Weekly Update from the Chief Executive

Dear Friends,

Fortunately, in contrast to other areas of the country the river levels did not breach the flood defences last week. However, as many of you will be all too aware, the effects of storm Henk led to widespread surface water flooding across the district with some roads impassable and reports of 11 properties where internal flooding may have taken place. Now that the waters have receded our Council alongside our Warwickshire Resilience Forum partners have moved into the recovery phase and are working through a programme of street cleaning, removal of debris and gully jetting. In addition, households, commercial premises, and landowners known to have been affected by flooding are being contacted to ensure they are aware of the services and assistance available to them. At this stage I’d like to stress the importance of reporting any internal flooding via Warwickshire County Council’s Flood Risk Management online tool as this will help the multi-agency partners to ensure that these locations can be accurately prioritised for flood support and planning for future flood risk.

Even colder temperatures and icy and snowy weather conditions forecast for next week, have pre-empted an extension of the SWEP (severe weather emergency protocol) offering overnight accommodation for the homeless. We are also sharing government advice on keeping warm and well and staying safe in cold weather, with a reminder of the local support networks and warm and welcoming spaces available through our community hubs.

In other news:

• Next week will see the launch of a new Cost of Living fund, with grants of up to £3000 available to not-for-profit organisations to support projects to support residents in our community with cost-of-living pressures. Do visit our website from Monday for more information and an application form, deadline 10 February.
• The review of the district’s polling stations is now complete, with a big thank you to all those who took part. The council’s Audit and Standards Committee have now approved recommended improvements drawn from the survey. You can visit warwickdc.gov.uk/pollingstations to see the details of the proposed changes.
• A further reminder to the electorate in the Warwick All Saints and Woodloes ward of the forthcoming (District and Town Council) by-election taking place this Thursday 18 January and also of the requirement for photo ID at the polling stations. A notice of the Elections (with details of candidates) has been posted on our website.
• The digital switchover is fast approaching, with most telephone providers moving their customers from old analogue landline to a new digital landline service ahead of the 2025 national deadline. To support customers with moving to their new Digital Voice service, BT is holding drop in events on 8 February at Leamington Spa Library (Royal Pump Rooms) from 10am to 2pm and in Market Square Warwick on 26 & 27 February from 10am to 4pm. These events are also useful for non-BT customers, particularly the elderly who may need additional support.

And finally …… it’s wonderful to see the opening of the new Warwickshire Search and Rescue HQ in Stoneleigh last Saturday attended by our Chairman Sidney Syson. The Warwickshire unit is one of 36 national Lowland Rescue teams set up to assist the Police to search for vulnerable and missing persons across the county; and at the opening ceremony they were awarded with the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. Huge congratulations to all the volunteers.

Have a great weekend.

Chris Elliott, Chief Executive