Tag: Manchester City Council

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Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre begins roll-out of Covid vaccine
Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre begins Covid vaccine roll-out

Manchester begins the roll-out of the new Covid 19 vaccine today at the Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre in Wythenshawe.

Patients who are registered with a GP practice in Wythenshawe, that are aged 80 or above and are able to travel have been invited to receive the vaccine at the centre in Wythenshawe. 

Wythenshawe was identified as the best initial location to roll out community-based vaccination in Manchester, with other sites to be announced in the coming weeks. 

A second dose of the vaccination will be given to patients 3-4 weeks after receiving their first injection. 

Health bosses have assured those invited to have the vaccine that it is safe. The city’s director of public health, Dave Regan countered claims that it can rewrite DNA. This claim has also been rejected by independent fact checkers, Full Fact.

Dave Regan Director of Public Health for Manchester

Patients will be notified they are eligible to get a vaccine by their GP, either by phone or letter. 

Arrangements will be made to get the vaccine to people in this age group who may have difficulty travelling or who are housebound. 

David Regan said: “From day one our priority has been to protect as many people as possible from Covid-19. The successful development of an effective and safe vaccine will allow us to save thousands of lives over the coming months.  

“This is, however, just the first step and we will not see results overnight. Until the vaccine is being widely distributed our first line of defence will still be quick and accurate testing, as well as adhering to social distancing, good hygiene and the wearing of masks.”  

Dr Manisha Kumar, Medical Director Manchester Health and Care Commissioning, said: “The launch of our first vaccination site, marks the start of the largest vaccination programme we have ever undertaken in Manchester. Our primary care staff across the city are working together to set up more sites in our communities so we can vaccinate people safely.

“I am so proud my GP colleagues, across the city, who have worked tirelessly to set these sites up – so we can protect our patients against the virus. But we can’t do this without the support of the people of Manchester; and so, I would urge all our patients to book in straight away when they are called up for the vaccine.

“We know that many of our patients are keen to get their vaccinations as soon as possible, but please don’t call your practice to book in unless you have been invited to do so, your practice will contact you as soon as you are eligible to be vaccinated.” 

Cllr Bev Craig, Manchester City Council’s spokesperson for Adult Health and Wellbeing

Councillor Bev Craig, Executive Member for Adult Health and Wellbeing for Manchester City Council said: “The coming weeks will be crucial for Manchester as we work to get this vaccine to the people who need it most. This is the first bit of light at the end of what has been a very long tunnel.    

“The work we will begin next week is a positive start but we do face a long road ahead. Our priority will be protecting our older residents, medically vulnerable people and our NHS and care workers who have been putting themselves at risk this entire year.  “Our roll out depends on the vaccine supply from government, so as the vaccine is rolled out we will still need to be vigilant and take the precautions which have become commonplace since March. Mancunians have shown just how resilient they can be and I have no doubt this resolve will continue.” 

Community News, News, Politics, Sport

Wythenshawe Hall to light up in solidarity with anti-racist #BlackLivesMatter movement

Best-house-view

Wythenshawe Hall will light up tonight (June 2nd) in solidarity with those protesting for equal rights across America and round the globe.

The racist killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis has sparked outrage across the United States with protests in more than 22 cities.

Mr Floyd died after a policeman knelt on his neck for more than nine minutes. The officer has been charged with third degree murder and manslaughter and there have been calls for other officers to be charged as well.

Mr Floyd’s death, the latest in a number of killings including Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor this year, led to an outpouring of anger. There have have been solidarity Black Lives Matter protests in the UK including Manchester.

And Manchester United star Marcus Rashford, from Wythenshawe, voiced his  support for the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement.

The footballer said on Twitter:  “At a time I’ve been asking people to come together, work together and be united, we appear to be more divided than ever. People are hurting and people need answers.

“Black lives matter. Black culture matters. Black communities matter. We matter. #justiceforgeorgefloyd #justiceforahmaudarbery #justiceforbreonnataylor.’

Manchester City Council’s decision to light up Wythenshawe Town Hall follows a similar announcement by Liverpool City Council to uplight it’s municipal buildings

Manchester Town Hall would usually be lit to mark such events, but the ongoing Our Town Hall project means uplighting the building will not be possible.

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Discrimination takes many forms, but in whatever guise it takes, it must be challenged head on. This is the only way we can make the world a more fair and equal place to live for everyone.

“The ongoing protests in America may feel thousands of miles away, but they are asking for the fundamental right to live, be safe and be free.

“These are the simple requests that we as a global community of people should have a right to expect.

“Manchester has always been a city that tries to unite our communities while celebrating our diversity.

“For this reason, Manchester will always stand in solidarity with those who feel they have no other choice other than to protest and fight for a more equal place in the world.”

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.

 

 

 

 

 

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, 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