Service information
Blue Badge – There may be some delay in processing applications.
Bus services – Many bus routes are now being operated to revised timetables, which more accurately reflect current demand. Please check bus operator websites or phone them for the latest up to date information or call us on 0300 123 2224 for advice on current bus timetables for services in Somerset.
Children With Disabilities – Most services are continuing as normal. Some short breaks have been cancelled.
Citizenship ceremonies – You must normally book the ceremony within three months of being sent an invitation from the Home Office, however, due to the current circumstances we have extended this period to six months.
Complaints and compliments, Freedom of Information requests and enquiries about information we hold about you – there are changes to the way these are processed
Concessionary bus passes – Delays to the normal 10 day application processing. To allow older people to travel to supermarkets earlier in the day we are relaxing the restrictions on concessionary bus travel. With the agreement of bus operators, concessionary bus passes can now be used before 9.30am on services across Somerset.
Copies of certificates – If you need a copy of a birth, death or marriage certificate please see the General Register Office website
County Ticket – We have made the decision to cancel all annual student bus pass direct debits from 1 April. We also intend to issue pro-rata refunds to all those who paid in full. As all payments have been cancelled County Ticket passes will not scan on ticket machines. We have taken this decision as colleges and sixth forms are closed and we are aware of the financial hardship many are finding themselves in due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Early Years Providers – Our Early Years Team have produced a Frequently Asked Questions document for Early Years providers.
Free school meals – You can find guidance on free school meals during the Coronavirus outbreak here
Health Visiting Service – We are not currently running groups, however we are continuing to provide appointments where required and can offer telephone and email support.
Heritage – Our Heritage Centre is temporarily closed.
Highways – All planned highway maintenance works in Somerset are now suspended to comply with Government instructions and to allow us to focus resources on safety repairs and emergency works. The Government has classified a number of roles within the transport industry as key to delivering essential services. This includes highways workers playing a critical role in maintaining roads to ensure safe passage for emergency services, key workers and deliveries of supplies. We’ve received reports of some crews being approached by the public, potentially putting themselves and road workers at risk. Please give them space to continue keeping roads safe for those who need to use them.
Jobs and careers – Recruitment activity continuing as normal, however all interviews will be taking place virtually.
Libraries – All libraries are closed at the moment but some are planning to re-open soon. You can find out more here. No overdue charges or additional hire charges will apply on any items during this time.
Parking – On-street parking patrols are due to restart in Somerset on Monday 1 June following the easing of coronavirus restrictions.
With more pupils returning to schools and some businesses starting to reopen, Somerset County Council’s civil enforcement officers will return to help keep roads clear and traffic moving. Read more here
Reception closures – All County Council Receptions are now closed until further notice to ensure the wellbeing of the public and our employees. You can find support information and advice on our website or for anything urgent, please phone 0300 123 2224.
Registration services – Birth registrations are making a phased return in Somerset and North Somerset following the gradual easing of restrictions. Parents can book appointments to register the birth of babies born before 31 March 2020. Parents of babies born after 1 April are asked to stay patient for now until more offices are open.
We are currently experiencing technical difficulties with our online booking system. Please check this page later in the week for further updates.
People can book appointments in Taunton for births that took place in Somerset, and in Weston-super-Mare for births in North Somerset and Bristol, providing the parent(s) is a North Somerset resident. Please use the online system for booking an appointment wherever possible – there’s also information about what documents you’ll need.
If you need to make an appointment to register a death please phone 01823 282251. We are now able to carry out death registrations over the phone. Following emergency legislation passed by government, changes to the process will further protect staff and members of the public during the Covid-19 social distancing period.
We have created a Bereavement and Coronavirus Booklet to help you with practical information such as how to register a death, through to planning a funeral and information on bereavement and grief.
Notice of marriage and civil partnership appointments are currently unavailable.
You may now claim Child Benefit or Universal Credit while waiting to register your child. New parents should complete the Child Benefit Claim Form stating COVID-19 as a reason for non-registration in a cover note, while existing recipients of Child Benefit may add their newborn’s details over the phone with the Child Benefit office on 0300 2003100. This can be backdated by up to 3 months.
All ceremonies are cancelled until further notice, both at our offices and all approved premises. No bookings for wedding or civil partnership ceremonies are currently being taken. Please visit www.somersetweddingservice.org.uk or follow @SomersetWeddingService on Facebook for updates about our ceremony service.
Rights of way – The public rights of way network remains open. We ask that all members of the public follow government guidance when using rights of way and the requirements for social distancing. You can find out more about the service on our Public Rights of Way page.
School Notifications – Closures and Partial Closures – Find details of schools that have let us know about closures or limited opening.
School admissions – Delays to progressing and hearing appeals.
School Nursing – We are available to offer support to schools that remain open during this time. We will be contactable by phone or email for all other School Nurse service support. We can signpost you to other providers for sexual health advice and support.
School Transport – Following the Government announcement on schooling for key workers children and vulnerable children our school transport network continues to operate to ensure that all entitled children within the groups identified can continue to access schools. You can read more here
School Transport Pay Seats – Direct Debits have been suspended, termly invoices have not been sent for the Summer term and Annual payers will be refunded for the official school closure days.
Slinky Services – We advise Slinky users to contact the operator in their area to check on services during the current health emergency. You can find out more on Travel Somerset.
Smokefreelife Somerset – Currently not running any support groups or home visits, however are continuing to support people to stop smoking by phone. Alternative arrangements have been made for people to receive their stop smoking medication.
Somerset Waste Partnership – Recycling and rubbish pick-ups are continuing but SWP may be unable to make return pick-ups if recycling collections are missed. Containers should be taken back in and put back out again for the following week.
Recycling centres opening hours week beginning 1 June – Recycling sites have reverted to their usual summer opening hours.To ensure social distancing and to protect public and staff, there are restrictions on numbers going into the recycling sites and the range of materials sites will accept.
Garden Waste collections have also been resumed.
Bulky waste collections have been suspended and no new container orders are being accepted.
There is a new contractor (SUEZ) for recycling and waste collection services. You can read more here
To help the crews complete rounds as quickly as possible, please: rinse containers, squash all but aerosols and glass if safe to do so, sort-segregate materials without using carrier bags, and put it all – including all food waste (in the food waste bin) – out by 7am.
If you have Coronavirus symptoms or are in a household with someone showing symptoms, government guidance on personal waste which can be found at www.somersetwaste.gov.uk/coronavirus along with latest updates on service disruption.
Please follow @Somersetwaste on Facebook and Twitter, and visit: www.somersetwaste.gov.uk/coronavirus/
Volunteering – Somerset County Council is currently suspending volunteer recruitment for it’s usual roles, and we are focussing instead on supporting those affected by Coronavirus
Zing Somerset – All events and programmes cancelled. Zing social media pages will be used to share ideas on how to stay active and healthy.
If you can’t find the help you need, or your need is more urgent, please phone the
Somerset Coronavirus Helpline