Coronavirus/COVID-19: Service Update

During these unprecedented times, we would like to reassure our customers that we are taking coronavirus (COVID-19) very seriously. We will continually monitor the information and advice from Public Health England (PHE) and National Government Guidance. This page has been designed to explain up-to-date information regarding the services provided by Huntingdonshire District Council.

The government is asking people to minimise social interaction in order to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. As a council, we are committed to ensuring essential services continue to operate for customers, but we need your help to slow the spread of the virus. In order to do this, we ask that you do not visit our offices and instead visit our website to resolve your query and help support our call centre staff who are dealing with an increase in calls.

We ask all customers to request services through our website where possible.

Service update

If you require a council service, please explore any digital or electronic way of resolving your inquiry first before you get in contact via telephone. As we follow government guidance and work hard to keep all services running smoothly during this time, your assistance to reduce the demand on our call centres is greatly appreciated.

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Service Status Notes
Waste Collection

Waste - Full service

Recycling - Full Service

Garden - Full Service

 Full service update and additional information
Street Cleaning Full service  
Grounds Maintenance Full service  
Markets Limited service

Markets will remain scheduled and open, however only food stallholders will be permitted.

Social distancing measures must be adhered to at all times, to ensure the safety of the public and staff.
Countryside Sites Limited service

Once on site please maintain your social distances (2m) and do not gather in large groups.

Please follow government guidelines for the latest advice to keep yourself and others safe whilst visiting any of our parks and open spaces.

View information about Countryside Services sites including opening times.
Council Tax Full service  
Business Rates Full service

Government has introduced reliefs and grants to help support businesses during the period. Further information for businesses can be found here and will be updated following any government announcements.
Housing Benefits Full service

Routine home visits have been suspended.

Phone lines are very busy due to annual billing and year end processes. Customers can found out a lot of information through our pages.
Housing Full service

Phone interviews will be carried out instead of home visits and outreach appointments.

Housing associations are also implementing different ways of working and we are aware this may have an impact on the number of properties becoming available for re-letting. We expect to see fewer properties being advertised on Home-Link and longer times for these to be re-let. Information about the impact on services will also continue to appear on the Home-Link website.

Please do NOT to visit Pathfinder House to bring in supporting documents. Please email them to the Housing team.
Planning and Growth Full service Full service with limitations in some areas
Environmental Health Limited service

Priority is being given to cases where there is a high risk to health or the environment. Home visits will not be carried out for other cases. Officers will contact customers by telephone or e-mail for initial assessments.

Phone calls may be affected so please contact via email: envhealth@huntingdonshire.gov.uk
Licensing Limited service

Due to staffing locations, contact only via email: licensing@huntingdonshire.gov.uk

Driver renewals will be accepted via email when you receive your renewal letter. Please contact via the email above if you have any queries.

Knowledge Test provision is under review; applicants will be contacted.

Changes to vehicle testing information.
Call Centre Full service  
Customer Service Centre No Service

The Customer Service Centre is closed to the public as of 27 March 2020.

Information and help is still accessible via our website and via the call centre.
One Leisure/ Active Lifestyles No Service

One Leisure Centres One Leisure centres are open for indoor fitness, including group exercise classes, gym, indoor cycling and some racket sports. Please visit the One Leisure website to book or for further information.

Some Active Lifestyles classes are now running again. Visit the Sport and Activity Sessions pages for more information.

Instead of visiting the council offices in person, you could:

  • register for your MyHDC account, to access your personal account information and update us on your circumstances
  • find a lot of the information you need on this website, including how to complete a number of forms without visiting the office
  • visit the Contact Us page to find out the quickest and easiest way to reach the solution that you require.

Support for businesses

In light of the most recent announcement from central government on support for small businesses, we have collated all the relevant information on schemes which may help your business.

The Local Authority Discretionary Grant Fund Scheme has launched and opened up to applications on Monday 8 June at 9am. Please visit our Discretionary Grant page for full details and to check your business eligibility.

Visit our COVID-19 Grant Funding page for further details on each of the government grants available for eligible businesses across Huntingdonshire, and to apply.

NHS Test and Trace

Here you can find an overview of the NHS test and trace service, including what happens if you test positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) or have had close contact with someone who has tested positive.

You can also find a detailed outline of the Test and Trace process and what it means for you on the NHS website.

Council meetings

During the coronavirus pandemic, meetings may be held virtually, where practicable, or may be cancelled. Please regularly check the upcoming committee meetings calendar  to see whether meetings will be going ahead. Where a public meeting is taking place virtually we will post a web link on the relevant web page, normally by 5pm on the day before the meeting.

Impact on waste services

The Waste and Recycling Service is currently running a full service, there are no changes to scheduled collections.

Please find a full service update for the Waste and Recycling service here.

Stagecoach changes

Please find visit the Stagecoach website for further updates to services in response to the coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak.

Community resources

Please find a wide variety of resources from Cambridgeshire County Council that are available for use in your community.

Please also find information from Cambridgeshire County Council on how parents and carers can apply for free school meals if your family meets the eligibility criteria outlined. If your child is already in receipt of free school meals (FSM), there is no need for you to reapply. 

We understand the concern that COVID-19 is generating. There are some really simple steps we can all take to protect ourselves and others to stop the spread of viruses and germs including coronavirus (COVID-19).

HDC social media

Twitter: @HuntsDC 

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