We like our community to know what we have been up to in this difficult time. 
I can report with confidence that we have continued to represent the views of our communities on an ongoing basis as we committed to. We recognise how difficult and frustrating things have been in the past 12 months and the list attached is just a snap shot of our activities. 
We hope it helps you to understand what we have been doing whilst at the same time giving you confidence in your representation.
We are very aware of the challenges covering the next few years and we hope this helps in giving you the confidence that WE STAND AND REPRESENT THE COMMUNITY WHOM ELECTED US ABOVE ALL ELSE.

Grant Programme: Supporting Rural Communities

The Prince's Countryside Fund  is inviting applications for grants of up to £25,000 over two years for projects that have a lasting impact on rural communities in the UK. We particularly welcome applications from groups and organisations with projects in hamlets, villages and small market towns. We are seeking applications from community-led projects pursuing solutions that improve the viability and resilience of their community.
For more information please click on the link below or refer to the attached. 

www.princescountrysidefund.org.uk/

Households in council tax bands A-D will receive the £150 council tax rebate. This means 4 out of 5 households in England will benefit, including around 95% of rented properties. However, second homes or empty properties will not benefit. If you are unsure of your council tax band, check your council tax band via your printed council tax bill or at: https://www.gov.uk/council-tax-bands or contact your local council
​. What if my household isn’t eligible? •
Councils will receive an extra £144 million to provide support to vulnerable households who may not qualify for the £150 council tax rebate. •
This includes people on low incomes in council tax bands E-H. • Your council will provide more detail on how this will operate in your area.
How will my household get its £150? •
Your council will confirm how the rebate will be paid in your area. •
For people who pay council tax by direct debit, in most cases, the rebate will go directly into bank accounts. If you don’t already pay by direct debit, you might want to sign up. This will make sure the rebate is paid to you quickly. •
For those who do not pay council tax via direct debit, your council will confirm how the rebate will be paid to you. Please make sure that communication is from your local council before providing payment details. • The rebate will not need to be repaid.
What else is on offer to support households with their energy bills?
We are helping to spread the cost of the recent jump in energy prices over several years. £200 of this year’s energy bill will be taken off from October and spread equally over the next 5 years instead, easing the burden on family budgets.
This is not a debt, no interest is charged and no credit ratings are affected. •
​The Warm Home Discount will be expanded, so nearly 3 million low-income households will benefit from a £150 discount.

High Speed Two (HS2) is the new high speed railway for Britain. Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV) is working in partnership with HS2 Ltd to build the new high-speed railway in your area. The work we will be doing We will be carrying out ecological surveys on Crackley Lane, Kenilworth on Monday 14 March 2022.
To do this work safely we need to close the road between 9.30am and 3.30pm on Monday 14 March 2022. A fully signed diversion will be in place. (Please see map).
Our workforce maybe onsite one hour before and one hour after to set up and secure our equipment. Please note that access will be maintained to all properties while these works take place. HS2 during the Coronavirus pandemic We are continually reviewing the works on our construction sites in line with Government and Public Health England (PHE) advice on dealing with coronavirus. The Government’s current coronavirus strategy makes clear that construction activity can continue as long as it complies with this guidance. The health and safety of our workforce and the communities we affect is our key priority. Please be assured that those sites that are currently still working are doing so because they can operate within PHE and construction industry guidelines. If you have a question about HS2 or our works, please contact our HS2 Helpdesk team on 08081 434 434 or email hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

​Council backs residents with Tax freeze
Warwick District Council agreed a budget that provides a range of financial measures to support residents, including a freeze on its element of the Council Tax, while still maintaining a full range of services.

The tax levied by the District Council for all households will be frozen, staying the same as last year. For example, a band D household will pay £176.86 to the District Council, which equates to just £3.40 per week.
However, Warwickshire County Council, Warwickshire Police and many town / parish councils are increasing their tax again this year. Warwick District receives less than 9% of the Council Tax collected, so even though it’s share is frozen, residents will still see an increase in their total bill.

In a bid to provide further financial support, District Councillors approved the allocation of £200,000 to a residents’ hardship fund, and £25,000 for food banks across the district.
​
The Leader of Warwick District Council, Councillor Andrew Day commented:
“The pandemic continues to have a significant impact on the finances of the residents of the District as well as on the Council’s. Setting this budget has presented some tough challenges.
“I’m especially pleased that we’ve been able to provide for an excellent level of service, continue our progressive climate action programme where £500,000 was also committed to the Climate Action Fund, in addition to an investment of £140,000 into the tree planting programme. We are also maintaining our ambitious local recovery plan.
“Freezing our Council Tax is just one of a number of measures we’re taking to back our residents at this time of uncertainty.