Warwick has welcomed its next mayor for 2026-27, Cllr Simon Pargeter.

A lifelong Warwick resident, Cllr Pargeter first became involved in local government after taking an interest in community projects and wanting to better understand how local decisions were made.

Frustrated by a lack of investment and progress in certain parts of the town, he became involved in local projects and started attending council meetings to understand why long-standing community initiatives were struggling to move forward.

Cllr Pargeter went on to play a key role in the redevelopment of the Packmores Community Centre, something he reflected as being proud to have been a part of.

Recognised for his commitment to improving and connecting the Warwick community by local councillors, including MP for Warwick and Leamington Matt Western, amongst his friends and family, Cllr Pargeter decided to stand for Warwick Town Council.

Looking back, he describes it as one of the best decisions he has made.

Speaking to Nub News he shared: "For me, the Town Council is about community. It's about people, relationships and getting involved in the things that matter to residents.

"But, I never really saw myself as a politician. I was more interested in helping local projects and understanding how things could be improved."

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Now Mayor of Warwick, Cllr Pargeter says he wants to attend as many community events as possible and use the role to highlight activities that may not always receive widespread attention.

"I want to live and breathe the role. I want to learn more about the town, support as many groups as possible, and discover things that maybe I've never noticed before" he shared.

Only officially a month into the role, Cllr Pargeter has thrown himself into a busy programme of events, from music performances and community gatherings to supporting local youth projects and celebrating residents' achievements.

One of Cllr Pargeter's key priorities during his year as mayor will be raising awareness of prostate cancer and encouraging more men to get tested.

The cause is deeply personal. Having lost friends to the disease, he was struck by how quickly prostate cancer can progress and how many men avoid getting checked.

"I've seen first-hand how devastating it (prostate cancer) can be," he shared.

"Sometimes raising awareness is just as important as raising money."

After attending a local testing event himself at the Nelson Club, Cllr Pargeter was surprised by how simple the process was.

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"It took about a minute.

"The staff were fantastic, and the results came back quickly. We need to break down the barriers that stop men from getting tested."

To support this goal, Cllr Pargeter is working alongside local charities and community organisations to promote testing opportunities and encourage open conversations about men's health.

A recent event was a charity football match at Warwick Racecourse which took place on 16 June.

The event aimed not only to raise funds but also to spark discussion about health, wellbeing and community support, and was be open to all.

Speaking on the town, Cllr Pargeter said: "We've seen Warwick grow significantly over the years.

"With that growth comes the need for better infrastructure and support for residents."

Cllr Pargeter hopes to continue promoting Warwick's independent businesses and community events, encouraging residents to shop locally and participate in town activities where possible.

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When asked what makes Warwick distinctive, Cllr Pargeter pointed to its rich history, traditions, charitable organisations and active community groups. He also outlined his hopes for his mayoral year include taking the opportunity to learn more about the town and help connect residents with the organisations and initiatives taking place across Warwick.

As he begins his term as mayor, the message to residents is simple: get involved, support local communities and make use of the opportunities available with the 'amazing' town that is Warwick.