Council Service Update – Friday 29 October
29 October 2021
All Council services continue to be under regular review and every effort is being made to keep as many services operational as possible within the restrictions in place by the NI Executive. Please note that arrangements for accessing Recycling Centres are currently under review and it is expected that restrictions are to be eased over coming weeks with more information being made available via our website and social media channels.
For anyone seeking COVID-19 PCR testing, a walk-through test facility remains open at Templemore Sports Complex.
All information is updated regularly on our website at www.derrystrabane.com/coronavirus and shared on our Facebook and Twitter social media platforms in an effort to keep everyone informed.
Please note that the Clocks go back this weekend – by one hour, - from 2am on Sunday 31 October
For any information relating to our Halloween celebrations visit www.derryhalloween.com or follow the Derry Halloween Twitter and Facebook pages for regular updates
Council civic offices and public buildings – Council's Civic Offices in Strand Road, Derry and Derry Road, Strabane are open to the public with restrictions. Screens have been erected and the public will be asked to sanitise on entering and leaving the buildings and adhere to an in-house management system and strict social distancing guidance. The public are being encouraged to use Council's online systems where possible or to contact Council by phone at 028 71 253253 or by email at info@derrystrabane.com. Please note that the electoral office have installed kiosks at its Strand Road, and Derry Road offices to allow members of the public who don't have access to the internet to register to vote.
The Harbour House remains open for staff and elected members only.
The Guildhall is open to the public– Monday to Friday 9am-8pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 6pm
The Tower Museum is open to the public – its opening hours are from 9am to 5.30pm daily.
The Alley Theatre and Visitor Information Centre in Strabane is open to the public from Monday to Friday from 10 am to 4.30pm.
Mayor's Office – The Mayor Alderman Graham Warke was elected to the position at the AGM on 07 June. He is available for socially distanced and pre-booked meetings and events and is keen to engage with the public. He can be contacted via his office at mayor@derrystrabane.com – For more info on the Mayor visit - https://www.derrystrabane.com/mayor/contact.
General leisure information
Following a review of our facilities and restrictions, we are now extending activities on offer at our centres:
- Changing rooms and shower facilities have reopened but we advise that you still come beach ready for pool sessions.
- Sports halls will reopen for casual court activities and close contact sports (subject to governing body and risk assessment approval).
- Hire of conferencing rooms, studios and hall are now permitted.
We remind our users to ensure social distancing measures are adhered to.
Please see following breakdown per centre of bookable activities:
Foyle Arena
- Fitness Suite (individual gym sessions, motivational 1-2-1s, inductions)
- Indoor and Outdoor Group Fitness classes
- Swimming Pool (Household Swimming, Lane Swimming, Club Sessions)
- Outdoor pitches
- Tennis Courts
- Climbing wall
- Sports Hall – casual and block bookers (subject to relevant governing body guidance and appropriate risk assessments)
Templemore Sports Complex
- Fitness Suite (individual gym sessions, motivational 1-2-1s, inductions)
- Group Fitness classes
- Swimming Pool (Household Swimming, Lane Swimming, Club Sessions)
- Athletics Track
- Squash Court
- Sports Hall – casual and block bookers (subject to relevant governing body guidance and appropriate risk assessments)
Riversdale Leisure Centre
- Fitness Suite (individual gym sessions, motivational 1-2-1s, inductions)
- Group Fitness classes
- Swimming Pool (Household Swimming, Lane Swimming, Club Sessions)
- Squash Court
Derg Valley Leisure Centre
- Fitness Suite (individual gym sessions, motivational 1-2-1s, inductions)
- Group Fitness classes
Melvin Sports Complex
- Group fitness classes
- Outdoor pitches
- Soft Play
- Sports Hall –casual and block bookers (subject to relevant governing body guidance and appropriate risk assessments)
Brooke Park Leisure Centre
- Fitness Suite (individual gym sessions, motivational 1-2-1s, inductions)
- Outdoor pitches
- Bowling Green (clubs/affiliated groups)
- Sports Hall bookings
- Squash Court
- Sports Hall – casual and block bookers (subject to relevant governing body guidance and appropriate risk assessments)
Bishops Field
- Outdoor Pitch Bookings
- Sports Hall – casual and block bookers (subject to relevant governing body guidance and appropriate risk assessments)
All fitness classes, gym sessions and swim sessions are bookable online and through our Fitness App.
Pavilion Changing Facilities
The Council is working in partnership with the Irish FA and leagues to facilitate the safe reopening of changing pavilions across the Council area. The Council has been in contact with the clubs to advise them of their requirement to provide Council with written communication that they will adhere to the guidelines and safety measures put in place. This will include the submission of an updated COVID 19 Risk Assessment.
The spokesperson said that on receipt of all the relevant documentation Council will assess and approve before providing confirmation to each Club that they are eligible to access changing facilities.
Arrangements are being put into place by Council to have these facilities open from October 30 for all eligible clubs. The Council spokesperson added that the guidelines set out by Council are in line with the requirements included in the Irish FA’s Return to the Everyday Game. The Council will continue to monitor the situation going forward.
DCSDC Leisure App
With the Derry & Strabane Leisure app, you always have your centre in your pocket. You can book fitness classes, gym and swimming sessions. View the latest pool and classes timetable. Get all the latest news via push notifications. Further details can be found at derrystrabaneleisure.com
Members of the Gym can also access a full range of on demand workouts through the home fitness section of the App. From cardio to mindfulness there is a workout to suit your schedule and location.
Templemore Sports Complex – COVID Testing
A walk-through COVID testing facility is open at Templemore Sports Complex. If you need to access PCR testing, please book an appointment. Find out more about COVID-19 testing and locations at pha.site/cvtesting
Community Centres – Community Centres have reopened to the public and staff are on site to ensure that any activities are subject to a risk assessment and are in line with the NI Executive guidelines.
Play Parks - Council owned play parks remain open to the public to use for exercise and recreation purposes. The public are advised that Council undertakes regular maintenance checks and risk assessments to ensure that the play equipment is safe to use and that all sites have been cleaned in preparation for use. There are restrictions in place for users of the play parks with everyone being reminded to sanitise their hands before and after using the facilities and to abide by social distancing rules at all times. The public are also advised that they will not be permitted to consume food or drink in our play parks and if you or anyone in your bubble is feeling unwell or showing any symptoms of COVID-19, you should stay away from parks.
Prehen Walkway – Please note that work on the replacement riverside fenceline at Prehen walkway commenced on Monday 18th October and will continue for a number of weeks until the works are complete.
Community Centres – Community Centres have reopened to the public and staff are on site to ensure that any activities are subject to a risk assessment and are in line with the NI Executive guidelines.
Play Parks - Council owned play parks remain open to the public to use for exercise and recreation purposes. The public are advised that Council undertakes regular maintenance checks and risk assessments to ensure that the play equipment is safe to use and that all sites have been cleaned in preparation for use. There are restrictions in place for users of the play parks with everyone being reminded to sanitise their hands before and after using the facilities and to abide by social distancing rules at all times. The public are also advised that they will not be permitted to consume food or drink in our play parks and if you or anyone in your bubble is feeling unwell or showing any symptoms of COVID-19, you should stay away from parks.
Public Parks – All Council public parks and open spaces remain open to the public and will remain open during the current period restrictions to facilitate exercise only. The Council is continuing to advise the public to adhere to the Public Health Authority guidelines in relation to social distancing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, and to act responsibly when out and about using our public parks and open spaces.
Cemeteries
All Derry City and Strabane District Council owned cemeteries are currently open and operational from 8am to 7pm over this weekend. However from next week 1st November they will return to winter opening hours 8am to 4:30pm.
The public are reminded that while the cemeteries are open, the public must continue to adhere to the guidelines regarding social distancing and co-operate fully with Council staff at all times. It is important to note that when funerals are taking place, some areas within the cemeteries will be cordoned off to ensure health and safety measures are in place and to allow mourners the space and privacy to grieve and pay their respects in a safe and controlled environment. The public are also advised that as a result of the current pandemic these arrangements are subject to change and there will be instances where the facilities may have to close at short notice to comply with COVID 19 regulations. The cemetery offices will remain closed with no public access however all enquiries or queries regarding genealogy or headstone permits can be made by telephone at 028 71 362615 or email. More info is available at www.derrystrabane.com/cemeteries.
The Council has recently commenced an online survey in relation to Cemetery Management Plans and is keen to get the public's views – you can take part via the website at – www.derrystrabane.com/cemeteries
Inactive cemetery closures
A small number of old and inactive cemeteries have been cordoned off across the District for health and safety reasons. The Cemetery at Donaghedy has been completely closed and signage is being erected advising the public of areas that are closed off around unstable structures at other ancient cemetery sites. All active cemeteries used for burials will remain open as planned. The Council is urging the public to co-operate fully and to adhere to the signage adding that the health and safety of the public is paramount to Council.
Lateral Flow tests
Derry City and Strabane District Council is continuing to work directly with The Department of Health to provide a local testing programme for small local businesses and the local community. Packs of Lateral Flow Tests are available free of charge for collection in four leisure centre sites, across the Council area; Derg Valley and Riversdale Leisure Centres as well as Foyle Arena and Templemore Sports Complex. (From 16th May).
Event organisers and employers People with more than 10 employees can participate in the workforce rapid testing programme by complete an online expression of interest at https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/forms/workforce-asymptomatic-testing-programme-register-interest .
These tests are only for those who do not have any of the recognised Covid 19 symptoms. If you have any symptoms of Covid 19 you should book a PCR test immediately.
Business support - The Council Business team are available to offer advice and assistance to local businesses on the level of Government business support available and updated regularly on the Business Support social media platforms. The Business team are working closely with Government department, statutory agencies and partners as well as other teams across Council to plan and provide support for the scheduled reopening of retail opening in the coming weeks. For regular updates you can follow on Facebook @Business Support Derry Strabane and Twitter @dcsdbusiness
To make an appointment to speak with one of our Business Advisers, email: Tara.Nicholas@derrystrabane.com - 07872423755 / Laverne.ODonnell@derrystrabane.com /07702609977
Car parks
Births, still-births, deaths and marriage and civil partnership registration – The Council's Registration of Births, Still-births, Deaths, Marriages and Civil Partnership service in both Derry and Strabane is continuing to operate and following new Government legislation is continuing to provide remote death registration without the attendance of an informant at the Registrar's Office. The Registrar's Office in Derry and Strabane are both open and are operational by appointment only to register births and for couples to collect their Marriage Schedules.
To contact the registration department please email – For Birth Registration, please email birth.registration@derrystrabane.com , for Death Registration please email – death.registration@derrystrabane.com, or for Marriage or Civil Partnership marriage.registration@derrystrabane.com and for general enquiries please email registrars@derrystrabane.com. For urgent enquiries please telephone 02871 253253 and ask for the Registry Office. To view all the details relating to the changes to services and to access the relevant online forms please visit www.derrystrabane.com/district-registration
Environmental Health Services – Environmental Health staff are continuing to engage proactively with local businesses to provide advice and support to help ensure compliance. Officers are continuing to carry out programmed Food Safety and Health and Safety inspections of businesses on a limited basis following the completion of Covid 19 Risk Assessments and Safe Systems of Work procedures. All inspections will be considered on an individual basis and carried out when it is safe to do so. For more info visit - at https://www.derrystrabane.com/Subsites/Health-Community-Wellbeing
Health and Safety at Work
Members of the public and employees seeking advice and information regarding COVID-19 and health and safety at work requirements are encouraged to contact the Council's Health and Safety and Consumer Protection Team to find out how Council can assist them in ensuring workplaces are safe. For more information visit –www.derrystrabane.com/subsites/Environmental-Health/Health-Safety-and-Consumer-Protection-Team/Health-Safety-at-Work
All sectors need to consider the relevant guidance and risk assess their work activities to ensure risks associated with the potential spread of coronavirus are suitably and sufficiently addressed and all statutory health and safety obligations are met. The HSENI have developed an example COVID-19 risk assessment that shows you the kind of approach that a small business needs to take when carrying out a risk assessment for COVID-19 in the workplace – https://hseni.gov.uk/news/example-risk-assessment-covid-19-workplaces
Our Health and Safety and Consumer Protection Team would like to remind businesses that a range of Health and Safety guidance is available from :
https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/coronavirus-working-safely-different-business-settings
https://www.hseni.gov.uk/articles/latest-information-and-advice-hse-gb-workplaces-about-covid-19
For further information and assistance you can email the Health and Safety and Consumer Protection team at healthandsafety@derrystrabane.com
A variety of useful information, advice and guidance is also available on the Council website at – https://derrystrabane.com/Subsites/Health-Community-Wellbeing/Covid-19.
Covid Safe Scheme for Businesses
The Council's Business and Environmental Health teams have introduced a "COVID Reassurance Mark" which has been designed to support local, economic recovery and revitalisation whilst respecting the public health controls needed to maintain public health and minimise community transmission of Coronavirus. This initiative is geared towards boosting customer confidence to return to our town centres and villages in the knowledge that businesses are taking positive steps to keep their customers and staff safe via a risk assessed process. For more information visit www.derrystrabane.com/covidreassurance
The Council's Environmental Health team are proactively visiting premises in the hospitality and retail sector to check compliance with The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulations. All complaints and service requests received from members of the public will be investigated and enforcement action taken where appropriate.
Licensing and Pavement Café Licensing
Applications for pavement café licences continue to be accepted. Use of outdoor space may assist hospitality businesses, such as bars, cafes and restaurants to reopen safely, while maintaining social distancing. The normal fees have currently being waived until August 31st to support businesses at this time. Guidance on making an application for a pavement café licence is available at:
https://www.derrystrabane.com/Licensing/Pavement-cafe-licences.
Entertainment Licences
Now that restrictions on indoor entertainment have been relaxed businesses across our Council area are reminded they will require a current Entertainments Licence to permit them to operate. Please contact our Licensing section for advice & assistance – 028 71 253253.
Dog Control Services – Animal Welfare Services
Dog licences can be obtained online at http://council.direct/
Please contact 07512280760 If you are reporting a lost or stray dog.
Please note that Council no longer accepts unwanted dogs. If you wish to rehome your dog please contact one of our two local animal rehoming charities: Pet FBI (Tel: 07512 280760) or Rainbow Rehoming Centre for Rescue Cats and Dogs (Tel: 028 71 812882).
If you have any queries regarding the councils dog control service please email dogcontrol@derrystrabane.com
Bin Collection Information
Residents in the Derry area with large garden waste bins can now also recycle food waste in their big brown wheelie bin. Food waste must continue to be bagged in compostable liners and should go out on the normal garden waste collection day. Small food caddy collections in these areas will cease to operate from May 31st.
Areas without garden waste bins should continue to recycle food waste using their caddies.
Household Recycling centres
Please note that arrangements for accessing Recycling Centres are currently under review and it is expected that restrictions are to be eased over coming weeks with more information being made available via our website and social media channels.
Our Recycling Centres will return to their winter opening hours from next week O1 November as follows –
Pennyburn – 8am to 8pm Monday To Friday, 8am -6pm Saturday and 1pm-5pm Sunday
Strathfoyle – 8am to 8pm Monday To Friday, 8am-6pm Saturday and 1pm-5pm Sunday
Eglinton – 8am -6pm - booking system, 6-8pm site is open to all. Saturday bookings 8am-6pm (last booking at 5:30)
Glendermott Road – Monday to Friday 9:30am - 12noon, 1 - 4:30pm Monday to Friday, site open to all from 6-8pm with exception of Thursday night. 8am-6pm on Saturday for bookings and 1pm-5pm on Sunday for bookings.
Claudy – 8am-5pm Monday to Saturday
Park – 8am -5pm Monday to Saturday.
Van drivers who use the Recycling Centres within the Derry City and Strabane District Council area are being advised of the following revised arrangements.
A new online booking service is now available for large vans attending Council's main recycling centres at Pennyburn, Strathfoyle and Strahans Road.
Visitors must book an appointment online at www.derrystrabane.com/clicktorecycle or by phone at 028 7137 6590. Phone lines remain busy so please avail of this online service if possible. There will be slots available throughout the day.
Exceptions apply for wheelchair accessible vehicles.
Access to Glendermott Road and Eglinton Recycling Centres is by appointment only during the day and booking is essential. Booking is not required later in the evening at these sites. Cars and small vans will be able to book daytime slots online at www.derrystrabane.com/clicktorecycle. Alternatively T: 02871376590.
For any waste related queries call 02871374107
If you are travelling to recycling centres please try to do so at quieter times later in the day, allow extra time for your journey, follow the signage and guidelines and co-operate with our staff.
Recycling Centre Closures - Killen Recycling Centre remains temporarily closed. Opening has been extended at the temporary waste disposal site Spamount which is now open five days per week; Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm to dispose of general and green waste only. Cars and small vans are permitted and large vans can access the site between 9 am and 10 am only. Any queries regarding the Killen site, please contact Council on 02871 374107.
Temporary waste disposal service at Castlederg
A temporary waste disposal facility continues to operate at Spamont Playing Fields in Castlederg to assist those in the rural area of Killen, Castlederg and Killeter, to dispose of additional waste during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
The service is now be open five days per week - Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm to dispose of general and green waste only. Cars and small vans are permitted and large vans can access the site between 9 am and 10 am only.
Those wishing to dispose of larger items of waste are encouraged to use Council recycling centres at Newtownstewart and Strahans Road, Strabane, or to avail of Council's free Bulky Waste Collection Service that can be booked online at www.derrystrabane.com/bulkywaste
The public are advised that in keeping with the Government regulations, a queuing system will be in place and pedestrians will not be permitted on this site.
General advice for visiting the sites
Please adhere to the restrictions and controls in place at all of our centres. These measures are to ensure the health and safety of staff and the public using the site and have been taken in consideration of social distancing requirements.
In addition to having in place a one-way system, the number of cars accessing the sites at any one time will continue to be restricted.
Only one person will be permitted to leave their vehicle to dispose of waste with staff unable to provide assistance during this emergency period.
Please avoid bringing bulky waste onto the site during the initial reopening phase and encouraged to continue to use the Bulky Waste Collection Service and to also avoid visiting the recycling centres during peak times.
Anyone intending to dispose of black bags must ensure they are double bagged and have been stored for a 72-hour period before disposal, as per PHA guidelines.
In order to protect staff and the wider public, social distancing is required within all the sites and the public will be required to unload their own waste. Members of the public experiencing symptoms or who are self-isolating must not enter the recycling centres.
Council will have staff on hand to offer guidance only however, it is imperative that the public adhere to their instructions at all times and co-operate fully with them as they continue to provide an important public service during this challenging time. Abusive behaviour will not be tolerated.
Members of the public with bulky waste are advised that they must avail of the Council's free Bulky Waste Collection Service as they will not be permitted access to the sites with bulky waste at this time. Bookings for this service can be made online via the Council website at www.derrystrabane.com/bulkywaste or contact by phone at 028 71 374107.
Flytipping continues to be an issue for Council and our enforcement team are on the ground actively investigating all incidents of fly-tipping. It is an offence to dump indiscriminately and you could face a Fixed Penalty Notice or a fine imposed by the court.
Protecting our environment and keeping our streets, laneways and greenways clean are still a priority and everyone has their role to play.
For more information visit www.derrystrabane.com/flytipping
Bulky Waste Service
Members of the public wishing to avail of this service are advised however that it is only for those who have bulky items of waste and have no space in their home or garage to store them during this emergency situation.
Those wishing to avail of the service are being encouraged to book online.
All bookings for collection must be made in advance and items must be left out on the kerbside before 7:30am on the day of the confirmed collection. Please note that we are currently accepting mattresses.
Among the items accepted for the Bulky Waste Service are-
Bulky furniture – wardrobes, chests of drawers, bedside lockers, sofas
Carpets, lino
Electrical appliances e.g. TV
White goods e.g. fridges, washing machines and cookers
Large toys, bikes etc
Mattresses
Among the items that are not accepted are:
Bags of general waste
Glass furniture/mirrors
Building material e.g. concrete, wood, tiles
Fencing, sheds
Wooden flooring
Bathroom suites
Kitchen units
Tyres
Trees
Paint Tins
Recyclable materials
The public are advised that waste accrued as a result of work carried out in your home, such as bathroom suites, kitchens or fireplaces will not be lifted as part of this service. Arrangements must be made with your building contractor to remove these items or alternatively, you can organise removal by an authorised waste collection company or hire a skip.
Members of the public wanting to book a Bulky Waste Collection should fill out the online form on the website at – www.derrystrabane.com/bulkywaste. Or alternatively phone on - 02871374107.
Street cleansing – Street cleansing service are continuing with our staff out keeping our city and town centres clean and tidy as well as our parks, green spaces and rural communities. There are some changes in place with regard to social distancing measures and health and safety measures as we continue to protect our staff and the public.
Community Service staff are continuing to work with the Department for Communities, local community groups and advice services to ensure that resources being made available in this emergency situation are delivered on the ground.
Community Development Staff are working with Community& Voluntary groups across the Council area to ensure the effective delivery of funding packages provided by Council to support community led responses and to assist the most vulnerable. Council staff are also working with the Local Community Growth Partnerships, Food Banks and Social Supermarkets to deliver an Access to Food programme to support vulnerable families across the Council area. Officers are working with our Advice Services partners, including Advice North West, Dove House and Resource Centre Derry as well as the Local Community Growth Partnerships to extend Advice Services opening hours and develop local referral mechanisms in order to offer help and support at this challenging time.
The Planning Service
Planning Service continues to operate most services as normal with staff continuing to work from home and the provision of a reduced number of back office staff providing a range of functions to keep the service operational. Site visits have also recommenced for open air urban and rural sites and dynamic risk assessments are carried out to undertake more complex sites. Some Planning Committee Member site visits have recommenced following dynamic and approved Health & Safety risk assessments.
Planning staff continue to receive new applications and are progressing existing applications in the normal manner, issuing decisions and using technology to engage with customers where necessary. New applications and revised drawings or any additional information can also be dropped off at the Reception of Strand Road Council Offices. However, the Department is unable to offer external meetings in person but we continue to engage with customers through virtual meetings and phone calls.
Virtual Planning Committee meetings continue to be held as agreed by Elected Members of Derry City & Strabane District Council in response to Government guidelines and in the interests of providing services safely across the Council area. The last Planning Committee Meetings were held on Wednesday 6th and Thursday 7th October 2021 at 2.00pm as virtual & social distancing meetings in the Guildhall for Elected Members and Senior Officers. The next Planning Committee is scheduled as a virtual meeting for Wednesday 3 November at 2pm. As with previous Committee meetings, arrangements are made to facilitate registered speakers remotely via Webex and meetings are livestreamed so members of the public can view the meeting via the Council's YouTube Channel . The scheduled list of applications for discussion at forthcoming Planning Committees are published on the Planning Section of our website one week prior to Committee meetings. Further information regarding the operation of Virtual Planning Committee Meetings can also be found on our website : 'Addendum to the Operation of the Planning Committee Protocol . Virtual Committee Meetings'. If you wish to request Speaking Rights at Committee Meetings, you can contact our office directly at: planning@derrystrabane.com or the main office at 📞028 71 253253 and ask to speak to a member of the Planning Service.
The Planning Enforcement Service continues to progress and deal with complaints as far as possible with restrictions on some site visits. However, rural and urban open air sites are now being inspected along with emergency and priority cases being progressed and under regular review.
Local Development Plan consultations for Representations and Counter Representations were submitted up to 22nd January 2021 and are now closed. All Representations and Counter Representations are now available for inspection via the following link: Reps & Counter Reps to the LDP Draft Plan Strategy. They are available for inspection during normal office opening hours, strictly by appointment only due to COVID 19 restrictions, at the Council's two main offices at 98 Strand Road, Derry, BT48 7NN and 47 Derry Road, Strabane, Co. Tyrone, BT82 8DY. If you do require to inspect the Reps or Counter Reps in hard copy, please write to us or submit an email to the ldp@derrystrabane.com or telephone the LDP Team during normal office hours on 028 71 253253. Arrangements will be made for an appointment. The Local Development Plan Team also continues to review and issue Tree Preservation Orders, undertaking site visits where necessary.
As the Planning Office is currently closed to public access, anyone requesting planning information about application forms, planning fees and current planning applications are encouraged to visit the following link: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/finding-planning-application or https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/regional-property-certificates for Regional Property Certificates. You can also contact the service directly at planning@derrystrabane.com or the main office at 📞028 71 253253 and ask to speak to a member of the Planning Service or visit https://www.derrystrabane.com/Services/Planning
Building Control Service - The Building Control service will continue to operate with some restrictions. Essential risk assessments and safe systems of work have been developed to enable site inspections of unoccupied buildings to be carried out. Full plan applications, building notices and regularisation applications are being accepted, registered and assessed. Property certificates are being accepted and processed.
Site inspections – All routine external inspections are being undertaken but internal site inspections are limited to unoccupied properties only (i.e. new builds or existing properties that have been vacant for in excess of 72hrs) and were these conditions are met then normal Completion Certificates will be issued. Dangerous structure inspections are also being undertaken as normal. Virtual inspections, using video and/or photographic evidence along with supporting paperwork, will continue for occupied properties and the resultant Completion Certificates will note the inspection methodology utilised accordingly.
The Building Control service is continuing to provide the other aspects of its service to the public (e.g. postal numbering and street naming) and officers are available to provide advice and assistance – contact via email at building.control@derrystrabane.com or from at our website at www.derrystrabane.com/services/Building-Control.
Council Events – Because of the COVID pandemic a number of Council events normally held over the summer months did not proceed as normal. They included the North West Angling Fair, the Waterside Half Marathon, the Strabane Lifford Half Marathon and the summer jamm. A series of Inside Out animation and digital programmes were implemented over the spring and summer months, that accommodated COVID restrictions but also took into account the economic needs of the business community and the enjoyment and well-being of the wider public. For more info visit –https://www.derrystrabane.com/insideout
City of Derry Jazz Festival – While the 2021 City of Derry Jazz Festival was unable to proceed in its usual format however an extensive programme of digital content was organised that brought jazz music into homes during the Bank Holiday weekend of April 30 to May 02. An array of local artists showcased their music online from the Guildhall with three gigs per day over three stages over the three days of the festival that were watched by almost 60,000 people from all over the world. You can watch back on the concerts and the highlights of the festival via the website at www.cityofderryjazzfestival.com
Members of Council’s Business and Culture committee this month gave their approval for officers to proceed with planning and programming next year’s event that will take place over the May 2022 Bank Holiday weekend.
Halloween 2021 - Council is hugely exciting plans for the Halloween Festival this weekend with all information regarding to what events are happening, how you can be part of the celebrations, and attend the events safely. Information regarding traffic and travel advice and carnival care messaging are all available on the Halloween website at www.derryhalloween.com or follow the Derry Halloween social media channels.
Clipper and FMF – It has been confirmed that the Clipper Round the World Race 2019-20 that was cancelled as a result of the pandemic will recommence in February 2022 with a planned stopover in Derry~Londonderry over the summer of 2022. The city will act as a host port for a period during July and August to coincide with our Foyle Maritime Festival- more information on the festival programme, the dates and the activities will be made available later in the year. It's important to note that this event is subject to what covid restrictions may be in place at that time and mitigation measures to host the event with social distancing in mind are being included in the event plan. Keep an eye out on our Whats On page for any updates.
Easy Read version – For those living with pan disability issues, the Council has put together an Easy to Read version of its latest COVID 19 information. This information is updated on a regular basis and is available via the COVID information section of our website.
City of Derry Airport - The public are urged to visit the airport website for live flight information and regular updates. For more information visit –www.cityofderryairport.com
Visit Derry – The Centre has reopened to the public and is fully operational – www.visitderry.com