As we enjoy the spring weather and gather for Easter celebrations, we welcome the news that Covid-19 infections both across the UK and in our district may be beginning to level off.

Nevertheless, bed occupancy in our local hospitals remain at winter levels of over 90%, so we must continue to protect the vulnerable and prevent undue pressure on our health services by continuing to take preventative actions, particularly when socialising over the bank holiday weekend.

Our preparations continue to welcome evacuees to our district through the Homes for Ukraine scheme, and we encourage you to visit our Support for Ukraine website for updates on our progress as well as useful information on practical ways that you can help.

In other news this week:

• Victoria Park play area – work will start on 25 April to create some exciting new facilities for our youngsters including a bespoke tree house, zip wires and a range of accessible play equipment to be completed by early June.
• Sports grants – we’re making a call to groups and organisations to take a look at the schemes we have available to support projects that will increase opportunities for local people to take up or participate in sport or physical activities. Grants of up to £2000 are available with additional funding opportunities through Sport England and the National Lottery, more on our website.
• Tennis Court Booking System - In partnership with the Lawn Tennis Association, we’ll be introducing a new online booking and gate access system at the Christchurch Gardens tennis and basketball courts. This will enable local people wanting to play tennis or basketball to easily find and book a court.
• Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games – With just 100 days to go until the start of the competition we look forward to welcoming Midlands Today on Tuesday who will be broadcasting live from Victoria Park.

We are also delighted to support The Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire (Tim Cox) and Deputy Lieutenant of the West Midlands (Louise Bennett) in their campaign launched this week to encourage more Warwickshire and Coventry based companies to apply for a Queen’s Award for Enterprise (QAE).

The QAE is the highest accolade available to UK businesses, more information including details of a Master Class for applicants is available on the Lord Lieutenant’s website.

And finally, we were very proud to read an article in this month’s Market Times about the huge success and trailblazing efforts of our Events and Business Support team and CJs Events in the revitalisation of Warwick’s Charter Market during and post the pandemic. And there’s more to come with a packed programme of events during the summer starting with the Food Festival on 1 May.

Wishing you all a very happy Easter and Vaisakhi to everyone celebrating today.

Cllr Andrew Day
Leader, Warwick District Council

Chris Elliott
Chief Executive, Warwick District Council