Changes to Buckinghamshire Council services due to new national lockdown

Press Release from Buckinghamshire Council

05 January 2021

Changes to Buckinghamshire Council services due to new national lockdown

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Following the announcement of a new national lockdown in England, Buckinghamshire Council has made some urgent changes to several of its key services.

Libraries
Library staff will be deployed to assist with the vulnerable and shielding programme, so from Wednesday 6 January all Buckinghamshire libraries will be closed until further notice.

Loans have been extended and no fines will be charged during the lockdown, so customers are advised to keep their books at home and to not worry about returning them at the moment.

On site access to Buckinghamshire Archives will also remain closed – see this page for more information: http://bit.ly/BucksArchives

The online library is still available for eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, eNewpapers and online reference services such as Ancestry, and new members can join online at : www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/libraries

Internet access as well as ‘emergency assistance’ will be available for residents through the Council Access Points located at:

• Walton Street, Aylesbury
• The Gateway, Aylesbury
• King George V House, Amersham
• Queen Victoria Road, High Wycombe

Schools and colleges
All have now switched to remote learning. However, children of key workers and vulnerable children can still go to school.

Funerals and weddings
Funerals can still take place with up to 30 guests. Weddings and equivalent ceremonies will only be permitted in exceptional circumstances and with up to six people.

Household bin collections
These will continue as normal, and residents can check their bin collection dates by going to: www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/bin-collection-recycling-and-waste

Household Recycling Centres
All sites will remain open during the lockdown.

Road repairs and street cleaning
These services will carry on as normal.

Parks and green spaces
Buckinghamshire’s three country parks will remain open.

Leisure centres and sports facilities
In line with current restrictions, all Buckinghamshire Council leisure and sports centres – with the exception of playgrounds – will remain closed during the lockdown. This includes The South Buckinghamshire Golf Course and outdoor sports courts and multi-use games areas.

Gareth Williams, Cabinet Member for Communities & Public Health, said:

“I know that many people will find the new national lockdown difficult to deal with, but in order to stem the rise in coronavirus cases in Buckinghamshire, it’s vital that we all continue to play our part by only going out when necessary, and sticking to the government’s ‘Hands, Face, Space’ guidance.

“Hopefully, with the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines across the county, we will soon start to see the tide turning on coronavirus cases. Once this happens, we can then look forward to beginning a return to normality.

”If you need to contact the council during the lockdown, please do so via our Contact Centre either by calling 0300 131 6000 or going online to www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/your-council/contact-us.”

For the latest information on Buckinghamshire Council services, please visit: www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk