Service Status

From Monday, June 15, those who are unable to access services online or over the telephone will once again be able to visit our offices in Andover and Romsey.

Our Beech Hurst and Former Magistrates Court buildings will be open to the public between 9am and 4.30pm, with social distancing restrictions in place.

Our customer services team will remain available on the phone and online for those who are able to contact us via these methods.

Pay, report, apply or check something online here: testvalley.gov.uk/do-it-online-services

Our customer services team are available on 01264 368000 or 01794 527700. 

Read more about these changes here: https://bit.ly/2B4fhMj

Following Government advice in response to the Coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic, we have closed all of our public venues.

We are taking every precaution to ensure waste collections crews minimise their interaction with each other and members of the public.

Please be aware that any side waste that is put out for collection may not be collected due to capacity issues.

Following Government advice in response to the Coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic, we have closed all of our play parks.

Our parks remain open for you to enjoy a safe daily walk or run to get essential exercise – but please keep at least 2 metres apart from others.

Social distancing guidelines:

• Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (where this absolutely cannot be done from home)
• Stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people
• Wash your hands as soon as you get home

Restarting car parking charges – 22 June 2020
Test Valley Borough Council suspended charges in car parks on 25 March following the Prime Minister’s lockdown announcement. With the recent significant changes to the lockdown restrictions, we will partially reinstate the charges from Monday 22 June.

From Monday 22 June to Tuesday 21 July inclusive, you can park for up to two hours free of charge, with normal charges applying if you wish to park for longer. You do not need to display a ticket or register on RingGo if you are parking for less than two hours. The free two-hour period can only be used once per vehicle, per day.

The standard parking charges will apply in full from Wednesday 22 July.

These include:

• All Countryside events 
  • Parks and Countryside Events Guide - North
  • Parks and Countryside Events Guide - South
• Health Walks
• Park runs - https://www.parkrun.com/news/2020/03/12/covid-19/ 
• All shows at the Lights theatre - see their statement here
• Andover artisan market for April and May
• Andover Vision’s Climate Day of Action - www.andovervision.org.uk/andover-day-of-climate

A full list of events can be found here

Some Council Meetings are now available online. For full details please visit:
https://democracy.testvalley.gov.uk/mgCalendarMonthView.aspx

Given the coronavirus pandemic and latest government advice, please note that a number of committee meetings have been cancelled or postponed.

We are waiting for further Government guidance around decision-making meetings, therefore plans around meetings such as full Council, Cabinet and Planning will be made on a case-by-case basis going forward.

Full details of committee meetings and their status can be found here.

Police and Crime Commissioner Elections 7 May 2020

Following the announcement from the Government on Friday 13 March, the election for the Police & Crime Commissioner for Hampshire Police Area has now been postponed until May 2021.

The Police Area Returning Officer for Hampshire is Mark Heath at Southampton City Council and more information about these elections can be found their website. 

In order to vote in these elections, you need to be registered on the Register of Electors and you must be:

• Resident in the relevant electoral area on the date of the election;
• A British, Irish or Commonwealth citizen, or a citizen of a member state of the European Union;
• 18 years old or over

If you are an eligible elector and you are already on the Register of Electors, you do not need to re-register for this election.

Details of where your polling station is located will be found on your poll card.

Information on how to register can be found here.

Elections Suspended

As a consequence of the Covid-19 virus, the Returning Officer has taken the decision to suspend the polls in the Test Valley Borough Council by-election in the ward of Chilworth, Nursling and Rownhams and in the Parish Council by-election in Nursling and Rownhams due to be held on 19 March 2020.

For the latest information about services provided by Hampshire County Council please visit: www.hants.gov.uk/coronavirus

For all the latest information for parents and carers about the closure of schools and other educational settings following the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers 

Contents

1. Closures of schools, childcare and other educational settings
2. Exams
3. Vulnerable children
4. Critical workers
5. Resources and support

A new pre-booking system for residents to access Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) to manage demand and reduce queuing traffic was introduced at all Hampshire HWRCs from 15 June.  Social distancing rules apply. 

For more information please visit: https://www.hants.gov.uk/wasteandrecycling/recyclingcentres

Book a slot to visit your local HWRC: https://www.hants.gov.uk/wasteandrecycling/recyclingcentres/book-appointment

Message from Hampshire County Council

In light of the latest Government guidance on protecting elderly and vulnerable people, we have taken the decision to temporarily stop all but emergency visits to our care homes.

Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Health, Councillor Liz Fairhurst, said: “This has not been an easy decision to make, but it is our absolute priority to ensure that vulnerable individuals, who are supported in care homes managed by the County Council, are kept as safe as possible from any potential spread of Coronavirus.

"While we recognise that contact with families is extremely important to the wellbeing of those for whom we care, we want to do everything we can to protect our elderly and vulnerable residents.

“With immediate effect, all our County Council-managed care homes have temporarily closed their doors to visitors.

“Going forward, we will be doing everything we can to support our residents to stay in touch with their families and loved ones via phone calls, video calls, instant messaging or letters.”

We are in the process of advising all residents, families and carers of this change of policy.

For more details on the national Coronavirus guidance, go to the County Council’s Coronavirus web page www.hants.gov.uk/coronavirus