These are the latest Liverpool ECHO headlines this morning.
Liverpool could face £100m funding gap in two years warns Mayor
Without changes to funding from the UK Government, Liverpool could face a funding gap of more than £100m in two years' time, the city’s Mayor has warned.
Last night, Liverpool Council published its budget proposals as it seeks to plug a £73m blackhole in its finances and set a balanced budget for the next financial year. As a result, among the series of options put forward to save and generate money are a potential hike in council tax, increasing fees and charges as well as a review of its libraries and leisure centres.
Reductions will be made to the city’s culture budget while the amount spent on welfare support schemes could also be reduced. In a statement following the budget options being published, Mayor Joanne Anderson said the Government needed to provide adequate funding for councils like Liverpool “to keep our communities running.”
READ MORE: Health secretary calls for lessons to be learned from Royal hospital opening delay
She said: “The current spending settlement for local government is simply untenable. If nothing changes, Liverpool is facing a funding gap of £84.3m in 2023/24 and £107m in 2024/25.
“We’re calling on the Government to provide adequate funding for councils and a move away from one-year finance settlements, so councils can continue to keep our communities running. Michael Gove previously promised two-year settlements when he was Secretary of State.
“We need this promise to be delivered.” Mayor Anderson said the funding was required to support the “desperate needs” in communities across the city and should it come through, it would be focused on the protection of welfare services. Read more here.
'Loved' woman, 34, who was 'always on right side of history' dies
An influential woman who was "always standing up for what she believed in" died two days before her birthday.
Laura Donovan-Hall, 34, died from brain cancer on October 30 at Woodlands Hospice in Fazakerley with her family by her bedside. Laura first fell ill in August after she suddenly suffered from a seizure at her home in Bootle and was rushed to A&E.
Laura's husband David Hall, 36, told the ECHO: "It was very sudden and very unexpected. They found a growth in her brain and the consultant took a look at it and said it doesn't look too bad, 'it looks like we can do something about this.' So she went in for brain surgery."
READ MORE: Morrisons shopper approached by young lads when car wouldn't start
Doctors were unable to remove the entire tumour during surgery and Laura was told to await the results of a biopsy. The 34-year-old's condition deteriorated rapidly during this time, and she was soon admitted to Aintree University Hospital.
It was here that David was told the devastating news that Laura's cancer was far more aggressive than doctors initially suspected, and she was diagnosed with a stage four brain tumour called Glioblastoma. Read the full story here.
Yellow weather warning for rain in place for Liverpool as Met Office issue warning
Weather warnings have been put in place, as heavy rain is set to cause flooding and disruption across the region.
The Met Office has placed Liverpool on a yellow rain warning for Thursday, November 17. However the alert is set to be over by the end of the working week, as we enter into the weekend.
Low-pressure is moving across southern areas of the UK are bringing heavy rain and high winds at times. These conditions are set to cause flooding and travel disruption, including delays or cancellations to train and bus services.
READ MORE: Liverpool could face £100m funding gap in two years warns Mayor
Met Office Chief Meteorologist Matthew Lehnert said: "Bands of rain associated with this low-pressure will be heavy in places and brings with it the potential for some flooding and travel disruption. The short-term focus for the rainfall is in the south and east later this evening and tomorrow morning.
"15-25mm is likely to fall quite widely, with in excess of 40mm possible in a few places over a 12-hour period. Coupled with this system are some strong winds, with gusts of around 50mph possible along coasts." Read the full story here.
