Limited provision for residents during second lockdown

November 5, 2020

A second lockdown begins across England this Thursday (5 November), which means people should stay at home other than in a few exceptional circumstances such as going to school, going to work (if you can’t work from home) and shopping for essentials.

During the first lockdown, many council services were briefly shut down, but Richmond and Wandsworth councils, who share a staffing service, have reassured residents that most key local services will continue without disruption.

Leader of Wandsworth Council, councillor Ravi Govindia, said, “As a council we are working hard to keep disruption to a minimum and to provide the vital services that local people rely on, so we will continue to pick up your rubbish, you can visit your local park and children will not miss out on education.”

Rubbish and recycling collections will be unaffected, with weekly collections carrying on as normal.

Council-run day centres and local tips including Smugglers Way and Townmead will remain open.

Parks will also remain open, including playgrounds and toilets. Cafes in parks will be able to remain open for takeaways.

Schools will remain open, as will libraries for click and collect and home deliveries – with many services also available online.

Housing repairs and cleaning will continue as normal.

Wandsworth Council has said it is still reviewing the guidance, but has said its Customer Centre is currently open for limited services only, and appointments can be booked.

The Social Services reception and the Marble Hall Reception will remain closed for now.

Funerals can continue with up to 30 mourners.

Wandsworth has said that weddings and civil partnership services can take place in ‘exceptional circumstances’ and is seeking clarification of what constitutes an exceptional circumstance. It is thought this will be if someone is seriously ill and not expected to recover.

Sports facilities such as leisure centres and sports pitches will close.

Wandsworth says a number of children’s centres, youth centres and community hubs will be open to support the most vulnerable during lockdown.

Sian Bayley - Local Democracy Reporter