Cheshire West and Chester Council services affected by lockdown restrictions
Cheshire West and Chester Council has announced how its services in towns and villages across the borough will be affected by the national lockdown.

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 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 Council services are as follows:

Parks, open spaces, outdoor play and youth areas will remain open for the purpose of daily exercise. Visitors should follow government guidance regarding 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.
The outdoor gyms located at Westminster Park, Chester and St Anne’s Field in Chester have closed.
Public toilets remain open (between 10am and 5pm) in the following locations:
Ellesmere Port Town Centre (Wellington Road)
Castle Park, Frodsham
Whitby Park, Ellesmere Port
The Groves, Chester
Princess Street (near the Market), Chester, these facilities are temporarily closed, there is alternative portable provision located close by, next to the Market
Grosvenor Park, Chester
Stanney Fields, Neston
Marbury Park, Northwich
Westminster Park, Chester
Moor Lane, Frodsham
Frodsham Street, Chester
Malpas
Parkgate
Tarporley
Shakerley Mere, Little Budworth (disabled toilet only)
Farndon
Hadlow Road, Willaston
Brook Street, Neston
Little Budworth Car Park, Coach Road

Allotments remain open.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 we ask 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. (Further information is available on Football Association website). Tennis, golf, bowling and croquet facilities will be closed.
All libraries, including the home and mobile library service, will close. An Order & Collect service will be available from 7 January from selected libraries. For more information or to place an order visit the Order and Collect web page or telephone the libraries during the times shown.


Library

Order and Collect orders via telephone:

Northwich

Monday
10am to 1pm

Thursday
10am to 1pm

Saturday
10am to 1pm

Winsford

Tuesday
10am to 1pm

Friday
2pm to 5pm

Saturday
10am to 1pm

Neston

Monday
10am to 1pm

Thursday
2pm to 5pm

Saturday
10am to 1pm

Ellesmere Port

Monday
10am to 1pm

Thursday
2pm to 5pm

Saturday
10am to 1pm

Lache

Monday
10am to 1pm

Thursday
2pm to 5pm

Saturday
10am to 1pm

Upton

Tuesday
10am to 1pm

Friday
2pm to 5pm

Saturday
10am to 1pm

Frodsham

Monday
2pm to 5pm

Thursday
10am to 1pm

Saturday
10am to 1pm

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.

Existing loan periods have been extended until 1 March 2021 and overdue charges are suspended. You can check items on loan by logging in to your account or by calling 0300 123 7739 (24 hour line).

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.
All museums in the borough will close to the public, including school visits.The museums’ website and social media channels will have up to date information and interactive activities.
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.