Last Friday, across our district we recorded 213 Covid cases, marking a big jump from our next highest day on this grim league table, when 161 were registered. We now have the fastest rising infection levels in the County, this week moving up from 554.1 to 624.5 cases per 100,000 people. The number of Covid cases in Leamington Lillington ward was the highest recorded across Warwickshire in the last fourteen days. 

Clearly, with more of us taking a Covid test, more infections are being discovered. Lateral Flow Tests are giving a higher level of accuracy at finding asymptomatic cases than expected, which is critical to checking the spread given that around a third of us who have the virus don’t show any symptoms. Thankfully, getting infected is much less likely to land us in hospital, due to the vaccine. But the more virus there is in our community, the more chance there is of it breaking through to our most vulnerable and putting unsustainable pressure on our local health services. So please, let’s all remain vigilant, continue to take regular tests, ensure that we’re fully vaccinated and then take-up without delay the offer of third booster jab when it’s our turn.  

Our Recovery Plan is in full swing, with latest news this week: 

• Coventry & Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership reported that our district has the lowest unemployment rate across the area at 3.6%, but that overall, in March this year, our numbers in work remain below those recorded two years earlier. (85.60% vs 81.7%) 

• Kier have been confirmed as our preferred contractor for the multi-million-pound redevelopment of Abbey Fields Swimming Pool and Castle Farm Recreation Centre. The second stage of the procurement process is now underway prior to final contracts being confirmed. Keir’s outstanding submission brings impressive eco-credentials and proven expertise with similar projects of this scale and type.
  
  Preparations are also underway for the closure of the current Kenilworth leisure facilities. Our Culture, Tourism and Leisure team is busy making alternative arrangements with local sports providers for tennis, basketball, and other indoor sports, so that we have suitable alterative opportunities to keep-up our regular sporting activities.   

• The collection of Green waste will be suspended this week (25-29 October). Our waste services contractor has been hit by the shortage of HGV drivers, so we’ve given priority to the collection of grey bins and the recycling bags / boxes. We’re working with our contractor to ensure that all services return to normal by 1 November. 

• Warwick City? The Town Council are mounting a bid for Warwick to be awarded city status in recognition of its history and civic standing, as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations next year. If successful, this welcome boost would give national recognition ahead of next year’s Commonwealth Games, when Warwick will be hosting the Cycling Road races. You can find out more and support the bid, here 

• The future of Warwick’s medieval Leper Hospital was secured with planning consent being given for the regeneration of this historic site. Working in partnership with Platform Housing Group and West Midlands Historic Buildings Trust our plans are now in place to convert the Grade II* Listed Master’s House and St Michael’s Chapel for residential use.  

Keep smiling and stay safe. 

Cllr Andrew Day

Leader