Allerdale Borough Council is reminding residents of changes to some services over the Christmas and new year period.
Council offices and contacting the council
The council’s offices currently operate on an appointment basis. Anyone wishing to arrange a meeting should call 0303 123 1702.
No appointments will be available when the council’s customer service centres are closed from 12pm on Friday 24 December 2021, until 8:45am on Tuesday 4 January 2022. The council’s customer contact phone line will also be close during this period.
People can still pay for things online at www.allerdale.gov.uk, as well as report issues such as fly-tipping via the online forms and the myAllerdale app which is available from the Google Play and Apple app stores.
Payments can also be made by using the automated telephone payment line by calling 0303 123 1702 and selecting the appropriate option.
Emergency contact
The council can be contacted in an emergency by calling 0303 123 1702.
Homelessness
If anyone finds themselves homeless over the Christmas period, they should call 0303 123 1702 for the out of hours service and speak to a homelessness officer.
If in the run-up to Christmas anyone believes they may be homeless soon, they should contact the council as soon as possible on 01900 702660, so that the homelessness team can assess their situation and try to prevent them becoming homeless.
The council also encourages people to speak to the council’s customer service team if they are struggling financially to see if there is any help that can be provided.
Refuse and recycling collections
Normal collections will take place on Friday December 24 2021.
There will be no changes to waste collections over the Christmas and New Year period. People are asked to present their bin for emptying on their normal day.
Residents can check their bin collection day at https://www.allerdale.gov.uk/en/bincollections/
Other recycling facilities
The council’s recycling bring sites will remain open throughout the Christmas and new year period with regular collections of waste taking place.
Residents are asked to place the correct recycling material in the bins provided. Residents are also asked not to leave bags of rubbish by the bins, as this is classed as fly-tipping.
To ensure the maximum use of space, residents are asked to flatten any boxes before putting them in the paper and cardboard bins.
Cumbria County Council’s household waste recycling centres are also open throughout the festive period.
More information is available on the Cumbria County Council website https://www.cumbria.gov.uk/planning-environment/waste-management/servicesincumbria/hwrcs/hwrc.asp
Christmas tree collections
If any residents would like their real or artificial Christmas tree collected, they are asked to place it next to their general waste bin on their specified collection day.
Real Christmas trees can also be placed in garden waste bins for when collections restart in the Spring. However, the council does ask that the trees are cut up as much as possible to ensure they fit within the bin.
Self-isolation payments
Some residents who are asked to self-isolate due to a coronavirus infection may be entitled to a payment of £500.
More information can be found on the council’s website at https://www.allerdale.gov.uk/en/coronavirus/coronavirus-council-tax-benefits-and-financial-support/test-trace-support-payment/
Applications for the payment can be made online during the festive period, with payments made as soon as possible after January 4.
Leisure services
Residents can check the opening times of the council’s leisure centres on the Better website at https://www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/allerdale
Bereavement services
The council’s Bereavement services team is available and can be contacted on 01900 702 620.
