In light of the new national Covid-19 lockdown restrictions that came into force at midnight the council has updated details on how its services might be affected.
I've published below a message received from the council's chief executive setting out details of what they know at the moment and I'll update on any changes as soon as soon as I'm notified of them:
Following yesterday’s debate in Parliament regarding the national lockdown, we are now able to provide details as to how council services will be affected by the latest restrictions.
We are continuously reviewing emerging government advice on how best to stop the spread of coronavirus and considering how we can maintain essential services to residents.
As such, we are prioritising essential services, including adult and children’s services, refuse collections and support for community and voluntary groups and businesses.
However, we have today announced the following further changes to services based on the latest guidance:
• All council libraries will shut from close of business today until further notice. We are working to reintroduce pick and collect at a limited number of libraries as soon as possible.
• All Durham County Council and 1Life-operated leisure centres in the county will close. Memberships will be frozen and all members contacted via email or text to confirm. Where direct debits have already been taken due to imminent payment dates, the subsequent month will be frozen. Annual members will have an additional month added to their membership
• Bishop Auckland Town Hall, Durham Town Hall and Bowlees Visitor Centre are to shut from close of play today until further notice. Durham’s Gala Theatre, the Empire Theatre at Consett, Binchester Roman Fort and Killhope Lead Mining Museum which were already shut will remain closed.
• Grassroots sports and physical activity buildings, pavilions and changing rooms will close.
• Customer access points as well as One Point hubs and family centres will remain closed.
• Cafés at Hardwick Park and Wharton Park will be closed.
Household waste recycling centres will remain open, as will our schools, which continue to follow the latest government guidance.
Playgrounds, parks and allotments will also stay open, with toilets in parks also still accessible.
Funerals will still be able to take place under current restrictions.
It is disappointing that we have had to make changes to some of our services but in the current climate they are necessary and we are doing our very best to ensure the priority services – particularly those supporting the most vulnerable in society – are affected as little as possible by these changes.
Information as to how services are affected is also available on our website at www.durham.gov.uk/coronavirus
