Here is the latest update from Cardiff Council, covering: Free School Meal delivery is a success for Cardiff; Test, Trace, Protect, the COVID-19 symptoms to look out for, and how to book a test; and beware the waste cowboys.
Free School Meal delivery is success for Cardiff
Cardiff's arrangement to provide Free School Meals via a regular payment system whilst schools have been closed due to COVID-19, has been successfully received.
Developed and delivered by Cardiff Council in partnership with ParentPay, the scheme has ensured children can continue to receive daily meals whilst providing parents and carers with flexibility on where they can shop.
Out of 12,671 families who have children eligible for Free School Meals, 11,216 have activated a ParentPay account, allowing them to receive a fortnightly payment deposited directly into their bank account.
Welsh Government has confirmed that payments will continue throughout the schools holidays until August 31stand will include those pupils in Year 11 - 13, whose entitlement would normally end at the close of the summer term.
Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Cllr Sarah Merry said: "Ensuring that children who usually receive free school meals haven't missed out during school closures has been a priority from the start and a great level of planning has gone into providing families with a range of options to best suit them.
"The regular payment system means that families have morechoice and flexibility on where they purchase their children's food and the numbers to have signed up, shows the scheme has been well received amongst Cardiff's families."
Cllr Merry added, "The development and delivery of free school meal provision has seen several Council teams collaborate and is an excellent example of how Cardiff Council has worked together to successfully deliver essential support and services during the health crisis."
The ParentPay schemeruns alongside the existing voucher arrangement which some families may prefer to continue with. It provides afortnightly voucher which can be redeemed in one of the following six supermarkets; ASDA, Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Marks and Spencer and Waitrose.
In addition, a third option for families who may be shielding or self-isolating is also available which consists of a weekly food delivery direct to families.
If you are a parent or carer who needs support in accessing ParentPay please emailCashless.Catering@cardiff.gov.uk
For all other Free School Meal enquires please contactfreeschool.meals@cardiff.gov.uk
If your financial position has changed due to the current health crisis, you may be entitled to Free School Meals for your children which continue to be provided during school closures. To check if you are eligible and for information on how to apply please visit;
Test, Trace, Protect - Symptoms to look out for, and how to get a test
You may have coronavirus COVID-19 if you have:
- a persistent cough
- high temperature
- loss of taste or smell
Get a test.
Stop the spread.
Keep Wales safe.
Click here to apply for a coronavirus test:
https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-test
Beware the Waste Cowboys
With fortnightly green garden waste collections reinstated from Monday 6th July, we're almost running the waste and recycling service we offered before the Coronavirus pandemic*.
Our bulky waste collection slots are booking up quickly and we ask that you bear with us if you are waiting for a collection.
Please only book a slot if it is absolutely necessary and you are unable to keep the item in safe place at home for the time being. You can find out how to book a collection here:
https://www.cardiff.gov.uk/ENG/resident/Rubbish-and-recycling/Bulky-items/Pages/default.aspx
If you book a household waste collection with a private company or "man with a van", please make sure that they're a registered waste carrier by visiting Natural Resources Wales and check that they have a waste transfer note:
The waste transfer note should give details on where the waste is being taken from and which licensed disposal facility the waste is being taken to. If the person collecting the waste refuses to provide this information, then do not use their services. Otherwise, if the waste is found fly tipped and is traced back to your home, you could be prosecuted or receive a Fixed Penalty Notice.
Our advice is:
- Always check for a waste carrier licence- you can do this by visiting the Natural Resources Wales website
- Always take down the company's name and contact details
- Always ask where the waste is being taken to
- Always get receipts confirming what has been taken and where it is being taken to
If you need to get rid of your items urgently, you can book in at our Recycling Centres at Lamby Way and Bessemer Close, which are now accepting large electrical items, white goods, batteries, clothes, tyres, paint and several other items that were accepted before the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Recycling Centres are for the disposalof household waste only.
Bookings at our Recycling Centre's are limited to 12 visits per year, per household. You can only make 1 visit in a day.
You are now also able to visit Bessemer Close Recycling Centre in a van. You can make 1 visit per day, and van bookings are restricted to 1 per month.
Please make a booking here:
We all have a responsibility to make sure that our waste is disposed of correctly. If we find any evidence among fly-tipped material which leads back to a resident, then they will receive a Fixed Penalty Notice of £300. If we locate the trader that dumped it, they will receive a Fixed Penalty Notice of£400 or face prosecution
For more advice and information about recycling and waste services in Cardiff, please visit:
For more advice and information about fly-tipping, please visit:
*separate glass collections remain suspended. Recycling and food waste is collected weekly. If you are signed up for hygiene waste collections, this is collected fortnightly.