News in Heswall

More than half a million people have now been vaccinated against COVID-19 across the city region.

Figures released by the NHS show 524,621 people in the region's six boroughs had received at least one dose of the vaccine by the end of February.

Following the announcement from the Government that elections will go ahead across the country on Thursday, May 6, Wirral Council has confirmed that COVID-secure measures will be in place to make every polling station safe, while there is also the option to apply for a postal or proxy vote.

Those residents who would prefer to vote by post - particularly those who have been identified as clinically extremely vulnerable - are being urged to apply now if they have not already done so as a higher than usual number of applications for postal votes are expected.

Merseyside's Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy is supporting a national survey designed to understand public perception of dog theft, enforcement, and the prosecution of offenders.

Demand for dogs as pets has increased during the coronavirus pandemic.

First things first, if you fancy an 'essential' drink so you can reflect on the Budget while feeling mellow, the good news is that you can drive to the off-licence in the knowledge that alcohol and fuel duties have been frozen.

A great deal of what Chancellor Rishi Sunak said this lunchtime in the House of Commons had been heavily trailed beforehand, but now we know for sure that, in a nutshell:

Plans expected to be announced tomorrow by the Chancellor of the Exchequer will release public money to enable community groups to buy and run neglected local assets.

Under the scheme, likely to be in Rishi Sunak's budget, a new Community Ownership Fund would be created, with an initial £150 million budget.

Merseyside Police confirmed today that they have issued two fixed penalty notices for failing to comply with COVID regulations following international travel.

On Tuesday, 23 February, it was reported that a man and woman from Wirral had failed to quarantine after returning home from Dubai, which is currently on the foreign travel red list.

Much-loved services have been saved by a marathon meeting last night.

Wirral councillors met to debate the authority's budget, with the future of several leisure services at stake.

Heswall Councillor Andrew Hodson and environmental Health professionals in Wirral - and across the country - have expressed concerns over a growing number of home food businesses that have launched during the latest COVID-19 lockdown.

Often selling through social media and other informal networks and apps, it is believed some are not registered as food businesses, meaning local authorities are unable to check hygiene and food standards.

At 6pm this evening, a full Wirral Council meeting will debate the authority's proposed budget.

In December and January, residents were consulted on plans to close the Williamson Art Gallery in Claughton, all four public golf courses, Europa Pools in Birkenhead and end several other services.

The national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime, along with ABTA, The Travel Association, are reminding the public to think twice before handing over their money and personal information when booking holidays this year. In previous years, criminals have targeted unsuspecting holidaymakers booking airline tickets, holiday accommodation and religious pilgrimages.

Pauline Smith, Head of Action Fraud, said: "We are all more eager than ever to go on a holiday and relax with family and friends after the year we've all had. However, the surge in holiday bookings provides criminals with an opportunity to defraud innocent people out of a well-deserved break and their hard-earned cash.