It has been a sweltering last few days and I hope you were able to keep as cool as possible during the unprecedented heat.

Normally when we prepare ourselves for extreme weather, it is during the winter so the disruption caused by soaring temperatures is not something we are used to.

Of course, the experts are now warning that these kind of heatwaves could become the norm so we will have to adapt as best we can when presented with similar difficult conditions in the future.

What these extreme weather events continue to highlight, is the resilience and dedication of public service staff who continue to do their jobs in difficult circumstances.

That is especially true here at the Council. I don’t know if it was your bin day on Monday or Tuesday but, if it was, you are likely to have seen our crews collecting your waste and recycling as normal despite the searing heat.

In order to ensure they kept to their collection schedules, the crews began their rounds slightly earlier than usual and if you put your bins out earlier than normal to help, I’d like to pass on a big thank you. This allowed our staff to finish their days before the peak mid-day temperatures.

Incredibly, on Tuesday when we experienced record temperatures for the UK, the waste and recycling teams completed all their scheduled rounds and even picked up the outstanding green waste they were unable collect on Monday.

It was a fantastic effort and the team certainly deserved the ice lollies we provided throughout the day to keep them cool!

Our waste crews were just one of many teams throughout the Council who continued to serve the residents of Swindon. Our grounds team, those who work in our country parks, the staff who fix the homes of our tenants and our highways colleagues were just some of the employees who continued to work outdoors when many of us were trying to keep cool inside.

They would say they were just doing their jobs, but I know what an incredible job they do. They are a real credit to themselves and to the town.

During the hot weather, there is always a strong temptation to turn on the hoses in order to protect our gardens.

I was contacted by Thames Water ahead of the weekend as part of the water company’s campaign to get us to think about reducing our water usage to ensure we all continue to receive a reliable water supply.

I was shocked to see on several news reports of reservoirs that are usually full, at a fraction of their capacity and the recent heatwave only served to remind us about what a precious resource our water is.

Thames Water highlighted some simple steps we can all take to save water.

This can be as simple as using the water from paddling pools to wash the car, water the plants or even wash the dog. Or by swapping a sprinkler or hose for a watering can.

You can get lots of advice and tips from the Thames Water website – www.thameswater.co.uk