LAST UPDATE: 19 January 2021
Latest Coronavirus restrictions
On Monday 4 January 2021, the Prime Minister announced a new national lockdown, which requires people to STAY AT HOME to control the virus, protect the NHS and save lives. The lockdown will be in place until mid-February, when the COVID-19 situation will be reviewed and further announcements will be made by the Government.
Find out what you can and can't do under the stay at home restrictions
It is important that we all follow these rules to prevent spreading the virus. If you experience any COVID-19 symptoms, you must self-isolate immediately and book a test via the NHS.
How to book a Coronavirus test
Civic Offices
The Civic Offices remain closed to members of the public.
We are continuing to deliver our services, which can be accessed by the public via this website.
The Civic Offices closure also affect services provided by: Surrey Police, JobCentrePlus and Surrey County Council Adult Social Care.
View the current opening status and contact details for each organisation.
Council facilities closed to the public
In line with the Government's safety guidelines, the following council owned facilities are closed to the public until further notice:
- Centres for the Community - all four centres are closed, except for specific health and educational services
- Woking Leisure Centre
- Woking Sportsbox
- Pool in the Park
- Tennis courts
- Multi use games areas
- Skate parks
Council facilities open to the public
We ask visitors to enjoy these facilities responsibly and follow this advice:
- Be prepared – wash your hands in advance, wear a mask and carry hand sanitiser and/or wipes.
- Be sensible – limit your contact with others and keep your distance.
- Be mindful – follow the measures in place to protect you and others.
- Be safe – stay at home if you or anyone in your household has symptoms.
Council service updates
Business
Business rates
All businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sector will be given a business rates holiday for 12 months from April 2020. They will not be asked to pay in respect of the financial year 2020 to 2021.
Read more about the business rates holiday.
Business grants
There are a range of business grants available for local businesses.
View business grants available.
Commercial tenants
We will review our corporate estate and provide support to tenants which may need a flexible approach and delay rent payments. Where possible, we will delay the obligation to pay if that enables a business to survive and retain employees.
Guidance for food businesses providing takeaways and deliveries
Businesses offering new takeaway and delivery services must think about any new hazards and ensure updated control measures in place to eliminate risks. Additionally, your business can only offer these additional services if it’s a registered food business with us.
Read our takeaway food and deliveries guidance.
Business advice and support
Read useful guidance and support for businesses affected by the Coronavirus pandemic.
Community and living well
Brockhill Extra Care
All Brockhill services are closed to the public until further notice. For enquiries, call the Brockhill team on 01483 743 975.
Community support and helpline
Surrey County Council runs a county-wide helpline and support services for vulnerable residents and those struggling to access the right services, finances and food supplies.
Read about the support available.
Community meals service
The community meals service remains open. This covers residents who have come out of hospital or those who are unable to cook their own meals.
Careline personal care alarms and sensors service
Careline is currently running a reduced service. Please note: no indoor visits are being conducted at present, unless for critical alarm faults.
We have put in place a range of processes and procedures to ensure the safety of our clients and staff.
Find out more about Careline's COVID-19 secure process.
Centres for the Community
Our Centres for the Community (Moorcroft, Parkview, St Mary’s and The Vyne) are closed to members of the public, except for health and educational services by appointment only.
Find out more about our centres for the community.
The Art Cafe at St Mary's (Byfleet) and the Cafe at The Vyne (Knaphill) are open for takeaway service only.
Handyperson service
Referrals to the handyperson service can still be made. Until further notice, visits will be made to those who have been discharged from hospital or where visits are considered urgent and essential. All works are conducted following the latest social distancing and Protective Personal Equipment (PPE) requirements.
Returning home after a stay in hospital
Our Homesafe Plus service is not operating in its usual format due to staffing capacity at local hospitals. Hospitals will continue to refer patients to relevant council services where possible.
Social prescribing
The social prescribing service is operating a reduced service. Client visits have been suspended, but phone calls to clients continue.
Vulnerable residents
Vulnerable people known to us are being supported and engagement with community networks continue.
Council Tax
Council Tax payments
Council Tax payments will be taken as usual.
Anyone who is struggling to make payments, should contact us to agree a revised payment plan.
Read more about Council Tax payments and support.
Council and democracy
Council and committee meetings
Full Council, Executive and committee meetings continue. All meetings are hosted virtually via Zoom.
Read more about the virtual meeting arrangements.
Housing
Housing - choice based lettings
Bidding for properties via our Choice based lettings (CBL) system is operating as usual on a fortnightly basis.
Homelessness prevention
We are working positively with the York Road Project to ensure our rough sleeper community has accommodation during the ongoing Coronavirus crisis.
Our housing advice team are conducting homelessness assessments by phone. If you are homeless or have been made homeless due an emergency situation, phone 01483 743 834.
Housing applications
Our housing needs team are still managing phone calls, letters and emails.
Housing register applications are still being accepted by post and processed. Until further notice, we have suspended verification visits until further notice. Unfortunately, this may delay some allocations.
Many properties are still being allocated but there is a delay on repairs due to contractor staff shortages.
Read more about how to apply for housing.
Tenancy information for New Vision Homes tenants
New Vision Homes is making all efforts to keep its services running with as little disruption as possible, including scheduled repairs.
Read New Vision Homes' Coronavirus guidance and service updates.
Tenants experiencing financial difficulties
We and ThamesWey are working positively with tenants in financial difficulties to avoid the risk of homelessness.
Leisure and culture
Parks, green spaces and children's play areas
All council owned parks and green spaces and children's play areas remain open to the public.
Outdoor fitness classes
Bookings for licensed outdoor fitness classes have been suspended until further notice.
Outdoor sports facilities
All tennis courts, outdoor gyms, MUGAs and skateparks are closed to the public until further notice.
Sports pavilion hire
Existing bookings to hire a pavilion have been cancelled and new bookings will not be taken until further notice.
Licensing and permits
The licensing team are continuing to offer driver badge and vehicle renewals only. All enquiries and requested documentation must be emailed to the licensing team and not posted to the Civic Offices.
Until further notice, the team are not accepting new driver licence applications.
Find out more about applying for taxi and private hire licence renewals.
Email: licensing@woking.gov.uk
Parking
Car park and on-street parking charges and civil enforcement are operating a normal service, including parking charges and penalty enforcement.
More information about car parks and on-street parking.
Planning and building control
Building control applications and site visits
We are still accepting electronic building regulation applications and conducting some visits.
Read the latest building control service updates.
Pre-planning advice
Pre-planning meetings are being conducted as virtual meetings. Written advice will be provided by email: development.control@woking.gov.uk
Planning applications
The planning service is still accepting and processing planning applications.
Read the latest planning service updates.
Waste and recycling
Community recycling centres
Community recycling centres (CRC), run by Surrey County Council, will remain open with strict social distancing rules. There is a site located within Woking borough, this is the Martyrs Lane community recycling centre.
Read more about the new rules for using Martyrs CRC.
Waste and recycling collections
Joint Waste Solutions is running a normal waste and recycling service at present.
See the latest service updates for waste and recycling collections in Woking.
Due to advice to stay at home, Joint Waste Solutions is experiencing more demand for its services and it has issued advice on how residents can assist collections during this busy time.
Residents are requested to put out their bins for collection the night before their scheduled collection.
Read Joint Waste Solutions waste and recycling advice for residents.
Joint Waste Solutions has issued specific advice for residents who are self isolating. This involves double bagging your personal waste and isolating it for at least 72 hours.
Read Joint Waste Solutions waste and recycling for residents who are self isolating.
Our employee working arrangements
Wherever possible, appropriate adjustments have been made to enable staff to work from home and continue to deliver services for residents.
Non-essential staff have been redeployed to ensure front-line services can remain open to the public.