Please find below our latest Clarendon Labour newsletter, in both a scan form and plain text.
An Update from your Clarendon Team
A big thank you to those in our community who have offered their time to support others during this Covid-19 pandemic. Whether you are a key-worker, a volunteer or a relative/friend on the end of a phone, these are the actions that make a difference and help us all cope in these difficult times. Clarendon Ward has undergone huge visible changes in order to make our town centre as safe and as near normal as we can. Let’s hope we continue to adapt to the ever changing Covid rules and support each other in these unprecedented times.
Warwick District Council information and support can be found at: Local Covid-19 statistics can be found on the URL below.
Life in Lockdown
Chris King, local Labour Party member/activist self-isolated with his family during lockdown. “Everything looks the same coming out of lockdown but as usual the people who have suffered the least are those who were already comfortable and safe, leaving everyone else to cope with the effects of the countless cutbacks in local services and the starvation of funds for our local authorities.
My hope for the future: we strive for an environmentally clean, desirable and healthy community for everyone, not just those who are already comfortable and safe.”
Neighbourhood Meetings
During lockdown our green spaces became useful for meetings. Here are councillors Jonathon Nicholls and Susan Rasmussen, and their colleague Nicola Davies meeting residents and discussing how we might improve neighbourhood problems. We often find that working with local politicians from other parties is positive and productive. Police and local authority officers also attended.
Town Hall Post Office
After many months of waiting, and much pressure from the community and ourselves, we are pleased to announce a temporary town centre Post Office in Leamington Town Hall. Open Monday to Friday 9-5pm.
A Socially Distanced Clarendon Litter Pick
Much appreciation to all of you who joined us for some or all of the event. It was a lot of fun and we picked up loads of litter, despite the fact the parks and streets had been swept recently. We finished with coffee at Victoria park and a photo with as many socially distanced pickers as we could get in one shot. Look out for future events on the NEXTDOOR app, which you can download for free from the app store.
Good Luck to Cenu Cacao!
Leamington Mayor, our very own Cllr Susan Rasmussen opened the new premises of the Leamington chocolatier in Regent Street (Park St end), “Independent businesses are an important part of Clarendon life and it was good to be able to support a very special one”
Local Activist Issues
We Need Local Test and Trace
As a group we support Test and Trace being as local as possible. Our local public health leaders need fast and accurate information based on reliable and accessible testing. A recent attempt at booking a test, resulted in the nearest slot being in Shropshire. It is clear current tracing is inadequate, it can take many days after a positive test to be contacted and the details taken are insufficient.
For more information on the local group South Warwickshire Keep our NHS Public visit: https://www.facebook.com/KeepOurNHSPublicWarwick
Clean Air for Leamington
Sarah Millar, local Labour Party member and activist says I’m passionate about tackling climate change and improving our environment which is why I am getting involved in the Clean Air for Leamington campaign.
To get involved with the campaign visit: https://www.facebook.com/CleanAirforLeamingtonSpa
Good News on Dog Orders
After much public outcry, suggestions for changes to the current Dog Control Orders have now been withdrawn. Anxieties and concerns had been raised at the prospect of increasing the areas where a dog must be on a lead. The council do have a right to undertake a review of the orders within the next three years, so stay alert. At the recent online meeting Labour and Green councillors supported including more local groups in early consultation. Hopefully the council will respond to this suggestion which may help residents reach a better understanding of any future changes.
Local Government Reorganisation
The government has announced a big local government shake up, with plans for more unitary authorities and elected mayors. The five district and borough councils in Warwickshire believe that the future of local government in the county should be shaped by the views of residents, businesses, community groups, town and parish councils. Whilst some savings and efficiencies can be gained we also need to retain local voices and local accountability.
For further information and latest reports please go to:https://www.warwickdc.gov.uk/downloads/file/6274/warwickshire_local_government
Protecting Residents’ Rights in Planning Decisions
The WDC Labour Group has ensured planning decisions that would normally go to Committee will no longer be delegated to officers after 2 September this year. During lockdown many decisions were taken by an officer in consultation with the chair of
the committee regardless of objections or call-ins by Councillors. It was proposed to extend this system. Labour protested and now proper scrutiny of planning applications has been restored with meetings of the Planning Committee taking place virtually with opportunities for residents and Councillors to participate in the usual way.
Cllr Geraldine Cullinan is requesting your help, “As Shadow Portfolio for Housing I would like to hear about your experiences with
Homechoice, particularly those in Band 4. Please contact me via email or phone.”
Warwick District Foodbank
The likelihood of more and more people needing Foodbanks as a result of the pandemic and impacts on employment is a very worrying thought. If you are in need, or know someone who is in need, or likely to be, they need to contact the agencies that can refer them to Foodbanks, who will only take referrals from these agencies. To get a referral people need to call Warwickshire Local Welfare on 01926 359182.
Financial donations are welcomed but actual goods are even better. A list of the up to date priority items needed can be found on their Facebook page. These can be dropped off 30minutes before opening, please knock loudly. If you can donate, you can do so via the icon on the website: http://www.warwickdistrict.foodbank.org.uk
You can also follow the Foodbank on Facebook as below: https://www.facebook.com/warwickdistrictfoodbank/
We want to hear your views…write or call!
Do you have a local issue you’d like to raise? We are your ward councillors, and for ward matters please contact our Clarendon Labour Team:
Jerry WEBER
jerry.weber@warwickdc.gov.uk
07961 594401
Geraldine CULLINAN
geraldine.cullinan@warwickdc.gov.uk07783 121968
Jonathan NICHOLLS
jonathan.nicholls@warwickdc.gov.uk
07834 619210
Judith CLARKE
judith.clarke@leamingtonspatowncouncil.gov.uk
Susan RASMUSSEN
susan.rasmussen@leamingtonspatowncouncil.gov.uk
Julija BOULTONE
julija.boultone@leamingtonspatowncouncil.gov.uk
Local news, views and information can also be found at: https://www.facebook.com/northleamvoice/
For Labour Party matters, please email or phone Warwick & Leamington Labour Party on: Email: warwickandleamingtonlabour@gmail.com Phone: 07909 866422