Council House FAQs

Opening hours

When is the Council House open?

The Council House is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. However, a large number of services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through myAccount so you can go online anytime.

Opening hours may change during bank holidays and over the Christmas and New Year period.

When are your phone lines open?

Information on our opening hours can be found on our contact us page.

Council House facilities

What public facilities are available?

There is a public wireless (Wi-Fi) network. Visitors can request an access password from the reception desk.

There are customer toilets on the ground floor located near reception. A disabled peoples 'changing places' toilet is also located here. This is operated by radar key. Close to these facilities is a breastfeeding room and baby changing facilities.

I have a new baby, is there anywhere in the Council House that I can breastfeed?

You are welcome to breastfeed anywhere in the public areas.

If you would prefer to feed your baby in private, we do have a breastfeeding room on the ground floor. The room will be locked, but you can get a key from the customer service desk. We also have a baby changing room.

Do you have a changing places toilet?

We have a changing places toilet in the Council House with a large changing area and a hoist. It has a Radar lock fitted and you can get your own personal Radar key from customer services. There are also standard disabled people's toilets in the building.

Do you have a unisex toilet available?

Yes, we have a unisex toilet available in reception.

Do you have a prayer room for customers to use?

We have 'The Quiet Place' for our employees, elected members and official visitors who may spend quite a time at the Council House, but we do not have this facility for customers.

If you are with us for some time and need to pray, please speak to one of our 'meet and greeters' who will do their best to find you somewhere.

Is the Council House licensed for weddings and other civil ceremonies?

Yes, the Reception Room, Civic Staircase and Mayor's Parlour are all available to hire for ceremonies.

For more information visit the marriage arrangements and ceremonies page.

Council services

What services are available at the Council House?

Most services are now contactable by phone or online only.

Can I just drop in to see a Council officer?

No - most services are now contactable by phone or online only.

I do not have a PC at home. How can I access your online services?

It is quicker for you to access our services online and we want to help you. We have secure internet and web access in our libraries and a limited number of computers at the Council House.

Our self-service computers allow you to:

• provide feedback
• make payments
• book services
• get information about Council and local services.

Don't worry if you're unsure how to use our online services - a member of our 'Meet and Greet' team will be around to help you from 9am to 1pm, Monday to Friday.

How do I find out where I need to go in the Council House?

We have a Meet and Greet team from 9am to 1pm, Monday to Friday, who advise the best way to contact the service you need. Our greeters wear our branded lanyard.

There are also welcome screens with touchscreen technology that will greet you as you come into the Council House.

How do I book a Council service?

Save yourself a journey and do it online using myAccount.

The Council House also has a self-service area.

Council meetings

I am attending Full Council. Can I bring my bag with me?

In the interests of safety and security, any visitors who attend evening public meetings such as Full Council will be asked to place their bags in secure lockers. These will be available free of charge.

Large items such as banners or posters will also not be allowed in the public gallery.

Accessibility

I am a disabled driver and have an interview at the Council House. I have a blue disabled parking badge. Where can I park?

We have some spaces for disabled visitors, but you will need to contact us before you visit to arrange to have a parking space. There is a barrier system in place now in the car park, so when you arrive, please either call or text the phone number indicated or press the button to call for the barrier to be raised.

There are also disabled parking bays:

• on the Morledge
• in the Assembly Rooms car park
• on Osnabruck Square.

Do you have any facilities for Deaf and hearing impaired people?

We have induction loops, minicoms, SMS, Text Relay and the area is well lit for lip-reading. British Sign Language (BSL) users can be directed to a video link to book appointments and request a service.

We also have:

• BSL information announcements on the customer screens
• visual 'next ticket' announcements on screens throughout the Council House.

These provide emergency evacuation instructions visually.

I am a visually impaired person and am worried about entering a new place and finding my way around. Is there any help?

Yes, we have several meet and greeters who will help you. They will also provide emergency evacuation instructions.