Council Service Update for Friday, 07 October 2022

07 October 2022

Please note that all the latest information on COVID 19 is available on the NI Direct website and updated regularly in accordance with information provided by the NI Executive –https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/coronavirus-covid-19

New Waste and Recycling App

Council has a Derry Strabane Recycling App. It allows the public to synchronize the bin collections in their area to their calendar so they never miss bin day again! It is also useful to find out up-to-date info on all the local Recycling Centres, top tips on how to recycle better and how to reduce waste at home. It is free to download now on Apple and Android.

Council Hardship Fund

Council has ratified the implementation of a Hardship Fund which will direct financial support to households across the Council area who find themselves in an Emergency financial situation with fuel poverty. The fund will be delivered through a referral scheme with three local advice service providers who will check eligibility for the programme. The scheme will be available once the fuel payment partner is appointed. For more info

Derry City & Strabane - Council Hardship Fund to provide relief to those in emergency poverty situation (derrystrabane.com)

Summer opening hours

Just a reminder that summer opening hours are currently in operation at all Council premises

Council Cemeteries are open from 8am – 8pm, seven days a week.

Opening times have also changed at some recycling sites – please check out your local site information at https://recycling.derrystrabane.com/recycling-centres/opening-times/

Cemetery records database

Users of the Council Cemetery Database will be pleased to know that our cemetery records are back online with a newer and faster search system. The public can now access them through this link with new instructions on how to use – https://www.derrystrabane.com/cemeteryrecords

We have digitised other cemetery records and will be developing the functionality of this site very soon, including hyperlinking plots so you can see lists of multiple internees in each.

Council civic offices and public buildings – Council's Civic Offices in Strand Road, Derry and Derry Road, Strabane are open to the public. The public are being encouraged to use Council's online systems where possible and are advised that they can contact Council by phone at 028 71 253253 or by email at info@derrystrabane.com

The Harbour House is 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.

Council meetings –A full list of meetings can be found at http://meetings.derrycityandstrabanedistrict.com/mgCalendarMonthView.aspx?XXR=0&M=9&DD=2020&ACT=Go

Mayor's Office – Following the AGM in June, the Council elected a new Mayor and Deputy Mayor. The Mayor Councillor Sandra Duffy is the current Mayor of the city and she is available for pre-booked meetings and events and is keen to engage with the public. She can be contacted via her office at mayor@derrystrabane.com – For more info on the Mayor visit www.derrystrabane.com/mayor/contact.

RECYCLING CENTRES

Please note that summer opening hours continue to be in operation at recycling centres across Derry and Strabane, which means some centres will stay open later over the coming months.

Full details of opening times and other information regarding access is listed below.

· Pennyburn Recycling Centre - 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm Saturday and 1pm-5pm Sunday

· Glendermott Road Recycling Centre - Monday to Friday 9:30am - 12noon, 1pm - 4:30pm Monday to Friday, site open to all from 6-8pm with the exception of Thursday night. 8am-6pm on Saturday for bookings and 1pm-5pm on Sunday for bookings. Please note that there is no access for trailers at this site.

· Strahans Road Recycling Centre - 10am to 4.45 – booking is required for large vans

· Strathfoyle Recycling Centre - 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, 8am-6pm Saturday and 1pm-5pm Sunday

· Eglinton Recycling Centre - 8am -6pm - booking system, 6-8pm site is open to all. Saturday bookings 8am-6pm (last booking at 5:30pm) Please note that there is no access for trailers at this site.

· Claudy Recycling Centre - 8am-5pm Monday to Saturday. Vans can have access between 8am-9am no booking required

· Park Recycling Centre - 8am -5pm Monday to Saturday.

· Donemana Recycling Centre - 10am to 4.45pm

· Plumbridge Recycling Centre - 10am-4.45pm

· Newtownstewart Recycling Centre - 10am-4.45pm

· Spamont and Castlederg temporary facility - Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm

Please note that arrangements for accessing Recycling Centres remain under regular review and while we have lifted some restrictions at some of our sites we are continuing to encourage the public to be cautious and to co-operate fully with our stewards and to plan your journey to our facilities by trying to avoid busy periods.

Van drivers access information
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. 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.

Update re small trailer permissions at Eglinton and Glendermott Rd Recycling Centres:

Cars and small vans with single axle trailers can now access our recycling centres at Eglinton and Glendermott Rd. Please note that daytime bookings are still essential for these sites. Book your slot at https://recycling.derrystrabane.com/recycling-centres/book-a-slot-online/

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 pandemic. The service 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.
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.

Bulky Waste Service

Council's free bulky waste service can be booked online via the Council website at www.derrystrabane.com/bulkywaste or by phone at 028 71 374107.
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.

Street Cleansing Services

Street Cleansing services are operating as normal.

Waste Enforcement Services

Please note that waste enforcement services are fully operational.

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

General leisure information

Leisure centres are now operating at full capacity with all areas opened for public use including:

· Swimming sessions, health suite and fitness classes remain bookable through our Leisure app and centre reception desks to secure places – please note that booking is no longer essential and walk ins are accepted subject to availability

· Gym sessions do not need to be booked in advance

· Sports halls are open for casual court activities and close contact sports

· Birthday parties are bookable - please contact the relevant centre for further information

Please download our leisure app to find all the latest information on all our centres and to book

We would like to remind our users that while restrictions have been relaxed we would encourage everyone to be mindful of good hand hygiene, and to use the sanitization stations provided. Please be mindful of others around you and give people plenty of space while training.

Foyle Arena

Please note that the Foyle Arena is operating as a leisure facility and is no longer being used as a Mass Vaccination Centre. For information on where to book a vaccination please go to https://covid-19.hscni.net/get-vaccinated/

New online leisure booking system

A new online system that will make it quicker and more convenient to book swimming sessions has been introduced at Council leisure centres.

The new booking system is now fully active and can be used to book both public sessions and lane swimming. Those who book can be fast tracked in line to avoid queuing at leisure centres. Regular users are advised to download the Council leisure app for convenient access to information and booking.

You can download the app at Google Play or the App Store. For more information go to http://derrystrabaneleisure.com/

Prehen Pontoon works

Contractors continue to be on site at the Prehen Boathouse as they put the final touches to the work to create a new pontoon facility and install an external platform lift. Works to upgrade the existing car park storage is also nearing completion. Access to the boathouse lower level and water access steps are limited and Council is currently liaising with all the user groups to update them on progress at the site and possible dates for reopening.

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 are 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 to businesses. 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 contact 028 71 253253 and ask for the Business team.

Car parks - Council car parks are open and fully operational – for more info on car parks visit - www.derrystrabane.com/carparks

Environmental Health Services

Environmental Health staff are continuing to engage proactively with local businesses to provide advice and support to businesses and the public across the Council area. Officers are continuing to carry out programmed Food Safety and Health and Safety inspections of businesses. 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 s Business and Environmental Health teams introduced a "COVID Reassurance Mark" 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 was 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.

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. Guidance on making an application for a pavement café licence is available at:

https://www.derrystrabane.com/Licensing/Pavement-cafe-licences.

Entertainment Licences
Since 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 Council's dog control service please email dogcontrol@derrystrabane.com

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. We are aware that due to operational issues with NI Planning Portal System, there may be slight delays in processing some current planning applications.

From March 2022, Planning Committee meetings will be held as hybrid/social distancing meetings in the Guildhall for Elected Members and Senior Officers. Arrangements will be made to facilitate registered speakers to join the meeting remotely via Webex and meetings will be livestreamed so members of the public can view proceedings via the Council's YouTube Channel . This month's Planning Committee Meeting took place on Wednesday 05 October. The meeting can be viewed back on our Youtube channel. The scheduled list of applications for discussion at forthcoming Planning Committees are published on https://www.derrystrabane.com/Services/Planning one week prior to Committee meetings.

Further information regarding the operation of 'The Operation of Planning Committee Meetings' and 'Addendum to the Operation of the Planning Committee Protocol . Virtual Committee Meetings' can also be viewed on our website: https://www.derrystrabane.com/Services/Planning. If you wish to request Speaking Rights at any Planning Committee Meeting, please 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 (LDP) is submitted to DFI 26th May 2022

The Local Development Plan Team submitted the Derry City & Strabane District Local Development Plan (LDP 2032) – draft Plan Strategy and supporting documents to the Department for Infrastructure on 20th May 2022 as part of the Independent Examination process.

Please note: there is no opportunity to make further representations at this stage.

All LDP submission documents can be viewed in the LDP dPS submission documents (Hyperlink to - https://www.derrystrabane.com/Subsites/LDP/LDP-draft-Plan-Strategy-(dPS)/LDP-dPS-Submission-Documents-May-2022). They are also available for inspection during normal office opening hours, by appointment only due to COVID 19 restrictions, at the Council's two main offices in Derry and Strabane.

If you do require to inspect them in hard copy, please write to us or submit an email to ldp@derrystrabane.com or telephone the LDP Team during normal office hours on 028 7125 3253. Arrangements will be made for an appointment or for alternative arrangements to be made. Social distancing measures will apply to anyone visiting the offices. The documents are also available in alternative formats upon request.

The submission of the LDP dPS to DFI is the next step towards an Independent Examination (IE) and then the adoption of the LDP Plan Strategy. In accordance with Regulation 21 of the Planning (LDP) Regulations 2015. The following public notice (create hyperlink to press release on website) will shortly be advertised in the local press. Interested LDP stakeholders will also be written to.