Stay Updated on Westminster City Council's Cyber Attack Recovery Efforts Monitor and analyze the Westminster City Council's initiatives to restore services post-cyber attack. Engage with community updates and official communications regarding recovery progress. Contribute to discussions surrounding cybersecurity measures and service restoration strategies.
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On November 24, Westminster City Council faced a significant cyber security incident that disrupted various services. The council is actively addressing the situation while focusing on essential services for residents. This article outlines the current status of services and offers guidance for navigating the ongoing disruptions.
Current service status and contact details
The council’s contact centre is operational, with hours from 9 AM to 5 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. On Wednesdays, the centre operates from 9 AM to 4 PM. The housing contact centre is available from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM on weekdays and from 8:30 AM to 4 PM on Wednesdays.
Residents are encouraged to be patient, as wait times may be longer than usual due to increased inquiries. The council is working to enhance its capacity to meet resident needs effectively.
Available services and reporting issues
Some digital services remain operational.
Residents can access the chatbot for general inquiries on the council’s website. However, escalation to a live agent is currently not available.
The usual Report It tool is not functioning at this time. Residents can still submit issues via the dedicated Report It page. However, reports submitted through Fix My Street are currently inaccessible.
Financial transactions and support services
The council is currently experiencing challenges with Direct Debit collections for rent and service charges. Residents are advised not to cancel their Direct Debit arrangements. Once the systems are operational again, any necessary adjustments to future payments will be communicated promptly. Furthermore, any missed payments will be evenly distributed across the remaining months of the financial year, ensuring that no double payments are necessary.
At this time, both online payment systems and officer-assisted telephone payments are unavailable. Residents are encouraged to maintain sufficient funds in their accounts to facilitate future payments once services are restored.
Additional support for residents
Local support payment applications are currently facing processing delays. Residents experiencing financial difficulties and receiving welfare benefits should reach out to the Department for Work and Pensions for assistance. This includes options such as budgeting loans or advance payments. For further details on various support options, residents can visit the council’s Cost of Living Support Hub.
Community services and event bookings
The online booking system for community halls is currently facing complications, resulting in a temporary halt on new reservations. There may be delays in processing refunds for deposits on existing bookings, but efforts are underway to resolve these issues promptly as the systems are restored.
Importantly, all existing bookings will continue as scheduled. Residents with questions regarding bookings can contact the relevant department via [email protected] or by calling 0207 245 2861.
Library services and information access
Libraries are operating normally, offering free events exclusively in person. Patrons can access guest Wi-Fi for their convenience. While new library memberships are temporarily on hold, existing members can still check out and return items through self-service kiosks, with staff available for any assistance needed.
As the council addresses the ongoing situation, restoring services efficiently and keeping residents informed remains a priority. Regular updates regarding the incident will be made available on the council’s website.
