Dear members
We doubt anyone was surprised by the government’s decision to postpone the final stage of the roadmap until 19 July. Nonetheless, the impact of the delay is significant, and we’re continuing to do all that we can to support local hospitality and tourism enterprises over this extended period.
We’ve also been working to reschedule our much-loved festivals and events; please update your calendar so when the time comes for us to safely gather, we can give these key community activities our full support.
Thankfully, our 18-year-olds are now receiving vaccination invitations, which means that we’re just weeks away from seeing the risk of a covid hospital admission being cut by 75% for our entire adult population (see our vaccination rates). As the programme roll-out continues, remember too that the vaccination offer is ‘every green’, so if you’ve not yet been vaccinated and you’d like to be, then please can come forward and book an appointment.
This week, 89 new local Covid cases were reported, at a rate of 61.9 cases per 100,000 people, almost tripling the figure from last week, and above the average rate for the West Midlands region. It’s important that with increasing social interaction, we take regular tests. There are several options for free testing, which can be ordered free of charge and delivered to our homes, or we can make an appointment at our local test centre or collect a test from a participating pharmacy.
Progress with the local Recovery Plan continues this week at:
- University of Warwick, which has announced plans for an enormous 48+ hectare eco-park (equivalent of 120 football pitches) around the campus, as part of the South Warwickshire Local Plan. The new scheme will provide recreational space for students, staff and the public, with pedestrian and cycle routes linking with the planned transport infrastructure, nature reserves supporting wildlife and space for renewable energy generation. This proposal for exciting community infrastructure would bring forward significant and long-term benefits for us all.
- Racing Club Warwick, which has teamed-up with local charity ILEAP to provide football sessions to all those with additional needs, adults and children alike. The attendance at sessions has been doubling each week, with the new all-weather pitch, completed at the ground earlier this year, being put to good use for the benefit of our community.
- 2022 Commonwealth Games, which launched the full event schedule, including dates for the Lawn Bowls and Para Bowls (Victoria Park) and Cycle road races (St Nicholas Park). To start making plans for this once in a generation opportunity to witness 11 days of unmissable sports action, we can register now to create an official ticketing account allowing entry to the ballot for tickets.
Finally, we’d like to thank the retiring Chief Constable of Warwickshire Police Martin Jelley for his outstanding service to our community, particularly the strong leadership he has given throughout the pandemic. We also congratulate incoming Chief Constable Debbie Tedds (a Leamingtonian no less) and look forward to continuing our close partnership working, whatever challenges the future may bring.
Keep smiling and stay safe.
Andrew Day
Leader, Warwick District Council
