Conwy County Borough Council have published an update on public services in Conwy, in light of the Coronavirus pandemic and significant changes in the way that they currently have to provide their services.
Business Support
The Welsh Government has announced a package of support for businesses in Wales through the Coronavirus pandemic. We’re working with Welsh Government to implement these emergency packages.
Details are being finalised to make sure the process works in the best way possible, and we’ll publish the full details and the applications forms on our website as soon as they’re available at: https://www.conwy.gov.uk/en/Business/Business-Rates/Welsh-Government-Business-Grants.aspx
Registration Service
Marriage, Civil Partnership and other Discretionary Ceremonies: Conwy Registration Service has taken the decision to cease conducting Marriage, Civil Partnership or other Discretionary Ceremonies (e.g. Renewal of Vows; Baby Naming etc.) at the Register Office and at any Licensed Venue in Conwy until further notice. Notices of marriage/civil partnership will be deferred until further notice. Anyone who has already made a booking may contact Conwy Registration Service by emailing: registration.services@conwy.gov.uk
Registration of Births: Birth registration appointments will now be deferred until further notice. Customers can now make a claim for Child Benefit or Universal Credit prior to the birth being registered.
Copy certificates: Copy certificates can only be ordered over the telephone by calling (01492) 576525.
Registering a death: Death registration appointments will now only be completed over the phone. Please call (01492) 576525 to make an appointment.
Car Parks
We have closed some car parks to help prevent the spread of the virus by discouraging gatherings. List of closed car parks at https://www.conwy.gov.uk/en/Resident/Parking-Roads-and-Travel/Parking-and-Permits/Car-parks-closed.aspx
All other car parks are free for local residents to use to get essential shopping or prescriptions.
Bonfires
Our public protection team have noticed an increase in complaints about garden bonfires. Smoke can ruin neighbours’ enjoyment of their gardens, prevent them from opening their windows and hanging washing out and obscure visibility in the neighbourhood and on the road. Please consider others before lighting a bonfire.
Sunday Trading
To support the supermarkets efforts to help key workers and the vulnerable shop for essential food safely, the Council has taken steps to relax enforcement on Sunday trading rules.
Allotments
Visiting your allotment counts as your daily exercise, as set out by the government of 23 March.
Please follow these guidelines for your safety and to protect other users:
Harbours
Slipways and jetties on our promenades, foreshores and at the harbour are closed.
We are not taking any new bookings for leisure craft or visitor moorings, except for emergency refuge.
The harbour staff continue to support the commercial fishing industry, maintain the estuary marker buoys and infrastructure and respond to any emergency within the harbour limits.
Please do not visit the harbour office unless it is for an essential service, and observe social distancing rules.
Open Spaces
You are entitled to leave home to exercise once daily. You can walk, run or cycle from your home address. You should not drive to a place away from home to do this. Please protect our staff, emergency services and each other by not making unnecessary journeys.
Payments
We are unable to accept payments by cheque at present, and any cheques received will not be processed or returned during this on-going situation.
Customers can continue to make their payments using our other payment methods available. More Information at: www.conwy.gov.uk/payments
Litter Bins
We are temporarily removing some public litter bins from use. Bins located in areas away from shops and parks will be covered over.
This is so staff can be moved to other duties to support to vital Council services.
We will continue to empty dog bins and remove fly tipping.
Play Areas
We have closed all play areas in the interests of public safety. Parks will remain open for the time being - please be responsible and keep to social distancing guidelines.
Waste and Recycling
To keep our refuse and recycling collections going, we need your help in protecting our staff.
If your household is self-isolating because someone has viral symptoms, please do not put your recycling out for collection for 14 days. After 14 days, if no one has symptoms, you can put out your recycling and we will take any extra that doesn’t fit in your trolibocs.
Don’t forget to wash your hands before you put out your bin and recycling containers, and again as soon as you bring them back in.
Our partners Crest will not be collecting pink or purple recycling bags at the moment.
We are not able to take any new bookings for bulky waste at the moment, due to staff shortages at our partner Crest.
Our Household Recycling Centres at Abergele and Mochdre are closed until further notice, in line with Government guidance.
Our Saturday mobile recycling centres will not be running until further notice, in line with Government guidance.
Mochdre Office is closed - the ERF Advice Team can be contacted on (01492) 575337 or email erf@conwy.gov.uk
Crematorium and Cemeteries
The chapel at Colwyn Bay Crematorium is only open to immediate family members, with a maximum of 20 people. Mourners are advised to follow national guidelines on hygiene and social distancing.
All burials will be a graveside service only for immediate family members only.
We are offering free webcasting of memorial services.
Great Orme Tramway
We are postponing the opening of our 2020 season until further notice. This means that no trams will be running and Victoria Station, Halfway Station and the Great Orme Visitor Centre, will remain closed.
Public Toilets
We have closed our public toilets across Conwy county, so we can prioritise cleaning and resources across our facilities and keep vital services going. We don’t take any decision to close council facilities lightly, but our absolute priority is the health and welfare of the public and our staff as the country deals with the impact of the coronavirus.
Bodlondeb and Coed Pella
In the interest of public health and safety Council Offices are closed to the public. If you have any queries relating to Council services please call 01492 574000 or visit www.conwy.gov.uk for details on how to access essential services.
Revenue and Benefits Service
The face-to-face service has closed. Contact us on 01492 576491 or visit our web site at www.conwy.gov.uk/benefits
Homeless Prevention Service
The face to face duty service has closed. Any person homeless or threatened with homelessness can now contact us between 9.30am and 5.15pm on 0300 124 0050 or email housingsolutions@conwy.gov.uk The emergency out of hours number is 0300 123 3079.
Social Care
Social Care teams are continuing to deliver services to the public. We’re following the latest government advice, this means sometimes we might be working slightly differently, for example making contact by phone rather than face-to-face, if it is appropriate.
Learning disability day services at Canolfan Marl, Canolfan Riviere, Children’s Clubs and work opportunities are closed.
Community Support
Do you know someone in need, or self-isolating? There are a number of people ready to help with shopping, collecting prescriptions, picking up the phone for a chat, and other support. Find out what is available within your community (01492) 575544.
Galw Gofal
Galw Gofal is operating as usual, providing 24/7 emergency telecare and out of hours call monitoring service to help protect older or vulnerable people in their own homes. Galw Gofal is committed to helping our customers remain safe and well at this time.
Trading Standards
To protect against the risks to public health arising from coronavirus, Welsh Government has issued legislation for businesses selling food or drink for consumption on the premises to close, as well as range of other premises. The Council’s Environmental Health and Trading Standards officers will be enforcing compliance with these regulations.
Businesses are urged to read the Order and comply with its requirements at: https://gov.wales/health-protection-coronavirus-business-closure-wales-regulations-2020
Other non-essential businesses must also shut: https://gov.wales/coranivirus-covid-19-closure-businesses-and-premises
Caravan Parks are one of the businesses that appear in the list of non-essential businesses that must shut. But there’s an exemption for people that live permanently in caravan parks or are staying in caravan parks as interim abodes, where their primary residence is not available, they can continue to do so. More details at: https://gov.wales/guidance-holiday-park-owners-and-operators-coronavirus