Returning safely to Cardiff schools
We have put together some Frequently Asked Questions for parents and pupils on returning to schools in September.
School Street enforcement will resume from 14th September 2020. Check if there are traffic schemes planned for your school.
There is also a Frequently Asked Questions pageDolen allanol yn agor mewn ffenest newydd on the Welsh Government website which will provide answers to common questions. Read more information about schools restarting on the Welsh Government website.External link opens in a new window
Key worker Childcare Provision
Applications for key worker childcare closed at 12 midnight on Friday 17 June 2020.
There are no plans for Cardiff Council to offer childcare for school aged children of keyworkers through the summer holiday period.
Free school meals
Welsh Government has confirmed that payments will continue throughout the schools holidays until August 31st and will include those pupils in Year 11 – 13, whose entitlement would normally end at the close of the summer term.
Parents and carers of children currently receiving Free School Meals will be sent a downloadable voucher to the value of £40 for the benefit of their eligible child or children which can be spent in one of the following supermarkets:
- Tesco
- Asda
- Sainsbury’s
- Morrisons
- Marks and Spencer
-
Waitrose
Families who are eligible will receive a letter with details of the voucher directly from the Council.
View a copy of the letterExternal link opens in a new window
To apply for Free School Meals, email Freeschoolmeals@cardiff.gov.ukExternal link opens in a new window
The Council have also developed an arrangement to enable parents and carers to buy food using funds deposited directly into their bank account. This will deliver BACS payments using Parent Pay, an online payment system already used by 91 of Cardiff’s schools.
Parents or carers with children who are eligible for Free School Meals will receive a letter providing information on how to receive the fortnightly payment. For those who are not yet using Parent Pay, there will be a step by step guide on how to register and contact details should you need further assistance.
This arrangement will provide parents with more flexibility on where they can shop. The voucher scheme which is currently being delivered will continue to run alongside the new arrangement.
School Admissions
School Admission Appeals
Cardiff Council has implemented its plan to keep people safe and help businesses to reopen, including:
- Setting up staffed welcome and information points;
- Creating a clearly signed walking system - accessible to all;
- Establishing queuing areas outside shops;
- Leaving available bench spaces where people can stop to rest;
- Closing Castle Street and Mill Lane to traffic;
- Help and advice for people with disabilities including a motorised, buggy, pick-up service.
Read more about Council
plans for the city centre as lockdown restrictions are lifted.The
Visit Cardiff websiteExternal link opens in a new window has more advice and information for residents and visitors.
Play areas
Work has begun to ensure that children's play areas and outdoor fitness equipment in Cardiff's parks are safe to use, following the Welsh Government announcement that they can now re-open to the public.
Roath Park Lake
A temporary one-way system for pedestrians around Roath Park Lake will remain in place seven days a week until further notice.
Two-way traffic will be maintained on Wild Gardens, Lake Road East and Lake Road West, between the Wild Gardens and the promenade. Here, all visitor parking will be removed, nearest to the lake, which will provide additional space for cyclists and joggers.
Blackweir Bridge
Blackweir Bridge across the Taff is closed to the public.
A limited number of hubs are providing essential services and support to residents.
Libraries
Books are now set to renew automatically and any holds have been suspended, overdue fines are not being charged so please do not travel to try and return books or other stock items.
You can access e-books, audio books and magazines via our online libraryExternal link opens in a new window
You can also use our Click and Collect Library ServiceLink opens in a new window to order a selection of books from one of the currently available hubs.
We have created some Lockdown Activities including videos, activity sheets, and quizzes for you to enjoy at home whilst the Hubs and Libraries are closed.
Cardiff Council Public Rights of Way network remains open for the public to use. This will remain under review and may change if areas are identified where groups of people are congregating and not adhering to measures set out by the Government.
We ask that all members of the public follow the requirements for social distancing and use their local routes rather then travel to the countryside unnecessarily. Many footpaths and bridleways cross private land, working farms and in some cases are close to private homes.
Please keep to the paths, keep your distance from landowners and continue to follow the restrictions and measures which are in place to protect you and others.
Footpath closure notice
Requirement to close to reduce the risk of public contact and spread of the coronavirus.
From March 31, 2020 until end of the COVID-19 emergency period.
Events scheduled to take place in 2020 will remain under review and decisions on whether or not they go ahead will be made based on the latest Government advice at that time.
New birth registrations
Following on from Welsh government guidance we have begun our recovery process of registering births. We have over 1,750 births outstanding and will be prioritising working our way through this list in date order.
Weddings
A maximum of 10 guests can now attend marriages and civil partnerships held in the small ceremony room at the Register Office, but Welsh Government / Public Health Wales guidelines and social distancing rules must be followed at all times.
Ceremonies at approved premises such as hotels are still not being held as they are dependent on lockdown restrictions being lifted further and are awaiting specific guidance for Wales from the Welsh Government and General Register Office.
Ceremonies at religious venues such as churches, chapels and temples can also now take place, but again Welsh Government / Public Health Wales guidelines and social distancing rules must be adhered to.
Wedding receptions are still prohibited under current social distancing requirements.
If you have a booking with us and would like to discuss your
options, please get in touch on 029 2087 1680/4 or email ceremonies@cardiff.gov.ukExternal link opens in a new window
Funerals
We have introduced limits on the number of people attending funerals. A maximum of ten immediate family members will be able to attend burials and cremations taking place at Thornhill Crematorium and the city's cemeteries.
The standard £50 fee for live webcasts of funeral services has been waived.
Four Cardiff cemeteries will re-open to members of the public from Saturday 25 April. Teams will be in place to ensure social distancing is maintained and the spaces are not used inappropriately during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.
Please only visit the cemeteries if you are attending a grave or for a funeral Access to Thornhill Cemetery and Crematorium is restricted. In line with Welsh Government legislation the Crematorium itself will be closed to the wider public, with the exception of a maximum of 10 immediate family members attending funerals and burials.
No public access will be allowed to other areas of the site, such as the gardens, memorials or Book of Remembrance.
Our priority is to keep our tenants safe at this very difficult time and this means some changes to services have been necessary. The changes we have made are in line with Public Health and Welsh Government guidance.
See
Letter to Tenants from Julie James, Minister for Housing and Local Government (450kb PDF)Link opens in a new window
Repairs
We have returned to completing outstanding work of all priorities and we are accepting new repair requests through C2C from 3rd August 2020.
When undertaking visits, operatives will adhere to social distancing guidelines and tenants will be notified about this before the visit happens.
If you develop any COVID-related symptoms, please contact us as soon as possible to re-arrange your appointment.
Rent Payments
Most services have returned to normal, however tenants who are experiencing problems with rent payments should continue to get in touch with us. Staff are available to offer advice and support and will continue to support tenants through this difficult time.
Tenancy and Anti-social behaviour issues
Home visits are being carried out for emergency and urgent cases. Any visits to external areas have also recommenced. Routine work will continue to be carried out on the phone if possible.
Cleaning of Communal Areas of Flats
Services have returned to normal. This includes cleaning plus clean and clear services.
Tenant Participation
All meetings organised by the Council are being suspended. We strongly advise that all groups suspend their meetings.
Moving Home
Viewings are taking place virtually. When property works are completed, a video will be sent to the applicant who has signed for the property to detail what work has been done.
Tenancy agreements and other related documents will be issued and signed digitally.
After a tenancy agreement is signed, we will contact the tenant to discuss the terms and conditions of their tenancy, plus assist with any other requests – e.g. setting up utilities or sourcing support (if required).
Access to keys will be provided at this point.
Exchanges are now being carried out however there is a delay in processing applications so please be patient. Read more information on exchanges.
Homelessness
We will still be working on our empty properties and helping homeless people to move out of temporary accommodation and hostels.
Changes to Park and Ride due to COVID-19:
Park and Ride East: Monday – Friday only. No weekend service.
Park and Ride West: Monday - Friday only. Access to 95B now via Clos Parc Morgannwg off Sloper Road.
Park and Ride South: No bus service. Park and Stride from County Hall car park.