The Isle of Wight Council has announced changes to it’s services over the Christmas and New Year period, with most aspects of the Council’s operations set to remain open until 16:00 on Friday 23rd December.
Although the majority of services will close on 23rd and then reopen on Tuesday 3rd January, there are some special arrangements for certain services.
Adult social care
Offices close 16:00 on Friday 23rd December and reopen 08:30 on Tuesday 3rd January.
Adult social care will be providing a duty service for adult social care and safeguarding emergencies on 28th, 29th and 30th December between 09:00-17:00. Telephone 01983 814980. The hospital social work team (adult services) will operate on a duty service basis on the same days, telephone 01983 534227. Outside of these times urgent calls should be directed to Wightcare, telephone 01983 821105.
Bereavement Services Crematorium
Grounds and Book of Remembrance will be open between 09:00 and 16:30 on 19th/20th/21st/22nd/28th/29th December. On 23rd December they will close at 15:00.
On Christmas Eve they will be open between 10:00-14:00, as well as on Friday 30th December and New Year’s Eve. Both will be open 10:00-12:00 on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, 27th December, New Year’s Day and Monday 2nd January.
The grounds can be accessed at any time, but if the gates are closed, park in the road outside and use the pedestrian gate.
Office hours are as above for weekdays, except for bank holidays, when the office is closed.
All cremation documentation, burial forms and music should be delivered at least three clear office working days prior to each service, especially over this period.
Children’s Services
Offices close at 17:00 on Friday 23rd December and reopen Wednesday 28th December at 08:30.
If a safeguarding matter arises when the office is closed then callers should contact the out of hours service on 0300 300 0117.
If a child is in immediate danger of being harmed, or if a child is home alone, the police should be called on 999.
Contact Centre and help centres
The Contact Centre closes at 18:00 on 23rd December and reopens at 08:00 on Tuesday 3rd January.
Newport and Ryde Help Centre offices close at 16:30 on Friday 23rd December.
County Hall, Newport reopens at 08:30 on Tuesday 3rd January. The help centre in Ryde Library reopens at 09:00 on Tuesday 3rd January.
Coroner’s office
The coroner’s office closes at 16:00 on Friday 23rd December and is closed on Tuesday 27th December. It is open Wednesday 28th December, Thursday 29th December and Friday 30th December between 09:00-16:00. It reopens as normal on Tuesday 3rd January.
Council buildings or land
For emergencies involving council-owned buildings, contact Wightcare on 01983 821105.
Floating bridge
Cowes floating bridge Christmas and new year operating schedule:
Christmas Eve – 05:00 to 00:30 (next day).
Christmas Day – 06:30 to 00:30 (next day).
Boxing Day – 06:30 to 00:30 (next day).
27 December – 06:30 to 00:30 (next day).
28 December – 05:00 to 00:30 (next day).
29 December – 05:00 to 00:30 (next day).
30 December – 05:00 to 00:30 (next day).
New Year’s Eve –05:00 to 01:30** (next day)..
New Year’s Day – 06:30 to 00:30 (next day).
2 January – 06:30 to 00:30 (next day).
** Last crossing from East Cowes 01:10, last crossing from West Cowes 01:20.
Highways emergencies
Flooding, fallen trees, traffic lights not working etc – contact Island Roads, telephone 01983 822440 or visit the website www.islandroads.com.
The Island Roads Hub will be closed – from midnight on 24th December to 07:00 on 27th December and from midnight on 31st December to 07:00 on 2nd January.
Emergency calls received during these times will be diverted to the duty engineer and dealt with accordingly.
Housing
On-call arrangements for emergencies via Wightcare, telephone 01983 821105.
Leisure Services facilities
The Heights:
· 19th to 23rd December – 07:00 to 21:00.
· 24th December – 08:00 to 15:00.
· 25th to 26th December – CLOSED.
· 27th December – 07:00 to 17:00.
· 28th to 30th December – 07:00 to 19:00.
· 31st December – 08:00 to 15:00.
· 1st January – CLOSED.
· 2nd January – 07:00 to 19:00.
Medina:
· 19th to 23rd December – 07:00 to 21:00.
· 24th December – 09:00 to 15:00.
· 25th to 26th December – CLOSED.
· 27th to 30th December – 07:00 to 19:00.
· 31st December – 09:00 to 15:00.
· 1st January – CLOSED.
· 2nd January – 07:00 to 17:00.
Theatre:
· 19th December – rehearsals.
· 20th, 22nd, 24th December – 14:00 to 17:00.
· 21st, 23rd December – 10:30 to 13:30, 14:00 to 17:00.
· 25th to 26th December – CLOSED.
· 27th to 30th December – 14:00 to 17:00.
· 31st December to 2nd January – CLOSED.
Westridge:
· 19th to 20th December – 07:00 to 21:00.
· 21st December – 07:00 to 22:00.
· 22nd to 23th December – 07:00 to 21:00.
· 24th December – 09:00 to 13:00.
· 25th to 26th December – CLOSED.
· 27th to 30th December – 09:00 to 17:00.
· 31st December – 09:00 to 13:00.
· 1st January – CLOSED.
· 2nd January – 09:00 to 17:00.
Fairway:
· 19th to 23rd December – Open as normal.
· 24th December to 2nd January – CLOSED.
Ryde:
· 19th to 23rd December – 17:30 to 22:00.
· 24th December to 2nd January – CLOSED.
Libraries
Cowes Library – closes 17:00 on 23rd December; reopens 10:00 on Tuesday 3rd January.
Freshwater Library – closes 16:00 on 23rd December; reopens 09:30 on Tuesday 3rd January.
Newport Library – closes 1730 on 23rd December; reopens 09:00 on Tuesday 3rd January.
Ryde Library – closes 17:30 on 23rd December; reopens 09:00 on Tuesday 3rd January.
Sandown Library – closes 17:00 on 23rd December; reopens 09:00 on Tuesday 3rd January
Ventnor Library – closes 17:00 on 23rd December; reopens 09:30 on Tuesday 3rd January
The mobile library is operating a normal schedule up until Christmas:
Monday 19th December – Route A.
Tuesday 20th December – Route B.
Wednesday 21st December – Route C.
Thursday 22nd December – Route D.
Friday 23rd December – Route E.
See https://www.iwight.com/azservices/documents/1210-RoutesLeaflet2016v0.2.pdf for further details.
Record Office
The Record Office at Hillside, Newport will be closed from 17:00 on Friday 23rd December, reopening on 4th January.
Dinosaur Isle
Dinosaur Isle will be closed on 24th, 25th and 26th December and 1st January. On all other days it will open from 10:00 until 16:00, with last admission at 15:00.
Register office
The register office closes at 16:00 on Friday 23rd December and is closed on Tuesday 27th December. It is open Wednesday 28th December, Thursday 29th December and Friday 30th December from 09:30 to 16:00 (by appointment only). It re-opens as normal on Tuesday 3rd January.
To register a death between 24th December and 3rd January, telephone 01983 823233.
Revenues, Benefits, Parking Services, Blue Badges and Payments Team and Customer Account Services
The service closes at 16:00 on Friday 23rd December and reopens at 08:30 on Tuesday 3rd January.
Online applications remain available for council tax/housing benefit and Blue Badges on www.iwight.com
An automated payment system is available 24 hours a day, tel: 0845 045 0076 or pay online at www.iwight.com – follow the ‘Residents – do it online’ link on the home page.
Christmas housing benefit payment arrangements – please visit www.iwight.com/housingbenefit
To use the Citizen’s Access Portal to view your council tax account online visit www.iwight.com/revsandbens (selecting Council Tax and then Citizens Access Portal).
