Coronavirus council round-up in Peterborough, Cambs and Lincs: Schools update, customer service changes and meetings to be held virtually

Following updated advice from central government, Cambridgeshire County Council today contacted schools and early years settings across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to help clarify the national position on school closures, and to set out how they will continue to support parents and the most vulnerable children at a local level.

The councils said: “The message from government is clear: if it is possible for children to be at home safely then they should be. Parents should not rely on, or ask for, childcare to be provided by anyone who should be stringently social distancing, such as grandparents or anyone with an underlying health condition.

“Children who are at home should also observe the same social distancing principles as adults, and not mix socially in a way that could spread the virus.

“While the government is clear children should be kept at home where safe to do so, there will be some exceptions.

“Schools will be asked to provide optional care for those children who are deemed to be vulnerable. This will include children who are:

. Supported by social care

. Children in Care – known as Looked After Children (LAC)

. Young carers

. Disabled children

. Or have an education, health and care plan (EHCP).

“Children whose parents are ‘key workers’ – those whom the Government deem critical to the Covid-19 response - will also be considered if they cannot be cared for at home. “This will be the case only if both partners are classed as key workers or in single parent families where the parent’s occupation falls within the list.”

The Government’s guidance on Key Workers is here.

Jon Lewis, service director for education at both councils, said: ”We absolutely understand that families are worried about being able to work, and that the current situation brings a lot of uncertainty. We have worked with schools and settings directly to ensure children have access to resources that will allow them to continue learning during this period and we will keep the lines of communication open throughout.

“I want to thank parents and staff across our schools and early years settings for the hard work and dedication they have shown over the last few weeks.

“The health, wellbeing and protection of our pupils, parents and staff remains our number one priority and we are taking these steps to minimise the risks to them.

“I would like to reiterate the Government’s message: where children can safely be at home, they should be. Therefore, I would ask that you don’t send your children to school from Monday onwards. Schools will be in touch with parents directly to identify the care and support available to the children of key workers or those considered vulnerable.”

. The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority said its Overview and Scrutiny meeting scheduled for Monday has been cancelled and rescheduled for Monday, March 30 at 11am with the expectation that the legislation will have been changed to hold it as a virtual meeting.

The Audit & Governance meeting has been cancelled, but the board meeting on Wednesday is set to go ahead as a virtual meeting.

It is the combined authority’s intention for press and public to be able to follow the meeting on the website. If not, there is a backup option of a recording of the meeting being made public.

Minutes and decision summaries will be captured and disseminated in the normal way.

. Fenland District Council is temporarily changing the way it delivers face-to-face customer services by introducing a number of measures at its customer service Ccentres and community hubs.

The following measures have been introduced at the customer service centres at Fenland Hall, March, and Boathouse Business Centre, Wisbech, and community hubs at Whittlesey and Chatteris libraries:

. Staff and customers to maintain a two-metre distance from others, with the help of safety barriers

. Self-service at payment machines

. A limit of two customers at any one time

. All customers asked to use hand sanitisers and wipes as they enter.

Customers are also being encouraged to request council services through its website at www.fenland.gov.uk where possible or by phone on 01354 654321. Customers can also email the Ccuncil on [email protected] or message via Facebook or Twitter.

There are currently 21 out of 303 members of staff self-isolating in line with Government advice with many of those working from home.

Residents can get daily updates regarding at www.fenland.gov.uk/coronavirus and through the council’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.

* South Kesteven District Council has launched a new community information hub to support residents across the district.

The hub will be the first point of contact for communities and individuals sharing or requiring information about Covid-19.

Dedicated phone lines and an email address will go live on Saturday at 8am.

Phones will be staffed between 8am and 10pm, seven days a week, responding to requests for help or information from people who are vulnerable or need assistance because of age or ill-health.

The dedicated numbers are 01476 406177 and 01476 406358 and the email address is [email protected].