Changes to Council services announced as lockdown eased

Following recent government announcements on the next stages of easing lockdown, from Saturday 4 July, Stockport Council has announced that residents can expect some changes to services affected by the coronavirus pandemic over recent months.

Residents can expect, in many cases, that services will not be exactly as they were before the pandemic, because the council needs to deliver its services in a new, ‘Covid-secure’ way, taking into consideration the council’s ongoing role in responding to the coronavirus as well as supporting the borough’s recovery. Many services will have been adapted and modified to ensure people’s safety and will be reintroduced, where relevant, over a phased period of days and weeks.

Planning has been taking place to make sure that, as changes to services are introduced, over a phased number of weeks, the safety of residents and users is the priority.

Stockport residents are still being encouraged to access council services online as much as possible through Stockport Council’s website.

Services and associated buildings and equipment now have increased cleaning schedules in place, hand sanitiser stations are available in any buildings serving the public. The Council are also strongly encouraging people to follow the Public Health England social distancing guidelines, which ask people to stay 2 metres apart wherever possible. New, improved signage will also be in place, where appropriate, to help direct and support residents.

Services changes being introduced from Saturday 4th July include:

Bowling greens

Stockport’s bowling greens will be open for use by club members from Saturday 4 July. The greens will not be maintained to the usual standard but will be suitable for informal play. Bowling clubs should follow the advice of the Government and the Crown Green Bowling Association. Safety is the first priority and as such ancillary facilities, such as pavilions, will remain closed for the foreseeable future

Services that will be reintroduced from Monday 6th July include:

Playgrounds and outdoor gyms

Following the Government easing of lockdown, work has started to prepare the borough’s 142 play areas for reopening. Safety is the priority and each site will undergo a full safety inspection prior to opening. The first play areas will open from Monday 6 July and we aim for Alexandra, Bruntwood, Bramhall, Marple Memorial, Torkington and Woodbank Parks to all be open on Monday. All remaining play areas and outdoor gyms will open no later than Friday 17 July.

Signage will be displayed at each site when they are safe to be used and will remind parents to promote responsible behaviour, particularly with regard to maintaining social distancing and good hand hygiene.

Fred Perry House reception area

Adults social care and children’s services pre-booked appointments will start from Fred Perry House Reception on Monday 6 July. These appointments are limited and there are no drop in visitor services available.

Services that will be reintroduced from Monday 13th July include:

Book borrowing and free IT use

Stockport Council has continued to provide a digital library service throughout lockdown, with online events and e-books and magazines all available free of charge.

From Monday 13 July, a limited covid-secure book borrowing and IT provision will be offered at Hazel Grove, the Heatons, Marple and Reddish; this will consist of an order and collect book service and bookable IT slots.

Library services will be seeking customer feedback from these four sites over the first few weeks of operation to refine and improve what is on offer, with a view to extending the offer to more locations later in July and August.

Car parking

Parking charges are to resume in all Stockport Council car parks and on-street pay-and-display locations from Monday 13th July.

Motorists are encouraged to make touch free, coin free payments using the RingGo app. on their mobile device – no additional charges, no need to carry coins, free reminders when your parking is running out and the ability to extend your parking without returning to your vehicle.

The council is also supporting pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes – who can also open their doors from Saturday 4 July. The council is keen to support business recovery and to help make Stockport safe so locals feel comfortable and welcomed as they return to the bars and restaurants.