Category: Politics

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, Crime, News, Politics

Confusion over COVID 19 lock-down rules – what do they say and how do they affect you?

download6454172465924611860.jpegSome Wythenshawe residents have said they are confused over the Covid 19 lock-down rules with one saying her family were told to go home while taking their daily exercise.

Posting on the Wythenshawe Covid-19 Community Support Facebook group, one resident said: “Just been out with my kids and my partner for our daily exercise just walk and we got stopped by the police saying that there is only supposed to be two people out of your house hold allowed out together. What is right? I’m confused”.

Local police pointed the Wythenshawe Reporter to the College of Policing guidelines which advises officers how to apply the new powers which came into force on Thursday (March 26th).

The new laws place restrictions on movement and gatherings and says no-one may leave their home without a reasonable excuse. Reasonable excuses include:

  • obtaining basic necessities
  • exercise (once a day)
  • meeting a legal obligation, including attending court or satisfying bail conditions
  • seeking medical assistance
  • attending a funeral
  • moving house
  • visiting a place of worship
  • caring for or assisting a vulnerable person who is someone: aged 70 years or older / under 70 years old with an underlying health condition / pregnant

The guidance also states: “Police can instruct gatherings of three or more people to disperse or remove any person from that gathering to their home.”

When asked if the rules on gatherings apply to families of three or more who live together, a local police officer said they were still awaiting a direction on it from their legal team and details hadn’t  been released to them yet. It would be for the courts to interpret the laws.

But information in the government’s guidance on the new rules says gatherings of three or more people should not take place except if the people involved live together. It says:  “This means that a parent can, for example, take their children to the shops if there is no option to leave them at home.”

Police officers have been told try to educate people who are breaking the rules and to explain the risks to public health, but they would take enforcement action as a last resort.

They can direct people to return to their homes and can use reasonable force where necessary.

But police are also advised to use discretion and consider that it might not be safe for everyone to be at home in circumstances where domestic abuse, child abuse or mental health issues might be a factor.

Police can impose fixed penalty fines of £60 which would be lowered to £30 if paid within 14 days. Fines of £120 can be imposed for second time offenders, doubling on each time the person offends again.

The individual will not get a criminal record unless they don’t pay the fines.

 

 

 

Community News, News, Politics, Sport

Strong community spirit will see Wythenshawe through the COVID 19 crisis

The Wythenshawe community is pulling together in the face of Covid 19.

This week Wythenshawe Foodbank thanked local businesses and the community for their support as well as Wythenshawe Community Housing Group who donated a vehicle for the distribution of food to those in need.

A spokesman said: “We are receiving a lot of demand for our service. We are seeing an incredible rallying around of the community and if you want to get in touch with Wythenshawe Food bank you can get in touch through our social media.”

Express Solicitors dontated £1000 to the foodbank.

The United Estates of Wythenshawe gym closed last night following government advice but earlier last week was helping deliver food to those in need and provided a space for people to chat.

A Facebook group – Wythenshawe COVID 19 Community Support –  has been established with nearly 4000 followers and is coordinating support for the most vulnerable in the town.

covid

And Tesco in Baguley will will be opening its doors early on Sunday morning exclusively for health workers from Wythenshawe Hospital as a thank you for their hard work during the crisis.

Community Centres in Wythenshawe will be changing the way it provides its services from Monday March 23. Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre and Benchill Community Centre will be closed except for the distribution of  lunch-packs for the vulnerable at the venues between 12.00 and 1.30pm, Monday to Friday.

 

And Wythenshawe Good Neighbours Project is also involved in co-ordinating services in the community.

COVID 19 has also hit sport in the town, with all league games suspended until further notice. But the clubs have been doing their bit for the community.

Community News, News, Politics

MP warns closure will lead to Wythenshawe school places squeeze

SaveNewall

Wythenshawe  MP  Mike Kane is calling on the government to reverse the controversial plans to close Newall Green High School.

The Shadow School’s Minister has told Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, he opposes the DfE decision to shut the school saying it could lead to a shortage of school places.

In a letter to the DfE boss he said: “Manchester City Council’s place planning shows the secondary school population in south Manchester will increase in the next two to three years. With the school closing, how will the DfE ensure the area has enough school places for our community’s children in the years ahead?”

Parents were told earlier this month that the DfE will close the academy school because of falling numbers.

A petition to save the school has been launched, signed by more than 650 people and students staged a protest calling on the decision to be reversed.

The school had been put in special measures following an OFSTED inspection, but in its latest monitoring report, inspectors said the school had made improvements.

Mike Kane was involved in establishing a Wythenshawe Education Board with the Regional Schools Commissioner, Vicky Beer.

All four Wythenshawe high schools are on board, aiming to raise standards and give a ‘good offer’ for schools in the town. The schools board aims combat o raise OFSTED.

The MP says  he is very disappointed the school is being closed while we’re in the middle of this project.

 

In his letter to education bosses, Mr Kane has also asked: “How did this once desirable and popular school end up being so under-subscribed that it is no longer financially viable to remain open?

“When the school closes and the land returns to the Department for Education, what will become of the buildings and large open spaces?”

The Department for Education has been approached by the Wythenshawe Reporter for a comment.