DETAILS of how council services in Frodsham and across West Cheshire are affected by the national lockdown have been released by West and Chester Council.
Council officers have been assessing the potential impact of the new lockdown and the continued effect on services of the coronavirus pandemic.
Covid-19 infection rates in Cheshire West and Chester are too high and the public residents have been urged to stay at home to slow the spread of the virus. The council is looking at how to keep both residents and staff members safe and prioritising resources for frontline services that many people rely upon.
Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Councillor Louise Gittins said: “Following the Government’s third lockdown announcement, there will be some changes to how our services are delivered.
“We are doing everything possible to continue to deliver vital services to support the borough. However, to keep everyone safe some facilities do have to close or reduce the services available during the lockdown period. Our aim is that the vast majority of our services will continue to be operational.
“Stay safe, be kind and above all let’s all play our part to turn this around during these challenging times.”
The effects on local services are as follows:
•Parks, open spaces, outdoor play and youth areas will remain open for the purpose of daily exercise. But visitors should follow government guidance on social distancing, follow any signage and wash their hands when they return home. Residents are able to meet outdoors with one person not from their own household for their daily exercise.
•Public toilets remain open (between 10am and 5pm) at Castle Park, Frodsham and Moor Lane, Frodsham.
•Allotments remain open But again, social distancing should be maintained and residents are permitted to meet outdoors with one person not from their own household.
•Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) remain open but the council asks that people only travel there for essential reasons and be patient to ensure distancing can be maintained on sites. A proof of residency will need to be shown to HWRC staff.
•All fixtures and training for indoor and outdoor youth and adult grassroots football will be suspended.Tennis, golf, bowling and croquet facilities will be closed.
•All libraries, including the home and mobile library service, will close. An Order & Collect service is available by telephone from Frodsham Library on Mondays from 2pm-5pm, Thursdays from 10am – 1pm and Saturdays from 10am-1pm.
For more information or to place an order visit the Order and Collect web page or telephone the libraries during the above hours.
Many library services will continue to be available via online and digital methods including eBooks, audio downloads, eMagazines, eNewspapers and eResources visit www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.
The Education Library Service will continue to supply resources to subscribing schools and educational settings. The majority of volunteering activities within council settings will stop. The council’s Community Champions network will continue.
•Ranger stations, pavilions and community centres remain closed except where existing community food distribution is currently being provided.
Public access to the Cheshire Record Office is suspended but online services will continue to be available and staff are still responding to enquiries.
The Registration team will continue to provide death registrations by telephone.
Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies will not be permitted to take place except, in exceptional circumstances and where one of the couple is seriously ill and not expected to recover, or is to undergo debilitating treatment or life-changing surgery In these limited circumstances a maximum of 6 people would be allowed to attend.
Funerals up to a maximum of 30 may take place at Chester crematorium and at Council cemeteries. Social distancing must be maintained at the funeral between individuals who are not from the same household or support bubble.
The council will continue to monitor all its front-line services and will review the impact of COVID-19 on service delivery as the lockdown progresses.
Information on the Council’s website will be updated regularly