Weekly Update from the Chief Executive

Dear Friends,

Fast and reliable digital connectivity is vital to our local economy, communities and the successful delivery of public services. We therefore welcome the announcement this week that Leamington Spa is one of 19 new locations that will receive a major ultrafast broadband upgrade from Openreach benefitting 27,000 homes and businesses. On this note as we prepare for the digital switch-over in 2025 when traditional phone landlines will be switched off, it’s important that we work closely with all providers to ensure a smooth transition to a digital service for everyone in our community including the elderly and those with additional needs.

Don’t really like to mention Covid, however with the risk of a new variant we are prompting those who are eligible to book their Covid vaccinations via the NHS website, by downloading the NHS App, or by calling 119 for free. The criteria includes all aged 65 and over, pregnant women and those with an underlying health condition. Many in these groups will be receiving invitations from their GP or NHS to book a combined Covid and flu jab.

In other news

• Our joint Woodland Management programme with the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust will continue this autumn with work scheduled at the Leam Valley Nature Reserve which forms part of Newbold Comyn. The initiative is the next phase of the Council and Trust’s ten-year strategy to improve the long-term health of our woodlands by creating more light, biodiversity and homes and food sources for wildlife and follows two successful tree thinning operations at Oakley Wood.
• Understandably there has been a great deal of local interest in Abbey Fields Swimming Pool redevelopment update meeting taking place on Wednesday 27 September at St Nicholas Church in Kenilworth. With places at the venue having now reached capacity, we will be livestreaming the proceedings via our YouTube channel, so you can watch it from the comfort of your own pew!
• A project to secure the future of the Grade II* listed Master’s House and St Michael’s Chapel in Warwick is now underway, with contractors undertaking ground clearance work and archaeological surveys ahead of the start of building work at St Michael’s Place in Saltisford. Led and part funded by WDC in partnership with the West Midlands Historic Buildings Trust, we are looking forward to seeing these important historic buildings sensitively and sympathetically converted for residential use.
• At this week’s Cabinet meeting Councillors agreed to funding to look at suitable locations for the creation of a new Community Centre for the Packmores area of Warwick.
• It’s also been great to see the Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) in Whitnash officially opened following resurfacing and repainting and the installation of a 3m fence around the basketball facility. This along the improvements to the football and rugby pitches are a great sporting asset for the town which we hope will keep everyone fit and active for many years to come.

Almost finally…. congratulations to our Building Control Team who have not only been nominated for the Local Authority Building Control Team of the Year award, but have also been shortlisted for three further projects at the LABC awards finals. The winners will be announced at a ceremony to take place in London in January, so we are keeping our fingers crossed.

And finally, this weekend Mosques across the country will be opening their doors to the public. Baitul Ehsan (Ahmadiyya Muslim Association) just off Adelaide Road in Leamington is inviting local people to join them anytime between 11am and 5pm tomorrow (Saturday 23^rd September) with samosas on the house, an exhibition on the Association’s History and a chance for a chat and a look around!

Have a great weekend.

Chris Elliott, Chief Executive