One stop shop for new-borns

Any new parent will tell you that the process of sorting out their child’s welcome to the world officially can be a real pain.

But no more says Powys County Council which has launched its ‘Tell us Once’to cut back on paperwork and multiple visits to various institutions.

It means that a new parent only has to register the birth and registration staff, with the permission of the parent, will tell certain central and local government departments of their change in circumstances.

The new service will also give parents the opportunity to “fast track” their Child Benefit forms to HM Revenues and Customs. Last year, a similar service was introduced when people were registering deaths.

Councillor Gary Price is the council’s cabinet member with responsibility for the Registration Service. He commented: “Many people in Powys have used Tell us Once when they were registering deaths and I am pleased that we can now offer this to people using our services in happier circumstances.

“A new electronic system has been set up which will distribute the information to certain local and central government departments. However, I must stress that it is not compulsory, it’s entirely up to the parent registering their child.”

Information will also be shared with the county’s Family Information Service (which sends new parents an information pack). Parents will also be given the option of sharing their good news with the council’s schools and housing services.

Parents who wish to know more about the service should ask the Registration Officer for details when registering their child.