The steep rises in costs this year from fuel and energy to food and heating have already impacted household budgets across the UK, leaving people worried about the additional costs that winter will bring. In response the County Council is sharing the resources and support available across Warwickshire so that residents can get the help they need. All of the following help and guidance is available at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/costofliving.

The event, which takes place at the Hilton Double Tree in Stratford-upon-Avon on Wednesday 14 September, provides an opportunity for businesses to learn more about local green projects as well as financial and non-financial support available to small and medium businesses in the region.

Just over a week left for residents to give their views as part of a review of the Warwickshire free bus travel scheme

Residents can give their views today on the following link: https://ask.warwickshire.gov.uk/insights-service/free-bus-travel-scheme-review/

The closing date for submissions is 11 September 2022.

The task involves residents sorting website content into groups that make sense to them. Once enough responses have been gathered, the data can be analysed and assessed for common themes and popular groupings of content that will be used to shape future reviews of the website navigation process.

The whole process should take around 15 minutes.

The Forum will take place on Tuesday 27th September at Wolston Community and Leisure Centre in Rugby Borough and is being offered as part of the Coventry and Warwickshire Wellbeing for Life programme. Representatives from businesses across the region are invited to attend the free varied programme that will include thought-provoking sessions on food poverty, rising debt by Citizens Advice, the fuel crisis and the cost of living by Act on Energy, as well as resilience and mental wellbeing.

Warwickshire County Council is proposing a new cycle track on Kenilworth Road that will provide a continuous and safe off-road cycle route alongside the A452. This route will run between Binswood Avenue and Northumberland Road and connect with a new signed cycle route along Beauchamp Road and Binswood Avenue, between Royal Leamington Spa town centre and Kenilworth Road.

The proposed details of this new scheme can be found online at: https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/cycling/cycle-route-schemes-consultation/6

Representatives from the Warwickshire County Council Waste Management team will be joined by colleagues from Transport and Highways at Ecofest at the Pump Room Gardens in Leamington Spa on Saturday 3 September from 10am to 5pm. Ecofest is a great opportunity for everyone to learn more about how they can decrease their carbon footprint, increase healthy eating, get involved in more active travel, and enjoy the wonderful green spaces we have across the county. There will also be plenty of local sustainable retailers, music on the bandstand and a chance to talk with voluntary and community climate change action groups from across Warwickshire.

Organised by HETAS – the Heating Equipment Testing and Approvals Scheme – as part of the Government’s Fire Kills campaign, the awareness week calls for homeowners to act responsibly and get their chimneys swept by an approved sweep. This prevents chimney damage, and, in worst cases, household fires.

Some of the most common causes of chimney fires are infrequent sweeping and cleaning, burning unseasoned wet wood and overnight burning. To keep your wood burning stove safe and to make the most of it, ensure you are using quality woodfuel, maintain your appliance and chimney regularly and check you are using your appliance in accordance with the manufacturers’ instructions.