Coronavirus: council service updates | Woking Borough Council

LAST UPDATE: 12 April 2021

Latest Coronavirus restrictions

Roadmap out of lockdown

The government is rolling out a phased roadmap out of lockdown which outlines four steps for easing restrictions. Before proceeding to the next step, the government will examine the data to assess the impact of previous steps.

There will be a minimum of five weeks between each step: four weeks for the data to reflect changes in restrictions; followed by seven days’ notice of the restrictions to be eased.

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.

Book a Coronavirus test if you have symptoms

If you cannot work home or for households with school children, you can book a symptom-free test at the community testing centre at Goldwater Lodge in Goldswater Park.

Book a symptom-free 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

Council facilities open to the public

Centres for the Community cafes
Woking Leisure Centre
Woking Sportsbox
Pool in the Park
Tennis courts
Skate parks
Multi-use games areas (MUGAs)
Outdoor gyms
Parks and green spaces
Vehicle parking facilities and car parks
Children's play areas
Outdoor sports pitches are available for bookings
Outdoor spaces for licensed fitness classes are available for bookings

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.

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

Tenant visits can be booked in advance by calling the Brockhill team on 01483 743 975.

All visitors must report to reception and follow the COVID-19 secure measures put in place. These will be advised by the team at the time of booking and on arrival.

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.

Council and democracy

Council and committee meetings

Full Council, Executive and committee meetings continue. All meetings are hosted virtually via Zoom.

Housing

Housing - choice based lettings

Bidding for properties via our Choice based lettings (CBL) system is operating as usual on a fortnightly basis.

View future bidding cycles.

Homelessness prevention

We are proactively working 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.

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 resumed.

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.

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.