Changes to our services for residents

Visit NHS.UK for health information and advice about coronavirus or find specific local and national coronavirus guidance.

If you or someone you know are struggling due to coronavirus please call us on 01296 395000 8.30am to 7pm Monday to Friday.

While we deal with the current outbreak of Covid-19, some council services may be affected. The most up-to-date information on each area is below:

If you live in Buckinghamshire you might be able to apply for local Emergency Support. This is intended to cover urgent short-term emergencies (i.e. no immediate food, no heating or lighting).

As the impact of Coronavirus increases, we may need to make some temporary changes to some services. This is so we can protect people from infection and use our staff and resources where they are most needed.

Visit the Adult Day Service provision update page for the current situation.

Due to the developing situation and latest advice regarding COVID-19,  waste services are currently operating with a reduced number of staff. We are working hard to minimise any disruption and will prioritise refuse and clinical waste collections.

Visit the waste services status page for full details of the changes

For the period up to and including 1 July 2020, the Coroner's Court will only be open for inquests listed on the forthcoming inquest list. At all other times it will be closed to the public.

If you're attending an inquest, you'll need to confirm this with the Coroner’s Office no later than 12 noon the day before an inquest by:

• calling 01494 475 505
• emailing [email protected]

The Coroner's Office remains accessible for all other services by email or telephone during normal office hours. For more information, see the Coroners Service page.

In light of the seriousness of the situation, we are asking that you limit the number of immediate family attending to as few as possible with no more than ten. See the funerals service page for more information.

Most registration services are currently closed.

Visit the Registration Service’s status page for full details of the changes

We are reviewing the most recent government guidance on social distancing and the use of council buildings and community settings, in order to finalise plans to restart targeted support at some family centres in the the coming weeks. This will mean we can support those families most in need of help.

We are not yet able to confirm when universal and drop-in sessions will restart at family centres as they cannot be accommodated under the current social distancing restrictions.

We will update the Buckinghamshire Family Information Service and Buckinghamshire Council websites when we have more information.

Fostering Information Events are on hold for the time being.

We will always need foster carers to come forward and are still here to talk to anyone considering fostering. Please do get in touch with the fostering team.

Visit our fostering pages for more information

Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust has made a number of temporary changes to their children and young people’s services.

Cemeteries maintained by Buckinghamshire Council are remaining open for the time being but see our 'visiting a cemetery' page for the current information.

Guidance about what constitutes a nuisance in the current situation

We're currently closed to the public.

However, we're still open for remote enquiries via [email protected] and 01296 382 587.

Black Park, Langley Park and Denham Country Park parks have now reopened. Visit the Country Parks page for information about opening times, facilities available and restrictions currently in place.

Our outdoor game areas and tennis courts are now open to use for exercise. See the Outdoor Games Areas page for details of parks with these facilities.

A limited service range of daytime short breaks that comply with government guidance for Personal Protective Equipment and social distancing is being offered to children and families deemed by Children’s Social Care to be at the greatest need.

Visit the short breaks services status page for further details.

The restrictions on movement announced by the government now apply to public rights of way and the countryside access network.

Outdoor play areas and gyms managed by Buckinghamshire Council will be gradually reopening from Saturday 4 July onwards. If you use these outdoor areas you must maintain strict social distancing and good hygiene practice.

Some play areas are managed by the local town or parish council who will make decisions for their own facilities; please check websites before you visit and follow signage in the play areas.

Facilities at public leisure centres across Buckinghamshire have begun a phased programme of reopening. Please visit the website for your local leisure centre for all the very latest information.

While eight leisure centres are reopening, Chesham and Chalfont St Peter will remain temporarily closed so major refurbishments and improvements to facilities can take place. Members of those two centres will still be able to use the facilities at Amersham, as well as at other Everyone Active facilities at centres across Dacorum, Slough, Aylesbury and Three Rivers, while the works take place.

Leisure operators are also contacting clubs and other groups about the best ways to resume their activities.

For further information please see the press release.

Most of our libraries have re-opened with reduced hours and Covid-secure changes.

The reservation service is now available again.

For information about your local library’s opening hours, visit our 'Information about your local library' webpage. If you would prefer not to visit a library in person you can use our eLibrary to borrow books, magazines and newspapers online.

With the reopening of shops and other services the council has been progressively reintroducing parking enforcement measures. From Saturday, 1 August, everyone parking in a council car park or in a parking bay on the road, will need to pay the required charge. The exceptions are blue badge holders, who may continue to park in designated bays free of charge.

Our planning and building control officers are now working remotely. This will have some implications for how we operate. Please see our planning services status page for more information.

Measures have been put into place to ensure children eligible for free school meals can continue to access meals while schools remain closed.

Find information about any school or other educational centre closures

Advice for educational settings is available on Buckinghamshire Schoolsweb.

Please see School transport FAQs for parents and changes to school travel arrangements.

Latest on public transport including buses and concessionary passes

Please see latest update from Transport for Buckinghamshire