Weekly Update from the Chief Executive

Dear Friends
At a crucial Full Council meeting on Wednesday Councillors approved a range of measures to fund services over the next financial year and to deliver the long term aims of our new Corporate Strategy. Setting the budget has been extremely challenging this year, with much uncertainty about central government support and in an environment where may local authorities are struggling. Though difficult, the decision to increase our share of Council Tax by 2.99% is a prudent one, allowing us to ensure that our valued services including waste and recycling, leisure provision, maintenance of parks and open spaces and homelessness support can continue. As the District Council receives around 9p for every £1 collected in Council Tax, this equates to an increase of only £5.29 per household for the year or 11p a week.
Following more wet weather we continue to monitor river levels on the Leam and Avon. The waterlogged ground at Newbold Comyn, Harbury Lane and Castle Farm has prompted the decision to cancel all football pitch hire this weekend. Do keep an eye on our website for the latest flood warnings and information.

In other news:
• Councillors have agreed to continue with our trial of measures this spring and summer to aid the recovery of endangered bird populations on St Mary’s Lands in Warwick. This decision follows the positive results from previous trials, which have seen a rise in numbers of ground nesting birds, such as Skylarks returning to the fields each year. From 26 February until the end of the breeding season in August temporary protective fencing will be installed around the ‘Lammas Field’, where Skylarks and Meadow Pipits have historically nested and raised their young in the meadow grass. We are therefore sending a plea to visitors particularly those with dogs to stay away from these areas.
• Regeneration plans for the Old Town area of Leamington Spa, continue to progress with the demolition of the derelict Stoneleigh Arms public house on Clemens Street starting next week. The long-neglected pub is set to be replaced with a new building of a similar style, which is earmarked to become an exciting new space for the creative and digital sector.
• Lillington Community Pantry is now offering free seated exercise classes. The weekly chair-based exercise sessions, will take place every Friday at 11am and are aimed at people with reduced mobility, including the elderly, or those with a health condition, such as osteoarthritis, type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease or dementia. The sessions are being run in conjunction with Everyone Active with support from the Council’s Community Health and Wellbeing team. More details are available on the Everyone Active website.
• Come and join us for tomorrow’s grand opening of Kenilworth’s brand-new Castle Farm Leisure Centre and Scout and Guide Centre. The free open day is a chance to look around, try out the new facilities and meet athletics legend Colin Jackson and freestyle footballer Jamie Knight. You can book free sessions for a range of activities online here.

And finally……did you know that due to the training programme stopping during the Covid-19 pandemic the waiting list for a guide dog is around 18 months. The Guide Dogs Regional Centre in Leamington is actively looking for volunteer fosterers and puppy raisers to support the guide dog training programme. They are holding a ‘Puppy Raising Information Day’ at Warwick New Road from 10am to 1pm tomorrow (24 February) where you can find out all about supporting a puppy who would be living in your home for 12 to 16 months before they start their training.

Have a great weekend.

Chris Elliott, Chief Executive