Weekly Update from the Chief Executive

Dear Friends,

It may be the first day of autumn (meteorologically), but the district’s summer events programme is still in full swing. Tomorrow’s EcoFest taking place in the Pump Room Gardens promises to be the biggest and best yet with a multitude of stalls and exhibits, have-a-go activities, talks and holistic experiences, not to mention a much-anticipated performance by Motionhouse. Hot on the heels is the visit of the UK Proms in the Park Tour to Warwick Castle with the following fortnight seeing the start of Heritage Open Days, Leamington Food Festival, Kenilworth Half Marathon and the Ibiza Orchestra Experience and Sausage and Cider Festival making their debuts in St Nicholas Park, Warwick. How lucky we are!

Next week is also the beginning of the new school year and we are aware that many families will be struggling to source the uniform they need. It is therefore great to see that local support is available, with the Brunswick Healthy Living Centre’s School Uniform Recycling Scheme providing a discreet and confidential service to those needing help. They will also accept donations of items that are in good condition (or new) including blazers, jumpers, trousers, skirts and PE kit.

As students prepare for their journey to school, we welcome a free bike tagging service at Morrison’s supermarket in Leamington tomorrow (2 September) from 3pm to 5pm. The event which is coordinated by Warwickshire Police is open to anyone with a bike to come along and get a unique tag which will then be registered onto the police system.

And with winter just around the corner we note the announcement from the Department of Health and Social Care that this autumn’s flu and COVID-19 vaccine programmes will start on 11 September (earlier than planned), with those eligible urged to come forward for their jab as soon as they are invited, we will be sharing more details once available.

In other news:

• It’s an exciting time in Kenilworth with students and staff looking forward to their first day back at school at their brand-new facilities on Glasshouse Lane, we wish them every success.
• The Annual Canvass (to try to ensure that everyone who is eligible to vote is included on the electoral register) is fully underway. To assist Electoral Services with this mammoth task we are looking for an Electoral Services Canvasser to join the team on a fixed term basis lasting approximately 5/6 weeks. The role will require you to be available to work for approximately 12 hours a week, visiting properties and households who have not responded to their canvass letter in order to collect elector data before the publication of the revised register in December.
• Don’t miss your change to win a Batribike electric bike worth up to £1,599 simply by tracking your active travel with the Choose How You Move in Warwick District challenge. To enter simply sign up to the free Betterpoints scheme by 17 September, by doing so you can start to reap a range of local benefits including retail vouchers by ditching the car and choosing a more sustainable means of travel instead.

And finally…. the Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum’s Going Dutch exhibition has been receiving outstanding reviews from visitors. Curated by Jane Simpkiss from our Arts Service with support from the Design team, this is a rare opportunity to see the gallery’s significant collection of Dutch and Flemish paintings on display together it runs until 10 September, entry is free. You could maybe combine it with a visit to Ecofest!

Have a great weekend.

Chris Elliott, Chief Executive