Hi,
I have been recieving a high volume of emails about how Enfield Council will be preparing for a wider outbreak of COVID-19. Here are some questions and anwsers below. The Bold are questions /comments, the Italics are the answers.
“Parks, playgrounds and green gyms – people still seem to be using including personal trainers appearing to run sessions.”
Please note that we have closed all multi games areas, tennis courts and netball courts throughout the borough. This measure supports the closure of playgrounds, toilets, outdoor gyms and café’s within the Parks already taken
“Cemeteries, morgues, crematorium – capacity etc”
Cemeteries – Currently there is sufficient burial capacity in local authority cemeteries to facilitate the projected increases in demand with further reserves available should it be required
Morgues – The North London Coroner district consists of Enfield, Haringey, Barnet, Brent and Harrow. The North Coronial Excess Deaths Management Group is in place to assist the implementation of contingency options to expand capacity to assist the Coroner and deal with the deceased in a dignified manner. The group co-ordinates work across this district to increase capacity at hospitals, mortuaries and temporary provisions, at such places as crematoriums. Legislation has been relaxed to allow crematoriums to open for longer hours and we have sufficient burial capacity in local authority cemeteries to facilitate the projected increases in demand with further reserves available should it be required. We have contingency plans in place to deal with the potential increase in numbers and we are communicating with Funeral Directors to make them aware of any changes in the way the service will be provided and working with them to meet the deceased family wishes.
The National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) have asked the Government to clarify a number of questions, including the maximum number of people that can attend a funeral – NAFD advice to funeral directors and the public is to arrange funerals over the phone wherever possible, restrict attendees to immediate close family only and respect social distancing guidelines.
Crematorium – The crematorium is privately run; LBE do not own it
Barrowell Green – just seen post that this is now closed.
In light of the developing situation around COVID-19, our Barrowell Green Reuse and Recycling Centre (RRC) and Revive Reuse Shop will not be open to the public for the foreseeable future.
This is to enable us to comply with the latest Government guidance on measures to slow the spread of the virus, and to ensure the safety of staff. This includes the instruction to members of the public not to travel unless it’s essential, and not to gather in groups larger than two.
Refuse collections – update on how going, any known problems, staffing levels, how much leeway will be given to residents with extra refuse etc especially now that Barrowell Green is closed, any plans to stop green bin collections and, if so, what recompense will residents receive if this happens.
We are doing everything we possibly can to ensure waste is collected and our streets remain clean. We have managed to deploy a full service to date. We are adding additional resource to the refuse and recycling collections to deal with the increased quantities of waste that are being produced as a result of many people working from home. Currently we have no plans to suspend the green bin collections currently.
Parking restrictions – any plans to relax residents parking restrictions now that many residents are working from home and don’t have a residents permit.
Since Monday 23rd March 2020 we have not been enforcing in controlled parking zones around North Middlesex Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital to assist NHS staff who need to work during this serious period.
As of the 24th March 2020 we have not been enforcing all resident permit bays in all day CPZs and will not be enforcing bays or single yellow lines in CPZs which have operational hours of 4 hours or less so residents can park on yellow lines in these zones.
Electrical collection- are Clearbee still working?
Yes
Any changes to residents receiving sacks for those still using them?
No, collections remain weekly and deliveries of new sacks are planned to commence beginning of April as scheduled
Pest control – still operating?
Our pest control service is working as normal to meet our customer expectations and are adapting working procedures in the current situation, such as providing a DIY kit to the most vulnerable ( in the high risk group) if they cannot allow access to the pest control officer.
Plus anything else you feel I should be aware of.
Out of Hours Noise Service is operating and will also be checking compliance on premises that should be closed and those that should only be selling takeaways
Sorry would also add are the upgrades to bins still able to go on or have they been put on hold. Still getting emails from residents who have requested a larger blue or black bin.
Currently bin deliveries are being carried out as normal and we are working our way through the list of requests we have received – please note that the delivery times for bin deliveries is up to four weeks from the request date
Is there anyone in particular we should contact if we get reports of or see large groups congregate?
Teams of Park Wardens who are offering advice on social distancing and unnecessary journeys in Parks and open spaces. They are patrolling 7 days a week at present. The police are also advising people about social distancing and government guidelines on no gatherings
We are also checking social media and I am the point of contact to report this to. Please feel free to pass my email on or send anything directly to me and I will send to the co-ordinator who can arrange a visit. They are patrolling all parks at present including: Tuckers Park, Broomfield Park, Jubilee Park, Arnos Park, Town Park, Enfield Playing Fields, Whitewebbs Park on a daily basis
I can be contacted on 02081320998 or sarah.moore@enfield.gov.uk