Today’s major fire at Juno Drive in Leamington Spa is a stark reminder of how fortunate we are to benefit from our first-rate emergency services who were onsite within minutes. Our environmental health teams are also engaged to assist with the effects of the smoke plume and help protect local residents as this incident plays out. Our thoughts and prayers are with all who have been affected and we stand ready over the coming days and weeks to work with other agencies to provide the ongoing support required.

Covid is still very much amongst us, with 452 new cases in Warwick District over the past seven days, increasing from 283.6 to 301.6 cases per 100,000 people. As we learn to live with the virus, it is important that we continue to manage our own personal risk and in so doing, protect those around us.

Remember crowded spaces and enclosed indoor areas present a real risk to our health, so to prevent the spread, let’s do what we know works - wear a face covering, wash our hands regularly and continue with regular lateral flow testing, available from a local test centre or by collection from a participating pharmacy.  If we have COVID-19 symptoms let’s get a PCR test and self-isolate. Remember too that there are still Test & Trace support payments available for those eligible.

We hope you’re getting time to enjoy our beautiful parks and gardens across the district, as well as rediscovering our amazing local high streets. While our weekly markets in Warwick and Kenilworth have continued safely during the pandemic, our teams have also been working hard to support smaller events to operate in a safe way so we can visit:

Covent Garden Quarter market: Sunday 29 August, 10am-4pm. Why not make the most of the forecast sunshine and wander around the craft stalls, pick-up a coffee and enjoy the buzz of this vibrant and fun market?

EcoFest: Saturday 4 September, 10am -5pm. Come and find out all you need to know about healthy living and saving our beautiful planet. Take a stroll around the Pump Room Gardens and enjoy the activities, while gathering interesting ideas for healthy eating, healthy living and all the small but important steps we can take to reduce our carbon footprint.

We are delighted to announce the breaking news that has given our Recovery Plans a major boost this week. Council recently established Milverton Homes, which is a housing company tasked with bringing forward developments that advance our community building objectives.

Today, in partnership with Vistry Linden, Milverton Homes have completed a deal to develop 620 new houses in Kenilworth built to the highest environmental standards, creating 248 much needed affordable homes. Not only will this help give people from across our community a home, this deal will also make a major contribution towards the goal of reducing carbon emissions to net zero. In addition, significant ‘social value’ has been created, with the developer committing to provide apprenticeships and training, all of which will strengthen skills in our local building trades.  Good news all round!

The recent public consultation sessions for the development of Riverside House site have been well attended. Key town centre interest groups, as well as members of the public and site neighbours have been offering an array of helpful comments and suggestions. You too can get involved and share your views. Details of the next consultation session can be found on the webpage, as well as a download of the consultation document. (Printed copies are also available at the Pump Rooms and the Town Hall in Leamington.)

And finally, we’re running a light-hearted competition to name each of our five new street sweeper vehicles. The names chosen will be displayed on the door of each new sweeper and seen for years to come as the Idverde teams go about making our streets shine. If you’re feeling creative, then why not nominate your suggested names for the sweepers by Monday 20 September, here.

Keep smiling and stay safe.

Andrew Day   Leader                                    Chris Elliott    Chief Executive