Whether you’re a football fan or not, the start of Euro 2020 is a welcome sign that life is beginning to return to some sort of ‘normal’. There might not be the big group gatherings of old, but thankfully we can at least come together at our local pubs to celebrate, or commiserate, in support of our home nations. 

With those in their 20’s now being booked for their first jab and many being called sooner than scheduled for their second dose, it’s been an extremely busy week for our local vaccination programme. Once again, we applaud the NHS and volunteer teams for their tireless efforts.  It’s pleasing to note that in our district almost 43% of those aged 30 to 34 have received one dose of the vaccine, 4% above the national average.  

Rising cases of the ‘Delta’ variant in our area are however, a serious cause for concern.  Please encourage family and friends to take both jabs when invited to do so.  It’s also particularly important to get tested regularly, to help protect our community and check this spike in infections.  As ever, the latest guidance can be found on our website. 

The recovery plan continues, with progress made this week on the following initiatives:  

• We’ve been carefully reviewing our staff working arrangements, to incorporate the benefits and address the downsides of our experience this year in operating remotely.  A phased approach for a partial return of the team to Riverside House is planned, enabling home working to continue, while providing a re-configured office space for face-to-face contact, such as for team meetings or project work.  

• One of the unexpected consequences of the pandemic has been that as we’ve all been out enjoying this welcome sunshine, we’ve generated record amounts of litter.  Despite increased collections, our bins are filling-up more quickly than we can empty them, but if we work together, we can get this sorted.  Please be aware that piling more rubbish around an already full bin just makes the clean-up more time consuming, meaning we have less time to empty other bins.  If possible, please take the rubbish to the next bin, or if that’s full, then bring it home for recycling.  We’ve also found that re-usable drinks bottles and coffee cups make a big difference, so thanks for the support. 

• To mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee next year, we’re backing our four towns should they wish to apply for City Status.  If you’d like to support Kenilworth, Leamington Spa, Warwick or Whitnash to become a fully-fledged City, then please get in touch directly with your District of Town Councillors.  

• We’re delighted to renew our contract with CJs Events who have done a brilliant job operating weekly markets in Warwick and Kenilworth and the seasonal markets in Leamington.  When we’ve needed them most their team have given outstanding service to our community through-out this difficult year, receiving government recognition for their trailblazing operations. 

This stage in the government’s ‘Roadmap’ was always going to be uncertain, but rest assured that we’re doing all that we can to give our whole community a smooth ‘unlocking’.  Whatever lies ahead, we’ll be working to safely return to our cherished freedoms and retore our community life just as soon as possible. 

Keep smiling and stay safe. 

Andrew Day   Leader