HOSPITAL’S HUGE INCREASE IN CRITICAL CARE BEDS
FUNERALS, parks, leisure and city centre works are among the services provided by Coventry City Council that have been affected by the coronavirus.
But many key frontline services are still continuing as the authority focuses efforts on the most critical elements to help keep services running.
Council chief executive Martin Reeves said the list of services affected “has got bigger as national guidance has changed”, often on a daily basis.
He said: “There were concerns about health and safety so we have closed a number of services such as the libraries and equipment in the parks.
“We want to keep wherever possible the open spaces to ensure people can do their one exercise a day whilst people are sensible about the national guidance.
“It is absolutely phenomenal that we can continue to provide the waste services and do not provide and major disruption across the city.
An A-Z of changes to council services and operations is outlined below.
adult Education
Adult education classes were suspended on Friday, March 20, with the exception of the Study Programme and Apprenticeships.
Spring term short-courses are cancelled from Monday, March 23 and refunds will be issued.
“On longer courses staff will be working with learners to ensure you are able to continue your course at home, where possible,” the council said.
adult Social care
The council said the crisis poses a “considerable challenge” and while critical services are being maintained, some will be severely disrupted.
Cllr Mal Mutton, cabinet member for adult care services, said: “This is an unprecedented period and we have all had to learn very quickly how to work differently and I am very proud of the way in which staff are stepping up to the challenges.
benefits
The council’s Customer Service Centre has closed so those wishing to provide evidence to support their Housing Benefit or Discretionary Grant claim are being told to email.
“Where we have requested original evidence, we will now accept a photocopy (post) or picture of the document attached to an email,” the council said.
“Any documents requested as evidence for Housing Benefit/council Tax Support should be sent either by email, quoting your benefit/claim reference number to: benefits@coventry.gov.uk.”
bins
Waste, recycling and garden collections are taking place as usual.
However some disruption is expected with sickness levels “a little higher than usual”, the city council has said, while three members of the domestic refuse staff were self-isolating as of last Friday.
Bosses have promised to ensure there will be “minimal disruption” to bin collection services with extra bin crews to return in the week and weekend for any residents who do not get their bins collected as usual. Bulky waste collections and skips The London Road skip has closed temporarily as the city council said not enough people were keeping the required two-metre distance.
Bulky waste collections have also been suspended.
“Customers who have already paid for a collection will get a full refund. Please bear with us as we sort this out,” the council said.
Those who had collections booked will automatically be contacted.
car parks
New Union Street, City Arcade and West Orchard car parks are closed until further notice to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
The council has temporarily suspended the Shopmobility Service too.
ceremonies
No ceremonies will be taking place at Cheylesmore Manor House or a venue in Coventry for the foreseeable future, the council has said.
Those with a booking will be contacted to reschedule, while no new booking will be taken “until at least September 2020”.
There will be no charge for rescheduling but residents will need to pay for any additional fees if a more expensive room/day/time is chosen.
A full refund is also offered for cancellations.
“In the event of a full pandemic where you may still want to go ahead with your ceremony and it cannot be cancelled, we will ensure that registrars who are not affected attend the ceremony,” the council said.
For more information email ceremony co-ordinator@coventry.gov.uk.
children’s Services
Critical services are being maintained to ensure the city’s most vulnerable young people are being supported.
John Gregg, director of children’s services, said: “This is an unprecedented period and we have all had to learn very quickly how to work differently.
“But I want to reassure people that while we are of course respecting the restrictions in place, we most certainly are managing to maintain our service.
“I have seen so many good examples from staff going the extra mile to make sure they can still deliver good protection, support and intervention to vulnerable families.”
city centre WORKS
Redevelopment works in Coventry city centre have been halted to help the council focus on “essential services only” during the coronavirus pandemic.
A vast number of works were taking place in the city centre to help dress Coventry up in its best light ahead of the City of Culture 2021 celebrations.
But all sites have been closed on Wednesday, March 25, under government advice as the country attempts to stop the spread of Covid-19.
council tax
Council tax payments in Coventry will be delayed by two months for those struggling due to the coronavirus, the city council has said.
Payments are to be collected as normal from April but residents are urged to “get in touch as soon as possible” if they are struggling to pay.
Residents wishing to discuss their council tax payments can email the city council on counciltax@coventry.gov.uk, with ‘Covid-19’ in the subject, or call 024 7683 1111, or visit coventry.gov.uk/counciltax for more information.
cremations and Funerals
Coventry City Council is bringing in restrictions on the number of people allowed to attend burials and cremations in line with social distancing guidelines.
There is now a limit of five family members allowed to attend services.
Family members are allowed to ‘live stream’ the service via tablets or mobile phones.
The council said: “We apologise for any distress this may cause at what we know is a difficult time for family members, however, the decision has been taken in line with the latest government guidelines to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and protect family members, clergy, funeral directors and council staff.”
Elections
A third of councillors were up for re-election in May but the local elections nationally have been postponed.
The council’s Electoral Services Team will be operating a reduced service as a result.
Events
Council organisers have taken the decision to cancel this year’s Armed Forces Day, which was due to take place on Saturday, June 27, as a tribute to all those who serve, and have served, and their families.
The three-day Godiva music festival has also been cancelled to ensure that emergency services’ personnel and key workers are able to concentrate their services where they are most needed.
HOMELESSNESS
The council has asked people to call 024 7683 4025 only if you have nowhere safe to stay.
“We will not be taking other enquiries at this time,” the said.
Job Shop
The Job Shop closed on Wednesday, March 25, in line with government advice.
No reopening date has been set but in the meantime support is being offered over the phone and online.
General employment support enquiries can be emailed to jobshop@coventry.gov.uk and a job coach will get back within 1 working day.
If you wish to apply for a Job or help with your CV email jobshopcv@coventry.gov.uk. You can also call the Job Shop on 024 7678 5740 or 024 7678 5751.
Businesses can contact employerhub@coventry.gov.uk for business employment support or phone 024 7697 8062 or 024 7697 8061.
leisure centres
Leisure centres including The Wave, Xcel Leisure Centre, The Alan Higgs Centre, Centre AT7, Mana Spa and Woodlands School Sports Complex have all closed during the pandemic.
libraries
All of Coventry’s libraries closed from the end of Monday, March 23, to help maintain social distancing and protect staff.
parks
Parks and outdoor spaces in Coventry remain open but residents have been encouraged to use them sensibly, abiding by the two-metre rule.
However, children’s playgrounds and outdoor gyms closed as of Tuesday, March 24, alongside sites for young adults such as skate parks.
Cafes, ice cream vans and public toilets have also all been shut.
pest control
Pest control services are currently not running.
planning
Only planning complaints that are considered to be of a very serious nature will be investigated at this time, while all other complaints will be placed ‘on hold’ and will be investigated as soon as restrictions are lifted.
Application site visits are being limited, while face-to-face meetings for pre-application advice are being cancelled.
Planning committee meetings have also been postponed.
roads and highways
All non-urgent work is currently on hold inline with government guidance.
However, highways teams are still out working to repair potholes and other issues on roads and pavements.
Schools
Schools have closed and are only open to children of key workers.
Admissions for primary school places have been delayed.
“For in year transfer applications we do not expect to be able to make offers of school places until schools reopen fully following the Covid-19 closure,” the council said.
“If we are able to make an offer of a school place any earlier we will contact parents via email.”
The same is also being said for inyear transfers at secondary school.
School meals
Families whose children are eligible for free school meals will be offered vouchers, food or meals to make sure they continue receiving this support, even if they are no longer attending school due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The government is currently developing a national scheme to provide support through supermarket and shop vouchers, yet to be announced.
In the meantime, schools that are closed and cannot provide meals or food parcels through their catering teams should offer families an alternative.