Published: Friday, 8th July 2022

Dear friends

Big changes are just around the corner for us all. No, not the start of the Commonwealth Games, but the launch of the new 123+ waste collection service, which gets underway during the week beginning 1 August.

New blue-lidded recycling bins and food waste caddies are being delivered. You may have already received yours and been wondering what’s this all about. A quick visit to the 123+ website pages to watch a short explanatory video, and to check-out the answers to the most frequently asked questions we’ve received so far, should put you in the know. We’re updating these webpages with fresh information, so please check-in later for the latest news.

Covid cases are on the rise again. New strains of the Omicron variant are driving this recent surge in infections, which thankfully are not translating into increases in local hospital admissions. Please take extra care though, continue to be vigilant and let’s play our part by staying at home if we have a fever or respiratory symptoms, as well as keeping up with our vaccinations.

At a busy Council Cabinet meeting this week:

  • Leisure Development Programme. In addition to £multi-million redevelopment of the Kenilworth leisure facilities, it was agreed to progress plans for a new footpath and cycleway from Myton Road to Fusiliers Way; install new ‘MUGAs’ (artificial turf) football pitches at Newbold Comyn and Whitnash, as well as a relocation of the athletics track from Edmonscote Road to Myton Fields.
  • Climate Change Programme. Proposals were agreed to develop plans for a local Hydrogen Hub and to work with the County Council to make further improvements to the district’s electric vehicle charging structure.  
  • Cost of Living Crisis. Rising energy bills are hitting of our most vulnerable low-income households hardest, so a new Energy Rebate / Hardship Fund Scheme was approved, enabling automatic payments of £200 to help out those who need it most.

In other news:

  • Launch of CultureFest. Next week #WDCultureFest2022 gets underway offering a month-long festival showcasing our outstanding local arts and heritage venues, artists and creatives during the Commonwealth Games! Do check out the introductory video and visit the website for the full programme. CultureFest really has something for everyone, so don’t miss out on your summer of fun.
  • Inward investment. 600 new jobs are to be created in a further boost to the local economy. DHL are establishing a new hub in the Warwick Gateway south of Coventry Airport. In further welcome development, AC Lloyd Commercial have announced plans a new ‘Space Business Centre’ in Warwick, to include a mix of office, industrial and storage units designed to attract start-up and expanding enterprises.

We’ve also been reflecting on the last two extraordinary years and the way all our teams across this amazing Council came together to deal directly with the challenges of the pandemic. I’m sure you’ll be surprised by the depth and breadth of the response, set out in the Support our Communities report.

By the way, over the coming days you’ll probably notice further preparations being made for the Commonwealth Games, including road resurfacing and the temporary removal of central islands around Warwick, in readiness for the cycling Road races. To stay up to date, please check the WCC website. Thanks again for your ongoing patience while these finishing touches to our Games preparations are completed.

And finally… if you hear a bit of a buzz in the Jephson Gardens Glasshouse, it’s due to the return of the bees to their observation hive, having been moved to a temporary sanctuary during the Covid restrictions.

Keep smiling

Cllr Andrew Day
Leader, Warwick District Council

Chris Elliott
Chief Executive, Warwick District Council

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