North Somerset Council service update – Tuesday 24 March
We aim to issue an update on the latest situation with council services every working day. Any new developments will be highlighted – for example, the information about car parks in today’s update. Even if there are no new developments we will issue an update to say so!
All critical services
We have plans in place to make sure critical front line services keep running as the coronavirus epidemic develops. These include identifying and training staff for possible redeployment into essential services, and looking at service changes that could be made in the coming weeks. Any changes will be advertised on our website at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/coronavirus
Business checks
North Somerset Council’s Licensing team have been out conducting business visits to check that social distancing measures are being observed following reports of breaches over the weekend and would like to thank businesses for complying. The issue has highlighted the importance of social distancing to protect ourselves and those around us.
Council offices
In line with the latest government advice if you need to contact us, please do this online at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/connect or over the phone – please do not visit council offices if possible.
If you usually come in and use one our council tax payment kiosks, please consider switching to online payments. You can find out more at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/counciltax or pay by phone by calling 01934 888 121. You will need your 10-digit council tax reference number, which you can find on your bill, and your credit or debit card.
Leisure centres and venues
All our leisure and sports centres are closed. Go to www.n-somerset.gov.uk/coronavirus for more information.
All events are cancelled until further notice at the following venues – The Tropicana and Playhouse in Weston-super-Mare and Somerset Hall in Portishead. The Bay Café is also closed.
The Campus
The Campus in Weston-super-Mare is closed until further notice. However, the midwifery care at The Campus children’s centre will continue so people are to keep attending appointments and will be able to access the building.
Children’s centres
If you are currently under midwifery care at one of the area’s children’s centres, keep attending at your usual location as these midwife appointments will continue.
All universal groups such as Stay and Plays have stopped at all children’s centres. Most children’s centres are closed (apart for midwifery services) but four remain open – Portishead, Clevedon, Locking Castle and Ashcombe – for family support groups, such as those for vulnerable people and one-to-ones.
Play areas
Play areas have been closed until further notice to ensure any visits to parks are only for the purposes of exercise as outlined by the government.
Recycling and waste
Kerbside recycling and waste collections are continuing as normal for now – see press release. The council’s three recycling centres at Backwell, Portishead and Weston-super-Mare are closed until further notice.
Car parks
Nine car parks have been closed today to reduce the opportunity for people to visit areas following last night’s government announcement about the introduction of more stringent social distancing measures. They are:
- Salthouse, Clevedon
- Bus Terminus, Kewstoke/Sand Bay
- Beach Road (opposite Commodore), Kewstoke/Sand Bay
- Marine Parade, Weston-super-Mare
- Uphill Beach, Uphill
- Knightstone Causeway, Weston-super-Mare (access will remain for residents)
- Melrose, Weston-super-Mare
- Worlebury Woods, Weston-super-Mare
- Kilkenny Fields and cricket club car park Lake Grounds, Portishead.
Advice for businesses
There is a round-up of the measures being put in place to support businesses and employers at www.n-somerset.gov.uk/coronavirus.
Registration Service
No ceremonies will be conducted from today and the service will be open for death registrations only, in line with the government announcement yesterday. Go to www.n-somerset.gov.uk/coronavirus for more information.
Libraries
All North Somerset libraries, including the mobile library, are closed until further notice. While we recognise that libraries are important hubs of the communities which hundreds of people visit every day, our priority is to protect the health and wellbeing of our visitors and staff.
Libraries are more than just a physical space and we aim to continue to deliver a range of services, including access to eBooks, eMagazines and eResources. The libraries service will be working hard to develop additional digital outreach. This could include online activities for pre-school children such as online Rhymetimes, keeping in touch with home service customers by phone to reduce risk of social isolation and promoting home-schooling resources.
We will also be making it easier for people to join online and this will be promoted widely, with investment for the coming financial year switched from hardcopy to digital to extend the eBook and eAudio titles offer.
Existing loans will be automatically extended until Wednesday 1 July. Please do not return any items borrowed from the library during this time and please do not leave them on library doorsteps, as they could be stolen or damaged.
Extended Access is not available at Portishead and Winscombe Libraries and Worle and Yatton Library and Children’s Centres.
Congresbury Community Library, which is run by volunteers, is also closed.
Some libraries share a building with children’s centres. If you are currently under midwifery care at one of the area’s children’s centres, keep attending at your usual location as these midwife appointments will continue.
For the latest updates follow us on Twitter at @nsomlibraries or on Facebook /NSlibraries.
Online services will still be available to use:
Online library from home:
Including ebooks and audio books.
Enquiry service:
To join online visit www.librarieswest.org.uk/join.
North Somerset Council is following the latest Government advice regarding the wellbeing of residents, staff and contractors during the developing coronavirus situation.
As a provider of services to some of the most vulnerable people in the community, the council will make sure it maintains service levels in critical areas.
The council is reviewing advice and information and will make update decisions daily in response to the changing situation.
Residents are urged to visit www.n-somerset.gov.uk/coronavirus for the latest information about services. Updates will also be posted to the council’s Facebook and Twitter feeds.
