Christmas arrangements at Shropshire Council

The council will be closing its main administrative offices over the Christmas period – as it did last year – to save thousands of pounds and reduce energy costs.

All essential services will continue, and the council’s customer service centre will be open to receive calls on the usual number of 0345 678 9000 on Thursday 29 December 2011 and Friday 30 December 2011 between 9am and 5pm.

Residents can register births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships as normal on these days too, with registrars operating during their normal opening hours on 29 and 30 December 2011 from their usual offices, with the exception of Bishop’s Castle, Church Stretton and Whitchurch, which will be closed from the close of business on 23 December 2011 until 3 January 2012.

Appointments will be needed as council buildings will be open only for those with appointments, and appointments can be made by calling 0345 678 9016 or online via shropshire.gov.uk/registrar.nsf.  Copy certificates will not be available over the Christmas period, but the service will resume on 3 January 2012.

The council’s headquarters Shirehall, and area headquarter buildings – Guildhall in Shrewsbury, Corve Street in Ludlow, Westgate in Bridgnorth, Castle View in Oswestry, and Edinburgh House in Wem – will close at the end of the day on Friday 23 December 2011 and reopen as normal on Tuesday 3 January 2012.

Councillor Keith Barrow, Leader of Shropshire Council, said:

“It makes sense to close our main offices between Christmas and New Year because it costs a lot to keep the buildings running – we’ll save about £10,000 from closing Shirehall alone.

“The council will still carry on providing its essential services over the Christmas period.  The majority of staff tend to take leave at this time of year anyway, so it seems common sense to save money and reduce carbon emissions by closing our main offices.”

Household waste collection days are also changing over the Christmas period.  Generally the changes mean that people’s waste will be collected one day later than usual.  However, if a collection falls on Boxing Day, it will actually take place earlier than usual – on Christmas Eve.  Calendars have been delivered to all households highlighting the changes.

Further notes

Monday 26 and Tuesday 27 December 2011 are national bank holidays, and Wednesday 28 December 2011 is an agreed concessionary day.