Newborns can now be registered for first time since March
County council is easing restrictions and opening up services
BABIES can be registered from this week for the first time since March as lockdown restrictions continue to ease.
More than 1,500 babies have been born in Leicestershire over the past 12 weeks and the county council is now resuming registrations.
With many shops starting to open their doors, the authority is also helping make town centres safe for businesses and shoppers - and bidding for money to bring in ‘pop-up’ cycle lanes.
Beacon Hill Café is set to reopen in the next few weeks, offering food and drink to take away only, and contactless payment is available from today on park and ride services in and out of Leicester.
Councillor Blake Pain, acting deputy leader, said: “Many of our vital services have been running 24/7 but some have been stood down or adapted. We’re supporting residents, communities and businesses by bringing back services, where we can, in line with the latest Government guidance.
“Reinstating birth registrations is good news for parents during what remains a difficult time. Social distancing measures are still in place – and we’re encouraging everyone to observe these – but this is an example of how we’re doing everything we can to provide key services safely.”
Birth registrations will resume for babies born in Leicestershire or Leicester from today – offices are covid-secure and opening in phases, and people wanting to book an appointment should complete an online form: www.leicestershire.gov.uk/registrars/birthregistration/register-a-birth
Nearly 13,500 primary school children across the county are now back at their desks, with most primary schools in the position of being able to open for a wider age range. Towards the end of last week, 45 per cent of reception and year 1 children were in school - and 56 per cent of year 6 students were also in classrooms. Secondaries are planning to welcome back years 10 and 12 this week.
With traffic levels rising, parking enforcement teams are increasing patrols to keep vehicles moving and keep the roads safe – and concessionary travel on public transport is moving back to free travel for bus pass holders between 9.30am and 11pm (Monday - Friday), all day Saturdays, Sundays and
Bank holidays.
During lock down:
■ Social care teams are working round-the-clock to make sure people have the care and support they need – this includes the 25,000 ‘shielded’ people across Leicestershire;
■ School appeal hearings are taking place online – normally, the council manages about 1,500 appeals from parents, usually by them attending County Hall for an in-person hearing with an independent panel – but these are now taking place over Skype;
■ We launched a major recruitment drive for social care staff - anyone interested in joining our team can find out more at www.leicestershire.gov.uk/jobs ;
■ Our educational psychology service has been helping parents and carers support children during lockdown. Their telephone helpline is open from 9am-11.30am Monday-Friday, call 0116 305 5100 or email psychology@leics.gov.uk ;
■ The council launched a £1.5m communities fund to support voluntary groups deliver crucial work;
■ The council added 700 new e-books a month for library users – following a 35 per cent rise in loans.