All our services are operating normally unless listed here.

• we may however take longer than normal to deal with enquiries and feedback
• social distancing applies to all services

Council Housing

• access non-urgent services at www.sheffield.gov.uk/councilhousing to ease our call centre
• we are looking at how we may be able to restart allocating and letting council homes in line with social distancing guidance but this may take some time. It is important we put in place measures which will keep our staff and customers safe
  
• If you have a priority and wish to discuss, call 0114 293 0000
• Advertising of properties will not start straightaway but we will continue to prioritise people who need to move urgently.  We’ll keep you up-to-date via this page and the Sheffield Property Shop website
  
• we've withdrawn bids on already advertised properties - we'll contact customers affected by this
• we've closed our housing offices to the public
• we've cancelled all planned repairs, appointments, and inspections. We'll contact anyone affected
• we'll arrange an appointment if we need to see you in person at a Council office
• get help and advice on paying your council housing rent
  

The Council Housing Older People’s Independent Living (OPIL) Service

• Neighbourhood Officers are continuing to keep in regular contact with tenants via telephone or intercom to provide information, advice and support
• communal lounges and kitchens remain closed in all of our OPIL schemes
• laundry sites are open and available for tenants to use on an individual basis
  

Repairs

We'll carry out where safe to do so:

• all emergency and urgent repairs
• routine servicing of gas appliances
  

If you need to contact someone:

• for urgent housing enquiries and urgent repairs call 0114 293 0000
  
• if you don’t feel safe where you currently live, contact South Yorkshire Police, VAS or IDAS
• if you have nowhere to live and cannot self-isolate, call 0114 273 6306 or 0800 7311 689 after 5pm

Private Housing Standards (private rented housing)

• we’ll carry out investigations and inspections of private rented properties where there is an emergency related to disrepair or illegal eviction and it is safe to do so
• we’ve cancelled non-essential inspections – we’ll contact anyone affected
• private landlords remain legally obligated to ensure properties meet the required standards, and should keep up to date with government guidance and any changes to the law
• Read our guidance on Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO). HMO renewal reminder letters may not be sent out. Landlords are still responsible for submitting application forms on time, preferably scanned and emailed to phs@sheffield.gov.uk
• we’ll roll forward any snug properties which are expiring until we can re-inspect. Contact the universities’ accommodation teams directly if you have questions about advertising with them
• we’ve cancelled all of our landlord training
• for advice call us on 0114 273 4680 (Mon-Thurs 9am – 5pm and Fri 9am – 4.30pm) or email phs@sheffield.gov.uk

Council Tax

• avoid phoning the service and Pay Council Tax and Report changes in circumstances online
  
• get help if you're struggling to pay
• single person discount is not affected if someone moves in with you temporarily

Council buildings

Buildings closed to the public until further notice:

• all public access points
• Howden House
• Housing Offices
  
• all libraries
• Sheffield Archives
• Winter Gardens
• Botanical Garden pavillions
• Red Tape Studios has suspended face to face teaching

Bins and recycling

• all bin collection services are currently operating as normal
  
• we'll prioritise black bins and clinical waste if required

Household waste recycling centres  

• all sites are open 7 days a week from 9am to 6pm until 30 September
  
• introduced vehicle limits on site at any one time
  
• do not queue outside the sites as this may cause potential danger for other road users trying to pass, and you will be asked to move on or face fines. 
  

Schools and childcare

• schools closed for most children on 20 March 2020 until further notice
• we're working with schools to provide virtual learning
• we're supporting families without access to the internet, or a computer
• we're putting plans in place for children who get free school meals or extra support in school

Critical workers and emergency childcare

You can request emergency childcare if:

• you are a critical worker, or have a vulnerable child
• and, your child's school setting has closed

We will respond to your request within 48 hours.

Fostering

• Sheffield needs foster carers
• meetings, training and assessments are being done online
  
• so long as you normally live in Sheffield, we can assess and train you wherever you are right now
• call 0114 2735075  www.sheffield.gov.uk/fostering

Sheffield Family Centres and Sheffield Parent Hub

Family Centres

• some Family Centres are open for Midwifery services by appointment - contact your midwife directly
• infant feeding support is still available, for advice on feeding and caring for your baby email sheffieldfamilycentres@sheffield.gov.uk
  
• all face to face groups are suspended. The Early Years team continue to work with families allocated to them

Sheffield Parent Hub

• all face to face group programmes are suspended, however we are continuing to offer support to parents on a range of issues
• we recognise that this period of isolation will be difficult for families, and we are able to offer support via phone or video chat during this difficult time

Please email sheffieldparenting@sheffield.gov.uk if you need to speak to a Senior Parenting Practitioner.

Tips and information from Sheffield Family Centres and Sheffield Parent Hub will be shared on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Parking

• we are no longer taking phone calls until further notice
• for parking appeals visit www.sheffield.gov.uk/parkingpcn
• for parking permits visit www.sheffield.gov.uk/home/parking/apply-parking-permit
• to contact us about anything else, email parkingservices@sheffield.gov.uk

Licensing

• our licensing depot is closed
• you can post your documents through the reception door if you enter the depot on foot
• no public vehicles are permitted to access the depot
• our office and telephone lines are closed until further notice
• we are maintaining a limited service via email 

For queries or applications - visit our licensing web pages or email us:

• general enquiries - licensingservice@sheffield.gov.uk
• taxi enquiries - taxilicensing@sheffield.gov.uk
• child permits - childpermits&licences@sheffield.gov.uk
  

Parks, sport and recreation

• all parks, green spaces and woodlands remain open. Some grass cutting is taking place in order to benefit park users and help with social distancing
• allotments remain open. Please follow government guidance around good hygiene and social distancing
• all playgrounds and outdoor gym facilities are closed
• the Botanical Gardens are open until 4pm each day but the pavilions and bear pit are closed to the public
• Parks & Countryside’s customer services phones are closed. You can contact us at parksandcountryside@sheffield.gov.uk
• car parks are open
• park buildings and toilets are closed
• regular updates are posted on our Social Media Pages

Roads and pavements

• our contractor, Amey, is prioritising critical services
• public and staff safety issues will be prioritised above all other jobs
• if you have already received a notice of works for your road, original planned dates may now change
  

We are making temporary changes to footpaths and highways due to the changing travel patterns of Sheffield residents. Find out what we're doing.

Advice on implementing social distancing measures outside your premises

• wherever possible manage queues within your own premises and surrounding land if available. Use areas such as car parks, waiting rooms or reception areas temporarily
• where the pavement is less than 3 metres wide be mindful of queues forming and the impact on pedestrians having to walk around while following social distancing rules. Avoid diverting passers by onto nearby roads or creating obstructions for those with mobility issues
• consider using appointment systems or staggered arrival and leaving systems to minimise the amount of people waiting outside
• alternatively, take customer details on arrival and then ask them to wait in their vehicles or in a designated alternative location where social distancing can be maintained until it is their turn
• consider one way systems or have separate entrance and exit points if possible
• control the number of people entering your premises at any one time
• consider whether temporary barriers are needed on your premises, taking into account proximity to roads and other pedestrian routes
• place signs or stickers outside your premises explaining what social distancing measures customers should follow. Do not use any permanent markings or paint
• speak to nearby premises and neighbours and work together to manage possible shared queuing areas
• consider whether your own staff can provide effective queue management or whether additional security staff are required to support your workforce

When reporting issues to us, please consider:

• the nature of your report
• how important it is

Grass cutting 

• grass cutting in parks and on the highway will only be undertaken where staff health and safety is not compromised

Information Rights Requests

• new requests will be logged only
• existing requests will be answered where possible  

Libraries and archives

• all libraries and archives are closed to the public until further notice
• we have extended return dates for books, and we will not fine anyone during this period
• the online elibrary is still available.

Planning

• phone lines are closed - all enquiries should be sent to planningdc@sheffield.gov.uk
• we are unable to process planning history requests as we are prioritising current enquiries and planning applications
  

Building Control 

• email us about processing of planning and building regulation applications
• normal procedures apply for reporting public safety or dangerous structures issues

Births, deaths, marriages and citizenship

• only deaths are being registered
• deaths can be registered by phone and the 5 day time limit no longer applies
• book appointments online where possible
• specific changes apply to certificates, ceremonies and appointments
• changes to Muslim funerals and burials

Restrictions for funeral services

• all cemeteries continue to remain open but please observe social distancing guidance
• maximum of 10 mourners can attend funerals 
• mourners must observe social distancing guidance
• burial and scattering of ashes are temporarily suspended
• all halls of remembrance, columbaria and toilets are closed until further notice
• crematoria are locked until the cortege arrives
• hand sanitising stations are available within the crematoria for use by mourners permitted entrance into the building
• changes to the length of service have been arranged in order to cope with the increased demand (cremation services are now 30 minutes – including entering and exiting the chapel)
• live webcasting (to view the service at the crematorium) has been introduced at both City Road and Hutcliffe Wood Crematoria free of charge. Ask your Funeral Director to arrange this on your behalf

If you want to backfill the grave:

• mourners and funeral directors must follow social distancing guidance  
• the funeral director or family must also bring their own spades

Inquests at the Medico-Legal Centre

• inquests are suspended until 30 April - this decision will be reviewed every two weeks
• there may be a delay in responding to telephone calls and emails
  

Adult and community learning

• classes are currently on hold, we're working to provide leanring online or over the phone
• if you receive adult or community learning we will contact you to arrange this 

Payment of invoices

Pay using our automated payment line 0114 27 35249 or online - www.sheffield.gov.uk/pay. 

Travel and transport

Travel South Yorkshire continue to provide updates to travel services.

Elections

The UK Government has postponed the elections scheduled for 7 May 2020.

It is not possible for inspections of the electoral register to take place until further notice.

Council Cabinet meetings

Please do not attend cabinet meetings in person.

Cabinet Member attendance may be reduced to prioritise essential items of business, and to minimise exposure to Coronavirus.

You are advised to:

• view meetings on our webcast
• submit questions via email and we'll respond/publish online

City events

We have cancelled or postponed all events scheduled to take place from now until the end of May.

A message from the Council Leader

Councillor Julie Dore, Leader of Sheffield City Council, has issued the following pledges during the Covid-19 outbreak:

• keep our vital services running, even if they have to be delivered in different ways
• continue to prioritise the most vulnerable people in the city
• guarantee that no council tenants will lose their home 
• work with the business community to help them access government support
• support and mobilise the community to support each other through the crisis, working with the voluntary sector