Category: Council Services

This note provides an update on the information posted on this blog yesterday (25.3.20).

Key messages for today

• From Monday, March 30, home to school transport will be suspended until further notice across the county borough.
• If your children are entitled to free school meals, you’ll be able to collect ‘grab and go’ packed lunches from one of 10 sites from tomorrow.
• We’re suspending the introduction of the new garden waste collection service, and will continue to collect everyone’s garden waste for free for as long as we can. If you’ve already paid, you won’t lose out…you’ll still get a full 12 months service from when the scheme begins.
• Please don’t put tissue paper in your blue recycling sacks or top wheelie boxes.
• You can now make a claim for Child Benefit or Universal Credit before you register your child’s birth.
• Make sure you know how new laws introduced to fight Covid-19 affect your business.
• The volunteer scheme operating in the Wrexham area is run by AVOW and you can register online.

Ian Bancroft – Chief Executive

Mark Pritchard – Leader of the Council

The UK has changed dramatically over the past few days and – as you know – we’re only providing critical council services now.

These are things we’ve identified as absolutely crucial to our communities and the running of the council. Social services, sheltered accommodation, emptying bins and other things that people really depend on.

Our staff are working hard to keep these services going, but it’s a challenge. A challenge like we’ve never faced before.

As our customers and residents, there are things you can do to help us – so we can keep these services going, and provide help where it’s most needed.

Call volumes to council phone numbers are extremely high, so please…only contact us by phone when it’s absolutely essential and about a critical service.

This means our staff can provide a quick response to people who really need it.

Please continue to keep your distance from one another and follow the Government’s instructions. By staying apart, we’re saving lives, and helping to keep Wrexham as safe as it can be.

We’ve put together the following information to help you understand the latest changes to council services.

Schools

As you know, schools in Wrexham have been providing places for the children of ‘key workers’, as well as children registered as vulnerable.

If you’re a key worker, please note the following guidance from Welsh Government.

“If you’re classed as a critical worker, but are able to perform the critical parts of your job effectively when working from home, then you should do so.

“If one parent is a critical worker, but the other parent is not, then the other parent should provide safe alternative arrangements at home when possible.”

Free school meals

We’re working hard to try and provide free school meals to children who aren’t in school at the moment.

If your children are entitled to free school meals, you’ll be able to collect ‘grab and go’ packed lunches from one of the following sites from tomorrow.

• Caia Park Estates office
• Plas Madoc Estates office
• Broughton Estates office
• Gwersyllt Estates office
• Rhos Estates office (Stiwt)
• Memo Hall Wrexham
• Plas Pentwyn Coedpoeth
• Llay Resource Centre
• Overton Library (Cocoa Rooms)
• Ysgol Y Waen Chirk

You can go to the nearest site.

Packed lunches must be collected between 11.30am and 1pm by a parent or carer.

You’ll need to give staff the name of your child / children and the school they attend, and you’ll only be able to collect a packed lunch for your own child / children.

You’ll also need to follow social distancing measures…maintaining your distance from other people.

We’ll continue to provide this service during normal school days.

School transport

From Monday, March 30, home to school transport will be suspended until further notice across the county borough.

This is to reduce non-essential travel and to ensure social distancing of children.

The take-up of home to school transport has been extremely low this week, which has also contributed to the decision.

SEN (Special Education Needs) home to school transport will continue for children travelling to their usual facilities.

GET THE LATEST COVID-19 INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC HEALTH WALES

Waste and recycling

Garden waste

We were due to implement a new garden waste collection service in April that residents would have to pay for each year.

We’re now suspending the introduction of that service, and will continue to collect everyone’s garden waste for free for as long as we can.

We’re unable to issue any refunds, but if you’ve already paid the £25 you’ll get a full 12 months service from when the scheme begins…so you won’t lose out. You don’t need to contact us, as we have a full record of customers who’ve paid so far.

To help ease pressure on our Contact Centre staff, we won’t be taking payments for the new scheme until further notice, and will only be handling enquiries for critical services.

If you haven’t already paid, don’t panic. We’ll start taking payments again when the emergency is over, and we’re in a position to introduce the new service.

Easing pressure on our Contact Centre staff is really important, as people with underlying health conditions will be receiving letters from the Government in the next few days, and some of them will need to contact us for support.

So it’s important our staff are available to help them.

If you do need to contact us, please email contact-us@wrexham.gov.uk or visit our website.

Tissues

Please don’t put tissue paper in your blue recycling sacks or top wheelie boxes.

Discarded tissues should be bagged and placed in general rubbish bins.

Our collection crews have reported an increase in the number of tissues being disposed of via recycling containers over the past week.

If any member of your household has shown symptoms of Covid-19, tissues should be double-bagged, tied securely and kept separate from other waste.

These bags should be put aside for at least 72 hours, before being placed into your external household waste bin.

Registering births and claiming Child Benefit / Universal Credit

You can now make a claim for Child Benefit or Universal Credit before you register your child’s birth.

Under normal circumstances, the birth must be registered before you make a claim, but the rules have been changed due to the current situation.

All appointments at the Guildhall for birth-registrations and marriage / civil partnership notices have already been suspended until further notice.

Business support

New laws

Make sure you know how new laws introduced to fight Covid-19 affect your business.

Commercial rent

If you’re one of our commercial tenants or market stall holders, you will (if you haven’t already) receive an email from us about rent and service charges.

If your business is affected by the current situation, then a three-month ‘holiday’ period on rent and service charge payments is available (between April 1 and June 30).

This is the same time-period the Government has suggested for mortgage ‘holidays’.

Payment for the three months will still be due at the end of June, unless there’s a need to extend the holiday period (we’ll continue to be guided by the Government).

If the situation changes, we’ll keep our commercial tenants and stall holders informed.

Dogs on leads in public spaces

To support social distancing, we’re asking dog-owners to keep their pets on the lead at all times in parks, public open spaces and public footpaths.

Volunteering in Wrexham

There’s been some confusion following the Government call for 250,000 volunteers to support the NHS, and the app that people can use to register.

Please note this is an England-only scheme and doesn’t apply in Wales.

The volunteer scheme operating in Wrexham is run by AVOW and you can register online.

You can also email AVOW or telephone 01978 312556 to learn how you can help.

The AVOW scheme is in addition to the many schemes set up at street level in local neighborhoods. You should be able to find out more about local neighborhood schemes through your community council or councillors.

Homeless and rough sleeper provision

The council is continuing to provide its service to people who might be threatened with homelessness during this difficult time.

We’re asking customers to phone the homeless referral number on 01978 292947, so they can be assessed over the phone to ensure they receive appropriate accommodation, advice and support.

We’ve put in place urgent arrangements to protect those at the most acute end of homelessness – our rough sleeper community. This will help people move off the streets so they can protect themselves and others.

We’re working with all of our partners to provide additional facilities so that those without a home are safe, have access to temporary accommodation, good sanitation, access to food and clean water, and can safely self-isolate.

Any person sleeping rough is encouraged to contact us on 01978 292947.

Reminder – reliable sources of information about Covid-19

Latest information on the virus and what people should do about it is provided by:

• Daily TV statements by the Government (including by the Prime Minister).
• Daily official briefings from the Department of Health and Social Care at 2pm, and Public Health Wales at 3pm.

This is a rapidly changing situation, so we will issue further information as and when appropriate.

Read the most up-to-date information about Covid-19.

[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-covid-19/”] LATEST INFO ON COVID-19 [/button]

Covid-19 (Novel Coronavirus) – public briefing note 25.3.20

This note provides an update on the information posted on this blog yesterday (24.3.20).

Key messages for today

• From Monday, March 30, home to school transport will be suspended until further notice across the county borough.
• The impact of coronavirus has affected our planning and building control services. The Planning Committee scheduled for April has been cancelled.
• Our public footpaths remain open, but users must adhere to social distancing.
• Gas servicing of council houses will continue across the county borough.
• We’re still getting reports of people using our play areas. Please don’t use them.
• Call volumes to council phone numbers are extremely high – please contact us by phone only when it’s essential. This means we can provide a quick response to people who really need it.
• To help workers providing critical services for the public (e.g. health, social care, supermarkets, banks) we’re suspending from today all charging in all of our public car parks. We also hope this supports people who need to do essential food shopping.
• The suspension of charging in our car parks is only to support those going about delivering critical services and doing essential food shopping. People should not be travelling or leaving their homes unless it’s in line with the Government’s instructions.

Ian Bancroft – Chief Executive

Mark Pritchard – Leader of the Council

Please remember. You can now only leave your home for the following, very limited purposes:

• Shopping for basic necessities, as infrequently as possible.
• One form of exercise a day – for example a run, walk or cycle – alone or with members of your household.
• Any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person.
• Travelling to and from work, but only where this is absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home.

Please continue to keep your distance from one another. By staying apart, we’re saving lives, and helping to keep Wrexham as safe as it can be.

We’ve put together the following information to help you understand the latest changes to council services.

Schools

School transport

As you know, schools in Wrexham have been providing places for the children of ‘key workers’, as well as children registered as vulnerable.

From Monday, March 30, home to school transport will be suspended until further notice across the county borough.

This is to reduce non-essential travel and to ensure social distancing of children.

The take-up of home to school transport has been extremely low this week, which has also contributed to the decision.

SEN (Special Education Needs) home to school transport will continue for children travelling to their usual facilities.

Free school meals

We’re working hard to put in place measures to provide free school meals to children who aren’t in school at the moment.

This is a huge challenge for councils across Wales and we’re looking into using some of our own premises to distribute ‘grab and go’ food bags which contain a packed lunch.

We can produce sufficient numbers, we just need to find the most effective distribution method. We don’t want to crowd schools or create unnecessary gatherings, so will need to plan carefully.

We hope to have something up and running by Friday and will communicate this to schools and on our social media channels as soon as possible.

We’re also waiting for advice on the national voucher scheme, which is being explored by Welsh Government.

GET THE LATEST COVID-19 INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC HEALTH WALES

Planning services

The impact of coronavirus has placed significant strain on our planning and building control services.

The Planning Committee scheduled for April has been cancelled.

It may take us longer to respond to correspondence, and newly submitted applications and enquiries will experience a delay in registration.

There will also be some delay in issuing decision notices. This is likely to be up to three weeks or more.

Also, the Planning Inspectorate has indicated that all hearings and enquiries – including site visits – have been cancelled until further notice.

If you’re an existing customer, local councillor or community council, and have a query or require an update on your planning proposals, please try and submit this by email directly to the relevant officer.

Any applications, enquiries or correspondence received during this period will nevertheless be considered in due course.

Public footpaths

Our Public Rights of Way network remains open, but this may change if areas are identified where groups of people are congregating and actively ignoring measures set out by the Government.

We’re asking everyone to stick to social distancing and use their local routes, rather then travel to the countryside unnecessarily.

Many footpaths and bridleways cross private land, working farms and in some cases are close to private homes. Please keep to the paths, keep your distance from landowners and continue to follow the restrictions and measures which are in place to protect you and others.

All path closure notices will be published online and notices posted on site under The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Closure of Leisure Businesses, Footpaths and Access Land) (Wales) Regulations 2020.

Housing tenants

Gas servicing of council houses

Gas servicing will continue across the county borough for our housing tenants.

This is a legal obligation and helps to ensure people’s safety.

Tenants will receive a phone call prior to any visit to discuss, and precautions will be taken in line with Government guidelines.

Play areas

All council-managed play areas have been shut since the start of this week to support social distancing.

Despite this, we’re still getting reports of people using them. Please don’t. Our play areas are shut and the Government has made it clear that people should only be leaving their homes for very limited purposes.

It’s difficult to physically close some play areas off, but where possible we’ll be taking measures to try and secure them.

Car parks

To support workers providing critical services for the public (e.g. health, social care, supermarkets, banks) we’re suspending from today all charging in all of our public car parks.

We also hope this supports people who need to do essential shopping.

This suspension of charging in our car parks is only to support those going about delivering critical services and doing essential food shopping.

People should not be travelling or leaving their homes unless it’s in line with the Government’s instructions.

Reminder – critical services only

We’re only providing critical council services now. These are things we’ve identified as absolutely crucial to our communities and the running of the council.

They include social services, advice on housing benefits, sheltered accommodation, schools (currently open to children of key workers and vulnerable children only), emptying bins, homelessness and other things that people depend on.

The virus will continue to impact on our workforce, but we’re making plans to ensure we can continue to deliver these services.

Call volumes to council phone numbers are extremely high – please contact us by phone only when it’s essential. This means we can provide a quick response to people who really need it.

This is even more important as people with underlying health conditions receive letters over the next few days, and need to contact us for support.

Reminder – people with underlying health conditions

As we mentioned yesterday, the Government is sending letters to people across the UK with underlying health conditions that make them more vulnerable to Covid-19.

The letters will advise people to stay at home and avoid any face-to-face contact for at least 12 weeks.

If you receive one of these letters and you don’t have any friends, relatives or neighbours who can deliver food and medicine for you, or you can’t order your food online, the letter will tell you to contact us using a phone number provided.

If you need to call us, rest assured that we’re working hard with partners to put in place measures that will enable us to help you.

Reminder – reliable sources of information about Covid-19

Latest information on the virus and what people should do about it is provided by:

• Daily TV statements by the Government (including by the Prime Minister).
• Daily official briefings from the Department of Health and Social Care at 2pm, and Public Health Wales at 3pm.

Can you help as a volunteer?

You can register as a potential volunteer to help staff delivering front-line services and to support community befriending.

AVOW (Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham) is encouraging people to sign-up.

This is a rapidly changing situation, so we will issue further information as and when appropriate.

Read the most up-to-date information about Covid-19.

[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-covid-19/”] LATEST INFO ON COVID-19 [/button]

Covid-19 (Novel Coronavirus) – public briefing note 24.3.20

This note provides an update on the information posted on this blog yesterday (23.3.20).

Key messages for today

• Stay at home. Only leave your home for the very limited purposes outlined by the Prime Minister last night.
• If you receive a letter that requires you to self-isolate for 12 weeks because you have an underlying health condition, and you need our help, rest assured we’re working hard to put in place measures so we can help you.
• Our housing estate offices are closing.
• Our public toilets are closing (apart from those at Wrexham Bus Station).

Ian Bancroft – Chief Executive

Mark Pritchard – Leader of the Council

Last night, the Prime Minister announced new measures to help slow the spread of Covid-19.

You can now only leave your home for the following, very limited purposes:

• Shopping for basic necessities, as infrequently as possible.
• One form of exercise a day – for example a run, walk or cycle – alone or with members of your household.
• Any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person.
• Travelling to and from work, but only where this is absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home.

It’s crucial that we all do our bit in Wrexham.

We all need to follow these instructions if we’re to have any chance of managing the spread of this virus, and preventing the NHS from being overwhelmed.

By staying apart, we’re all doing our bit. We’re working together to try and keep Wrexham as safe as it can be.

So let’s do the right thing. Stay at home, protect our NHS and save lives.

We’ve put together the following information to help you understand the latest changes to council services.

People with underlying health conditions

The Government is sending letters to people across the UK with underlying health conditions that make them more vulnerable to Covid-19.

The letters will advise people to stay at home and avoid any face-to-face contact for at least 12 weeks.

If you receive one of these letters and you don’t have any friends, relatives or neighbours who can deliver food and medicine for you, or you can’t order your food online, the letter will tell you to contact us using a phone number provided.

If you need to call us, rest assured that we’re working hard with partners to put in place measures that will enable us to help you.

Critical services only

From today, we’re only providing critical council services. These are things we’ve identified as absolutely crucial to our communities and the running of the council.

They include social services, advice on housing benefits, sheltered accommodation, schools (currently open to children of key workers and vulnerable children only), emptying bins, homelessness and other things that people depend on.

The virus will continue to impact on our workforce, but we’re making plans to ensure we can continue to deliver these services.

GET THE LATEST COVID-19 INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC HEALTH WALES

Markets and public toilets

A lot of stall holders in Ty Pawb, the Butcher’s Market and the General Market have already decided to suspend trading, and the Government made it clear last night that all non-essential shops should close.

Public toilets managed by the council will also close from today, apart from those at Wrexham Bus Station.

Housing tenants

Estate offices

All of our estate offices are now closed, including reception areas where kiosks and free phones were available.

If you have an URGENT housing query, please contact our housing team on 01978 298993.

Our housing teams are grateful for your continued support and co-operation in this difficult situation.

Emergency repairs

Please only call our housing repairs team if you have an emergency (01978 298993).

You can still report non-emergency repairs via My Council House or by emailing housingrepairs@wrexham.gov.uk

Recycling centres

We know that some other councils have taken the decision to close their household waste recycling centres.

For the benefit of Wrexham residents, we’re continuing to provide this service, but on a restricted basis.

From Thursday, March 26:

• Bryn Lane (on Wrexham Industrial Estate) will be open every day (8am-8pm).
• On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Brymbo will be open (9am-6pm) and Plas Madoc will be closed.
• On Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, Plas Madoc will be open (9am-6pm) and Brymbo will be closed.

There will be restricted access rules in place (only five users at any one time). This will be actively managed at all sites and all users will be expected to adhere to social distancing.

We will monitor use and operations continually, and make further changes as necessary.

Reminder – reliable sources of information about Covid-19

Latest information on the virus and what people should do about it is provided by:

• Daily TV statements by the Government (including by the Prime Minister).
• Daily official briefings from the Department of Health and Social Care at 2pm, and Public Health Wales at 3pm.

Can you help as a volunteer?

You can register as a potential volunteer to help staff delivering front-line services and to support community befriending.

AVOW (Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham) is encouraging people to sign-up.

This is a rapidly changing situation, so we will issue further information as and when appropriate.

Read the most up-to-date information about Covid-19.

[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-covid-19/”] LATEST INFO ON COVID-19 [/button]

Covid-19 (Novel Coronavirus) – public briefing note 23.3.20

This note provides an update on the information posted on this blog on Friday (20.3.20).

Key messages for today:

• From tomorrow, we’ll only be providing critical services. These are things we’ve identified as absolutely crucial to our communities and the running of the council.
• If you’re not a key worker as defined by the Government, please don’t put pressure on schools to take your children.
• Follow the Government’s advice on social distancing.
• We’re closing our parks and play areas.
• We’re limiting services at the crematorium to 30 attendees.

Ian Bancroft – Chief Executive

Councillor Mark Pritchard – Leader of the Council

Asking people to stay apart and stay at home is a big ask. The Government recognises that.

However, there were parts of North Wales that seemed busier than ever at the weekend, as people headed to popular tourism spots and holiday parks.

This kind of behaviour is putting lives at risk.

‘Social distancing’ is crucial if we want to have any chance of managing the spread of this virus, and preventing the NHS from being overwhelmed.

It basically means reducing the amount of contact we have with others – staying away from busy places, groups of people and even friends and family – so the virus has less chance to spread.

By staying apart, we can all work together to try and keep Wrexham as safe as it can be.

We’ve put together the following information to help you understand the latest changes to council services.

Critical services only

From tomorrow, we’ll only be providing critical services. These are things we’ve identified as absolutely crucial to our communities and the running of the council.

They include social services, advice on housing benefits, sheltered accommodation, schools (currently open to children of key workers and vulnerable children only), emptying bins and other things that people depend on.

We’ll provide you with more information shortly.

View our list of critical services

Schools

School closures

Schools in Wrexham have taken on a new role from today – providing places for the children of ‘key workers’ so they can keep doing their jobs.

Schools are operating with reduced staff due to the impact of the virus, and this is a big challenge.

However, some people are trying to take advantage of this, and putting head teachers under huge pressure to take their children, when they don’t meet the criteria for key workers.

If you’re not a key worker as defined by the Government (e.g. health and care workers, emergency services officers, supermarket delivery drivers, prison officers), you cannot send your child to school at the moment.

School transport

Transport arrangements for children still accessing school (i.e. children of key workers and vulnerable children) will be available as normal this week.

If we need to make any changes, parents and carers will by notified by their school.

GET THE LATEST COVID-19 INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC HEALTH WALES

Parks and play areas

From today, we’re shutting our enclosed country parks and council-managed play areas.

This includes Ty Mawr and Alyn Waters, and notices will be put up to help inform people of the closures.

Just like other councils across the UK, we’re doing this to support social distancing.

Crematorium services

We’re also introducing measures at Pentrebychan Crematorium to encourage social distancing.

For hereon, services will be limited to 30 attendees.

Beware of Covid-19 scams

Trading Standards teams across the UK are continuing to get reports of scams that take advantage of the current situation.

So if you receive an offer of help, ask yourself if it feels genuine before you accept.

Reminder – reliable sources of information about Covid-19

Latest information on the virus and what people should do about it is provided by:

• Daily TV statements by the Government (including by the Prime Minister).
• Daily official briefings from the Department of Health and Social Care at 2pm, and Public Health Wales at 3pm.

Can you help as a volunteer?

You can register as a potential volunteer to help staff delivering front-line services and to support community befriending.

AVOW (Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham) is encouraging people to sign-up.

This is a rapidly changing situation, so we will issue further information as and when appropriate.

Read the most up-to-date information about Covid-19.

[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-covid-19/”] LATEST INFO ON COVID-19 [/button]

Covid-19 (Novel Coronavirus) – public briefing note 20.3.20

This note provides an update on the information posted on this blog yesterday (19.3.20).

Ian Bancroft – Chief Executive

Councillor Mark Pritchard – Leader of the Council

As well as the frightening health implications, we know this virus is creating financial anxiety for many people in Wrexham and across the UK.

People are worried about the economy, their jobs and their businesses. Many people are losing hours because they’re having to self-isolate or take time off work to look after their children.

The country has never faced a peace-time challenge like this before, and it’s still not clear what kind of financial help will be available for many people who are badly affected.

But we want you to know, that as your council, we empathise and we understand. We share your anxiety.

If you receive a letter about your Council Tax in the coming weeks and you’re worried, or if you’re worried about paying your housing rent, we will do our best to help…and sign-post you to any support and advice that becomes available.

As a council, we’re continuing to deliver essential public services, but we’re having to make changes to the way we provide our services every day.

We’ve put together the following information to help you understand the latest changes to council services, and to reiterate the advice being shared by the UK Government and health services.

Schools

School closures

All schools in Wales will close for statutory education provision by the end of today.

However, they will take on a new role from Monday – providing places for the children of ‘key workers’ (as defined by the Government, e.g. health and care workers, emergency services officers, supermarket delivery drivers, prison officers) so they can keep doing their jobs. Schools will also be providing places for children registered as vulnerable.

We’re continuing to seek clarification on some aspects of the arrangements.

School transport

Transport arrangements for children accessing school from Monday (i.e. children of key workers and vulnerable children) will be available as normal.

But if we need to make any changes at any point, parents and carers will by notified by their school.

Free school meals

We know that some parents whose children normally receive free school meals will be worried about the new arrangements.

We’re working with other councils and Welsh Government to find a way to continue to provide meals to those children.

We’ll update you as soon as we know more.

GET THE LATEST COVID-19 INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC HEALTH WALES

Face-to-face council services and public buildings

As reported yesterday, all of our face-to-face reception areas are now closed.

We’re encouraging customers to access services and contact us online wherever possible.

More information about library closures

You’ll no longer be able to walk into our libraries.

If you’re worried about books you have on loan and potential fines, don’t worry.

Please keep your library items at home. Items will be renewed automatically and all charges will be waived. You won’t be fined.

You’ll be unable to reserve any library items, but you can still join online.

Council tax letters

You should receive your annual Council Tax bill over the coming days.

Each bill will come with information for you to read. If you have any queries, please don’t worry…get in touch.

However, the impact of the virus means we have fewer people available to answer telephone calls…so please contact us by email at council.tax@wrexham.gov.uk

Support for businesses

If you run a business in Wrexham, our Business and Investment Team is continuing to provide support during these uncertain times.

Read more

Beware of Covid-19 scams

Trading Standards teams across the UK are getting reports of various scams that take advantage of the current situation around Covid-19.

So if you receive an offer of help, ask yourself if it feels genuine before you accept.

Sadly, there are people who will try to take advantage of you, even at times like this.

Reminder – reliable sources of information about Covid-19

Latest information on the virus and what people should do about it is provided by:

• Daily TV statements by the Government (including by the Prime Minister).
• Daily official briefings from the Department of Health and Social Care at 2pm, and Public Health Wales at 3pm.

Can you help as a volunteer?

You can register as a potential volunteer to help staff delivering front-line services and to support community befriending.

AVOW (Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham) is encouraging people to sign-up.

This is a rapidly changing situation, so we will issue further information as and when appropriate.

Read the most up-to-date information about Covid-19.

[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=” https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-covid-19/”]LATEST INFO ON COVID-19[/button]

Covid-19 (Novel Coronavirus) – public briefing note 19.3.20

This note provides an update on the information posted on this blog yesterday (18.3.20).

Ian Bancroft – Chief Executive

Councillor Mark Pritchard – Leader of the Council

As the Chief Executive and Leader of Wrexham Council, we’re asking you to do everything you can to stay safe and help others.

Things are changing by the day and by the hour, and we know these are frightening and uncertain times for everyone.

As a council, we’re continuing to balance the welfare and needs of our staff – so they can stay safe and continue to deliver essential public services – with the welfare and needs of our residents and the communities we serve.

However, we’re having to make changes to the way we provide our services every day, as we try to respond to the impact of this virus.

We’ve put together the following information to help you understand the latest changes to council services, and to reiterate the advice being shared by the UK Government and health services.

Face-to-face services and public buildings

Some of our face-to-face services have already been suspended, and we will be closing all of our face-to-face reception areas from tomorrow.

We’re encouraging customers to access services and contact us online wherever possible.

Contact Wrexham and the Guildhall

Face-to-face services at Contact Wrexham in Lord Street have been suspended, and at the Guildhall, we’ll only be able to see customers with pre-made appointments from hereon.

You can still access services and information via the council’s website.

Housing estate offices

Your local estate offices will remain open for the moment, but to help safeguard both our tenants and staff, face-to-face reception services will no longer be available.

However, you’ll still be able to use the freephone in the reception areas to report repairs, or make payments via the kiosks.

Please share this information with your neighbours and other tenants.

GET THE LATEST COVID-19 INFORMATION FROM PUBLIC HEALTH WALES

Info Shop – Young Peoples Information and Advice Service

Due to reduced staffing numbers, we’ll only be opening the Info Shop in Lambpit Street on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays between 3pm and 5.30pm. This is so we can provide the sexual advice service to young people under 25.

We’ll also be limiting entry to no more than 10 people at a time, and changing the waiting area layout.

Outside of these hours, young people can still speak to a youth worker over the phone for information and advice by calling the following numbers between 12pm and 3pm.

• Mondays – 07585 103649
• Tuesdays – 07584 440126
• Wednesdays – 07585 103631
• Thursdays – 07976 660531
• Fridays – 07800 688823

Young people can also email infoshop@wrexham.gov.uk and check www.youngwrexham.co.uk for regular updates.

Young Wrexham can also be found on Twitter and Facebook.

Closure of libraries and other community facilities

From tomorrow, you’ll no longer be able to walk into buildings like our libraries (we’ll provide an update on things like extending book loans and so on tomorrow), family centres, resource centres and the Memorial Hall.

If you need to access information or contact us, you can still do this online.

Bins and recycling

We’ll continue to empty your bins and collect your recycling as normal, for as a long as we can.

However, from Monday, March 23 we’ll have to suspend our ‘bulky waste’ collection service – which means we’ll no longer be able to collect bulky items.

We’ll also have to suspend the delivery of new bins.

Our Household Waste Recycling Centres remain open, but with revised operational procedures in place. We’ll continue to monitor operations at these facilities, and if changes are likely to affect the public, we’ll let you know.

Schools

Yesterday, Welsh Government announced that all schools in Wales will close for statutory education provision no later than Friday, March 20.

In her statement, the Minister for Education Kirsty Williams also announced that schools will take on a new role for the time-being – supporting those most in need, including people involved in the immediate response to the coronavirus outbreak.

We’re seeking clarification on what this will mean for school sites in Wrexham.

Country parks and bowling greens

Ty Mawr, Alyn Waters and Minera Lead Mines

Ty Mawr Country Park remains open, but activities and events have been suspended and the pavilion / shop will be closed as of Monday, March 23.

Alyn Waters Country Park also remains open, but again, activities and events have been suspended and the pavilion will be closed as of Monday. The café is operated under lease by Groundwork. Any changes to arrangements will be announced by the café operator.

Minera Lead Mines will remain open.

Other parks, playing fields and bowling greens

The following will apply as of Monday, March 23:

• Bellevue Park – park open, bowling facility closed.
• Ponciau – park open, pavilion closed.
• Johnstown – both green and pavilion closed.
• Coedpoeth – bowling facility closed.
• Cunliffe (Acton Park) – park open, bowling facility closed.
• Pentre Broughton – bowling facility and pavilion closed.

All football pavilions will be closed.

Play areas and gardening allotments

All council-owned play areas and allotments will remain open, but users are advised to exercise common sense and follow the latest national health guidance from Public Health Wales.

Reminder – reliable sources of information about Covid-19

Latest information on the virus and what people should do about it is provided by:

• Daily TV statements by the Government (including by the Prime Minister).
• Daily official briefings from the Department of Health and Social Care at 2pm, and Public Health Wales at 3pm.

Can you help as a volunteer?

You can register as a potential volunteer to help staff delivering front-line services and to support community befriending.

AVOW (Association of Voluntary Organisations in Wrexham) is encouraging people to sign-up.

This is a rapidly changing situation, so we will issue further information as and when appropriate.

Read the most up-to-date information about Covid-19.

[button color=”” size=”large” type=”square_outlined” target=”new” link=”https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-covid-19/”]LATEST INFO ON COVID-19[/button]

Covid-19 (Novel Coronavirus) – Public Briefing Note 18.3.20