I’m sure we’ve all noticed that the weather has recently taken a turn, with temperatures well below average for the time of year.
With the temperature barely getting above freezing, I wanted to remind everyone to take care. Though there can be something refreshing about the crisp air outside, it can also have a real impact on all of our lives, both in and out of the house.
Although the gritters have been out in force on the roads, they’ll only be able to help so much. Only the other day, my wife was driving on one of our local rural roads when a car swerved on a slippery patch, narrowly avoiding her. More information about gritting, including some helpful mythbusters, is on the Council website. Of course, looking after yourself isn’t only important when it’s cold.
The latest versions of the Here2Help leaflets are now available to pick up from libraries and GP surgeries across the borough, with updated information available on the Council’s Here2Help pages too. There’s lots of useful information in both on things people may be concerned about, such as their energy bills, food, and finding work.
Some examples of the help available includes the Winter Warmth Helpline, providing support for those struggling to stay warm, as well as Warm Spaces, giving people somewhere to go to keep warm and enjoy the company of others. If you or anyone you know is struggling, I’d echo the words of Cllr Karen Grinsell, the Deputy Leader, and encourage you to have a look at the booklet or the web pages.
It's not just us humans who feel the cold at times like these – animals do too. We all know that many animals like to hibernate during the winter, and sometimes some animals need a bit of extra help to stay safe and get better too.
My colleague Cllr Andy Mackiewicz recently visited the Solihogs Hedgehog Rescue Centre to hear more about the fantastic work they do in rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing hedgehogs into one of the nature reserves across Solihull. Many of us enjoy welcoming animal visitors to our gardens and leaving out a little bit of food and water for them. Across our parks, you might also notice “Horace the Hedgehog” signs, encouraging park visitors to look after our furry friends.
Leaving out some pet food and water, and contacting Solihogs if we see a hedgehog who looks like they need a little help, will go a long way to help protect hedgehogs through the winter months. You can read more about Cllr Mackiewicz’s visit here.
I attended the Carers Trust AGM on Monday, expressing the gratitude we all have to carers across the borough.
The Council works with Carers Trust Solihull to support carers with advice, support and guidance. The role carers play in society can be overlooked, but is absolutely vital, not only for the people they provide care for, but for all of us. Caring can be a huge part of people’s lives, often with little support or thanks. The Council website has a number of pages with information on the support that’s available here.
The first flight powered by 100% sustainable aviation fuel went to New York earlier this week.
Although it was a Virgin plane, a lot of the hard work on this was done by Rolls Royce at their Solihull site. It’s a great example of stepping up to the challenges climate change brings us, with innovations in technology potentially providing answers on how the aviation industry, amongst others, can head towards a more sustainable future.
I’ll have more to say on this in a future message, but for now I would just add that I’m pleased to see so many partners, including Rolls Royce, Birmingham Airport and many more, all on the same page with their sustainable ambitions, which the Council shares.
Returning from the skies to the earth, the Council’s vulnerable road user group is inviting more people to join them in helping keep our roads and streets safe.
The group has long played a key role in identifying issues for our most vulnerable residents and suggesting safety improvements. More information about the group is available here. If anyone would like to join the group, I’d encourage them to contact Rob Wyatt at rwyatt@solihull.gov.uk
I was pleased to see Meriden and Dorridge highlighted as amongst the best places to live in Muddy Stilettos.
With good schools, pubs and stunning views, both are great examples of the Council’s motto “Urbs in Rure”, combining the best that the town and the countryside has to offer, making Solihull a great place for residents to work and live.
Thanks, and have a good weekend,
Councillor Ian Courts