There will be some changes to council services, and some will be operating at different hours over the Christmas and new year period.

Councillor Steve Donnelly, cabinet member for inclusive economy said: “The majority of council services will be closed over the Christmas and new year period.  Some key services will still be operating, but the times of operation and contact details may be different, so do check on the council’s website for changes. And have a safe and happy time.”

Refuse and recycling

Rubbish and recycling collection days will change over the holiday period. Collections will return to normal on 15 January 2024. You can download a calendar of collection days.

The council’s re-use and recycling centre will be open as usual from 8am-4pm, except for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Residents can report issues via report it or use the Love Clean Streets app. 

Residents can also sign up or log into My Account to access a range of services, including council tax, business rates, housing benefit, council housing rent, repairs and home ownership. It is a new way to pay, report, request, apply and book online.

Cost of living support

For those struggling with the cost of living crisis, information about all the different sources of help, benefits, grants and money-saving discounts the council has on offer is on the council’s website. You can also check out the community directory for local support and warm community spaces.

For housing and council tax benefit customers, please check your payment schedule for over the Christmas period and into the new year.

Foodbanks will be open as usual, for those who already have a referral to the service with the following exceptions:

• The Greenford centre will be closed on both Christmas Day (25 December) and New Year’s Day (1 January)
• Southall Cranleigh Gardens centre will be closed Saturday, 23 December.

Full opening details can be found on the Ealing Foodbank website.

To make use of Ealing Foodbank, you need to get a voucher through its referral system, so it is best to speak to whoever you are getting advice and support from to see if they are able to refer you. Alternatively, you can call for free on 0808 208 2138 to speak to a Citizens Advice agent. This phone line is open 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday, and closed on public holidays.

The Community hubs will close at 5pm on Friday, 22 December 2023 and reopen at 10am on Tuesday, 2 January 2024

Council services

Council services available 24/7 for emergencies only are:

• Services for homeless people and their families or those threatened with home loss: 020 8825 5000
• Children and adults’ social care: 020 8825 8000
• Tenants requiring emergency housing repairs: 020 8825 5682 or 0800 181744
• Other emergencies e.g. road and footpath incidents: 020 8825 5000

MyAccount (Customer Portal)

Residents can also sign up or log into My Account to access a range of services e.g., council tax, business rates, housing benefit, council housing rent, repairs, home ownership etc. It’s a quick and convenient way to pay, report, request, apply and book for services online. Issues can also be reported via the love clean streets app

The noise response team will be operating a service to deal with noise nuisance complaints. However, there will be no service on Christmas Day, Boxing Day or late New Year’s Eve and into New Year’s Day.  There will be varying hours on other days. Call 020 8825 8111.

As always, council teams will be on standby to grit roads across the borough if required.

The borough’s sports and leisure centres will be open at different hours over Christmas. 

Libraries

Most libraries will close at 4pm on Saturday, 23 December and reopen at 10am on Tuesday 2 January 2024. They will also be open on Saturday, 30 December but for further information check the library pages, which will be updated with details as they become available. 

The 24/7 online library service will be available to renew, manage your account and more. 

Parking

All council car parks, pay and display bays and phone parking bays will offer free parking on Christmas, Boxing and New Year’s Day. Visitor parking in resident bays within Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) will also be free on these days. Normal parking restrictions will apply on all other days.

Apart from Christmas day, motorists are reminded that bus lanes, moving traffic violation and parking restrictions such as yellow lines, loading bays and parking in other places where parking is prohibited remain in operation throughout the festive period.

Please note that the parking services office will be closed from 5pm on 22 December 2023 and will re-open at 9am on 2 January 2024.

For urgent enforcement requests from 22 Dec 2023 to 2 Jan 2024, please call 020 8825 6677 option 1, between 9am to 5pm and 0208 825 5000 outside working hours.