Changes to Council Services
From Monday 12 April, England will move onto the next step of the Coronavirus Lockdown Roadmap. This means that there are some changes to Council services affected by lockdown. These changes include:
Libraries
Libraries will open their doors for self-service browsing, with new health and safety measures – including limited numbers, a one way system and sanitisers - in place at each of the buildings.
From Monday 12 April, the following libraries will open on Mondays to Fridays with several closed one day a week: Grangetown (closed Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays); Guisborough; Loftus (closed Tuesdays); Marske (closed Thursdays); Ormesby (closed Wednesdays); Redcar, Saltburn (closed Tuesdays); Skelton (closed Wednesdays) and South Bank.
From Monday 19 April Dormanstown library will be open on Tuesdays and Fridays (closed for lunch 12.45pm to 1.15pm) and Laburnum Road, Redcar will be open Tuesdays and Wednesdays (closed for lunch 12.45pm to 1.15pm). Plans are progressing to reopen Brotton Library once health and safety issues are resolved.
The libraries will have self-service machines (with the exception of Redcar's Dormanstown and Laburnum libraries) and returned books may be placed in the designated area at the entrance of each library building where they will be quarantined for 72 hours. Unfortunately there will be no provision for public use computer equipment, face-to-face appointments, printing or photocopying facilities during the initial re-opening period. There will also be no provision for group meetings, events or activities. BorrowBox - the digital service allowing users to borrow eBooks and eAudiobooks - and a book delivery service for housebound library users continue to remain available.
Library users must wear face-masks unless there's a medical reason not to and are reminded to bring their library cards. Information posters will be displayed at each location and users be welcomed and given specific guidance for the particular library building they are using.
Leisure Centres
Eston Leisure Centre, Saltburn Leisure Centre, Loftus Leisure Centre, Guisborough Swim and Fitness Centre and Redcar and Cleveland Leisure and Community Heart in Redcar, will all reopen.
However, the health suite at Loftus Leisure and swimming pool at Eston will remain closed until further notice. Group exercise classes won't operate in any centre until at least May 17. There will be no squash or bowls at Eston until June 21 at the earliest, no squash at Loftus and no swimming pool at Guisborough.
Operator Everyone Active, which runs the leisure centres in partnership with the council, has committed to a strict policy of following safety guidelines and has also provided a package of online workouts for people to use, along with livestreamed classes across its social media pages. More information is available on each leisure website, or log on to https://www.everyoneactive.com/covid-information/
Youth Clubs and Family Hubs
Youth Club sessions will re-start on a booking only basis for up to 15 young people maximum (and depending on the space available at individual centres).
For details of our youth sessions in Redcar please contact Hellen Higgs Helen.Higgs@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk; in East Cleveland please contact Peter Carter Peter.Carter@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk and Greater Eston contact Lee Waters Lee.Waters@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk. For details on our CWD (Children with Disability) youth sessions please contact Terry Colley, Terry.Colley@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk;
Family Hubs will start to offer small group activity sessions face to face for parents and children from newborn to five years, on a referral only basis.
Weddings and funerals
In common with the other areas across England, funerals can continue with up to 30 attendees from April 12. Weddings, outdoor receptions, and commemorative events including wakes will be able to take place with up to 15 attendees (in premises that are permitted to open). Find out more on the council's website.
Shops and hospitality businesses and other commercial services are also re-opening and some have had support and guidance from the council.
Information on established grants for all businesses – not only retail and hospitality - is available on the council's website. Restart grants for all eligible businesses will be paid as soon as possible, when all government required checks have been completed.
Those businesses significantly impacted by Covid-19 lockdown between 5 November 2020 and 31 March 2021 which have not received a government grant in relation to the November and January lockdowns are also now able to apply for a new grant. If successful, a one-off payment, which can range from £1,000 to £10,000, will be issued. Eligible businesses only have until April 30 to apply for the grant and can do so by visiting www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk
