In moves to protect residents in line with latest national government advice and direction, South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) has announced further measures designed to limit the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).
From today (Tuesday, 24 March) the front counter reception at the council’s main offices at South Lakeland House in Kendal will be closed to face-to-face enquiries, as will Kendal Town Hall.
The council has also announced the closure of the public jetty, public slipway and public toilets at Ferry Nab, Bowness. All council managed play areas are to close, although parks will remain open for fresh air and exercise in line with government advice.
The indoor market in Kendal will be closed, although the outdoor market will continue but only for stalls selling food produce.
The council’s leisure provider, GLL, has confirmed that all its facilities, including the leisure centres in Kendal and Ulverston, will be closed.
SLDC is also suspending all bulky waste collection services provided by Right2Work and no more bookings will be accepted.
All closures and suspensions will remain in place until guidance is received that it is appropriate to re-open and resume.
Council staff will continue to work to deliver essential services and as part of the co-ordinated Coronavirus response.
Services will also be accessible to the homeless and anyone who requires urgent assistance can still call a member of the homelessness team on 01539 733333.
SLDC’s customer services team is still working and can be contacted by the same phone number or by emailing [email protected]
You can find information, make payments and report a range of issues using the council’s website: www.southlakeland.gov.uk
Any documents that need to be handed in can be left in a sealed envelope in the post box at the council’s Kendal offices. The post box is next to the main office entrance in Angel Yard.
SLDC Chief Executive Lawrence Conway said: “We are determined to maintain our essential services such as waste collections and benefits payments, but in order to protect our residents and staff, and in line with the Prime Minister’s instructions last night, we are having to take these measures to temporarily close areas and facilities where the public may congregate.
“It is vitally important that everyone heeds the advice to stay at home, but that doesn’t mean you can’t speak to us – our website, email and phone channels are still open and we have customer service staff available to deal with enquiries.’’
SLDC Leader Councillor Giles Archibald added: “A great many of our staff are involved directly in the response to the Coronavirus outbreak, working alongside colleagues from county council and central government as well as many other agencies. As well as maintaining vital local services our staff are offering valuable help to support the community work which is assisting some of our most vulnerable residents and our teams are offering what support they can to local businesses, including the huge task of administrating the new grant funding.
“This means we are prioritising our work and resources to meet the demands of the Coronavirus response, which inevitably means some non-essential work and responses to non-essential enquiries may take longer than usual.
“These are unprecedented times and we are having to take unprecedented measures and work very differently to meet the challenge. We appreciate everyone’s co-operation and understanding.’’
