Warwickshire News Mine

Representatives from the councils and Safer Neighbourhoods, plus design and build company, Paragon Interiors PLC, put on their hard hats and picked up shovels yesterday (Tuesday 21st August) to celebrate the start of work on ‘Warwickshire Direct – Whitnash’, an innovative new service that will revolutionise the way people in the town access information and services.

Scheduled to open at Whitnash Library in December, ‘Warwickshire Direct – Whitnash’ will give the councils and Safer Neighbourhoods team an increased presence in the town, providing residents with direct access to services in the heart of Whitnash.

It follows the success of ‘Warwickshire Direct – Kenilworth’, a similar centre that has benefited thousands of residents since it opened in October 2005 at Kenilworth Library. Two other centres, ‘Warwickshire Direct – Bedworth’ and ‘Warwickshire Direct – North Warwickshire’ have also been opened in the north of the county.

Councillor Peter Fowler, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Performance and Development, said: “The aim is to bring a range of services, including county council services, closer to people in Whitnash and I am sure that ‘Warwickshire Direct’ will achieve that.

"I’m delighted that the Whitnash Safer Neighbourhoods team are also involved in this project. It will be a fantastic facility for local residents.”

Whitnash Library is to be extended and refurbished by design and build company, Paragon Interiors PLC, to incorporate the new services. Opening hours are also to be extended to around 45 hours a week.

The special partnership between the county, district and town councils and the Safer Neighbourhoods team will mean that residents will not only be able to use the library facilities but will also be able to enquire about their Council Tax, claim housing benefit, apply for a disabled parking Blue Badge, ask about free school meals and even talk to their local Police Community Safety Officer!

Councillor Norman Pratt, Portfolio Holder for Customer Services, Warwick District Council, said: "This project is great news for the people of Whitnash. It builds on the district council’s strategy of basing services in local communities."

Mayor of Whitnash, Councillor David Clough, said: “This is another step forward in bringing services to our town. I feel this is the way forward, making it easer for residents to visit services, which until now they have had to travel to Leamington or Warwick to receive."

Inspector Emma Bastone, Leamington Safer Neighbourhood Inspector said: "This is a great opportunity to build on the success we have already had with the police post at Lammas Croft.

"Warwickshire Direct will offer better facilities and more accessibility to a range of services to the residents of Whitnash. The Whitnash team are really looking forward to working closely with colleagues from the town, district and county council.”

Link to WCC