News in Kenilworth

A planning application for the redevelopment work at Castle Farm Recreation ground has been submitted today (February 12).

Application W/21/0169 has been submitted to Warwick District Council Planning Committee for the "Demolition of existing sports centre and erection of new sports centre and Scout and Guide Headquarters with associated parking and landscaping | Castle Farm Sports Centre, Fishponds Road, Kenilworth, CV8 1EY."

An ongoing commitment by amateur cyclists to invest in their bikes has seen a Warwickshire business that designs, makes and fits them emerge as one of the success stories of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Velo Atelier, which was set up in 2015 and is run by bike designer Lee Prescott and his wife, Jo, has also been supported with digital skills training that has helped it to grow its market during the crisis.

The Office for National Statistics – which runs Census 2021 – is working with Warwickshire County Council to deliver a successful census and help local services to fully meet future needs.

Understanding the needs of the nation helps everyone from central government to local organisations, such as councils and health authorities, plan and fund public services across England and Wales. Census outputs inform where public funding is spent on services like transport, education and health – on cycle routes, schools and dental surgeries.

Kenilworth councillors have noted the small change of heart this week by Warwick District Council. New recommendations approved by the council's executive offer the possibility of some limited flexibility over the post-lockdown opening and closing of Abbey Fields swimming pools and Castle Farm recreation centre.

Questions posed by local Green party and Liberal Democrat councillors at Warwick District Council scrutiny committees this week focused on the issue of physical and mental health and wellbeing of residents being more important than making small financial savings.

Kenilworth councillors at Warwick District Council (WDC) will not be involved in discussions over the reopening of the leisure facilities at Castle Farm Recreation Ground nor Abbey Fields Leisure Centre following a decision by the council's executive tonight (February 11).

The council's overview and scrutiny committee had recommended that Kenilworth councillors should be consulted over the reopening of the leisure facilities in the town. This recommendation was rejected.

Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service (WFRS) is encouraging the residents of Kenilworth to get a test at one of the county's community testing sites for Covid-19.

Firefighters in the county have been volunteering and helping to run a number of testing centres, including Kenilworth's closest - the Adult and Community Learning Site, Pound Lane, Lillington, Leamington, CV32 7RT.

A gastropub has raised nearly £2,000 for the local charity Covid-19 Kenilworth Support group over the weekend.

Kenilworth's The Almanack hosted two chicken takeaways on Friday (February 5) and Saturday (February 6) for residents out on their daily exercise.

After 33 years in policing the Chief Constable of Warwickshire Police, Martin Jelley, has today (Feburary 10) announced his retirement.

Mr Jelley will retire in June after serving as the force's Chief Constable for the last six years.

Business organisations in Coventry and Warwickshire have welcomed the chancellor's decision to give small firms more 'breathing space' to pay off Government-backed loans that have supported them through the Covid-19 crisis.

Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, has announced a range of options available – which are being dubbed 'Pay As You Grow' – to companies that have taken out Bounce Back Loans (BBLs) of up to £50,000.

More Warwickshire businesses are set to get help with improving their online presence after a successful scheme was extended and is now being offered to more sectors.

The advice and training is being offered as part of a larger package of support from Warwickshire County Council to continue to support economic recovery within the county, which includes the 'Survive, Sustain and Grow' programme, 'Adapt and Diversify Grants' as well as the business start-up programme.