Knowsley Online

New bylaw to protect cosmetic treatments

Customers who undergo cosmetic treatments are being given greater protection thanks to new regulations introduced by Knowsley Council next week.

The new bylaw, which comes into force in the borough in August, covers a range of treatments, including acupuncture, tattooing, semi-permanent skin-colouring, cosmetic piercing and electrolysis.

It means that businesses offering beauty treatments must ensure the hygiene and cleanliness of their premises, materials and equipment.
Businesses must now register with the council or face tougher enforcement action of a conviction or fine.

Knowsley’s existing byelaws were introduced in 1986 and cover acupuncture, ear piercing, electrolysis and tattooing, but not some of the newer techniques now in use.

Cllr Ken Keith, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Corporate and Customer Services, said: “Introducing this new byelaw is an extremely positive step because it provides clear and consistent high standards in the beauty therapy industry in Knowsley.

“Our focus is on making sure that customers who undergo beauty treatments in the borough do so in a safe, clean and hygienic environment.

“We appreciate that beauty therapy treatments have moved on since our existing byelaws were introduced and it is important that our approach is updated to reflect that.”

Romanian Paralympians give Knowsley the Gold medal

The Romanian paralympic team has teamed up with Knowsley Council to use the borough’s leisure facilities as they prepare for the 2012 Olympic games.

A number of training camps have been arranged throughout this year and next year.  The first camp took place last month, with the swimming and tennis team visiting Knowsley to train and take part in the commonwealth torch relay at all seven Centres for Learning.

Following on from this, the swimming team then went on to compete in the European Championships in Berlin. 

Members of the team recorded personal bests and secured qualifying times for the London 2012 Paralympics. 

School children given a master class ahead of Knowsley Flower Show

With just two weeks to go, school children from St Edmund Arrowsmith Centre for Learning have been getting gardening tips from experts ahead of the North West’s largest free horticultural event on Sunday 7th August at Court Hey Park, Knowsley.

Local horticulturists, Vinnie Kilshaw and Don Sutcliffe met with pupils to give them a master class on how to showcase their produce ready for the flower show as well as giving them some expert gardening tips.

The school has its very own allotment on site which the pupils tend to during their break and at lunch time. The allotment proves very popular with all the pupils and provides a valuable alternative to the traditional subjects taught in school. The allotment is flourishing with perfect peas, cabbages and onions as well as other vegetables and delightful potted plants.

Housing associations show their pride

A group of 14 housing associations from across Merseyside have joined forces to take part in this year’s Liverpool Pride.

Staff and customers will help to carry the float along the route, showing their commitment to equality and diversity.

The 14 associations have joined up to form the Homes for Everyone group to take part in this year’s parade on August 6.

The group hopes that by taking part in Liverpool Pride it will give employees and customers the confidence to join the associations’ LGBT focus groups and forums and the confidence that they will be treated fairly and with respect no matter who they are.

Illegal tobacco bus hits the streets

The council’s environmental health team has hit the road to drive home the message about the dangers of illegal tobacco.

An eye-catching bus has been touring the borough to make people aware of the dangers of smoking illegal tobacco and give teenagers a peek into the future by showing them what they will look like if they don’t kick the habit.

It’s all part of our campaign to tackle the problems caused by illegal tobacco, such as encouraging children to start smoking, funding crime in the community and killing thousands of people each year.

People who board the bus can find out more information about illegal tobacco and get professional help and advice on how to kick the habit. Hi-tech age-progression software also produces images of what people will look like in the future after years of smoking tobacco.

Knowsley spearheads Peer Led health support for young people

Knowsley Council is partnering with national charity 4Children to launch a new campaign to improve health support for young people. The Make Space for Health campaign, supported by Nestlé UK, will see two local young people delivering a tailored programme of health support to teenagers as part of a peer to peer, approach to improving youth health.

Helen Forshaw, 19, and Lyndsy Ledden, 20, both from Knowsley will work with the Council’s Youth Service and directly with young people to deliver holistic health support across a range of areas including nutrition, physical activity and emotional wellbeing.

The Make Space for Health programme is being rolled out in five local authority areas throughout 2011 and brings together resources and expertise from the voluntary, private and public sector.

Christine’s community work awarded

A Whiston woman who was named the North West’s Tenant of the Year for her tireless community work is now heading to a national final in Birmingham.

Christine Doyle has spent 42 years helping her community and picked up the prestigious award at the TPAS – or the Tenant Participation Advisory Service – awards for the North West in February.

The Knowsley Housing Trust tenant was put forward by the housing association for her dedication over the last four decades.

New after hours contact number

Knowsley’s Adult and Children’s Social Care services provide a team to help with emergencies outside of office hours.

From 25 July 2011 the new number to ring is 0151 443 2600. The number will be answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Anyone who calls the number outside office hours will be asked for their contact details and the nature of the request.  This information will then be passed on to the duty social worker who will discuss with the caller the request, and either;

• Provide advice and guidance on how to deal with the presenting problem
• Give the caller the contact details for a more appropriate agency
• Arrange for someone to visit the caller or the person with the problem
or refer the matter to be dealt with the next working day.

KHT shortlisted as finalist for the 2011 sustainable housing awards

Knowsley Housing Trust’s (KHT) ‘eco’ officer has made it into the final of awards celebrating sustainable housing.

Anthony Jarvis, Social Responsibility Support Coordinator, is shortlisted in the Green Social Housing Champion of the Year category in the Sustainable Housing Awards 2011, organised by Inside Housing magazine and its sister publication Sustainable Housing, for his work in KHT communities.

He works to educate tenants on what they can do to save energy around the home, and save money on their bills in the process.

Burst water main in Huyton

Knowsley Council and its partners are working together to address the issues caused by a burst water main on the corner of Lincombe Road and Liverpool Road in Huyton.

The burst occurred at approximately 10.00 am this morning.  The water main is in the process of being isolated by United Utilities.

United Utilities are at the scene assessing the extent of the flooding and helping residents with the clear up operation.  It is understood approximately 100 properties may be affected.

Park View School on Twig Lane was closed earlier today and will remain closed for pupils tomorrow (Tuesday, 19 July).

Road closures are in place on Liverpool Road at its junction with Kingsway and Princess Drive.  Other roads affected are Lincombe Road, Cotsford Road and all the minor roads off Liverpool Road between Kingsway and Princess Drive.

Knowsley Council and its partners are working in the area to ensure residents are safe and that the recovery to properties, roads and water supply continues as quickly as possible.

A support centre has been set up at The Gate, Princess Drive, Huyton.  Any residents who have been affected can call in for help and advice or telephone 489 6222.

Residents will be regularly updated on progress.  They can also visit the council’s website www.knowsley.gov.uk for the latest news or follow Knowsley Council on twitter at www.twitter.com/knowsleycouncil for real time update.