This note provides an update on the information posted on this blog on Friday (1.5.20).
Key messages for today
- We’ve received around 2,600 registrations for the new free school meals scheme. If you haven’t registered yet, there’s still time.
- There’ll be no changes to bin collections this coming bank holiday Friday.
- From this week, we’ll be phoning people on the ‘shielded’ list to make sure they’re ok.
Ian Bancroft – Chief Executive
Mark Pritchard – Leader of the Council
Free school meals – over 2,600 registrations for new scheme
Today, we’ve introduced a new direct payment system for free school meals.
The new set-up sees money paid directly into the bank accounts of parents or carers, which they can then use to buy their children food.
Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve been encouraging people to register for the scheme.
We’ve had an excellent response so far, with over 2,600 registrations – which is about the same as the number of free school meals we’d normally provide each day.
So we think a large number of families who are eligible are taking up the offer…which is good news for children across the county borough.
How it works
Parents receive a payment at the start of each month that equates to £19.50 per week for each eligible child in their family – which means we’re paying £78 up front to make life as easy as possible for them.
We’re also paying the money irrespective of holidays – so we’re providing money to cover bank holidays, school half terms and so on.
Around 1,100 payments have already been paid into people’s bank accounts. A further 900 will be paid on Thursday, May 7 and further payments made before May 12.
So if you’ve registered and you haven’t received the money yet, you should see it within the next few days.
You can still register
If your children normally receive free school meals and you haven’t registered yet, there’s still time. Just fill-in the form on our website.
[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=”https://myaccount.wrexham.gov.uk/en/service/Free_School_Meals_____Direct_Payment_Application”]REGISTER NOW
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If we have any queries, we’ll get back to you within 10 days.
Otherwise, the money should be in your bank account within 10 days of us receiving your application.
GET THE LATEST COVID-19 INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC HEALTH WALES
No change to bin collections this bank holiday
We’ll empty your bins and collect your recycling as normal this coming bank holiday (Friday, May 8).
So if your ‘bin day’ is usually Friday, please put your bins and recycling out like you normally do…the bank holiday won’t affect anything.
If you get a phone-call from us…
From this week, we’ll be phoning people on the ‘shielded’ list to try and check they’re ok.
These are people who’ve received a letter from the Government encouraging them to self-isolate because they have an underlying health condition.
So if you’re on the list and you receive a phone call from the council, don’t be alarmed…we just want to check you’re ok.
Reminder – are you eligible for business support?
We’ve already paid out more than £20 million to 1,667 businesses in Wrexham as part of the business rates relief support announced by Welsh Government.
Although claims are still being received each day, anyone who hasn’t applied yet is encouraged to check if their business is eligible and – if so – submit an online application.
If you do apply, please check the details you provide very carefully – especially bank account numbers and sort codes – as incorrect details can lead to delays in payment.
Reminder – reliable sources of information about Covid-19
Latest information on the virus and what people should do about it is provided by:
- Daily TV statements by the Government (including by Government ministers).
- Daily official briefings from the Department of Health and Social Care at 2pm, and Public Health Wales at 3pm.
Read the most up-to-date information about Covid-19.
[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-covid-19/”] LATEST INFO ON COVID-19 [/button]
