Salford City Council

Salford Mayor Paul Dennett has called on the government to urgently provide funding for residents of buildings with unsafe cladding during the virus lockdown.

David DixonCopyright: David Dixon

Mr Dennett has said that people's safety has been "exacerbated" by the stay-at-home restrictions, meaning residents are spending more time in unsafe buildings.

Many residents have been paying up to £10,000 a week for interim fire safety measures such as regular fire patrols and alarm fittings.

Mr Dennett said the government should provide funding to cover these interim safety measures so the cost is taken away from residents, as well as funding for the removal of cladding.

He said:

Quote Message: I remain concerned that government is not doing enough to protect residents from life changing bills.

I remain concerned that government is not doing enough to protect residents from life changing bills.

Quote Message: We have already seen how the broken regulatory system which has created an industrial crisis has impacted on high rise residents in Greater Manchester and we will no doubt see this expand to affect residents in smaller blocks of flats.

We have already seen how the broken regulatory system which has created an industrial crisis has impacted on high rise residents in Greater Manchester and we will no doubt see this expand to affect residents in smaller blocks of flats.

Salford City Council has launched a new mental health support service in collaboration with NHS Salford Clinical Commissioning Group and charities in the area.

Craig SunterCopyright: Craig Sunter

The service, called Beyond, is offering online and telephone support for those who are struggling with poor mental health due to Covid-19.

Support includes talking therapies, mindfulness tips and advice on how to adapt or establish a routine while self-isolating.

Judd Skelton, assistant director at the council, said:

Quote Message: Beyond truly demonstrates the spirit of Salford and will provide helpful and compassionate support to people who are struggling with their mental health in the current challenging situation.

Beyond truly demonstrates the spirit of Salford and will provide helpful and compassionate support to people who are struggling with their mental health in the current challenging situation.

Plans for a 23-storey residential tower block in Salford have been approved by councillors despite a lack of affordable housing in the proposal.

Jeffrey Bell architectsCopyright: Jeffrey Bell architects

Developers Silverlane have been given the green light to demolish parts of Vicarage Grove to build 272 apartments in three interlinked buildings, of four, six and 23 storeys, in Eccles.

Labour ward councillor Michael Wheeler said the additional homes in the centre would bring "immeasurable benefits" to the town centre and help drive down anti-social behaviour.

Conservative councillor Bob Clarke described the design as "appalling" and a "blot" on the landscape and was among those concerned about there being no affordable housing.

The application was approved with conditions that would allow the appearance to be softened.

Two sycamore trees which have been in Salford for 50 years have been vandalised and will need to be removed, the city council says.

Salford City CouncilCopyright: Salford City Council

The trees near the A580 in Worsley were discovered with a ring around each tree removed right down to the bare wood, using a process known as girdling.

As a result, both trees will die as they cannot draw up water or food because of the breach in the bark.

Salford City CouncilCopyright: Salford City Council

Councillor David Lancaster said the authority would now have to use "scarce public money" to remove them.

Appealing for witnesses to the work being done, he said the matter had been reported to police.

He added:

Quote Message: It looks as if a chainsaw was used and it would have taken 15 to 20 minutes of work to do this.

It looks as if a chainsaw was used and it would have taken 15 to 20 minutes of work to do this.

Quote Message: Whoever is responsible has deliberately set out to kill these two magnificent trees – this is not just a random bit of vandalism.

Whoever is responsible has deliberately set out to kill these two magnificent trees – this is not just a random bit of vandalism.