Rest assured that all the excitement in Westminster is not distracting us from the ongoing work being done with a range of partners to ensure our local community is prepared for the winter ahead. Information on the support that is being made available can be found on our website.

A big part of the Winter Plan is doing all that we can to help everyone keep fit, healthy and active. We’ll continue to use these Weekly Updates to share the latest news from our public health partners about the Covid autumn booster programme and any other relevant measurers. Please don’t delay when called for the jab, as the efficacy of the immunisation programme is significantly strengthened when we all participate. For now, we suggest that you stay up to date by checking the NHS website.

In other news:

• Warm Hub initiative– We’re engaging our town and parish councils to assist in identifying local facilities, such as village halls and other spaces suitable for the Winter Plan. We’re seeking to set up a network of warm and welcoming places across our communities, where people can come together over the winter to access support and for a hot drink or meal.
• Improving biodiversity – In response to the startling decline in our natural world, an Ecological Emergency was unanimously declared by Council, which agreed to develop a Biodiversity Action Plan. This is great news not just for our bees, but for us too. We’ll keep you posted on our progress in the new year, when the action plan comes back to Council.
• Cost of living support –The Money Advice Market is being held on Wednesday 26 October, from 10am to 2pm, at the Royal Pump Rooms. As well as the chance to get expert advice from local partners, including Citizen’s Advice and Act on Energy, you can also bring items to the Repair Shop and enjoy free refreshments and children’s activities.
• Food Waste – The introduction of weekly food waste collections was a big step-change for us all, and does so much good for our environment. Take a look at this infographic clearly demonstrating the big difference this service is already making, both in reducing the amount of food that we throw away and enabling us to ‘recycle’ our leftovers to create a valuable energy resource.

The High Sheriff of Warwickshire, David Kelham visited the Town Hall this week to present Warwick District Council with a High Sheriff Award, in recognition of the ‘great and valuable services to the community’ given by our staff through-out the pandemic. This welcome recognition provided all the team with a wonderful morale boost ahead of a challenging winter ahead, when once again we stand ready to deliver meaningful, practical support to our residents.

And finally… the beginning of Diwali celebrations on Monday, provides a timely moment for us to come together to celebrate the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.

Happy Diwali to one and all!

Cllr Andrew Day
Leader, Warwick District Council

Chris Elliott
Chief Executive, Warwick District Council