Despite the ongoing challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, Warwick District Council’s ambitious programme to increase its council housing stock has continued with work starting on 54 new homes in Warwick.
The new development north of Gallows Hill has a mix of one, two and three bedroomed houses all of which will be available to rent or for shared ownership next year. The new homes are being constructed by Vistry Partnership to meet a highly energy efficient specification with air source heat pumps, cavity walls and PV solar panels delivering a 77-80% reduction in carbon emissions.
Warwick District Council’s portfolio holder for Housing Services, Cllr Jan Matecki commented;
“We’re extremely pleased to have been able to fast-track this exciting scheme, which in less than six months has progressed from land purchase and planning to the start of work on site. This new development will not only provide affordable, energy efficient and environmentally friendly homes, but also construction jobs in economically challenging times for our district."

Reopening of sports and leisure facilities
Following the end of the national lockdown, the district’s leisure centres and outdoor sports facilities will re-open on Wednesday 2 December 2020, in line with the latest government guidelines.
Newbold Comyn Leisure Centre, Castle Farm Recreation Centre, St Nicholas Park Leisure Centre, Abbey Fields Swimming Pool and John Atkinson Sports Centre (managed by sports and leisure operator Everyone Active) will all be opening their doors, however local restrictions mean that some activities will not be available.
The following outdoor facilities will also reopen on Wednesday and outdoor group sessions in the Council’s parks and open spaces can resume;
· Football Pitches and Pavilions managed by the Council
· Tennis Courts managed by the Council – Abbey Fields, St Nicholas Park, Victoria Park and Christchurch Gardens
· Edmondscote Athletics Track and Gym
Warwick District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Culture Councillor Moira-Ann Grainger commented;
“The reopening of our sports amenities is a welcome boost for our district especially as we move into the dark and cold winter months. Regular exercise is important both physically and mentally and we very much hope that local people will take advantage of the excellent facilities available, in the knowledge that strict, tried and tested health and safety measures are in place.”
For full information on the activities available at our local leisure centres visit 
www.everyoneactive.com.

A number of you may have already received the document below about the A46 in Warwickshire through the post.
​This is a significant project that will affect the area for years to come and it will affect many of us. Its therefore important that you both understand what is being considered and of course to provide your comments to those responsible for the project.
To learn more about what this means please follow the link below and in doing this you will get the full details of the proposal and how you will be able to comment.
The consultation will last just short of 8 weeks and will close on 22nd January.

ask.warwickshire.gov.uk/

Last night at the full council meeting it was agreed that WDC will provide Free Car Parking in the area during December.
It is hoped that this will as we come out of lock down help local businesses and encourage to support all of our local shops etc.
Over the next few days more information will become available which i will issue in due course. 

There has been much discussion about the waste collection service in our area as the current contract is in its final stages , however to provide a robust service at a sustainable cost sharing services with neighbouring councils make sense, and whilst the changes don’t come into effect until 2022 a dedicated web page has been added to the Warwick District Council website to explain the situation in more depth.
Over the coming months more and more information will be added as things develop and please note this is the start not the end.
Financial pressures as you know are significant now and not just due to COVID-19, for example the amount of money we received for recycled waste in the past has collapsed to all most nothing, and this was money that helped to fund the current service.
We know this is one of the most transparent and tangible services delivered by the council and one of the costliest and our joint enterprise is one of the ways we are looking to maintain services and control costs.
For more information follow the link.
www.warwickdc.gov.uk/123collections