The majority of Gloucestershire County Council’s schools will be opening as normal for the beginning of term next week, despite many having suffered damage during the floods.

However, a number of schools, youth centres, children’s centres and other facilities will still be dealing with the impact of last month’s flooding.

St David’s primary school in Moreton-in-Marsh suffered extensive damage and it is estimated that repairs will cost £1.9m. Nevertheless, the diocese and the county council have been working throughout the holidays to ensure that there will be minimal disruption to pupils by installing temporary buildings at the school. The school will reopen only two days later than planned, on Thursday 6th September.

Councillor Joan Nash, Gloucestershire cabinet member for schools, said:

Just a two day delay in reopening St David’s. Who would have thought that at the height of the floods?

All the other schools that were affected will be opening on time. This success is a tribute, to staff, governors, parents, volunteers and contractors, who, with help and advice from the county council, have worked extremely hard to ensure that pupils do not lose any time at school because of the floods.

Both youth offending service offices in Gloucester are operating normally and arrangements are being made to provide a reduced youth service at Moreton and Tewkesbury youth centres.

Councillor Paul McLain, Gloucestershire cabinet member for young people, said:

The young people’s teams are doing a cracking job. I’m really chuffed that the youth service are already up and running in Moreton and Tewkesbury.

It’s good news that Gloucester’s youth offending services are back to full speed. If we want to turn around the lives of young offenders, then we need to be working from a strong and settled base.

The county council has also been issuing schools with information on practical and emotional support for children and their families affected by the flooding. Issues include dealing with the trauma of being flooded and/or displaced, help with school transport and uniform costs, assessment of extra needs and access to social care services. Lots of useful information is on the county council web pages at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/floodrecovery

The total flooding repair bill for Gloucestershire children and young people’s services is £2.7m.

BBC Points West visited leisure@cheltenham today to see the damage caused by the floods. leisure@cheltenham manager, Stephen Petherick gave the film crew a tour and did an interview about the effects of the flooding.

Despite the difficult circumstances the council’s children and youth services team are launching the ’schools out’ play schemes on Monday 30 July.

Where: Hillview community centre and Swindon Village hall
Time: Registration starts at 10am
Who: For children and young people aged 5-15

Hillview community centre and Swindon Village hall will be opening for children and young people aged five to fifteen to take part in a variety of arts, crafts and sports activities.

Tracy Brown, the council’s children services and youth affairs manager, said:

Our activities are often accessed by some of the most vulnerable children and young people in our community so we felt it was important to run some schemes as soon as possible, despite the difficult circumstances, in order to bring some respite and much needed fun. We had to cancel our activities this week as all our equipment was flooded along with the rest of leisure@cheltenham (see our photographs). We have, however, been able to purchase a small emergency supply of equipment to get the activities going again. We have also been working with other council departments to ensure that we can keep the children supplied with water and the toilet facilities in a sanitary condition.

A variety of activities are on offer including arts and crafts, board games, drama, playstation, circle games as well as football, volleyball and basketball, cricket and rounders and athletics. All activities are supervised by experienced and suitably-checked play workers.

Tracy Brown added:

We are working hard to get our other ’schools out’ sites and ‘play ranger’ schemes under way, and will let everyone know the details as soon as possible.

Councillor Anne Regan, cabinet member for safer and stronger communities, said:

I’m very proud of the way our children and youth services team has worked to get these holiday activities under way. We’re offering fun, safe and affordable play schemes which I know are really appreciated by local families, and I’m sure the children will have a terrific time.

Registration starts at 10am on Monday 30 July and there is no need to book beforehand. A full day costs £3.90 and runs from 10.30am – 3.30pm. Half day sessions cost £1.95 and run from 10.30am – 12.30pm or 1.30pm – 3.30pm.  Concessionary rates are available for Cheltenham Borough Homes tenants and those receiving state benefits (evidence will need to be shown at registration).

Children need to bring a packed lunch and bring play clothes as, weather permitting, some of the activities will be taken outside.

For further information please ring 01242 775212 or keep an eye on the council’s main website at www.cheltenham.gov.uk.

The children and youth services team have been working tirelessly since the flooding to try and get the community play holiday activities up and running as soon as possible.

Our activities are accessed by some of the most vulnerable children and young people in our community so we felt it was important to run some schemes as soon as possible (despite the difficult circumstances) in order to bring some respite and much needed fun.

We had to cancel our activities this week as all our equipment was flooded along with the rest of leisure@cheltenham. However we have been able to purchase a small emergency supply of equipment to get the activities going again. We have also been working with other council departments to ensure that we can keep the children supplied with water and the toilet facilities in a sanitary condition.

We are therefore happy to announce we will be able to open two schools out sites Hillview community centre and Swindon Village hall on Monday 30 July. We will keep everyone updated as to when we will be able to start our other schools out sites and play ranger schemes.

For further information please ring 01242 775212 or keep and eye on the intranet