Changes to council services over Xmas
Published: 16 December 2022
Christmas Day falls over the weekend on a Sunday this year and Boxing Day on a Monday, so closure for the bank holidays will include Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 December.
Many services will reopen on Wednesday 28 December through to Friday 30 December.
After closing for New Year’s Day, services will reopen as normal on Tuesday 3 January 2023.
For special arrangements for certain services, please see the information below.
Adult social care and Housing Needs
Offices close at 4.30pm on Friday 23 December and reopen at 8.30am on Wednesday 28 December. They then close again at 4.30pm on Friday 30 December and reopen at 8.30am on Tuesday 3 January 2023.
IN AN EMERGENCY CONTACT THE POLICE BY DIALLING 999.
Bereavement Services
The opening and closing times for the Bereavement Service will be:
The grounds can be accessed at any time, but if the gates are closed, please park on the road outside and use the pedestrian gate. The Book of Remembrance will be closed on 25, 26,27 December and 1 January.
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.
Building Control
Building Control will continue to operate a Dangerous Structure out of hours service over the festive period.
If there is immediate danger and a threat to life, call 999. For all other situations, please call (01983) 821105.
Surveyors will still be available for site inspections and enquiries during normal working hours (8.30am-4.30pm on 23, 28, 29 and 30 Dec) with a limited service, operating normally from 3 January.
Children’s Services
Offices close at 4.30pm, Friday 23 December and reopen Wednesday 28 December at 8.30am.
If you are worried a child is, or at risk of, suffering, neglect or abuse please contact the Children's Reception Team:
Tel 0300 300 0117 (available 24 hours a day).
If you are concerned, it is important that you talk to someone about this.
You do not need to know everything about the child and what is happening before you contact the Children's Reception Team.
IN AN EMERGENCY CONTACT THE POLICE BY DIALLING 999.
Contact Centre and help centres
The Contact Centre closes at 6pm on Friday 23 December. It will then reopen at 8.30am until 5pm on Wednesday 28 December and Thursday 29 December and 8.30am until 4.30pm on Friday 30 December. It re-opens at 8am on Tuesday 3 January 2023.
Newport Help Centre will operate at the same hours of opening as above but open at 8.30am on Tuesday 3 January 2023.
The Help Centre, at Ryde Library, will close at 4.30pm on Friday 23 December and will reopen at 9am on Tuesday 3 January 2023.
Coroner’s office
The Coroner’s Office closes at 4pm on Friday 23 December. It is next open from Wednesday 28 December to Friday 30 December with the hours of 9am - 4.30pm. Closed Monday 2 January and reopens as normal on Tuesday 3 January 2023.
Cost of Living support
Please visit our website at: www.iow.gov.uk/costofliving
Council buildings or land
For emergencies involving council-owned buildings, please contact Wightcare at (01983) 821105.
Floating bridge
Cowes floating bridge Christmas and New Year operating schedule:
Please check the Floating Bridge website for live status before travel as the above timetable may change due to any potential adverse weather.
Highway’s emergencies
Flooding, fallen trees, highway obstruction, traffic lights not working etc - please contact Island Roads at 01983 822440.
Non-emergency highway issues can also be reported online at fms.islandroads.com
General information is available via the website www.islandroads.com
Isle of Wight Coronavirus Helpline
The Isle of Wight Coronavirus Helpline will close at 4.30pm on Friday 23 December.
It will re-open:
Leisure Services facilities
The Heights:
Theatre:
The theatre will be open for the following performances of Jack and the Beanstalk.
Record Office
The Record Office at Hillside, Newport is currently open by appointment only (823820).
It will be closed from 4pm on Friday 23 December. It will be open by appointment between 10am and 4pm on 29 and 30 December. It will then reopen with its usual opening hours of 9.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 4.30pm from Wednesday 3 January 2023.
Dinosaur Isle Museum
Dinosaur Isle Museum will be closed on 24, 25, 26, and 27 December inclusive. It will also be closed between the 1, and 2 January, reopening on the 3 January 2023.
On all other days, it will open from 10am until 4pm, with the last admission at 3pm.
Cowes Maritime Museum
The same opening hours as Cowes Library, above.
Museum of Island History
The museum will close on Tuesday 13 December at 1pm and will open again on Tuesday 17 January at 10am.
Newport Roman Villa
The villa is closed for the winter period.
Parking services
Parking services close at 4pm on Friday 23 December. It is next open from Wednesday 28 December to Friday 30 December with the hours of 8.30am - 4.30pm. Closed Monday 2 January and reopens as normal on Tuesday 3 January 2023.
Planning
The planning department will be operating within office hours of 8.30am -4.30pm on 23, 28, 29 and 30 December with pre-booked appointments only. Closed on Monday 2 January and operates as normal from Tuesday 3 January 2023.
Planning Enforcement complaints, including reporting any alleged illegal works to protected trees, and a range of other online Planning actions can continue to be made anytime online at iow.gov.uk/planning
Recycling and waste collection
Get your recycling and waste sorted this Christmas
Recycling, waste and garden subscription collections are changing for one week over Christmas due to Boxing Day falling on a Monday.
This will mean that all waste, recycling and garden waste collections for the week beginning Monday 26 December will run one day later than usual.
Collections will be back to normal from Monday 2 January 2023.
In addition, there will be no bulky waste or free reuse collections on:
Lynnbottom and Afton Marsh Household Waste and Recycling Centres will be closed on Christmas Day: 25 December. Other than this, normal opening hours apply.
Book your tip trip by visiting the Isle of Wight Council’s website or by calling (01983) 823777.
Register office
The Register Office closes at 4pm, Friday 23 December. An appointment only service will run on Wednesday 28 December, Thursday 29 December and Friday 30 December from 9.30am to 4pm. The office at Seaclose will open as normal on Tuesday 3 January.
To register a death between 24 December and 2 January, please call (01983) 823233. For the out-of-hours emergency service please call Wightcare on (01983) 821105.
Regulatory and Community Safety Services (Licensing, Environmental Health, Housing Renewal, Community Safety and Trading Standards)
The service closes at 4pm, Friday 23 December and reopens Wednesday 28 December at 8.45am. If you wish to talk to a specific officer, please make an appointment. Closed Monday 2 January and reopens as normal on Tuesday 3 January 2023.
Revenues, Benefits, Blue Badges and Payments Team
Online applications remain available for council tax/local council tax support/housing benefit and Blue Badges.
Christmas housing benefit payment arrangements Those expecting a Housing Benefit payment on 26 December will receive this payment earlier than usual due to the Christmas break. It will be credited on 23 December instead.
To use the Citizens Access Portal to view your council tax account online please visit iow.gov.uk/council-tax
To use the Citizens Access Benefits Portal to apply and notify a change of circumstances please visit Housing Benefit and support (iow.gov.uk)
Many services will reopen on Wednesday 28 December through to Friday 30 December.
After closing for New Year’s Day, services will reopen as normal on Tuesday 3 January 2023.
For special arrangements for certain services, please see the information below.
Adult social care and Housing Needs
Offices close at 4.30pm on Friday 23 December and reopen at 8.30am on Wednesday 28 December. They then close again at 4.30pm on Friday 30 December and reopen at 8.30am on Tuesday 3 January 2023.
- Outside of these times urgent calls should be directed to Wightcare by calling (01983) 821105.
- If you are worried about a vulnerable adult, please contact Wightcare at (01983) 821105 (24 hours).
- Adult Social Care webpages: Adult social care(iow.gov.uk)
- Housing Needs webpages: Housing (iow.gov.uk)
IN AN EMERGENCY CONTACT THE POLICE BY DIALLING 999.
Bereavement Services
The opening and closing times for the Bereavement Service will be:
- Christmas Eve 24 December (closed)
- Christmas Day 25 December (closed)
- Monday 26 December (closed)
- Tuesday 27 December (closed)
- Wednesday 28 December (9am to 4.30pm)
- Thursday 29 December (9am to 4.30pm)
- New Year’s Eve (9am to 4.30pm)
- New Year’s Day (closed)
- Monday 2 January (closed)
The grounds can be accessed at any time, but if the gates are closed, please park on the road outside and use the pedestrian gate. The Book of Remembrance will be closed on 25, 26,27 December and 1 January.
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.
Building Control
Building Control will continue to operate a Dangerous Structure out of hours service over the festive period.
If there is immediate danger and a threat to life, call 999. For all other situations, please call (01983) 821105.
Surveyors will still be available for site inspections and enquiries during normal working hours (8.30am-4.30pm on 23, 28, 29 and 30 Dec) with a limited service, operating normally from 3 January.
Children’s Services
Offices close at 4.30pm, Friday 23 December and reopen Wednesday 28 December at 8.30am.
If you are worried a child is, or at risk of, suffering, neglect or abuse please contact the Children's Reception Team:
Tel 0300 300 0117 (available 24 hours a day).
If you are concerned, it is important that you talk to someone about this.
You do not need to know everything about the child and what is happening before you contact the Children's Reception Team.
IN AN EMERGENCY CONTACT THE POLICE BY DIALLING 999.
Contact Centre and help centres
The Contact Centre closes at 6pm on Friday 23 December. It will then reopen at 8.30am until 5pm on Wednesday 28 December and Thursday 29 December and 8.30am until 4.30pm on Friday 30 December. It re-opens at 8am on Tuesday 3 January 2023.
Newport Help Centre will operate at the same hours of opening as above but open at 8.30am on Tuesday 3 January 2023.
The Help Centre, at Ryde Library, will close at 4.30pm on Friday 23 December and will reopen at 9am on Tuesday 3 January 2023.
Coroner’s office
The Coroner’s Office closes at 4pm on Friday 23 December. It is next open from Wednesday 28 December to Friday 30 December with the hours of 9am - 4.30pm. Closed Monday 2 January and reopens as normal on Tuesday 3 January 2023.
Cost of Living support
Please visit our website at: www.iow.gov.uk/costofliving
Council buildings or land
For emergencies involving council-owned buildings, please contact Wightcare at (01983) 821105.
Floating bridge
Cowes floating bridge Christmas and New Year operating schedule:
- Christmas Eve – 5.00am to 12.30am (next day)
- Christmas Day - 7am to 12.30pm (Service suspended between 4pm and 6pm)
- Boxing Day - 7am to 12.30am (next day)
- 27 December - 5am to 12.30am (next day)
- 28 December - 5am to 12.30am (next day)
- 29 December - 5am to 12.30am (next day)
- 30 December - 5am to 12.30am (next day)
- New Year’s Eve – 5am to 1.30am** (next day)
- New Year’s Day - 7am to 12.30am (next day)
- 2 January - 5am to 12.30am (next day)
- 3 January - 5am to 12.30am (next day)
Please check the Floating Bridge website for live status before travel as the above timetable may change due to any potential adverse weather.
Highway’s emergencies
Flooding, fallen trees, highway obstruction, traffic lights not working etc - please contact Island Roads at 01983 822440.
Non-emergency highway issues can also be reported online at fms.islandroads.com
General information is available via the website www.islandroads.com
Isle of Wight Coronavirus Helpline
The Isle of Wight Coronavirus Helpline will close at 4.30pm on Friday 23 December.
It will re-open:
- Wednesday 28 December 9am to 5pm
- Thursday 29 December 9am to 5pm
- Friday 30 December 9am to 4.30 pm
- It is then closed until 9am on Tuesday 3 January 2023.
Leisure Services facilities
The Heights:
- 19 to 23 December - 6am to 9pm
- 24 December - 8am to 2pm
- 25 to 26 December - CLOSED
- 27 to 30 December - 6am to 6.30pm
- 31 December - 8am to 2pm
- 1 January - CLOSED
- 2 January – 6am to 6.30pm
- 3 January – 6am to 9pm
- 19 to 23 December - 6am to 9pm
- 24 December - 8am to 2pm
- 25 to 26 December - CLOSED
- 27 to 30 December - 6am to 6.30pm
- 31 December - 8am to 2pm
- 1 January - CLOSED
- 2 January - 6am to 6.30pm
- 3 January – 6am to 9pm
Theatre:
The theatre will be open for the following performances of Jack and the Beanstalk.
- 20 to 23 December: Show starts at 2pm
- 24 December: Shows start at 10.30am and 2pm
- Christmas Day: CLOSED.
- Boxing Day: show starts 2pm
- 27 December: Show starts at 2pm and 7pm (Adult only)
- 28 December: Show starts at 2pm
- 29 December: Shows start at 2pm
- 30 December: Show starts at 2pm
- New Year’s Day: CLOSED
- 19 to 23 December - 6am to 9pm
- 24 to 26 December – CLOSED
- 27 to 30 December - 6am to 6.30pm
- 31 December – CLOSED
- 1 January – CLOSED
- 2 January - 6am to 6.30pm
- 3 January – 6am to 9pm
- Cowes Library - closes 12.30pm, Saturday 24 December; reopens 10am, Tuesday 3 January.
- Freshwater Library - closes 12.30pm, Saturday 24 December; reopens 9.30am, Tuesday 3 January.
- Newport Library – closes 12.30pm, Saturday 24 December; reopens 9am, Tuesday 3 January.
- Ryde Library - closes 12.30pm, Saturday 24 December; reopens 9am, Tuesday 3 January.
- Sandown Library - closes 12.30pm, Saturday 24 December; reopens 9am, Tuesday 3 January.
- Ventnor Library - closes at 12.30pm, Saturday 24 December; reopens at 9.30am, Tuesday 3 January.
Record Office
The Record Office at Hillside, Newport is currently open by appointment only (823820).
It will be closed from 4pm on Friday 23 December. It will be open by appointment between 10am and 4pm on 29 and 30 December. It will then reopen with its usual opening hours of 9.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 4.30pm from Wednesday 3 January 2023.
Dinosaur Isle Museum
Dinosaur Isle Museum will be closed on 24, 25, 26, and 27 December inclusive. It will also be closed between the 1, and 2 January, reopening on the 3 January 2023.
On all other days, it will open from 10am until 4pm, with the last admission at 3pm.
Cowes Maritime Museum
The same opening hours as Cowes Library, above.
Museum of Island History
The museum will close on Tuesday 13 December at 1pm and will open again on Tuesday 17 January at 10am.
Newport Roman Villa
The villa is closed for the winter period.
Parking services
Parking services close at 4pm on Friday 23 December. It is next open from Wednesday 28 December to Friday 30 December with the hours of 8.30am - 4.30pm. Closed Monday 2 January and reopens as normal on Tuesday 3 January 2023.
Planning
The planning department will be operating within office hours of 8.30am -4.30pm on 23, 28, 29 and 30 December with pre-booked appointments only. Closed on Monday 2 January and operates as normal from Tuesday 3 January 2023.
Planning Enforcement complaints, including reporting any alleged illegal works to protected trees, and a range of other online Planning actions can continue to be made anytime online at iow.gov.uk/planning
Recycling and waste collection
Get your recycling and waste sorted this Christmas
Recycling, waste and garden subscription collections are changing for one week over Christmas due to Boxing Day falling on a Monday.
This will mean that all waste, recycling and garden waste collections for the week beginning Monday 26 December will run one day later than usual.
Collections will be back to normal from Monday 2 January 2023.
In addition, there will be no bulky waste or free reuse collections on:
- Monday 26 December
- Tuesday 27 December
- Monday 2 January 2023
Lynnbottom and Afton Marsh Household Waste and Recycling Centres will be closed on Christmas Day: 25 December. Other than this, normal opening hours apply.
Book your tip trip by visiting the Isle of Wight Council’s website or by calling (01983) 823777.
Register office
The Register Office closes at 4pm, Friday 23 December. An appointment only service will run on Wednesday 28 December, Thursday 29 December and Friday 30 December from 9.30am to 4pm. The office at Seaclose will open as normal on Tuesday 3 January.
To register a death between 24 December and 2 January, please call (01983) 823233. For the out-of-hours emergency service please call Wightcare on (01983) 821105.
Regulatory and Community Safety Services (Licensing, Environmental Health, Housing Renewal, Community Safety and Trading Standards)
The service closes at 4pm, Friday 23 December and reopens Wednesday 28 December at 8.45am. If you wish to talk to a specific officer, please make an appointment. Closed Monday 2 January and reopens as normal on Tuesday 3 January 2023.
Revenues, Benefits, Blue Badges and Payments Team
Online applications remain available for council tax/local council tax support/housing benefit and Blue Badges.
Christmas housing benefit payment arrangements Those expecting a Housing Benefit payment on 26 December will receive this payment earlier than usual due to the Christmas break. It will be credited on 23 December instead.
To use the Citizens Access Portal to view your council tax account online please visit iow.gov.uk/council-tax
To use the Citizens Access Benefits Portal to apply and notify a change of circumstances please visit Housing Benefit and support (iow.gov.uk)