CHESHIRE West and Chester Council has provided an update on how its services – such as libraries, public toilets and household waste recycling sites – will be affected by the latest national lockdown.

With the borough's Covid-19 infection rate continuing to soar, council officers have been assessing how best to keep both residents and staff safe while prioritising resources for frontline services.

Council leader Louise Gittins said the authority's aim is to keep the "vast majority" of its services running.

She explained: “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."

How the national lockdown will affect Cheshire West and Chester Council services:

  • 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 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, Castle Park (Frodsham), Whitby Park (Ellesmere Port), The Groves (Chester), Grosvenor Park (Chester), Stanney Fields (Neston), Westminster Park (Chester), Moor Lane (Frodsham), Frodsham Street (Chester), Malpas, Parkgate, Tarporley, Farndon, Hadlow Road (Willaston) and Brook Street (Neston). Princess Street (near Chester Market) is temporarily closed, but there is alternative portable provision located nearby.
  • 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 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 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 and collect service was made available from January 7. Collect orders via telephone from 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). Existing loan periods have been extended until March 1 and overdue charges are suspended.
  • 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 six people would be allowed to attend.
  • Funerals up to a maximum of 30 CAN 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 says it will continue to monitor all its frontline services and will review the impact of Covid-19 on service delivery as the lockdown progresses.