COVID-19: Important changes to Hartlepool Borough Council services

These changes have been announced to reduce the risk of the virus spreading and to help keep services running that are essential to life and tackling the impact of Coronavirus – particularly those supporting vulnerable people.

To do this however, we had no choice but to prioritise what we do. Some services have stopped so more essential ones can keep going and some have been reduced.

We will need to review this on a daily basis and we will keep you as up to date as we possibly can during this extremely difficult time.

Follow our Facebook and Twitter feeds for the latest information and advice or check out our website – www.hartlepool.gov.uk/coronavirus-info

Councillor Shane Moore, Leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “Local authorities are at the front line in the fight against Coronavirus and we’ve had to make some important changes to ensure our most vulnerable residents continue to be protected.

“We’ve had to make some really tough decisions – very swiftly – to prevent the transmission of the virus and to ensure we can maintain our critical services.”

Services and venues stopped / closed until further notice:

• Leisure centres
• Cultural venues including Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre, Hartlepool Art Gallery and Hartlepool Borough Hall 
• Youth Clubs
• Town centre market
• All events

Services continuing in a reduced capacity:

• School crossing patrols – majority suspended – under constant review subject to site specific demand.
• Although all Hartlepool libraries are closed, online services can still be accessed by clicking here.
• Children’s Centres are closed to open access but appointments can be appointments can be booked to see staff – allowing parents to access to health visitors and community nursery nurses.
• Crematorium and Burial Services continue to operate but in line with Government COVID-19 guidance.

Services currently operating as normal:

• Parks and play areas
• Adult Social Care
• Children's Social Care
• Gully clearing
• Highway and streetlight repairs
• Street cleansing services
• Grass cutting and grounds maintenance
• Household Waste Recycling Centre
• Bulky waste collections
• Town centre mechanical sweepers
• Refuse and recycling collections.
• Passenger transport will continue to operate while schools remain open and there is a demand.
• School meal service for children who continue to attend schools.  Provision for children not attending but who are eligible for free school meals will be made in conjunction with individual schools. 
• CCTV continues to operate 24/7.
• Fleet services continue to operate to ensure Council vehicles are kept on the road delivering key priority services

We need your help too:

Every resident can play their part in the fight against coronavirus. You can do this by complying with the government guidelines and also by helping out locally as follows:

• Please help us keep Hartlepool’s streets and green spaces clean by taking any litter home with you when you are out exercising.
• For dog owners, it’s so important you continue to clean up after your dog and – wherever possible – take the bags home to bin.

Councillor Moore added: “This is an unprecedented situation we face and I would also call on all Hartlepool residents to play their part and be mindful of the impact of their actions on others.

“Hartlepool has a great tradition of coming together to support one another in times of need and I’ve heard and seen so many examples of this over the past ten months.

“Most importantly, please continue to stay at home and follow government advice to take your exercise locally.”

As this is an evolving situation some services may need to reduce or cease as and when necessary.