Local residents are urged not to lose their voice on decisions that affect them by making sure their electoral registration details are up to date.
From August 2020, each property in Warwick district will receive their annual canvass form by email or post. The canvass ensures that Warwick District Council can keep the electoral register up to date, identify any residents who are not registered and encourage them to do so to ensure they can take part in future elections.
With elections and referendums taking place in May 2021, this is an important opportunity for residents to make sure they can take part.
Chris Elliott, Chief Executive, Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer at Warwick District Council said:
“It’s important that residents keep an eye out for messages from Warwick District Council, so we can make sure we have the right details on the electoral register for every address in District. To make sure you are able to have your say at elections and referendums taking place next year, simply follow the instructions on the form you receive.
“If you’re not currently registered, your name will not appear in the messages we send. If you want to register, the easiest way is online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote, or we’ll send you information explaining how to do this in the post.”
“This year’s canvass, which we have to carry out by law, is taking place during a challenging public health situation. We are working to ensure that we take account of public health guidelines, including the continued importance of social distancing.”

People who have moved recently are particularly encouraged to look out for the voter registration messages and check the details. Research by the Electoral Commission indicates that recent home movers are far less likely to be registered than those who have lived at the same address for a long time. Across Great Britain, 92% of people who have been at their property for more than sixteen years will be registered, compared to 36% of people who have lived at an address for less than one year.

Melanie Davidson, Head of Support and Improvement at the Electoral Commission, said:
“It’s really important that everyone who is entitled to vote is able to do so. Making sure you provide the necessary information to your local authority when it is needed will ensure the process runs smoothly. This is particularly helpful in the current public health situation, as it will help avoid the need for home visits from canvassers."

“There’s lots of helpful information about registering to vote on our website ”
www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter.

Any residents who have any questions can contact their local registration team at Warwick District Council (email: elections@warwickdc.gov.uk  ​or call 01926 456105

Parking charges in Warwick District Council’s 27 off-street car parks will be reintroduced on 1 August 2020.
In line with government guidance and to assist all key workers during the COVID-19 pandemic parking has been free in Council operated car parks since March. This was extended in June to support the gradual opening of the town centres and to encourage footfall.
Now, as more businesses reopen and the Government launches its ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme, Warwick District Council will be reinstating parking charges to ease potential congestion and help with access to the short-stay car parks.
Councillor Moira-Ann Grainger, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood & Culture, said:
“Footfall will steadily be increasing in our town centres as people return to work and to the shops and restaurants they’ve missed. While we have made the decision to reinstate the charges, we would like to direct longer-stay visitors and commuters towards our Park & Stride Car Parks, where you can park from as little as £1 a day. This will free up centrally located car parks for short-stay and evening visitors.
“With more traffic free streets in our town centres we would also like to encourage people to walk and cycle where possible and have now made a number of cycle racks available in key locations.

“Owners of electric vehicles that live or work in Warwick district can also apply to us for a free parking pass that covers all of our car parks.

“It’s important to emphasise that the income we receive from parking is only used to maintain our car parks, ensuring that they are safe and accessible at all times.”
More information on parking charges, the best places to park and the locations of our cycle racks can be found at www.warwickdc.gov.uk/parkingcharges

Further information on the electric vehicle permit scheme is available at www.warwickdc.gov.uk/evpermits

Warwick District Council is seeking the views of residents and businesses in Warwick district on the renewal of the district’s Public Spaces Protection Orders.
A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) is intended to deal with anti-social or nuisance behaviour in public spaces that are detrimental to the local community’s quality of life. PSPOs were introduced in 2017 and must be reviewed every three years.

Warwick district currently has Public Spaces Protection Orders in place for a Restricted Drinking Zone (RDZ) which covers the entirety of the district, and Dog Control Orders for a number of open spaces, parks, cemeteries and play areas.

In a consultation opening on 14 July, the Council is asking residents and businesses to give their views on whether they support the implementation of an ‘Intoxicating Substances’ order to cover Warwick district.
The Intoxicating Substances PSPO will maintain the current conditions of the restricted drinking zone for the district, as well as making it an offence for a person ‘without reasonable excuse to breach the PSPO in terms of ingestion, inhalation, injection, smoking or otherwise of an intoxicating substance’.

Councillor Judy Falp, Portfolio Holder for Health & Community Protection, said: “Public Spaces Protection Orders are designed to ensure that the law-abiding majority are able to enjoy our public spaces, safe from anti-social behaviour.

“The Restricted Drinking Zone has proven effective, with Street Marshals in Leamington Spa able to confiscate alcohol from members of the public in the town centre and in doing so, reducing the possibility of anti-social behaviour.
“As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, when licensed premises return to trading we have been advised that the majority of businesses will be utilising additional outdoor spaces for customers to consume alcohol. This is likely to have an impact on the levels of alcohol related incidents across the district for the foreseeable future, and it is for this reason that we are proposing to maintain the current district-wide order for the next three years.
“I would encourage our residents to let us know their thoughts on the renewal of the PSPOs, and whether there are any areas of the district they are keen for us to focus on.”

To view the details of the Public Space Protection Order and to complete the survey,
visit
​www.warwickdc.gov.uk/info/20112/community_safety/1587/public_spaces_protection_orders/2
The consultation will close on 11 August 2020.