Coronavirus Updates

This page will contain all the latest updates and information during the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

The Council urges all residents to keep up to date with the most recent advice and guidance available on the Public Health Wales and Welsh Government websites:

• 23/11/20 - Football pitch availability  

  Following recent requests the Council has made facilities available for friendly matches to be played in accordance with Stage 3 COVID-19 Regulations starting on Saturday 28 November 2020.

   

  Facilities will be available for Juniors on a Saturday mornings, 10:00am start, and Senior Matches in the afternoon, 1:00pm start.  Youth games can also be booked for Sundays. 

   

  Facilities immediately available are at Barry Sports Centre, The Buttrills and Parc Bryn Y Don. Council managed pitches at certain other sites throughout the Vale of Glamorgan have also been made available for friendlies but these are only available to the clubs who traditionally play at these venues due to the availability of toilet facilities.

   

  All Clubs making a booking must comply with the FAW regulations applied to organised friendly matches.  Any club found to be in breach of COVID-19 Regulations or who are found playing a friendly without making a booking on a Council pitch face a lengthy ban before being allowed to make future bookings. They will also be reported to their specific league.  They could also face fines for breaching COVID-19 Regulations.

   

  Clubs wishing to make a booking should contact the Pitch Booking Clerk on 029 20 673 238 between 9:00am and 10:00 am on the Tuesday prior to the weekend.  

   

  A full set of the regulations will be given to the club making the booking at this time. These must be signed and return by the home clubs COVID-19 officer prior to the Kick Off time of any teams first friendly. It is the responsibility of both teams playing to gain approval for the friendly from their normal leagues.  Failure to do this could result in disciplinary action by a league against a team.

   

  As per the FAW regulations no changing facilities will be available, only toilet facilities, this will be managed on a one in one out basis.

   

  Bookings will only be taken on a week by week basis with any cancelled bookings due to conditions to roll on to the following weekend. Charges are as follows:

   

  Junior – £7.40

  Senior – £30.00

  Youth - £22.10

   

   

• 06/11/20 - Civic Offices 

  The Civic Offices will re-open on Monday 09 November with limited services and revised opening hours of 10.00am – 2.00pm.

   

  If visiting the offices, please wear a mask and use the hand sanitiser provided.

   

  Register Office

  For all Register Office appointments for births, deaths or marriages, please use the rear entrance to the Civic Offices. On arrival please ring the contact telephone number published on the public notice located to the right of the entrance door. 

   

  Please do not use the front entrance of the Civic Offices for your Registrars appointment.

   

  Book an appointment

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  Housing:

  • Monday and Wednesday - Appointments only
  • Friday - Emergency homelessness drop-in

   

  Book a housing appointment

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  Housing Benefits

  Monday, Wednesday and Friday - By appointment only.

   

  Book a Housing Benefit appointment

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  Council Tax 

  Monday, Wednesday and Friday - By appointment only.

   

  Book a Council Tax appointment

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  Cashiers

  Tuesday and Thursday -  No appointment needed.  

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  If you have any symptoms, please do not visit the offices.

• 06/11/20 - Recycling Centres 

  Recycling Centres will re-open on Monday 09 November 2020.

   

  You can book an appointment online. 

   

  Book an appointment 

   

• 06/11/20 - Greenlinks
  Greenlinks Community Transport Services will be available again from Monday 09 November 2020. 

• 06/11/20 - Libraries
   

  • Click and collect services in libraries will resume on Monday 09 November 2020
  • IT access will be available via appointment only for a 50 minute period at Barry, Cowbridge and Llantwit Major Libraries.
  • Browse and select your own books via appointment for a 20 minute period at Barry, Cowbridge and Llantwit Major Libraries.
  • Appointments can be made to use the photocopier and to print from a PC at Barry, Cowbridge and Llantwit Major Libraries.

   

  Penarth Library is currently relocated to the Sea Cadet’s Hall in Penarth while we undertake building work. The library at the Sea Cadets Hall is only providing a Click and Collect service at present.  

   

  Libraries

   

• 22/10/20 - Planning

  Due to the impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic, the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Planning department has adapted the way they work.

   

  Most staff are working from home and contactable by their normal contact details.

   

  For general enquiries please email:

  • planning@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

   

  or phone the duty planning officer:

   

  • 01446 704681

   

  Please note that it may take longer than normal to respond to enquiries during this time and we thank you for your patience.

   

  We will continue to accept new planning applications and requests for pre-application advice, and determine these applications where possible. However, we will not offer face-to-face meetings at this time.

   

  We cannot guarantee that applications or additional information sent in by post will be dealt with at this time

   

  We will continue to undertake enforcement work, monitoring compliance with planning conditions and taking action against breaches of planning control.

   

  If you have a specific enquiry about a case, please contact the case officer.

• 22/10/20 - Building Control
   

  Building Control will continue to work through the 2 week lockdown this includes dealing with enquiries and carrying out inspections.

   

  The phone lines will be closed for payments however payments can be made online for this 2 week period.

   

  Inspectors mobile numbers are on the building control contact page or alternatively email buildingcontrol@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk with any application or advice queries.

   

• 22/10/20 - Child Benefits  
   

  Don’t miss out, claim Child Benefit by phone or post. If you’re not able to register the birth of your child because of coronavirus (COVID-19), you can still make a claim to receive Child Benefit.

   

  How to claim Child Benefits

   

• 22/10/20 - Housing 
   

  Homes4U

  The Homes4U Team continue to operate as normal. If you have a Homes4U related query, contact: 

  • 01446 700111

  • homes4u@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

   

  The Homes4U Advert continues to be published, however, the frequency of the adverts will be dependent upon the availability of social housing.

   

  The advert is now only available digitally and can be located on the Council website. Applicants registered to receive the Council’s updates will also be notified when adverts are published.

   

  Sign up to receive email updates

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  Housing Solutions

  Service continues to operate as normal with the exception of telephone interviews currently in place of face to face.

   

  For all those who are homeless of believe they are in threat of becoming homeless contact:

  • 01446 700111

  • homelessadviceassistance@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

   

  For any housing emergencies outside working hours (Monday – Thursday 8:30 to 17:00 & Friday 8:30 to 16:30) contact the out of hours service: 

  • 01446 721534

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  Supported Housing

  Continuing to operate with a reduction in staff to ensure social distancing measures. 

   

  The team continues to accept referrals to Supported Housing and suitability assessments are carried over the telephone where possible.

   

  • 01446 709793

  • supportingpeople@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

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  Housing Support

  Continuing to operate carried out over the phone and via social media. Face to face support is only carried out with the most vulnerable clients.

  • 01446 709793

  • supportingpeople@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

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  The One Stop Shop

  Temporarily closed with support being delivered by phone. The service is for those with short term support needs.

  •  01446 735444 / 07796 239784

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  Accommodation Solutions

  The below services are being completed via phone to support hospital discharges and prevent hospital admission: 

  • Manual Handling Advice / Assessment

  • Assessments for adaptations

  • Advice to health professionals on complex hospital discharges

  • Clean and Clears are being completed and co-ordinated via phone and email.

  • dischargesolutions@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

  • 07976 221078

   

  These services will be completed in person if necessary and / or high risk.

   

  Occupational Therapy Assessments to support Homes4U application are now taking place in person.

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  Housing Management Services

  Housing Management services are still being carried out where social distancing is possible, with some services altered or temporarily suspended.

   

  Please let us know beforehand if somebody in your household is displaying symptoms of Coronavirus.

   

  • Repairs: Emergency only and some external repairs.

  • Gas and Electrical Safety Checks: Normal service for gas and electrical tests.

  • Cleaning Services: Cleaning services continue at sheltered housing schemes.

  • Grounds Maintenance: Our grass cutting services are ongoing.

  • Independent / sheltered living schemes and hostels: All schemes and hostels are closed to non-essential visitors.

  • Lettings: Letting properties is ongoing where possible.

  • Time banking and Training and Tenant Participation: Most activities are currently suspended. 

  • Estate Inspections: Ongoing with social distancing measures in place. 

  • Ending A Tenancy: You can bring your tenancy to an end by contacting 01446 700111 to give notice and return keys. 

  • Developments: Work on building sites is ongoing with social distancing measures in place.

  • Money Help: Our money advice team continue to offer advice over the phone, contact Mark 07739194963, Lisa 07739194956 or Charlotte 07739194962.

  • Rent Payments: You can continue to pay your rent by direct debit, standing order, or contact 01446 700111 (C1V) 736815 (automated payment line).

  •  Civic Offices and other council offices and hubs: All offices are now closed to visitors. 

   

   

• Recycling and Waste

  There are a number of changes to recycling and waste services:

  • Garden Waste Collections - As normal. 

  • Black Bags - We’re asking residents to try and stick to the two black bag limit where possible by continuing to recycle. If you are struggling with the two black bag limit, we are temporarily increasing the limit to four. Unsure if something can be recycled, use our handy A to Z recycling search.

  • Wood Chippings - We are suspending our free wood chippings service until further notice. Apologies for any inconvenience this may caus

  • Recycling Bags and Containers - Please only order if absolutely essential. As council offices are currently closed due to Covid-19, residents can order replacement reusable recycling bags or containers for delivery. Simply complete our online order form to request. We will aim to deliver within 14 days. 

   

   

  Order Recycling Containers