Coronavirus outbreak: latest Chesterfield Borough Council services update

Following the latest Government guidance, Chesterfield Borough Council have taken further “difficult, but responsible, decisions to change our service provision.”

Beat the Street

Beat the Street Chesterfield has now ended.

Councillor Jill Mannion-Brunt, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “We have seen lots of people get more active thanks to Beat the Street, so we’re very sad to see this end, however, we must assist the government in ensuring people follow the latest guidance to stay at home to stop the coronavirus spreading.

“Even though Beat the Street is ending early, our partners and game operator, Intelligent Health would still love to know what you thought of the game. Please complete our survey www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/DTPQGSJ (opens in new tab) and you could be in with a chance of winning prizes.”

Beat Boxes will no longer function, and the leader board has been frozen. Winners will be announced on social media and prizes will be sent out via email and post.

Town Hall reception

The Town Hall reception is closed until further notice, following the government’s latest announcements about social distancing. The Register Office is open for essential business only, and the Coroner’s Court can be contacted via phone or email.

For further information about the Register Office call 01629 533 110 or 01629 533 111 or via email at chesterfield.registrars@derbyshire.gov.uk or by clicking here (opens in new tab).

For further information about visiting the Coroner’s Court call 01246 533 405 or email chesterfield.coroner@derbyshire.gov.uk 

Stone Gravels depot reception

The reception desk at the Stone Gravels Maintenance Depot is also closed until further notice. If you have any specific questions, please instead contact Chesterfield Borough Council on 01246 345 345.

Parks and open spaces

In line with the Government’s guidance, residents and visitors must not use the play equipment or outdoor gyms that are situated in the parks. All toilet facilities in parks are also closed.

Parks remain open, but you must ensure that you are following social distancing guidelines when exercising:

• Washing your hands before and after visiting
• Keep a safe distance from people outside your household (at least 2m)
• Do not gather in groups of more than two people, excluding people you live with
• Sneeze or cough into your sleeve or a tissue
• Avoid touching your face or eyes
• Do not use play equipment or outdoor gyms

Market, Market Hall and Pavements Shopping Centre

In the Town Centre, all shops that are not classified by the Government as essential are now closed.

The Market Hall is closed apart from the butchers, pet food store and the Cheese Factor, which remain open from 10am-2pm in order to provide essential supplies. A limited number of customers will be allowed into the Market Hall at any one time so that social distancing guidance is followed.

On the outdoor market, all stall holders selling non-essential items will no longer be able to trade until further notice, but stallholders that sell essential items such as fruit and vegetables and pet food will be able to continue trading.

Only essential retailers including the supermarket and post office are open in the Pavements Shopping Centre.

Crematorium

The crematorium remains open for funerals to take place, however, due to strict social distancing guidance a number of temporary restrictions have been put in place.

If you are attending the crematorium, please adhere to the following guidance:

• In the chapel, please sit a respectful distance away from others. A maximum of three people per row. The chapel capacity is now reduced to 24 people in total.
• Webcasting can be organised via your funeral director; this is a free service and outside speakers can be provided on request.
• Only immediate family should attend funeral services.
• Services will be a maximum of 25 minutes each to allow for extra cleaning to take place in between services.
• Mourners are advised not to touch the coffin when leaving the chapel.
• Strictly one person can enter the office to collect cremated remains at any one time, this is to protect both our staff and visitors.
• If you are in one of the Government’s vulnerable groups or have any symptoms of coronavirus please do not attend services to protect both yourself and others.
• Hand sanitiser is available for everyone attending funeral services at the crematorium.

Customer Contact Centre

Although the Council have had to close face to face customer services, you can still contact the council in a number of ways including telephone 01246 345 345, email via enquiries@chesterfield.gov.uk and through the website here by completing an online form (opens in new tab).

The Customer Contact Centre is currently experiencing a high volume of calls. If your call is not urgent, please contact online or by email enquiries@chesterfield.gov.uk if possible to help manage the level of enquiries effectively.

All of the latest service-related updates can be found in the dedicated coronavirus section of the Chesterfield Borough Council website here –  www.chesterfield.gov.uk/coronavirus (opens in new tab).