Guidance from the Government about what you can and cannot do

Vulnerable people in our community can access practical help and support using our Pendle Community Support Hub.

This page is about disruptions to our service because of coronavirus. For more general information, visit the Coronavirus Homepage.

Contacting us

Due to staff shortages during the coronavirus emergency we’re not able to provide a full service through our Contact Pendle (01282 661661) phone lines.

These are the best ways to get in touch:

• For service requests, search for an online form
• For general comments, complete our feedback form
• To make a complaint, fill in our complaints form
• For feedback on a specific bit of the website, fill in the box that's at the bottom of every page, titled Was this information helpful? If you want us to get back to you, make sure you include contact details in your feedback

Barley Car Park and Sculpture Trail

The Sculpture Trail is closed to visitors for the time being. Please try to stay away from the more popular tourist destinations when trying to get some fresh air and exercise.

Bereavement Services

Our Bereavement Services team are wearing additional Personal Protective Clothing (PPE) for all burials.

The maximum number of people allowed at a burial is 15. We are keeping this under review. Individual funeral directors may set a lower figure, so bereaved relatives should check with them before attending a burial.

So far we have not had any cases of coronavirus victims for burial in Pendle. If we do, our staff will wear full disposable suits for those burials.

Bin collections

Our crews are having trouble emptying bins because more people are at home and are parked on back streets and double parked on streets. Please try to make sure you leave enough room for our wagons, or we won't be able to collect your refuse and recycling. If needs be, move your bin to an accessible spot which our crews will spot when doing their rounds. And please remember to keep a safe distance from our refuse collectors!

Building Control

We are continuing with a building control service and are processing new applications. Staff are working from home, as advised by Government, and so cannot deal with any correspondence which is in paper form. All contact with us must be in an electronic format or it will not be dealt with. You can email us at: building.control@pendle.gov.uk

We will still carry out necessary site inspections. These will be unaccompanied - our staff will not meet anyone on site. Please contact us in the normal way to arrange a site visit.

Any payments must be online as we cannot process cheques.

Bulky waste collections

We can now accept requests for the removal of fridges, freezers, televisions and monitors again.

Businesses

A range of support packages available for businesses are on our Support for Businesses page.

Council buildings

Please try not to come into Council buildings unless it is essential. You can access a lot of our services online or contact us in other ways.

Council Meetings

Council meetings are being held remotely, but you can still take part. Read our page about Council meetings during Coronavirus.

Elections 

The local and Police and Crime Commissioner elections have been postponed until May 2021.

Household Waste Recycling Centres

The Household Waste Recycling Centres at Barnoldswick and Burnley are open.

• Go to the Lancashire County Council website for information about Household Waste Recycling Centre re-openings, and how to make an appointment 

Licensing and Taxi Licensing

We are continuing with our licensing service but staff are working remotely. You need to send any information to us, including application forms, electronically.

• You can download licensing forms here
• You can make licensing payments online here 
• You can email us on licensing@pendle.gov.uk

We will not be able to process correspondence made on paper until further notice.

We will accept photocopies or photographs of DBS checks during the coronavirus outbreak for all licensing services.

For Taxi Licensing we will continue to provide as much of the service as possible. However, some things have to be done differently.

Read the guidance on changes to the taxi licensing system

Markets

Colne’s Outdoor Market Stalls are open again, with social distancing. Distancing and queue lines have been marked out and signs put up as reminders. Nelson’s Street Market is open again with line markings on Market Street and close to the Shuttle.

Both sites will be opening on a reduced basis until it is safe to get back to normal. Market staff will be in attendance all day to monitor how it goes and to support and advise customers and traders accordingly. 

The indoor markets are also open again, with control measures in place.

Parks and open spaces

Tennis courts are now open at:

• Heyhead Park
• Marsden Park
• Sough Park
• Alkincoats Park

All playgrounds, outdoor gym equipment and multi-use games areas (MUGAS) are still closed. This is to minimise the spread of coronavirus via the equipment.

The parks are still open, but you must make sure you stay 2 metres away from other park users.

Pendle Business Awards 2020

This year's Business Awards has been postponed. Entries are closed for now, but you can still register your interest and we'll contact you when entries re-open.

Pendle Leisure Trust

All Pendle Leisure Trust facilities are now closed. Visit the PLT website for the most up to date information.

Planning Applications

Staff are now working from home but the service is continuing. We cannot deal with information supplied in a paper format. All correspondence with us now should be in an electronic format. You can email us at planning@pendle.gov.uk 

Comments on applications can be made using our online planning portal or via email at planning@pendle.gov.uk

For minor planning applications, site notices will be put up but we will not be writing directly to neighbours until further notice.

We will do site visits as long as they do not involve entering buildings. To remove the risk of cross contamination, staff will not meet anyone on site.

You must make payments online as we cannot process cheques.

Refuse and recycling

Visit our webpage for the latest information about refuse and recycling during the coronavirus pandemic.

Pest Control

We are offering a limited service, for treatments 8th we will be able to offer treatments that do not require the officers to enter resident’s homes.  This means,  for example,  that we will be able to visit to treat wasps’ nests and rodents in gardens, open spaces and out buildings.

If you would like to arrange for us to visit please contact us by telephone on 01282 661604 or by emailing julie.hannum@pendle.gov.uk.

Sports Fixtures

All organised football and cricket matches are off for the foreseeable future.

Steven Burke Sports Hub

The BMX Pump track is open again. If you use the Pump track::

• you must keep a 2 metre social distance
• you must not congregate with other riders, particularly on the start mound
• there must be no physical contact
• you must not share mobile devices, equipment, food or drink
• you must leave plenty of space and be considerate of other riders
• clean your equipment and wash your hands before and after riding
• only use the track if you are actively riding, and leave as soon as you are finished

The cycle track is still OPEN to use for the general public - it is the perfect place to get some fresh air and physical activity during this period of isolation. But you must use the tracks in a responsible and safe manner, by keeping your distance from others.

Taxis

There is a limited taxi service operating in Pendle. Taxi companies are making their own decision about whether they operate. Companies which do continue to provide a service, will only take passengers on essential journeys. Priority will be given to the vulnerable and to NHS staff travelling to and from work. All staff will practice safe distancing.

Companies currently offering essential journeys only are:

• 1 Call - 01282 449999
• A1 Cars - 07801230240
• AK - 01282 618618
• Delta - 01282 888888
• Kings - 01282 860086
• Marsden - 01282 699656
• Matrix Reloaded - 01282 696992
• Max and Bettys - 01282 555555
• Street Cars - 01282 612121
• Trawden Travel - 01282 871765 (long distance travel and airport work)
• VIP - 01282 692692

Visit the coronavirus homepage for more help and advice