Here are the biggest local council stories from the past week.

County's pothole problem nearly triples

Prolonged wet weather has seen the county request 4,962 fixes across the first two months of this year, almost triple the 1,678 raised across the same period in 2025. 

A Warwickshire County Council director has insisted crude short-term pothole fixes are a necessary evil – despite agreeing that complaints about them are "justified".

Director of highways Richard Fenwick described "a difficult few months" with more than 30 gangs working seven days a week for most of the period since Christmas to try to play catch-up.

Last week he told the county's communities overview and scrutiny committee – a panel of councillors that oversees and makes recommendations on areas of the council's work – that for the sake of speed and hazard mitigation more than half of current repairs involve little more than a dollop of tarmac for the time being, acknowledging that some break away within a matter of days. 

Read the full story here.

Warwickshire's Richard Fenwick defends quick pothole fixes, citing safety and efficiency, despite high complaints (image supplied)

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Leamington in Bloom partnership announced

Royal Leamington Spa Town Council has announced the relaunch of Leamington in Bloom as the Leamington in Bloom Partnership.

This is being unveiled alongside a refreshed logo that celebrates both the town's Regency heritage and its fabulous green spaces.

This year, Leamington in Bloom will lead a range of initiatives and projects, including the Green Grants Scheme, which offers six grants of £200 to support the creation and development of community gardens, wildlife areas, vegetable plots, animal habitats, and other biodiversity improvements. 

Read more here.

Reform UK presented its 'Recalibrating Warwickshire' plan

Bullish leader George Finch boasted that Reform UK's plan for Warwickshire County Council proves they are "here to stay" – but opponents insist they have cooked up nothing new.

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Reform took control at Shire Hall in May 2025 and have faced a number of calls to set out an agenda, a draft of which was presented this week. 

'Recalibrating Warwickshire' is an overarching document that sets out the aims of the party in charge through a framework that individual policies and decisions will be guided by. 

It is set to replace the plan put in place by the previous Conservative administration with a four-week public engagement exercise taking place in March and April. It will then be considered by various overview and scrutiny committees before being voted on by all councillors in May.

Full story here.