city as soon as possible for local residents.

– Barlow Moor Library

– Burnage library

– Miles Platting Community Library

– Moss Side Powerhouse Library

– Northenden Library

– New Moston Community Library

– North City Library

– Beswick Library

– Abraham Moss 5pm Friday 20 March

– Arcadia (Levenshulme) 10pm Friday 20 March

– Brooklands Library closed from 5pm Friday 20 March

– Fallowfield Library (AKA The Place on Platt Lane) will close on Saturday 21 March

Anyone who has an outstanding book return will not be fined and will have a three-month extension before the book will need to be returned.

Further information about the city’s libraries services will be updated here.

You can also access Manchester Library resources online, including e-books, audiobooks, online news resources, language courses and digital magazines.

www.manchester.gov.uk/libraries

Markets

Council-run retail markets in Gorton, Longsight and Wythenshawe will closed on Saturday 21 March. The Sunday Car Boot market will closed from Sunday 22 March.

Parks

Council-run parks will remain open to allow residents to get fresh air and remain active. Hand washing facilities will be available. People using parks are urged to heed public health advice and practice correct social distancing.

Information about social distancing can be found from Public Health England.

Registrars

The registrars will remain open but is offering a reduced service. Residents are asked not to attend the registrars unless absolutely necessary.  Find out more about the service

If you’re feeling anxious

It’s understandable that a lot of our residents will be feeling anxious at the moment. This is to be expected but it’s important to take note of advice and support each other during this time.

Find out more