SOME of Harlow Council’s services including the Civic Centre will shut down between Christmas and New Year to help save over £150,000.

Arrangements are in place for residents to still access services and information online at www harlow.gov.uk and the Council can be contacted in an genuine emergency by calling 01279 446666.

Contact Harlow, the Council’s customer service centre, will be open and closed as follows:

Open:Tuesday 24 December 2013 9am to 4.45pm

Closed on Wednesday 25 December 2013, Thursday 26 December 2013, Friday 27 December 2013, Monday 30 December 2013, Tuesday 31 December 2013 and Wednesday 1 January 2014. Normal opening from Thursday 2 January 2014.

For urgent housing advice or assistance during the shutdown residents should ring 01279 446666 or visit www.harlow.gov.uk/housing-options

Residents can still pay their Council bills online 24 hours a day, seven days a week with a credit/debit card at www.harlow.gov.uk or by phoning the automated bill payment line: 01279 446600.

The shutdown will not affect street cleaning and housing property services provided by Kier Harlow Ltd. The Housing Repairs Centre (01279 446666) will be open from 8am to 4pm on the following days:

· Tuesday 24 December 2013

· Friday 27 December 2013

· Saturday 28 December 2013

· Monday 30 December 2013

· Tuesday 31 December 2013

A 24-hour genuine emergency repairs service is available on Bank Holidays and out of hours.

Bin collection dates will change over Christmas and New Year. Residents are advised to check the Council’s website for revised collection dates.

Councillor Mark Wilkinson, Leader of Harlow Council, said: “By shutting down over Christmas and New Year the Council continues to save money on a reduction in staff working hours, energy and building costs. Essential services like bin collections are unaffected and will continue over this period but working to a revised collection schedule due to Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Tenants can also continue to contact the housing repairs service if they have a genuine emergency and residents can still access the Council’s website for essential information and to pay bills . While buildings may be closed, we have also put arrangements in place so people can contact us in the event of an emergency and services will remain on standby.”

Christmas and New Year information and advice can be found on the Council’s website: www.harlow.gov.uk/christmas-new-year