RBC Councillor update for Ryton Parish Council – Cllr Isabelle McKenzie
First I would like to offer my apologies for not being able to attend tonight. I am at a meeting with Severn Trent and Jon is away with work.
Blue lidded bins: these now welcome soft plastics. There are some guidelines on the RBC app and also on our FB and website. But a quick rule of thumb for residents is that if it is labelled “recycle at supermarket” it can go loose into the blue bin. We appreciate your help in getting the message out to residents.
We are getting about 20% contaminants in the blue bin. The recycling site can’t manage some items that the tip can. For example, lumps of metal or electrical waste are recyclable at the tip but not in the blue bin at present. Also, dirty nappies are a regular contaminant. Please can we remind residents to use the black bin for nappies and sanitary waste.
Rental auctions: Whilst this doesn’t affect residents directly, I am sure they will be pleased to know that we are one of the first councils in the country to enact the new legislation to enable empty shops to be brought back into use. Just one of the things we are using to get the Rugby town centre thriving again.
Flags: We have had guidance from WCC that flags will not be removed unless they are dangerous. This will be kept under review, especially as we get into stormier weather season. If you think there as some in your parish which could cause a danger to people or traffic; please do report to WCC highways.
Oxford Road: I have asked for an update from the planning team and I will forward that on to you when I have received it.
Local plan: The work continues at RBC as further evidence comes in for the local plan. Highways work is ongoing at this time. So sites that were in the Preferred Options paper as the “Preferred Option” could be substituted for a different site. All developers are keen to make their case as to why their site should be chosen. There won’t be an update on the Prologis extension site, which was a “Preferred Option” until the Reg 19 stage in Jan/February 2026.
Social housing: The first phase of Navigation Way (formerly Biart Place on the Clifton Road, Rugby) has been handed over and is occupied. This is good news for anyone on the housing list as it will clear 100 people/families off the list once fully occupied.
In addition, having released seed funding last year to survey all our social homes, we have won £11m grant to decarbonise our social homes. This is being match funded by RBC and will reduce bills for 1/3 of our tenants. Affected residents will be contacted directly. Good news for anyone in Ryton with an old style house with solid walls or poor building fabric.
Local government reform: We are expecting an evidential report to come to Council in late October regarding whether a 1 Warwickshire or a 2 Warwickshire Unitary makes the most sense. 1 Warwickshire would be all of Warwickshire and its boroughs together. 2 unitary option is RBC amalgamating into the North of Warwickshire boroughs and WCC splitting their services by area (e.g. social care, highways, schools/SEND). My understand is that it will be debated in Chamber and voted on to become the RBC position on this issue. WCC is also due to debate and vote in October. Positions need to go to the government in late October. My understanding is that all the other boroughs prefer the 2 Warwickshire option. It will be the secretary of state’s decision. They have stated that they are willing to break up boroughs between unitaries if that makes sense for the purpose of the unitary boundaries; but do not intend to break up parishes. I would expect to have a much clearer picture for you next month.
Emergency preparedness: RBC team is doing some work on a pack to help villages be more prepared for emergency events such as flooding. This does include some funding for equipment such as radios. I will keep you updated as this progresses; but we are hoping to have it available for all parishes before the winter weather happens.
