The Isle of Wight Council has confirmed the details of opening hours for a variety of services over the Christmas and New Year period for 2017/2018.
Most of the council’s operations will remain open until 16:30 on Friday (22nd December). After closing for Christmas Day and Boxing Day many services will reopen on Wednesday 27th December through to Friday 29th December.
After closing for New Year’s Day, services will reopen as normal on Tuesday 2nd January.
There are a number of special arrangements for certain services…
Adult social care
Offices close at 16:30 on Friday 22nd December and reopen at 08:30 on Wednesday 27th December. They then close again at 16:30 on Friday 29th December and reopen at 08:30 on Tuesday 2nd January. Outside of these times urgent calls should be directed to Wightcare, tel: 821105.
Bereavement Services
The grounds can be accessed at any time, but if the gates are closed, park in the road outside and use the pedestrian gate.
The Book of Remembrance will be opening at the following times:
– Wednesday 20th December – 09:00 to 16:30
– Thursday 21st December – 09:00 to 16:30
– Friday 22nd December – 09:00 to 15:00
– Saturday 23rd December – 10:00 to 14:00
– Christmas Eve – 10:00 to 14:00
– Christmas Day – CLOSED
– Boxing Day – CLOSED
– Wednesday 27th December – 09:00 to 16:30
– Thursday 28th December – 09:00 to 16:30
– Friday 29th December – 10:00 to 14:00
– Saturday 30th December – 10:00 to 14:00
– New Year’s Eve – 10:00 to 14:00
– New Year’s Day – 10:00 to 12:00
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 16:30, Friday 22nd December and reopen Wednesday 27th December at 08:30. If you are worried about a child or young person, contact Isle of Wight Children’s Services on 0300 300 0117 (24 hours). In an emergency call 999.
Contact Centre and help centres
The Contact Centre closes at 16:30 on Friday 22nd December and reopens at 08:00 on Wednesday 27th December. It then closes at 16:30 on Friday 29th December and reopens at 08:00 on Tuesday 2nd January.
Newport and Ryde Help Centre offices close at 16:30 on Friday 22nd December. County Hall, Newport reopens at 08:30 on Wednesday 27th December. The help centre in Ryde Library reopens at 09:00 on Tuesday 2nd January.
Coroner’s office
The coroner’s office closes at 16:00 on Friday 22nd December. It is open Wednesday 27th December, Thursday 28th December and Friday 29th December between 09:00 and 16:00. It reopens as normal on Tuesday 2nd January.
Council buildings or land
For emergencies involving council-owned buildings, contact Wightcare on 01983 821105.
Floating bridge
– Christmas Eve – 06:30 to 00:30 (next day)
– Christmas Day – 07:00 to 22:30
– Boxing Day – 07:00 to 22:30
– Wednesday 27th December – 05:00 to 07:00 (launch) then 07:00 to 22:30
– Thursday 28th December – 05:00 to 07:00 (launch) then 07:00 to 22:30
– Friday 29th December – 05:00 to 07:00 (launch) then 07:00 to 22:30
– Saturday 30th December – 05:00 to 07:00 (launch) then 07:00 to 23:00
– New Year’s Eve – 06:30 to 01:30** (next day)
– New Year’s Day – 07:00 to 22:30
– Tuesday 2nd January – 05:00 to 07:00 (launch) then 07:00 to 22:30
** 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 on 01983 822440 or visit the website www.islandroads.com.
The Island Roads Hub will be closed from midnight 24th December to 07:00 on 27th December and from midnight 31st December to 07:00 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 on 01983 821105.
Leisure Services facilities
The Heights:
– 19th to 23rd December – 07:00 to 21:00
– Sunday 24th December -08:00 to 15:00
– Christmas Day – CLOSED
– Boxing Day – CLOSED
– Wednesday 27th December – 07:00 to 17:00
– 28th to 30th December – 07:00 to 19:00
– New Years Eve – 08:00 to 15:00
– New Years Day – CLOSED
– Tuesday 2nd January – 07:00 to 21:00
Medina:
– 19th to 23rd December – 07:00 to 21:00
– Sunday 24th December -09:00 to 15:00
– Christmas Day – CLOSED
– Boxing Day – CLOSED
– 27th to 30th December – 07:00 to 19:00
– New Years Eve – 09:00 to 15:00
– New Years Day – CLOSED
– Tuesday 2nd January – 07:00 to 21:00
Theatre:
– 19th to 21st December – rehearsals
– 22nd, 23rd and 24th December – 14:00 to 17:00
– Christmas Day – CLOSED
– Boxing Day – CLOSED
– 27th to 29th December – 14:00 to 17:00
– 30th December – 10:30 to 13:30 and 14:00 to 17:00
– New Years Eve- 14:00 to 17:00
– New Years Day – CLOSED
Westridge:
– 19th to 22nd December – 07:00 to 21:00
– Saturday 23rd December – 07:00 to 15:00
– Christmas Eve – CLOSED
– Christmas Day – CLOSED
– Boxing Day – CLOSED
– 27th to 30th December – 07:00 to 19:00
– New Years Eve – CLOSED
– New Years Day – CLOSED
– Tuesday 2nd January – 09:00-21:00
Fairway:
– 19th to 22nd December – open as normal
– 23rd December to 2nd January – CLOSED
Libraries
– Cowes Library – closes 16:30 on Saturday 23rd December; reopens 10:00 Tuesday 2nd January
– Freshwater Library – closes 12:30 on Saturday 23rd December; reopens 09:30 Tuesday 2nd January
– Newport Library – closes 17:00 on Saturday 23rd December; reopens 09:00 Tuesday 2nd January
– Ryde Library – closes 17:00 on Saturday 23rd December; reopens 09:00 Tuesday 2nd January
– Sandown Library – closes closes 16:30 on Saturday 23rd December; reopens 09:00 Tuesday 2nd January
– Ventnor Library – closes 16:30 on Saturday 23rd December; reopens 09:30 Tuesday 2nd January
The mobile library will recommence its week 1 on Tuesday 2nd January.
Record Office
The Record Office at Hillside, Newport will be closed from 17:00 on Friday 22nd December. It will be open between 10:00 and 16:00 on 27th, 28th and 29th December. It will then reopen with its usual opening hours of 09:00 to 12:30 and 13:00 to 17:00 from Wednesday 3rd January.
Dinosaur Isle
Dinosaur Isle will be closed on 24th, 25th, 26th December and 1st January. On all other days it will open from 10:00 until 16:00, with last admission at 15:00.
Cowes Maritime Museum
The same opening hours as Cowes Library.
Planning Services
The planning office closes at 16:00 on Friday 22nd December. It is open Wednesday 27th December, Thursday 28th December and Friday 29th December from 09:30 to 16:00. It reopens as normal on Tuesday 2nd January.
Register office
The register office closes at 16:00 on Friday 22nd December. It is open Wednesday 27th December, Thursday 28th December and Friday 29th December from 09:30 to 16:00 (by appointment only). It reopens as normal on Tuesday 2nd January.
To register a death between 24th December and 2nd January, call 01983 823233.
Regulatory Services (Licensing, Environmental Health and Trading Standards)
Offices close at 16:00 on Friday 22nd December and reopen Wednesday 27th December at 08:45. If you wish to see a specific officer please make an appointment.
An out of hours service will run on Friday 22nd December and Saturday 23rd December as normal, telephone Wightcare on 01983 821105.
Revenues, Benefits, Parking Services, Blue Badges and Payments Team
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/housingbenefitpayments.
To use the Citizen’s Access Portal to view your council tax account online please visit www.iwight.com/revsandbens (selecting Council Tax and then Citizens Access Portal).
