Weekly Update from the Chief Executive

Dear Friends

Three weeks today polling stations across the length and breadth of the district will be open for business. With turn-out at the General Election expected to be high, we are determined that the process will run as smoothly and efficiently as possible, avoiding queues and delays and also ensuring that whatever your circumstances everyone who is eligible to vote has the opportunity to do so. We are therefore reminding residents of some important deadlines coming up in the next few days.

o Registering to vote, by 11:59pm on Tuesday 18 June. gov.uk/register-to-vote
o Vote by post, you’ll need to apply by 5pm on Wednesday 19 June
o Apply for a proxy vote (to nominate someone to vote on your behalf) 5pm on Wednesday 26 June
o Apply for a Voter Authority Certificate (if you don’t have an accepted form of ID needed to vote at a polling station) 5pm on Wednesday 26 June

Further information and application forms for the above can be found on our website

We also want to thank everyone who has stepped up to work on the election, the response has been fantastic, and we are pleased to report that we are now fully staffed.

In other news this week:
• Kenilworth’s first Clean Air Day takes place from 10am to 3pm this Sunday 16 June at Abbey End. This fun family-friendly event aims to raise awareness of air quality and empower local residents to take action to reduce congestion and improve health and wellbeing. As well as lots of wheel-based travel options to try there will be food stalls and entertainment, further information on the Town Council website.
• The weather might not be quite playing ball, but with Wimbledon just around the corner news that our local tennis operator We Do Tennis is offering free tennis sessions for adults and juniors (8 years and over) at Victoria Park from 10am-11am on Saturday 15 and Saturday 22 June. Details of these and other courses, annual passes and social tennis can be found by visiting wdtvenues.co.uk/warwick-parks.
• You don’t have to go all the way to Germany to see our home nations sports teams competing at the highest level. From 26th – 30th June, Bowls England will be hosting the British Bowls Championships and International Series at Victoria Park, Leamington Spa. This is a chance to watch world-class performances from the best bowlers from across the UK for FREE! Head to bowlsengland.com/british-bowls for more information and to register for your free ticket.

And finally…we are currently taking registrations from local venues and event organisers for Heritage Open Days. Taking place from 6 to 15 September this is England’s largest festival of history and culture, where buildings, gardens and places of historic interest which are not normally open to the public open their doors for free. Each year around 40 local organisations take part and are included in our leaflet. If you are interested in getting involved or would like further information, please contact the media team.

Have a great weekend.
Chris Elliott, Chief Executive