New birth registration services at four family hubs across North East Lincolnshire will mean parents more convenient and improved options to register their newborns.
Previously new parents had to register their children at the Register Office at Cleethorpes Town Hall, leading to lengthy journeys for some. Now, new government funding has allowed family hubs across North East Lincolnshire to open their doors to parents and carers, where they can more readily access local services such as registering a birth.
Part of the criteria for funding was to give an option to people with newborn babies access to an online booking system for birth registrations, but according to a statement by the council, a commitment to best practice has seen the authority take a different approach. As a result from the end of this month new parents will have the opportunity to see a registrar in person at a local family hub instead of at Cleethorpes Town Hall.
A spokesperson for North East Lincolnshire Council said: “This is great news for local people, and the first time a regional option has been available to our families. The only place you can register a birth at the moment is at the Register Office, Cleethorpes Town Hall , but the appointment of our new family hub registrar will allow people to do this closer to home.
“For people with babies, especially newborns, heading down to Cleethorpes can be a daunting prospect, particularly if you are on the bus. If parents are living in Immingham, for example, it can take an hour and a half to get there, then there is the return journey. Our family hub service will make the registration legalities much easier.”
They continued: “Our registrar has undertaken the formal training required for the role and the service is now up and running.
“Parents registering their children will need to go onto the Council website and select their preferred family hub from the menu, and the preferred time. The Cleethorpes office will remain as it is, and booking will continue in the same way.
“It must be noted that payment is needed at the time of booking, at a cost of £11 for the birth certificate. If registering at the Cleethorpes office, parents will receive a birth certificate immediately, but for those in the family hubs, the birth certificate will be sent in the post.”
Portfolio Holder for Children and Education Councillor Margaret Cracknell said: “We are very pleased to announce the new service, which will not only make it more convenient for parents locally, but it is also lovely to have the option to register the birth of a newborn closer to home.
“Our new staff member is looking forward to getting the service up and running.”
