Torbay Council has announced details of service availability over the Christmas and New Year period.

A wide range of services can be accessed by visiting the council website at www.torbay.gov.uk

Connections Offices - Torquay, Paignton and Brixham

All Connections offices will be open, 9am to 5pm, as normal over the Christmas period except for Brixham which will be closing at 4pm. Torquay, Paignton and Brixham Connections Offices will be closed on 25 and 26 December, and 1 January. The call centre will also be open as normal and can be used to book appointments for the registrars office.

Libraries

Torbay Libraries will be closed from Wednesday 24 December to Saturday 27 December inclusive, and Thursday 1 January.

Refuse and Recycling Collections

Details of refuse and recycling collections to properties around Torbay are as follows:

Normal Day of collection	Revised day of collection
Monday 22nd December	Saturday 20 December
Tuesday 23 December	Monday 22 December
Wednesday 24 December	Tuesday 23 December
Thursday 25 December	Wednesday 24 December
Friday 26 December	Saturday 27 December
Monday 29 December	Monday 29 December
Tuesday 30 December	Tuesday 30 December
Wednesday 31 December	Wednesday 31 December
Thursday 1 January	Friday 2 January
Friday 2 January	Saturday 3 January

Additional Services

Benefits, Council Tax and Business Rates

Enquiries on 01803 207201 will be answered up to 5pm on Tuesday 23 December. This service will next be available on 30 and 31 December, and from 2 January onwards.

Electoral Services

Electoral services enquiries will be answered on 01803 208008 up to 5pm on Wednesday 24 December. This service will next be available on 30 and 31 December, and from 2 January onwards.

Registrars

Registration of births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships, appointment booking service available on 01803 207130. This service will be closed on 25 and 26 of December, and Thursday 1 January. Opening times on the 24, 29, 30 and 31 December will be between 9.30am and 4.30pm, with normal hours returning from Friday 2 January.

Children's Social Care

Social Care within Children’s Services will be available normal hours every day excluding Thursday 25 December, Friday 26 December and Thursday 1 January. Enquiries can be made on 01803 208100. For people who do not have access to a phone, the normal walk-in arrangements will be available via the Children’s Services reception and information area next to Tor Hill House and opposite Torquay Connections.

Housing Options

Housing options service enquiries on 01803 208058 and 01803 208723. This service will be available on Wednesday 24 December until 3:45pm and 29 December from 9:30am to 4pm, and 30 and 31 December from 9am to 4pm. People phoning out of these office hours will hear an answer phone message giving details of how to get assistance if they are homeless that night.

For people who do not have access to a phone, a walk-in service will be available in the Children's Services reception and information area next to Tor Hill House.

Crisis Support

The Crisis Support Team will operate an emergency service for living expenses throughout Christmas. People will be able to make an application online via the council website at www.torbay.gov.uk/crisissupport. Those unable to access the internet can make a telephone application by calling the Crisis Support line on 0800 9176832. They will need to have claimed before 2pm to get a decision on the same day.