Gemma Melling

Due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic and the need to adhere to social distancing, the meeting took place online for the first time in the council’s history.

The ban comes after research showed research menthol smokers are more likely to become heavily addicted and find it harder to quit.

Residents are being encouraged to rethink how they travel, considering if their journey is essential and, if so, when and by what means they travel.

GPs in Knowsley are encouraging residents to not ignore any unexplained changes to their body or concerns which could indicate the presence of cancer.

Residents across Knowsley are being advised of a Council Tax scam circulating via email and text.

Following a number of offences committed over the last 18 months, Knowsley’s Crime and Communities Team have secured a partial Closure Order for a property in Kirkby.

With parents and carers juggling work and home schooling, the borough’s schools have come together to share some useful tips and advice.

Knowsley’s Innovate Volunteering has played a key role in ensuring people facing hardship during the Coronavirus outbreak receive the help they need.

Did you know that there are more than 850 CCTV cameras across Knowsley, installed to keep residents safe?

Two Knowsley-based entrepreneurs have been awarded up to £10,000 and places on a learning programme to help improve their local community.

Merseytravel wants to know how you are travelling around now and how you expect to travel in the future – whether its by car, bus, train, ferry, cycling or walking.

Signs are being installed around key road networks across Knowsley thanking key workers and carers for the work they are doing during these challenging times.

This Friday, the nation is being invited to celebrate – from home – the 75th anniversary of VE Day – when victory in Europe was declared in World War 2.

Local sewing enthusiasts have been busy making scrubs for Aintree Hospital, The Walton Centre and Whiston Hospital.

Knowsley’s Crime and Communities Team may not be knocking at your door – but they are still working for you during this pandemic.

Morrisons – who are opening a new store in Kirkby town centre – have pledged to help the local community by supporting Knowsley’s Volunteer Hub.

Since the council’s Community Support and Volunteer Line launched last month the Big Help’s Knowsley Foodbank has distributed more than 2,000 food parcels to people and families in need.

Knowsley Council officers are working around the clock to maintain essential services and support for the community at this time.

A series of specialist webinars designed to help Knowsley businesses with the specific challenges they are currently facing have been organised by Invest Knowsley.

Knowsley Council’s Trading Standards team is issuing advice to help to keep ‘bogus callers’ away and sharing the message ‘If in doubt, keep them out.’

If you need urgent health care during the Coronavirus pandemic you’re being asked not to put it off – the NHS is still able to look after you, safely.

Guide Dogs have launched a new phone line for people with sight loss and their families, to help support them during the coronavirus outbreak.

There is a range of bereavement support available including an NHS helpline, support for children and adults, as well as guidance with practical arrangements.

Leader of Knowsley Council, Cllr Graham Morgan, has added his voice to concerns that Government funding for the Coronavirus response will leave local authorities in the city region severely underfunded.

Knowsley will be marking this important day on Tuesday, 28 April, recognising & paying tribute to the workers killed, disabled, injured or made unwell by their work.

Household waste recycling centres in Knowsley will be opening again, with strict social distancing and other restrictions in place.

Got a dental problem and need a dentist? Here’s what to do.

The message is simple – the more you stay at home, the quicker we can return to normality and start to live our lives again.

The borough is seeing many examples of locals reaching out to friends, neighbours and vulnerable people to make sure they get the support they need.

With hundreds of you now signed up to help as volunteers in Knowsley, we’ve produced some FAQs to help answer any questions you may have.

If you run a businesses selling food, here’s what you need to know in order to follow guidelines relating to Covid-19 and keep yourself, your staff & customers safe.

The #StreetSmiles campaign is calling on people to create a ‘smiling sun’ and display it in their windows, brightening the day of the refuse collectors and other key waste and recycling workers.

Knowsley Council is offering additional financial support for the Adult Social Care system, which is under pressure as a result of COVID-19.

If your small business is still open during this time, here’s what you need to know to help you ensure social distancing requirements are met.

The council is reminding households to do the right thing and save lives by following the Government requirements on social distancing.

At this challenging time, everyone is being asked to be even more vigilant and to report any concerns they may have about possible child abuse.  

Knowsley Council has joined a national campaign to raise awareness of illegal money lenders (loan sharks) using the Coronavirus outbreak to prey on people.

Grants are available now to help certain businesses – but in Knowsley many hundreds of eligible businesses are yet to apply.

Volunteers who offered their services in Knowsley are now out and about helping others during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Has your business had to furlough employees due to distruption caused by Covid-19? 

A new campaign has been launched across the Liverpool City Region to ensure victims of domestic abuse know where to turn to for help and support.

More than £9.2m has now been paid to business in Knowsley to help them survive the financial difficulties brought about by the Coronavirus outbreak.

Your help is needed to ensure Knowsley’s most vulnerable residents are supplied with emergency food relief over the coming months. 

With the restrictions on going out extended, the council is reminding victims of domestic abuse about where and how to get help.

Are you self-employed?  Or supporting someone who is? The ‘Better Off Finance’ team at Citizens Advice Knowsley remain open and are working with existing and new clients by telephone and email.   

Extra pedal power is helping NHS workers commute to work, thanks to an innovative bike loan initiative by Cycling Project’s Pedal Away scheme.

Cheshire & Merseyside NHS Trusts have launched new mental health helplines for people in need of mental health crisis support.

Residents aged over 70 and those eligible for a free flu jab, will be receiving a letter this week offering help & support from Knowsley Council and Knowsley CCG.

An important update for resident interested in the future of Whitakers Garden Centre and its current site in Prescot.

Improvement works on the cycle path running alongside the East Lancs Road will begin on Tuesday, 14 April 2020.

From Friday, 10 April, NHS staff will be able to travel for free on buses and Merseyrail trains across the city region.

With everyone’s limited outdoor time so precious right now we’re appealing to dog owners to please pick up after your pet!

Knowsley’s very own Rainbow of Hope is available to download and colour in to help you spread more cheer among your community.

Knowsley Council is reiterating Merseyside Police’s advice on how to keep children safe online during the coronavirus pandemic.

Throughout this worrying time, we can all take heart from these fantastic examples of people offering help and support to others.

If you would like to donate items of food or household supplies – or make a cash donation so that the charity can buy supplies, here’s how you can do it.

If you are experiencing domestic abuse, there is help available.

Knowsley Public Health has updated its 10 Ways to Wellbeing advice to help you and your family look after your mental health and wellbeing whilst staying at home.

Families in Knowsley who are suffering hardship as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak will be fed thanks to a partnership between Knowsley Council and retailer Home Bargains.

Businesses in Knowsley are being asked to help keep vulnerable people in the borough with donations of food and essential supplies.

During the Coronavirus outbreak Knowsley Better Together is more important than ever. Here’s how you can play your part.

Keeping teenage children entertained and explaining the importance of social distancing can be difficult – here are some tips to help parents.

If you have any concerns about work arrangements and social distancing during the Coronavirus outbreak, here’s what to do.

If you run a business that has had to be temporarily closed due to Government restrictions, we have some advice to help keep your premises safe.

In order to support residents who are ‘shopping local’ for essential supplies, the council has stopped all car parking charges in its town centres with immediate effect.

 If you want to make a difference to children and young people in Knowsley our fostering team is still available to answer any of your questions.

Sadly, Coronavirus scams are emerging. Here’s how to recognise one and avoid falling victim to it.

To support the on-going construction of the retail development in Kirkby Town Centre, changes to some car parks have been introduced.

If you are worried about domestic abuse such as violence or coercive and controlling behaviour, help is at hand.

Local companies in Knowsley are adapting to the challenges of Coronavirus to stay in business – and playing their part to support the local community, too.

Do you need extra help during the Coronavirus outbreak?

If you are worried about how you’ll pay your energy bill as a result of Coronavirus, or how you’ll get out to purchase top-ups for pre-payment meters, here’s the information you need.

If you need help with making a claim for Universal Credit or Employment Support Allowance, Knowsley FACE have set up remote Digital Support Sessions to support you. 

Knowsley Council’s Cabinet will meet at 5pm on Wednesday 25 March 2020. Take a look at what’s on the agenda.

As part of an ‘unlocking place potential’ visit, the Task Force team visited Huyton to review the council’s plans for the Village Centre.

Wednesday, 18 March is National Child Exploitation Awareness Day, highlighting issues around child sexual and criminal exploitation.

St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Primary School in Halewood is latest Knowsley primary school to receive a ‘Good’ Ofsted rating following a recent inspection.

A unique project in Stockbridge Village is transforming lives by transforming unwanted furniture and they need your help.

A massive team of enthusiastic volunteers gathered at Court Hey Park to transform the community garden space on the site of the former National Wildflower Centre.

The latest exhibition at Kirkby Gallery celebrates the careers of boxers of African descent from Knowsley and Liverpool who have fought over the past 180 years.

Smokers in Knowsley can get help to give up this No Smoking Day with special events this week and support on offer all year round.

You may have read reports that the council ‘gave’ £100,000 to a restaurant business in Huyton, as well as a year’s free rent. These reports are incorrect, and here’s why.

This spring, Kirkby Gallery presents the work of world-renowned artists including Cézanne, Degas, and Renoir.

A live artist from Merseyside is about to embark upon a ground breaking five month project that will see her travel to India to walk in Mahatma Gandhi’s footsteps.

International Women’s Day takes place on Sunday, 8 March 2020. Here’s how Knowsley Council will be marking the day.

Councillors in Knowsley have agreed the budget for the coming financial year – and for the first time in 10 years, no cuts to services were on the agenda.

Knowsley Council’s Cabinet will meet at 6pm on Wednesday 4 March. Here is a summary of the main items on the agenda.

Following the publication of two recent Ofsted reports, Knowsley Council has confirmed that positive changes have already been made to tackle issues identified at two of the council’s children’s homes.

Useful information for patients worried about the closure of several surgeries in Knowsley by Aston Healthcare.

Celebrations took place this week after Knowsley Council’s Adult Provider Services once again achieved the prestigious Autism Accreditation award.

Groups with ideas to help reduce waste, encourage recycling and prevent carbon emissions could be eligible for a grant to help them take action.

Do you have a view on the services offered by the Inclusion Service? Let them know how they can improve.

The Huyton high school has been recognised for its inclusive practice and ongoing commitment to developing educational inclusion.

As part of the redevelopment of Kirkby, the council has purchased Knowsley Community College’s site to allow them to move into the heart of the town centre.

Kirkby based groups and organisations came together at an inspirational event to secure funding to help create safer communities.

Green waste (blue bin) collections in Knowsley will start up again during the week beginning Monday, 2 March 2020.

Thanks to its ambitious plans for economic growth, Knowsley Council has generated more income from Council Tax and Business Rates growth.

Halsnead Garden Village – the largest combined housing and employment site in the Liverpool City Region has received further funding from the Government.

Find out why business finds Knowsley such an attractive place to be based – and how that is having a positive effect on everyone living in the borough.

Come along and find out about all the services and local groups that can support your child with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities.