Warwick District Council leader calls for vigilance for children and students returning to schools and universities after lockdown

And extra safety measures are being put in place in Leamington town centre with more street marshalls on patrol.

Cllr Andrew Day (Con, Bishop’s Tachbrook) told this week’s full meeting of the council that the return to education was a key moment.

He said: “This is the moment when we are welcoming our children back to schools and shortly the new and returning university students coming back to our towns which will have a material impact on our local economy but also on the way we manage and take care of our public health.

“I just want to reassure residents that every measure is being taken, working co-operatively with the universities and other public health bodies to maintain the safety of our community.

“What is inherent in all of this is the reliance on individuals following the government guidance - we will continue to reinforce and remind our residents about that changing advice so that we can stay safe and hopefully keep our shops, pubs and communities open for business.

“This is a key moment and it is important that we are vigilant.”

Later in the meeting, Cllr Carolyn Gifford (Lib Dem, Leamington Milverton) asked what plans were being put in place in Leamington to coincide with the return of university students to the town.

She said: “We understand that the universities are putting plans in place for their campuses, but with large numbers of students coming to Leamington, we wonder whether the portfolio holder is aware of any specific plans being put in place in Leamington.

“With the reopening of pubs and bars and the ongoing need for social distancing, there appears to be increased numbers of Street Marshalls on duty on Saturday evenings - will the midweek numbers be increased as well and will the university be paying for them?”

Cllr Judy Falp (Ind, Whitnash), portfolio holder for health and community protection replied: “We are working with the university to ensure that returning and new students are provided with information to advise them in regard to Covid and procedures in place locally - which may be different to their home towns.

“We deployed additional Street Marshals when lockdown restrictions eased to allow the opening of pubs and restaurants, the numbers both for us and for the university are deployed based on intelligence (events in the town, special nights, pay days etc).

“The university pays for the marshals deployed on a Monday to Thursday evening during term. Routinely, in the first weeks of a new academic year there are always enhanced numbers.”