Dear Friends 

Two years ago, Covid forced the first lockdown impacting our lives in a way not seen since World War ll. When we reflect on the pain and loss so many have endured, we can hopefully also acknowledge that this testing period has brought out the very best of us and strengthened out community too.

It looks as if the virus is here to stay, but thanks to the wonders of modern medicine we’re able to return to the things we love doing. Mindful that rising infection levels may bring new threats, it is a cause for concern that local cases continued to climb this week from 707.3 to 986.8 per 100,000 people.  

Thanks to the vaccination programme we hopefully won’t see a return to the dark days of 2020. Nonetheless, this evolving virus requires that we remain vigilant, continuing to behave safely by taking our jabs, keeping our rooms well ventilated, wearing face coverings in crowded places, and staying at home when we’re feeling unwell.  

This week too, the devastation of Ukraine and the humanitarian disaster that is unfolding, has commanded our attention. Your councils are working together, building on the experience gained from other resettlement schemes for Afghanistan and Syria. Preparations are well advanced to source accommodation and secure the necessary health and education provision that we anticipate will be required. The focus is now turning to give sanctuary to the evacuees as they arrive over the coming weeks and months, and to implement the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme locally. Updates are continually being posted to our Support for Ukraine website, with details of ways we can all give practical help. 

In some brighter news this week:  

• Kenilworth School. The official ‘topping out’ of this £48m world class new school was celebrated on site, on time and on budget. Our role in forward funding the building programme will ensure the new facilities are in place before the local housing schemes have been built out, ensuring there is sufficient school places for children as they move into the area.  

• Leamington Business Awards. The team who manages the Royal Pump Rooms Art Gallery and Museum and Royal Spa Centre won the Customer Service Excellence award at this year’s ceremony. This outstanding achievement, after the challenges of Covid, highlights an extraordinary performance and certainly raises expectations for 2022! 

• Platinum Jubilee 2 - 5 June Celebrations. Support is now available for members of our community who wish to organise street parties to commemorate Her Majesty’s 70 years of service as our Queen. This webpage gives guidance on how to apply for road closures and to make an application for up to £1,000 in funding, which is available to voluntary groups who wish to hold a local event.  

• Leamington Station. The improvements to the forecourt are on schedule and the new layout is beginning to take shape. Thankfully, the disruption caused by the necessary maintenance of the Princes Drive Railway bridge has ended. The brightly decorated bridge now provides a colourful welcome for the thousands of visitors expected this summer. 

And finally … if you’re interested to learn more about the opportunities the Commonwealth Games will bring and how you might benefit from us hosting a major international event, then why not register to attend a ‘drop-in session’. More details on these events and what’s involved can be found, here 

Keep smiling and stay safe. 

Andrew Day  Leader