The government decision taken last December to increase from 2012 the maximum amount universities can charge for tuition could deter people from going into higher education. It is now the duty of all of us - government, politicians of all colours and the public - to make sure that nobody makes a decision about going to university without knowing exactly how it will be paid for and the support available.
The facts, figures and costs of a degree for future graduates are: nothing at all for those earning less than £21,000 and £7.50 a month for those earning £22,000.
It might be possible with big effort, the right language and the commitment of all involved in advising future graduates to prevent the new policy on higher education deterring people from going to university.
The Hughes report contains over 30 recommendations directed towards schools and colleges, universities, government and regulators on what they can do to encourage participation in higher education. You can download a copy of the report from the Cabinet Office website here: http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/resource-library/hughes-report
Wednesday 27 July 2011
Friday 17 June 2011
Pensions: ensure the young do NOT cop for a double whammy
This is my letter to Ms Dorries, my MP:
I am emailing as one of your constituents, regarding the issue of the State Pension Age.
I am asking you NOT to vote against the Pensions Bill at its Second Reading on Monday.
While these proposals do not give those affected much notice to plan for their retirement, it's a darned sight more that the student 2012 intake whose tuition fees are being hiked.
While they hit women much harder than men, as no men will have to wait over a year longer for their pension, we women have to admit we've had it cushy compared with men for a long time on pension age. Do we want equality? Yes!
They will also hit those with the smallest savings and no occupational pensions hardest, as they are most reliant on the State Pensio. Some will have been feckless; others will be people who need help and that is society's/HMG's job to provide for at base level.
Of concern to me, is how you communicate equivalence: the plans break a clear commitment in the Coalition Agreement.
In the Coalition Agreement, the government said they would "hold a review to set the date at which the state pension age starts to rise to 66, although it will not be sooner than 2016 for men and 2020 for women". The proposals in the Pensions Bill mean the state pension age for men and women will now be starting to rise to 66 in 2018, so fine, bite the bullet but keep pointing out that silver surfers are not the worst hit. The half of young people who aspire to go on to higher education will be, as pensions have always been paid for by the current young, not by what past generations put in.
So the young cop a double whammy: pay up to £9k p.a. for their higher education AND therafter be hit by higher taxes to pay for the oldies not wanting to take a share of the pain.
These plans break the government’s own promise, but then much else has had to be broken, not least the start for our young people. Please vote for the Bill on Monday.
I am emailing as one of your constituents, regarding the issue of the State Pension Age.
I am asking you NOT to vote against the Pensions Bill at its Second Reading on Monday.
While these proposals do not give those affected much notice to plan for their retirement, it's a darned sight more that the student 2012 intake whose tuition fees are being hiked.
While they hit women much harder than men, as no men will have to wait over a year longer for their pension, we women have to admit we've had it cushy compared with men for a long time on pension age. Do we want equality? Yes!
They will also hit those with the smallest savings and no occupational pensions hardest, as they are most reliant on the State Pensio. Some will have been feckless; others will be people who need help and that is society's/HMG's job to provide for at base level.
Of concern to me, is how you communicate equivalence: the plans break a clear commitment in the Coalition Agreement.
In the Coalition Agreement, the government said they would "hold a review to set the date at which the state pension age starts to rise to 66, although it will not be sooner than 2016 for men and 2020 for women". The proposals in the Pensions Bill mean the state pension age for men and women will now be starting to rise to 66 in 2018, so fine, bite the bullet but keep pointing out that silver surfers are not the worst hit. The half of young people who aspire to go on to higher education will be, as pensions have always been paid for by the current young, not by what past generations put in.
So the young cop a double whammy: pay up to £9k p.a. for their higher education AND therafter be hit by higher taxes to pay for the oldies not wanting to take a share of the pain.
These plans break the government’s own promise, but then much else has had to be broken, not least the start for our young people. Please vote for the Bill on Monday.
Friday 6 May 2011
Local election results for Barton-le-Clay, May 2011
Thank you, fellow Bartonians, for voting on Thursday and in particular for those 456 of you who voted for me, your local Lib Dem candidate.
Sadly for me, it wasn't enough. I came in second after Ian Shingler, a former Lib Dem councillor and Bartonian, who is now your independent representative on the council.
I have enjoyed my two years on Central Beds Council enormously. It gave me a good insight into and understanding of public service in general and the internal workings of this unitary authority in particular. The work to improve efficiency and cost effectiveness will continue and I shall follow its progress and continue my blog.
As for the casework I have been privileged to be involved with, I shall hand it over to Ian openly and with my best wishes for the next four years of his tenure.
Election results were:
Ian Shingler Independent 615
Janet Nunn Lib Dem 456
Martin Hawkins Con 406
Lyndon Davison-Williams Independent 225
Michael Wingrove Labour 137
Mr Wildman UKIP 88
Sadly for me, it wasn't enough. I came in second after Ian Shingler, a former Lib Dem councillor and Bartonian, who is now your independent representative on the council.
I have enjoyed my two years on Central Beds Council enormously. It gave me a good insight into and understanding of public service in general and the internal workings of this unitary authority in particular. The work to improve efficiency and cost effectiveness will continue and I shall follow its progress and continue my blog.
As for the casework I have been privileged to be involved with, I shall hand it over to Ian openly and with my best wishes for the next four years of his tenure.
Election results were:
Ian Shingler Independent 615
Janet Nunn Lib Dem 456
Martin Hawkins Con 406
Lyndon Davison-Williams Independent 225
Michael Wingrove Labour 137
Mr Wildman UKIP 88
Tuesday 3 May 2011
Stephen Fry worth a one minute watch on AV
Take a look at this clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J31QkzWmmUc because it's worth it:-)
Sunday 1 May 2011
Plannng application for marquee at the Grove
Central Beds Council received a planning application for the erection of a marquee for weddings and corporate events on land to the rear of The Grove, Barton Road, Pulloxhill, Reference: CB/11/00235/FULL. The application was registered on 28th January and is now under consideration, having been through a formal consultation period. In line with the relevant legislation a notice detailing the application was erected close to the site.
All planning applications are published on the Council's website. The links to the application in question are as follows:
Planning application: http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/portal/showimage.asp?j=The%20Grove,%20Barton%20Road,%20Pulloxhill&index=373786.
Design and access statement: http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/portal/showimage.asp?j=The%20Grove,%20Barton%20Road,%20Pulloxhill&index=373798
Site plans: http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/portal/showimage.asp?j=The%20Grove,%20Barton%20Road,%20Pulloxhill&index=373795
CBC say that, "All relevant planning issues will be taken into account in making a final decision."
CBC say that both Pulloxhill and Barton Parish Councils were consulted, although the site is wholly within Pulloxhill Parish. Barton Parish Council claim they were not consulted; I expect this will be discussed at their next meeting on Monday 9 May.
All planning applications are published on the Council's website. The links to the application in question are as follows:
Planning application: http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/portal/showimage.asp?j=The%20Grove,%20Barton%20Road,%20Pulloxhill&index=373786.
Design and access statement: http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/portal/showimage.asp?j=The%20Grove,%20Barton%20Road,%20Pulloxhill&index=373798
Site plans: http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/portal/showimage.asp?j=The%20Grove,%20Barton%20Road,%20Pulloxhill&index=373795
CBC say that, "All relevant planning issues will be taken into account in making a final decision."
CBC say that both Pulloxhill and Barton Parish Councils were consulted, although the site is wholly within Pulloxhill Parish. Barton Parish Council claim they were not consulted; I expect this will be discussed at their next meeting on Monday 9 May.
Tuesday 19 April 2011
PwC blagging for Central Beds Tories
The mid-Beds Tory glossy distributed in my ward has had serious money thrown at it and not just for the printing.
No less a source than Pricewaterhouse Cooper's (PwC) has been quoted as saying that Central Beds gave better "Value for Money" service delivery in 2010/11 than Bedford, MK and Luton (while curiously calling only Luton "our geographical neighbours").
Anyone who has ever worked with PwC will know precisely what happened here. As business consultants, PwC would have been paid to devise a methodology that would spit out the desired answer first thought of. And they'll have charged through the nose for it.
Good luck to PwC, say I, for fleecing the Tories. But you don't fool me and I hope it won't fool most of the voters on 5 May.
The best indicator on value for money is how we each, as constituents, feel about the Council tax we pay. Mine is two-fifths, getting on for half, of my mortgage (which has less than 10 years to run), and is the third biggest outlay in our household budget.
Do take a look at my blog 10 April to see how Central Beds Council tax is dearer than that of our three neighbours, like for like (Band D charges).
The old adage, "All fur coat and no knickers" springs to mind for how the Tories have chosen to spend their money at this time on this PR spin-piece. It would be funny if I weren't a Central Beds tax payer.
No less a source than Pricewaterhouse Cooper's (PwC) has been quoted as saying that Central Beds gave better "Value for Money" service delivery in 2010/11 than Bedford, MK and Luton (while curiously calling only Luton "our geographical neighbours").
Anyone who has ever worked with PwC will know precisely what happened here. As business consultants, PwC would have been paid to devise a methodology that would spit out the desired answer first thought of. And they'll have charged through the nose for it.
Good luck to PwC, say I, for fleecing the Tories. But you don't fool me and I hope it won't fool most of the voters on 5 May.
The best indicator on value for money is how we each, as constituents, feel about the Council tax we pay. Mine is two-fifths, getting on for half, of my mortgage (which has less than 10 years to run), and is the third biggest outlay in our household budget.
Do take a look at my blog 10 April to see how Central Beds Council tax is dearer than that of our three neighbours, like for like (Band D charges).
The old adage, "All fur coat and no knickers" springs to mind for how the Tories have chosen to spend their money at this time on this PR spin-piece. It would be funny if I weren't a Central Beds tax payer.
Sunday 10 April 2011
Central Beds Council tax 2010-11: no excuse
These are Band D Council Tax figures for 2010-11:
Central Bedfordshire (Tory) £1615
Bedford (Lib Dem) £1538*
Aylesbury Vale (Tory) £1492
South Northants (Tory) £1448
Northampton (Lib Dem Borough Council) £1445
Most Councils will be levying a zero percent increase for 2011-12, since they get 2.5% more from the government if they do.
*Lib Dem Bedford are reducing their Council Tax this year. Both Bedford and Central Bedfordshire took over from the expensive Tory-run County Council.
Message for Tory-run Central Bedfordshire Council: it needs to try harder to cut costs.
Central Bedfordshire (Tory) £1615
Bedford (Lib Dem) £1538*
Aylesbury Vale (Tory) £1492
South Northants (Tory) £1448
Northampton (Lib Dem Borough Council) £1445
Most Councils will be levying a zero percent increase for 2011-12, since they get 2.5% more from the government if they do.
*Lib Dem Bedford are reducing their Council Tax this year. Both Bedford and Central Bedfordshire took over from the expensive Tory-run County Council.
Message for Tory-run Central Bedfordshire Council: it needs to try harder to cut costs.
Can we please get an energyshare project going near me?
I love the idea of this project and just had to respond positively and share it with you. I've signed up as Janet.Nunn with post code here in Barton-le-Clay and hope to get a group going. I plan on doing the energy audit over one of the upcoming bank holiday weekends.
"Please could you help us let people in your area know about the energyshare grant fund which has just launched with up to £500,000 for community renewable energy projects? We’re calling for communities across the UK to register their interest . It would be great if you could you help us spread the word by forwarding this on to any contacts you have or putting us in touch with the most appropriate team in your local authority.
energyshare is a 100% renewable energy community giving everyone in the UK the opportunity to get involved in sourcing, using, and generating your own renewable energy.
This is just the beginning. energyshare’s founding partners, River Cottage and British Gas are committed to finding more funding. As a start British Gas are committed to distributing a further £3m to community renewable projects through the energyshare fund over the next 3 years. By getting involved in energyshare you can help decide which projects get funded.
We’ve got lots of other features on the site for households and communities, including case studies on the site of really successful community projects like Woolsery Community Hall who have cut their running costs by 90%, and MOZES where each household is saving an estimated 20% / year on their energy bills!
Please forward this on to anyone you think might be interested. We hope to see you on www.energyshare.com soon!"
For any more information please contact: Emily.oliver@keofilms.com / t: +44 (0) 20 7490 3580 / m: +44 (0) 7970 658 682
"Please could you help us let people in your area know about the energyshare grant fund which has just launched with up to £500,000 for community renewable energy projects? We’re calling for communities across the UK to register their interest . It would be great if you could you help us spread the word by forwarding this on to any contacts you have or putting us in touch with the most appropriate team in your local authority.
energyshare is a 100% renewable energy community giving everyone in the UK the opportunity to get involved in sourcing, using, and generating your own renewable energy.
This is just the beginning. energyshare’s founding partners, River Cottage and British Gas are committed to finding more funding. As a start British Gas are committed to distributing a further £3m to community renewable projects through the energyshare fund over the next 3 years. By getting involved in energyshare you can help decide which projects get funded.
We’ve got lots of other features on the site for households and communities, including case studies on the site of really successful community projects like Woolsery Community Hall who have cut their running costs by 90%, and MOZES where each household is saving an estimated 20% / year on their energy bills!
Please forward this on to anyone you think might be interested. We hope to see you on www.energyshare.com soon!"
For any more information please contact: Emily.oliver@keofilms.com / t: +44 (0) 20 7490 3580 / m: +44 (0) 7970 658 682
Highway repair plans in Barton ward 2011-14
Residents and frequent users of Manor Road in Barton-le-Clay will send a cheer up at the news that the road is due for re-surfacing this next year. Two years ago, I was told by an elderly neighbour that it hadn't been done in 20 years (I can corroborate the 17 years I've lived here), so run up the flag!
STREATLEY ROAD (RURAL) STRUCTURAL MAINTENANCE Non-Principal Roads Surface Dressing Barton Sundon 7 X £13,700 2011-12
COMMON LANE STRUCTURAL MAINTENANCE Non-Principal Roads Resurfacing Barton Sundon 7 X £23,166 2011-12
HARLINGTON ROAD & CHURCH ROAD (URBAN AREA) STRUCTURAL MAINTENANCE B & C Roads Resurfacing Sundon £77,077 2011-12
SHARPENHOE ROAD (SERVICE ROAD) STRUCTURAL MAINTENANCE Non-Principal Roads Resurfacing Barton £16,445 2011-12
MANOR ROAD STRUCTURAL MAINTENANCE Non-Principal Roads Resurfacing
Barton £121,550 2011-12
OLD ROAD STRUCTURAL MAINTENANCE Non-Principal Roads Resurfacing Barton £70,642 2013-14
Streatley Rd DRAINAGE Drainage Drainage
Barton £70,642 date t.b.c.
STREATLEY ROAD (RURAL) STRUCTURAL MAINTENANCE Non-Principal Roads Surface Dressing Barton Sundon 7 X £13,700 2011-12
COMMON LANE STRUCTURAL MAINTENANCE Non-Principal Roads Resurfacing Barton Sundon 7 X £23,166 2011-12
HARLINGTON ROAD & CHURCH ROAD (URBAN AREA) STRUCTURAL MAINTENANCE B & C Roads Resurfacing Sundon £77,077 2011-12
SHARPENHOE ROAD (SERVICE ROAD) STRUCTURAL MAINTENANCE Non-Principal Roads Resurfacing Barton £16,445 2011-12
MANOR ROAD STRUCTURAL MAINTENANCE Non-Principal Roads Resurfacing
Barton £121,550 2011-12
OLD ROAD STRUCTURAL MAINTENANCE Non-Principal Roads Resurfacing Barton £70,642 2013-14
Streatley Rd DRAINAGE Drainage Drainage
Barton £70,642 date t.b.c.
CBC bureaucrats also party poopers
With one hand, Central Beds Council (CBC) is giving: it has made a traffic order to cover the whole district, which means charges for road closures that would usually be paid by organisers will instead be "covered by the council" (meaning foregone, as to charge would have been seen as freeloading on the back of the royal wedding).
But with the other hand, it takes away: while all 'agreed' road closures will be free of charge, applications for road closures have to be made by Tuesday 12 April (this deadline was announced only on 1 April by CBC) and Public Liability insurance will cost £60 (£63.60 including insurance premium tax), and an 'All Risks' cover for public property and people being injured will be an optional addition of £25.00 (£26.50 including insurance premium tax).
Organisers should complete an application form available from: www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/streetpartyguide
Can you club together with your neighbours and do something on private property instead? I'm lucky enough to have lovely neighbours with open frontage who are willing to set up tables and seating across their driveways and host the party like that without tapping us up for cash. We'll just bring food, drink and good cheer! No cash; no paperwork. Sorted.
But with the other hand, it takes away: while all 'agreed' road closures will be free of charge, applications for road closures have to be made by Tuesday 12 April (this deadline was announced only on 1 April by CBC) and Public Liability insurance will cost £60 (£63.60 including insurance premium tax), and an 'All Risks' cover for public property and people being injured will be an optional addition of £25.00 (£26.50 including insurance premium tax).
Organisers should complete an application form available from: www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/streetpartyguide
Can you club together with your neighbours and do something on private property instead? I'm lucky enough to have lovely neighbours with open frontage who are willing to set up tables and seating across their driveways and host the party like that without tapping us up for cash. We'll just bring food, drink and good cheer! No cash; no paperwork. Sorted.
Election day 5 May: deadline 14 April for new registrations and postal vote requests
With both local elections and a UK-wide referendum taking place on Thursday 5 May, you need to make sure you are registered in time to vote. With several bank holidays coming up, residents who are going to be away on 5 May can also apply to vote by post or by proxy.
New voters and postal voters must be registered by Thursday 14 April. 197,000 poll cards have already been issued.To apply for a postal or proxy vote, either register online via www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk website or for more information, phone the Electoral Service Team on 0300 300 8008.
The elections will decide who sits on Central Bedfordshire Council for the next four years and also establish who will make up town and parish councils across the district.
The referendum is on the voting system used for elections to the UK Parliament. The question being put to voters on 5 May is, "At present, the UK uses the 'first past the post' system to elect MPs to the House of Commons. Should the 'alternative vote' system be used instead?"
The Electoral Commission, the independent elections watchdog, is sending a booklet to every household in the UK with information about how to have your say on 5 May.
New voters and postal voters must be registered by Thursday 14 April. 197,000 poll cards have already been issued.To apply for a postal or proxy vote, either register online via www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk website or for more information, phone the Electoral Service Team on 0300 300 8008.
The elections will decide who sits on Central Bedfordshire Council for the next four years and also establish who will make up town and parish councils across the district.
The referendum is on the voting system used for elections to the UK Parliament. The question being put to voters on 5 May is, "At present, the UK uses the 'first past the post' system to elect MPs to the House of Commons. Should the 'alternative vote' system be used instead?"
The Electoral Commission, the independent elections watchdog, is sending a booklet to every household in the UK with information about how to have your say on 5 May.
Thursday 31 March 2011
How would you like the new music service to operate?
A consultation has been launched at virtually the 12th hour seeking views on the future provision of music in Central Bedfordshire.
Bedfordshire Music is currently managed for the whole of Bedfordshire by Central Bedfordshire Council. From July 2011, Central Bedfordshire Council will be delivering a new music service.
The consultation, which ran until 9am on Monday 28 March, and provided an opportunity for parents, pupils, schools and other interested parties to contribute to the planning for the future provision of music services in Central Bedfordshire.
Through the recently announced Henley Review, the Government has given its commitment to support music education. The Government has advised that, from 2012 onwards, local music services should be provided in line with the National Plan for Music Education and music hubs based on local authority areas will be introduced.
The music hubs will deliver music services at a local level from April 2012 and will place partnership at the centre of a larger aspiration to provide all children with the music education they deserve. Feedback from the consultation will be used by Central Bedfordshire Council to support the bidding process for these music hubs.
To have your say on this consultation, please respond to the online consultation questionnaire at http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/surveys/Music/service.htm
Hard copies of the consultation questionnaire are available on request from the Customer Service team on 0300 300 8102 and from the reception of the Council Offices in Dunstable and Chicksands.
While CBC asked for responses to this consultation to be received by 9am on Monday 28 March 2011, this was thoroughly unreasonable given that they didn't press release the launch until 20 March, so I urge anyone with a view to submit it ASAP, regardless.
Bedfordshire Music is currently managed for the whole of Bedfordshire by Central Bedfordshire Council. From July 2011, Central Bedfordshire Council will be delivering a new music service.
The consultation, which ran until 9am on Monday 28 March, and provided an opportunity for parents, pupils, schools and other interested parties to contribute to the planning for the future provision of music services in Central Bedfordshire.
Through the recently announced Henley Review, the Government has given its commitment to support music education. The Government has advised that, from 2012 onwards, local music services should be provided in line with the National Plan for Music Education and music hubs based on local authority areas will be introduced.
The music hubs will deliver music services at a local level from April 2012 and will place partnership at the centre of a larger aspiration to provide all children with the music education they deserve. Feedback from the consultation will be used by Central Bedfordshire Council to support the bidding process for these music hubs.
To have your say on this consultation, please respond to the online consultation questionnaire at http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/surveys/Music/service.htm
Hard copies of the consultation questionnaire are available on request from the Customer Service team on 0300 300 8102 and from the reception of the Council Offices in Dunstable and Chicksands.
While CBC asked for responses to this consultation to be received by 9am on Monday 28 March 2011, this was thoroughly unreasonable given that they didn't press release the launch until 20 March, so I urge anyone with a view to submit it ASAP, regardless.
Private Fostering Awareness Week
Private Fostering Awareness Week ran from 21 to 27 March. This year named "Somebody Else's Child', the campaign aimed to raise awareness of the issues around private fostering and change people's response.
Private fostering is when a young person under the age of 16, or under 18 if disabled, lives with somebody who is not their immediate family for a period of longer than 28 days.
Examples of private fostering arrangements might include an older teenager who is living with their friend's parents due to a family breakdown or a child living with a family friend whilst a parent is recovering from an operation. Other examples could be a young teenager attending school in this country and living with a family cousin whilst their family live abroad or a child staying with a host family previously not known to them whilst they complete their education.
Sometimes parents will arrange for their children to live elsewhere and sometimes teenagers decide themselves to live with a friend or friend's parents. The Fostering Service needs to be made aware and has a responsibility to offer advice and support to all parties involved in these kind of arrangements.
There are an estimated 10,000 children living in private fostering arrangements in England and Wales, yet last year only around 1,500 notifications of these arrangements were made to local authorities. While most of these children will be safe, others may be at risk of abuse and neglect at the hands of their private foster carers. Without children's services intervention, this could go on for years.
Although the legal responsibility lies with the parent and the carer, the campaign is also urging anyone who works with children - teachers, childcare and health care professionals - to play their part. Those who come into regular contact with children can help identify these potentially vulnerable children and help by either speaking to the child's carer, if appropriate, or informing children's services. Help us keep children safe and support families.
It is a legal duty for parents or the private foster carer to notify Central Bedfordshire's Fostering Service if a child is staying with somebody who is not an immediate family member for more than 28 days. An immediate family member is defined as a grandparent, brother, sister, uncle or aunt, or step-parent.
If you are part of, or aware of, any Private Fostering arrangements please contact the Private Fostering Coordinator on 0300 300 8090 for more information and advice.
The Bedfordshire Adoption Service is a shared service that covers both Central Bedfordshire Council and Bedford Borough Council areas. We strive to find families for children who cannot live with their birth families and who have a plan for adoption.
Private fostering is when a young person under the age of 16, or under 18 if disabled, lives with somebody who is not their immediate family for a period of longer than 28 days.
Examples of private fostering arrangements might include an older teenager who is living with their friend's parents due to a family breakdown or a child living with a family friend whilst a parent is recovering from an operation. Other examples could be a young teenager attending school in this country and living with a family cousin whilst their family live abroad or a child staying with a host family previously not known to them whilst they complete their education.
Sometimes parents will arrange for their children to live elsewhere and sometimes teenagers decide themselves to live with a friend or friend's parents. The Fostering Service needs to be made aware and has a responsibility to offer advice and support to all parties involved in these kind of arrangements.
There are an estimated 10,000 children living in private fostering arrangements in England and Wales, yet last year only around 1,500 notifications of these arrangements were made to local authorities. While most of these children will be safe, others may be at risk of abuse and neglect at the hands of their private foster carers. Without children's services intervention, this could go on for years.
Although the legal responsibility lies with the parent and the carer, the campaign is also urging anyone who works with children - teachers, childcare and health care professionals - to play their part. Those who come into regular contact with children can help identify these potentially vulnerable children and help by either speaking to the child's carer, if appropriate, or informing children's services. Help us keep children safe and support families.
It is a legal duty for parents or the private foster carer to notify Central Bedfordshire's Fostering Service if a child is staying with somebody who is not an immediate family member for more than 28 days. An immediate family member is defined as a grandparent, brother, sister, uncle or aunt, or step-parent.
If you are part of, or aware of, any Private Fostering arrangements please contact the Private Fostering Coordinator on 0300 300 8090 for more information and advice.
The Bedfordshire Adoption Service is a shared service that covers both Central Bedfordshire Council and Bedford Borough Council areas. We strive to find families for children who cannot live with their birth families and who have a plan for adoption.
New Transport Policy for 16 to 19 year olds approved
Central Bedfordshire Council has approved a new policy on the provision of free or subsidised transport for students in further education. The new Post 16 Transport Policy is being introduced following a public consultation with students, parents, carers and other interested parties that was completed in December 2010.
While Central Bedfordshire is not legally obliged to provide free or subsidised transport for students aged 16 to 19, it must consider how it will help learners access further education. A key element of this in what is a very rural area is the provision of transport.
The new policy replaces existing guidelines which were carried over from Bedfordshire County Council. It brings transport for 16 to 19 year olds in line with that for school aged children and meets the standards within the Department for Education guidance issued in June 2010.
The new policy provides a clear set of criteria to assess the eligibility of students enabling a fairer and more consistent assessment process. Under the new policy eligible students will be able to access the most suitable education, training or work based learning provision available.
Central to the new policy is a change to the maximum distance for which a student can receive free or subsidised travel. Subsidised travel will now only be available to students who live more than three miles but less than 20 miles from the school or college they wish to attend. It will mean that students who wish to take advantage of subsidised travel will be required to study at the nearest school or college to their home address that offers the qualification they are studying for. It will also include new criteria for those on low income, with medical and special educational needs and looked after young people.
The new policy supports Central Bedfordshire's key priority of educating, protecting and providing opportunities for children and young people and will be implemented from September 2011. The council is required to keep its policy under regular review.
While Central Bedfordshire is not legally obliged to provide free or subsidised transport for students aged 16 to 19, it must consider how it will help learners access further education. A key element of this in what is a very rural area is the provision of transport.
The new policy replaces existing guidelines which were carried over from Bedfordshire County Council. It brings transport for 16 to 19 year olds in line with that for school aged children and meets the standards within the Department for Education guidance issued in June 2010.
The new policy provides a clear set of criteria to assess the eligibility of students enabling a fairer and more consistent assessment process. Under the new policy eligible students will be able to access the most suitable education, training or work based learning provision available.
Central to the new policy is a change to the maximum distance for which a student can receive free or subsidised travel. Subsidised travel will now only be available to students who live more than three miles but less than 20 miles from the school or college they wish to attend. It will mean that students who wish to take advantage of subsidised travel will be required to study at the nearest school or college to their home address that offers the qualification they are studying for. It will also include new criteria for those on low income, with medical and special educational needs and looked after young people.
The new policy supports Central Bedfordshire's key priority of educating, protecting and providing opportunities for children and young people and will be implemented from September 2011. The council is required to keep its policy under regular review.
Sunday 20 March 2011
PCSOs at your service
Did you know there is now a dedicated PCSO in the Barton Parish Council Building once a week (details below)? They will be in the office between 09:00 – 11:00 hrs and then will be out patrolling the area for the rest of the day.
Date Officer
Thursday 31st March 2011 PCSO 4829 Walker
Monday 4th April 2011 PCSO 4828 Young
Monday 11th April 2011 PCSO 4937 Glen
Tuesday 19th April 2011 PCSO 4825 Bell
Tuesday 26th April 2011 PCSO 4829 Walker
Wednesday 4th May 2011 PCSO 4825 Bell
Thursday 12th May 2011 PCSO 4937 Glen
Monday 16th May 2011 PCSO 4828 Young
The Safer Neighbourhood Team can be contacted on 01234 473418 or SNT.LeightonRural@bedfordshire.pnn.police.uk.
If you wish to speak to them in person, they will be holding 'Let's Talk Together Community Meeting' events, where your Safer Neighbourhood Team and their partners meet with people from your neighbourhood, listen to everyone's views and make the decision about the new set of Neighbourhood Priorities. The Let's Talk Together Meetings are an enhancement of the previous Community Safety Forums that were held in Central Bedfordshire. They will bring together a wider number of partners and communities than has previously seen.
Date: Tuesday 22 March
Time: 19:00 - 21:00
Location: Toddington Fire Station, Dunstable Rd, Toddington, Dunstable, Beds. LU5 6DR
If you have any issues or concerns that you would like to discuss or you would just like to pop by and meet your local Safer Neighbourhood Team please feel free to drop in at Safer Neighbourhood Team surgeries, to be held on 19th April 2011.
Time: 10:00 – 12:00 hrs
Location: Barton Library
Or meet them at Barton Parish Council Meetings:
Monday 11th April 2011 at 19:30 hrs
Monday 9th May 2011 at 19:30 hrs
Monday 13th June 2011 at 19:30 hrs
Location: Barton Village Hall
If you would like to get in contact or report anything to the Police please call 01234 841212 or in an Emergency call 999. If you would like to speak to your local Officers please call in on the general number and you will be put through, and provided with a direct dial number for the Officers in your specific area.
Date Officer
Thursday 31st March 2011 PCSO 4829 Walker
Monday 4th April 2011 PCSO 4828 Young
Monday 11th April 2011 PCSO 4937 Glen
Tuesday 19th April 2011 PCSO 4825 Bell
Tuesday 26th April 2011 PCSO 4829 Walker
Wednesday 4th May 2011 PCSO 4825 Bell
Thursday 12th May 2011 PCSO 4937 Glen
Monday 16th May 2011 PCSO 4828 Young
The Safer Neighbourhood Team can be contacted on 01234 473418 or SNT.LeightonRural@bedfordshire.pnn.police.uk.
If you wish to speak to them in person, they will be holding 'Let's Talk Together Community Meeting' events, where your Safer Neighbourhood Team and their partners meet with people from your neighbourhood, listen to everyone's views and make the decision about the new set of Neighbourhood Priorities. The Let's Talk Together Meetings are an enhancement of the previous Community Safety Forums that were held in Central Bedfordshire. They will bring together a wider number of partners and communities than has previously seen.
Date: Tuesday 22 March
Time: 19:00 - 21:00
Location: Toddington Fire Station, Dunstable Rd, Toddington, Dunstable, Beds. LU5 6DR
If you have any issues or concerns that you would like to discuss or you would just like to pop by and meet your local Safer Neighbourhood Team please feel free to drop in at Safer Neighbourhood Team surgeries, to be held on 19th April 2011.
Time: 10:00 – 12:00 hrs
Location: Barton Library
Or meet them at Barton Parish Council Meetings:
Monday 11th April 2011 at 19:30 hrs
Monday 9th May 2011 at 19:30 hrs
Monday 13th June 2011 at 19:30 hrs
Location: Barton Village Hall
If you would like to get in contact or report anything to the Police please call 01234 841212 or in an Emergency call 999. If you would like to speak to your local Officers please call in on the general number and you will be put through, and provided with a direct dial number for the Officers in your specific area.
Sunday 13 March 2011
Central Bedfordshire Council’s Budget 2011-12
Feathers flew and tempers frayed at the last Council meeting where Members adopted the budget for 2011-12. In a marathon session lasting some four hours, there were numerous challenges, prompting reference to the Constitution for points of order and a recorded vote taken on Councillor allowances. These are to be cut by 2%, in line with a cut in staff earnings over £21k, although a Lib Dem proposal for a cut in the generous Special Responsibility Allowances of 10% was not supported by the Tory majority.
Council tax rates in the former South Beds Council area still remain marginally higher than those in the former Mid-Beds area, despite promises at the inception of Central Beds to align them within three years. But a Council tax freeze was the price to be paid by tax payers in order for the Council to receive a 2.5% increase in handout from central government, which Central Beds can ill afford to pass over. The aim is to align the Council taxes in a year's time, provided nothing else gets in the way, of course.
For more details, read on.
The average (Band D) household in the north of Central Bedfordshire will pay £1308.33 and a household in the south will pay £1344.15 for Central Bedfordshire Council services, which include roads, libraries, support for schools, social care, planning and environmental services. They will pay a further £144.77 for Police and £82.44 for Fire and Rescue services bringing the total bill to £1535.54 in the north and £1571.36 in the south. Town or parish councils may make a small additional charge for their services on top of the basic rates.
More than £180 million will be spent on public services, including additional investment in both Adult Social Care and Children’s Services to meet increasing pressures.
There will also be a council tax freeze and £20M savings.
The savings come on top of the fact that the Council:
• delivered £10M budget savings and addressed transitionary issues in its first full year (2009/10)
• is on track to deliver a further £12M savings in 2010/11.
In response to comments and representations made during the budget consultation process the Council decided to adjust some of the proposals that had been made in the draft budget:
• no reduction in school crossing patrols from 1 April 2011 but that contributions be sought from communities and partners during the course of the year, with a view to securing the patrols beyond 2011/12;
• the creation of a fund to facilitate the transfer of services to partners and communities and that the costs of public conveniences be a first charge on this fund during 2011/12; and
• a reduction in the proposed increases in car parking charges.
Bedfordshire Police – Budget Cuts
The Government has announced details of police funding for the two financial years from April 2011 and indicative figures for the following two years.
In total, the reductions equate to approximately £19M over the next four years, with £6.3M of this needing to be found in 2011/12 and £5.5M in 2012/13.
For more information about the Police Authority’s reaction to the cuts and proposed actions see http://www.bedfordshirepoliceauthority.co.uk/Funding-and-Finance.html
Transparency
The Council is committed to being open and transparent about the way it delivers its services. It has a duty to ensure that residents are informed about how it is spending public money by providing financial information about the delivery of services.
The Council has now published on its website:
• what it pays the Chief Executive, Directors and Assistant Directors;
• the job role of the Chief Executive and Directors;
• the number of staff employed by the Council;
• details of spending over £500; and
• a register of all its contracts.
The details can be found at http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/Council_departments/default.aspx
Local Authorities and Public Health
As part of its fundamental reform of the national health service the Government has set out its ambition for the future of public health, including:
• the establishment of a new body – Public Health England;
• the return to local government of public health leadership and responsibility, with key roles in improving, promoting and protecting the health of their local communities; and
• a ring-fenced public health grant and a new ‘payment by results’ system to reward councils for making progress in improving health outcomes and reducing health inequalities.
See below for more about the features of the health service reforms.
Let’s Talk Together
Central Bedfordshire Council and its local partners are running a series of meetings at each of the seven Safer Neighbourhood Areas in Central Bedfordshire. They are chaired by a Ward Councillor.
These Let’s Talk Together meetings will give residents and community groups the chance to:
• find out more about volunteering, community safety, health services and business support as well as a range of council services such as roads and transport;
• discuss any issues that residents are concerned about within their community; and
• engage with representatives from all key agencies and organisations, such as the police, fire, health, the council and many others who will be at the meetings.
More information about times and venues of meetings can be found at http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/news/news/january-2011-press-releases/talktogether.aspx
Local Enterprise Partnerships
Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) are sub-regional partnerships which bring together businesses, universities and colleges, community groups, social enterprises and local government. Together these partners work closely with government to support inward investment, innovation, economic growth, new enterprise and job creation. LEPs are eligible to make bids to the Government’s £1.4bn regional growth fund.
Central Bedfordshire is part of the South East Midlands LEP which also includes the local authority areas of Bedford Borough, Luton Borough, Milton Keynes, Aylesbury Vale, Cherwell, South Northamptonshire, Northampton, Corby, Kettering, Daventry and Dacorum. The LEP area has a population of over 1.8 million people and 75,000 businesses and accounts for 3.7% of the English economy.
More details can be found on the South East Midlands LEP website http://www.southeastmidlands.org.uk/
The Council’s new Website
The Council has been developing the Central Bedfordshire Council website as part of its overall customer management programme. The objectives of the website are to:
1. save money by switching customers to the web from telephone and face to face contact;
2. give better customer service by enabling self-service through the web; and
3. better community engagement through the use of social media.
When the website goes live in the spring of this year residents will find:
• information is easier to find;
• information that is clearer and easier to understand;
• more opportunities to request services and pay for them online (instead of needing to phone or visit the council); and
• they can get involved in council consultations and decision making through social media.
Nirah
The Nirah concept is to create a world leading research centre, science park and visitor attraction. Central Bedfordshire Council's Executive are supportive of the Nirah vision, in anticipation of its potential to support economic growth and job creation in line with our economic aspirations and will signal a clear step change in our prospects. An estimate of job creation both directly and indirectly is in the order of 5000 jobs.
Nirah Holdings Ltd. is the private company that leads the project. Nirah has secured outline planning permission and the land option for Quest Pit from Hanson’s.
The next stages for the development of this project are:
• to secure the seed capital funding of £41.5M;
• to take the project into full design and gain full planning permission; and
• to secure next stage development capital funding of approximately £500-600M.
Nirah Holdings Ltd is engaged in active negotiations with prospective investors and hopes to secure the investment agreement to proceed with the project in 2011. Those negotiations remain commercially confidential.
Local authorities and public health, contd. (see above)
As part of its fundamental reform of the national health service the Government has set out its ambition for the future of public health, including the establishment of a new body – Public Health England – and the return to local Government of public health leadership and responsibility.
In its public health white paper (Healthy Lives, Healthy People) the Government intends to give back to councils a leading role in improving, promoting and protecting the health of their local communities.
The White Paper is wide ranging and further details on a number of issues are still outstanding including details of public health funding and a further 10 consultation documents on specific aspects of health improvement and health protection. At this stage it is difficult to have a completely clear picture of the proposed new landscape for public health and the role of councils within it.
The main features of the proposals are:
A focus on outcomes - A national outcomes framework for public health will set the broad public health and health inequalities outcomes for all areas and organisations to address. The Government is currently consulting on the outcomes framework.
Transferring public health - From 2013, public health responsibilities currently undertaken by Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) and Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs) will be divided between Public Health England (PHE) and local councils. The Directors of Public Health (DsPH) will move to local authorities and will be jointly appointed by councils and PHE.
Funding and rewards - From 2013, upper-tier and unitary councils will receive a ring-fenced public health grant to improve the health of the population and to reduce health inequalities. A new ‘payment by results’ system will reward Councils for making progress in improving health outcomes and reducing health inequalities.
Public Health England - PHE is charged with “bringing together a fragmented system, it will do nationally what needs to be done; it will have a new protected public health budget; and it will support local action through funding and the provision of evidence, data and professional leadership” It will also allocate ring-fenced funding to local government and rewarding them for progress made against elements of the proposed public health outcomes framework.
Director of Public Health and transfer of public health staff - All upper-tier and unitary authorities will be required to have a DPH, though they can be shared with other councils. DsPH will be employed by local government and jointly appointed with PHE, and will be “the strategic leader for public health in local communities, deploying the local ring-fenced budget to achieve the best possible public health outcomes across the whole local population”. A critical task for DsPH will be to promote health and wellbeing within local government and advise on health inequalities and develop local strategies to reduce them.
Council tax rates in the former South Beds Council area still remain marginally higher than those in the former Mid-Beds area, despite promises at the inception of Central Beds to align them within three years. But a Council tax freeze was the price to be paid by tax payers in order for the Council to receive a 2.5% increase in handout from central government, which Central Beds can ill afford to pass over. The aim is to align the Council taxes in a year's time, provided nothing else gets in the way, of course.
For more details, read on.
The average (Band D) household in the north of Central Bedfordshire will pay £1308.33 and a household in the south will pay £1344.15 for Central Bedfordshire Council services, which include roads, libraries, support for schools, social care, planning and environmental services. They will pay a further £144.77 for Police and £82.44 for Fire and Rescue services bringing the total bill to £1535.54 in the north and £1571.36 in the south. Town or parish councils may make a small additional charge for their services on top of the basic rates.
More than £180 million will be spent on public services, including additional investment in both Adult Social Care and Children’s Services to meet increasing pressures.
There will also be a council tax freeze and £20M savings.
The savings come on top of the fact that the Council:
• delivered £10M budget savings and addressed transitionary issues in its first full year (2009/10)
• is on track to deliver a further £12M savings in 2010/11.
In response to comments and representations made during the budget consultation process the Council decided to adjust some of the proposals that had been made in the draft budget:
• no reduction in school crossing patrols from 1 April 2011 but that contributions be sought from communities and partners during the course of the year, with a view to securing the patrols beyond 2011/12;
• the creation of a fund to facilitate the transfer of services to partners and communities and that the costs of public conveniences be a first charge on this fund during 2011/12; and
• a reduction in the proposed increases in car parking charges.
Bedfordshire Police – Budget Cuts
The Government has announced details of police funding for the two financial years from April 2011 and indicative figures for the following two years.
In total, the reductions equate to approximately £19M over the next four years, with £6.3M of this needing to be found in 2011/12 and £5.5M in 2012/13.
For more information about the Police Authority’s reaction to the cuts and proposed actions see http://www.bedfordshirepoliceauthority.co.uk/Funding-and-Finance.html
Transparency
The Council is committed to being open and transparent about the way it delivers its services. It has a duty to ensure that residents are informed about how it is spending public money by providing financial information about the delivery of services.
The Council has now published on its website:
• what it pays the Chief Executive, Directors and Assistant Directors;
• the job role of the Chief Executive and Directors;
• the number of staff employed by the Council;
• details of spending over £500; and
• a register of all its contracts.
The details can be found at http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/Council_departments/default.aspx
Local Authorities and Public Health
As part of its fundamental reform of the national health service the Government has set out its ambition for the future of public health, including:
• the establishment of a new body – Public Health England;
• the return to local government of public health leadership and responsibility, with key roles in improving, promoting and protecting the health of their local communities; and
• a ring-fenced public health grant and a new ‘payment by results’ system to reward councils for making progress in improving health outcomes and reducing health inequalities.
See below for more about the features of the health service reforms.
Let’s Talk Together
Central Bedfordshire Council and its local partners are running a series of meetings at each of the seven Safer Neighbourhood Areas in Central Bedfordshire. They are chaired by a Ward Councillor.
These Let’s Talk Together meetings will give residents and community groups the chance to:
• find out more about volunteering, community safety, health services and business support as well as a range of council services such as roads and transport;
• discuss any issues that residents are concerned about within their community; and
• engage with representatives from all key agencies and organisations, such as the police, fire, health, the council and many others who will be at the meetings.
More information about times and venues of meetings can be found at http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/news/news/january-2011-press-releases/talktogether.aspx
Local Enterprise Partnerships
Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) are sub-regional partnerships which bring together businesses, universities and colleges, community groups, social enterprises and local government. Together these partners work closely with government to support inward investment, innovation, economic growth, new enterprise and job creation. LEPs are eligible to make bids to the Government’s £1.4bn regional growth fund.
Central Bedfordshire is part of the South East Midlands LEP which also includes the local authority areas of Bedford Borough, Luton Borough, Milton Keynes, Aylesbury Vale, Cherwell, South Northamptonshire, Northampton, Corby, Kettering, Daventry and Dacorum. The LEP area has a population of over 1.8 million people and 75,000 businesses and accounts for 3.7% of the English economy.
More details can be found on the South East Midlands LEP website http://www.southeastmidlands.org.uk/
The Council’s new Website
The Council has been developing the Central Bedfordshire Council website as part of its overall customer management programme. The objectives of the website are to:
1. save money by switching customers to the web from telephone and face to face contact;
2. give better customer service by enabling self-service through the web; and
3. better community engagement through the use of social media.
When the website goes live in the spring of this year residents will find:
• information is easier to find;
• information that is clearer and easier to understand;
• more opportunities to request services and pay for them online (instead of needing to phone or visit the council); and
• they can get involved in council consultations and decision making through social media.
Nirah
The Nirah concept is to create a world leading research centre, science park and visitor attraction. Central Bedfordshire Council's Executive are supportive of the Nirah vision, in anticipation of its potential to support economic growth and job creation in line with our economic aspirations and will signal a clear step change in our prospects. An estimate of job creation both directly and indirectly is in the order of 5000 jobs.
Nirah Holdings Ltd. is the private company that leads the project. Nirah has secured outline planning permission and the land option for Quest Pit from Hanson’s.
The next stages for the development of this project are:
• to secure the seed capital funding of £41.5M;
• to take the project into full design and gain full planning permission; and
• to secure next stage development capital funding of approximately £500-600M.
Nirah Holdings Ltd is engaged in active negotiations with prospective investors and hopes to secure the investment agreement to proceed with the project in 2011. Those negotiations remain commercially confidential.
Local authorities and public health, contd. (see above)
As part of its fundamental reform of the national health service the Government has set out its ambition for the future of public health, including the establishment of a new body – Public Health England – and the return to local Government of public health leadership and responsibility.
In its public health white paper (Healthy Lives, Healthy People) the Government intends to give back to councils a leading role in improving, promoting and protecting the health of their local communities.
The White Paper is wide ranging and further details on a number of issues are still outstanding including details of public health funding and a further 10 consultation documents on specific aspects of health improvement and health protection. At this stage it is difficult to have a completely clear picture of the proposed new landscape for public health and the role of councils within it.
The main features of the proposals are:
A focus on outcomes - A national outcomes framework for public health will set the broad public health and health inequalities outcomes for all areas and organisations to address. The Government is currently consulting on the outcomes framework.
Transferring public health - From 2013, public health responsibilities currently undertaken by Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) and Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs) will be divided between Public Health England (PHE) and local councils. The Directors of Public Health (DsPH) will move to local authorities and will be jointly appointed by councils and PHE.
Funding and rewards - From 2013, upper-tier and unitary councils will receive a ring-fenced public health grant to improve the health of the population and to reduce health inequalities. A new ‘payment by results’ system will reward Councils for making progress in improving health outcomes and reducing health inequalities.
Public Health England - PHE is charged with “bringing together a fragmented system, it will do nationally what needs to be done; it will have a new protected public health budget; and it will support local action through funding and the provision of evidence, data and professional leadership” It will also allocate ring-fenced funding to local government and rewarding them for progress made against elements of the proposed public health outcomes framework.
Director of Public Health and transfer of public health staff - All upper-tier and unitary authorities will be required to have a DPH, though they can be shared with other councils. DsPH will be employed by local government and jointly appointed with PHE, and will be “the strategic leader for public health in local communities, deploying the local ring-fenced budget to achieve the best possible public health outcomes across the whole local population”. A critical task for DsPH will be to promote health and wellbeing within local government and advise on health inequalities and develop local strategies to reduce them.
Council saves early morning concessionary bus travel
Twirlies can still use their passes before 9.30am after Central Bedfordshire Council reached a significant agreement with local bus companies.
At a meeting in December, members of the Council's Executive decided to make savings on the cost of the Council's concessionary fare scheme by prohibiting free travel for elderly pass holders before 9.30am between Mondays and Fridays.
This wasn't well received by users and after pressure from the Lib Dems and others, the Council went back to the drawing board. A cut of 4.5% in the sum paid to Beds bus service providers for the concessionary service was agreed, to ensure that concessionary bus travellers can continue to use their passes before 9.30 a.m. for the next year.
Are you an early bird? Which bus services do you appreciate? On what days of the week do you use the line? How would it affect you if you had to pay full whack? Do please call phone me to let me know, tel: 0300 300 8550
At a meeting in December, members of the Council's Executive decided to make savings on the cost of the Council's concessionary fare scheme by prohibiting free travel for elderly pass holders before 9.30am between Mondays and Fridays.
This wasn't well received by users and after pressure from the Lib Dems and others, the Council went back to the drawing board. A cut of 4.5% in the sum paid to Beds bus service providers for the concessionary service was agreed, to ensure that concessionary bus travellers can continue to use their passes before 9.30 a.m. for the next year.
Are you an early bird? Which bus services do you appreciate? On what days of the week do you use the line? How would it affect you if you had to pay full whack? Do please call phone me to let me know, tel: 0300 300 8550
Sunday 27 February 2011
More regulation at EU level will bring savings
Government and regulation should be carried out at the level best fitted for the task in hand.
Let me give an example. While it is usual and right for the provision and management of waste collection and road maintenance to be at local level, the safety of medicines is of equal interest and importance to us all, regardless of nationality, so there is a European Medicines Agency to regulate the medicines market centrally, saving the need for and cost of 27 agencies at member state level, each doing their own thing.
There are yet more efficiencies to be achieved by passing other regulatory work from national to EU level. Telecommunications are such an example, now regulated by bodies in each of the 27 member states, quite cumbersome for this global, fast moving and highly innovative market. A private sector company operating with multi-national offices would long since have streamlined the structure.
UK's telecomms regulator Ofcom employs some 800 people; the proposed EU-wide telecomms regulator would start with a staff of 300. And in matters of defence, member states have 90 procurement programmes compared with just 23 in the US. Deeper co-operation in EU defence procurement could save up to 20% in national procurement budgets. It might have also saved the UK being the last to rescue stranded nationals in Libya, if we'd been co-operating on an EU basis.
EU governments are set to agree an increase in the EU budget of 2.9%. They should, at the same time, task the EU with regulation and procurement in areas of global activity, starting with telecommunications and defence procurement, to deliver even greater efficiency savings for us all.
Now is the time to invest in the EU and central regulation where it makes sense and see the investment pay dividends.
Let me give an example. While it is usual and right for the provision and management of waste collection and road maintenance to be at local level, the safety of medicines is of equal interest and importance to us all, regardless of nationality, so there is a European Medicines Agency to regulate the medicines market centrally, saving the need for and cost of 27 agencies at member state level, each doing their own thing.
There are yet more efficiencies to be achieved by passing other regulatory work from national to EU level. Telecommunications are such an example, now regulated by bodies in each of the 27 member states, quite cumbersome for this global, fast moving and highly innovative market. A private sector company operating with multi-national offices would long since have streamlined the structure.
UK's telecomms regulator Ofcom employs some 800 people; the proposed EU-wide telecomms regulator would start with a staff of 300. And in matters of defence, member states have 90 procurement programmes compared with just 23 in the US. Deeper co-operation in EU defence procurement could save up to 20% in national procurement budgets. It might have also saved the UK being the last to rescue stranded nationals in Libya, if we'd been co-operating on an EU basis.
EU governments are set to agree an increase in the EU budget of 2.9%. They should, at the same time, task the EU with regulation and procurement in areas of global activity, starting with telecommunications and defence procurement, to deliver even greater efficiency savings for us all.
Now is the time to invest in the EU and central regulation where it makes sense and see the investment pay dividends.
On the performance of Central Beds' Upper Schools
Central Beds Council ducked out of conceding recently that our upper schools under-perform when measured against the new English Baccalaureate standard.
At the latest six-monthly meeting of Central Beds Council with town and parish councils, delegates were encouraged to leave on the tables any questions that they were unable to raise and have answered during the conference. I can understand why this question found its way to the bottom of the pile on the night, but I'm glad it was asked and that Central Beds will be addressing the issue.
"Q: The outcomes achieved by our Upper Schools in CBC – published today – are not encouraging. Does CBC accept that there is a problem? If so, what is being done, what should be done?
A: The Local Authority is always striving to improve performance in all of our schools.
This year we carried out some focused work with some of our Upper Schools, as well as schools in other phases. We are pleased that there is evidence of real improvement this year in the results achieved by our Upper Schools.
Overall results in Central Bedfordshire were above the national average in 2010 and increased by 4.5% using the commonly used measure of the proportion achieving five or more GCSE grades at C or above, including English and mathematics. Nine out of the ten schools improved their performance. Some by as much as 10 or 11%. We feel sure that this improvement trend can continue this year, although it will be difficult for schools to increase at quite the same rate.
This year the Government has introduced a new measure of performance. This is called the English Baccalaureate. It measures the proportion of students who achieve English, maths, two sciences, a language and a humanities subject (history and geography). Schools have been evaluated using this indicator even though the measure was not planned two years ago when the students started their courses. It is therefore too early to evaluate performance against this indicator, although we will be working with our schools to continue to improve performance further against all indicators.
To see the full report from the conference, visit: http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/councillors/parish/default.aspx
At the latest six-monthly meeting of Central Beds Council with town and parish councils, delegates were encouraged to leave on the tables any questions that they were unable to raise and have answered during the conference. I can understand why this question found its way to the bottom of the pile on the night, but I'm glad it was asked and that Central Beds will be addressing the issue.
"Q: The outcomes achieved by our Upper Schools in CBC – published today – are not encouraging. Does CBC accept that there is a problem? If so, what is being done, what should be done?
A: The Local Authority is always striving to improve performance in all of our schools.
This year we carried out some focused work with some of our Upper Schools, as well as schools in other phases. We are pleased that there is evidence of real improvement this year in the results achieved by our Upper Schools.
Overall results in Central Bedfordshire were above the national average in 2010 and increased by 4.5% using the commonly used measure of the proportion achieving five or more GCSE grades at C or above, including English and mathematics. Nine out of the ten schools improved their performance. Some by as much as 10 or 11%. We feel sure that this improvement trend can continue this year, although it will be difficult for schools to increase at quite the same rate.
This year the Government has introduced a new measure of performance. This is called the English Baccalaureate. It measures the proportion of students who achieve English, maths, two sciences, a language and a humanities subject (history and geography). Schools have been evaluated using this indicator even though the measure was not planned two years ago when the students started their courses. It is therefore too early to evaluate performance against this indicator, although we will be working with our schools to continue to improve performance further against all indicators.
To see the full report from the conference, visit: http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/councillors/parish/default.aspx
Saturday 26 February 2011
End pendulum politics: vote Yes to AV on 5 May
We'll have a once in a generation chance to improve our voting system on 5 May, when I urge you to vote yes to the Alternative Vote (AV) system for national elections.
For those of us who've had enough of the years of pendulum politics that the current first past the post system (FPTP) gives us, AV is a vast improvement. Not as good as full proportional representation in my view, but it's the best that the Liberal Democrats could squeeze out of the Tories in the coalition government and certainly better than the zippo, carry-on-with-the old-ways that would have been served up had the Tories got enough votes at the last election to rule alone.
AV is simple: it just means swapping the ‘X’ on your ballot paper for numbers. You can rate the candidates how you see fit and vote for as many or as few candidates as you like. If you only want to support one candidate, you can: just mark an ‘X’ as you did before. AV gives you the freedom to vote sincerely for any number of candidates you feel are up to the job.
With First Past the Post ('FPTP'), you get just one choice. And that has meant that most MPs – 2 out of 3 of those elected in 2010 - get to parliament with less than half of voters on their side.
What will it mean for our MP? We will still have one MP in our area, but they will have to speak for the majority of our community. They will have to work harder and try to represent more of their constituents’ interests. And they won’t be able to take the people for granted any more. Too many MPs have got used to ‘jobs for life’ in the safe seats the current system has created. AV gives these complacent MPs a wake up call.
To see a video of people saying why they will vote for AV, visit: http://www.yestofairervotes.org/people-say-yes
To sign up to the petition letter urging the Advertising Standards Authority to stop the anti AV campaign's misleading advertising, visit: http://www.yestofairervotes.org/demandmore-demandbetter
For those of us who've had enough of the years of pendulum politics that the current first past the post system (FPTP) gives us, AV is a vast improvement. Not as good as full proportional representation in my view, but it's the best that the Liberal Democrats could squeeze out of the Tories in the coalition government and certainly better than the zippo, carry-on-with-the old-ways that would have been served up had the Tories got enough votes at the last election to rule alone.
AV is simple: it just means swapping the ‘X’ on your ballot paper for numbers. You can rate the candidates how you see fit and vote for as many or as few candidates as you like. If you only want to support one candidate, you can: just mark an ‘X’ as you did before. AV gives you the freedom to vote sincerely for any number of candidates you feel are up to the job.
With First Past the Post ('FPTP'), you get just one choice. And that has meant that most MPs – 2 out of 3 of those elected in 2010 - get to parliament with less than half of voters on their side.
What will it mean for our MP? We will still have one MP in our area, but they will have to speak for the majority of our community. They will have to work harder and try to represent more of their constituents’ interests. And they won’t be able to take the people for granted any more. Too many MPs have got used to ‘jobs for life’ in the safe seats the current system has created. AV gives these complacent MPs a wake up call.
To see a video of people saying why they will vote for AV, visit: http://www.yestofairervotes.org/people-say-yes
To sign up to the petition letter urging the Advertising Standards Authority to stop the anti AV campaign's misleading advertising, visit: http://www.yestofairervotes.org/demandmore-demandbetter
Sunday 20 February 2011
Central Beds' bus service changes from 28 March
On 28 March, 28 bus routes will be changed in some way, mostly curtailed as part of the cost savings exercise.
Two of these relate to the Barton-le-Clay ward:
79 (Centrebus): Luton, Barton Le Clay, Shillington, Meppershall, Shefford, Upper Gravenhurst
Revised timetable. Service via Hexton and Pegsdon withdrawn.
223 (Red Rose): Luton, Upper Sundon, Chalton, Toddington, Harlington, Westoning
This evening service is to be withdrawn.
For the full picture, visit the Council's website at http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/advice-and-benefits/winter-weather/bus-service-changes.aspx
Will this affect you, your life, your loved ones? I'd like to hear from you, tel: 0300 300 8550 or by e-mail janet.nunn@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
Two of these relate to the Barton-le-Clay ward:
79 (Centrebus): Luton, Barton Le Clay, Shillington, Meppershall, Shefford, Upper Gravenhurst
Revised timetable. Service via Hexton and Pegsdon withdrawn.
223 (Red Rose): Luton, Upper Sundon, Chalton, Toddington, Harlington, Westoning
This evening service is to be withdrawn.
For the full picture, visit the Council's website at http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/advice-and-benefits/winter-weather/bus-service-changes.aspx
Will this affect you, your life, your loved ones? I'd like to hear from you, tel: 0300 300 8550 or by e-mail janet.nunn@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
Tuesday 1 February 2011
Rovers' Riders: a BMX skatepark for Barton-le-Clay?
What does Barton-le-Clay (and surrounding villages come to that) offer our teenage young people? The hills are great for picnics, walking and cycling in good weather but not for our many short, dark winter days.
The Youth Club is closed, but do young people want anything organised for them?
Would drama facilities be most in demand (think Glee Club?) or a BMX skatepark? or perhaps just an outdoor youth shelter for friends to hang out without disturbing anyone or having to spend money?
Please let me know what you think by completing the on-line survey by 28 February at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/W3BSDW7
You can also offer to help out with the project, whatever your skills.
Many thanks for your time and support.
The Youth Club is closed, but do young people want anything organised for them?
Would drama facilities be most in demand (think Glee Club?) or a BMX skatepark? or perhaps just an outdoor youth shelter for friends to hang out without disturbing anyone or having to spend money?
Please let me know what you think by completing the on-line survey by 28 February at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/W3BSDW7
You can also offer to help out with the project, whatever your skills.
Many thanks for your time and support.
Friday 28 January 2011
What fate for Maulden Woods?
Forestry Commission land for sale: comment by 21 April
Government's rural affairs department, Defra opened a consultation yesterday about the future ownership and management of the public forest estate in England – land managed by the Forestry Commission on behalf of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. A copy of the consultation document is available through the DEFRA website (www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/index.htm) and the Forestry Commission website (www.forestry.gov.uk/england-pfe-consultation)
It sets out the rationale for a move away from the Government owning and managing significant areas of woodlands in England and the principles which will guide the Government in deciding the way forward. The consultation proposes a mixed model approach to reforming the ownership and management of the public forest estate to create a far greater role for civil society, businesses and individuals.
They invite views on the mixed model approach, the criteria for deciding which parts of the estate fit within each model, the principles guiding each model, the safeguards for providing public benefits, and alternative approaches. They also invite views on the implications for the future role of the Forestry Commission in England.
Ministers have previously announced that a further 40,000 hectares would be sold over the four years period 2011/12 to 2014/15. The sales criteria for the 2011/12 period are also published now. More information on these sales can be found at:
www.forestry.gov.uk/england-woodlandsales
This consultation will be of interest to individuals, communities, businesses and others working or using the public forest estate. It will also be of interest to potential investors and the partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors.
It has been prepared by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Forestry Commission.
The consultation will run for 12 weeks and will close on 21st April 2011 and includes:
* Consultation letter (PDF 120 KB)
* Consultation document (PDF 380 KB)
* List of consultees (PDF 30 KB)
* Map (PDF 2.7 MB, large file size)
* Impact Assessment (PDF 1 MB)
* Equality Impact Assessment (PDF 300 KB)
* Sales criteria (PDF 200 KB)
How to respond
Name: Public Forest Estate - Consultation co-ordinator
Address: Forestry Commission England, 620 Bristol Business Park, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1EJ
Email: publicconsultation@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
This is a joint Forestry Commission/Defra consultation and responses can either be submitted online or by post.
If you need this publication in an alternative format, for example in large print or in another language, please contact
The Diversity Team
Forestry Commission
Silvan House
231 Corstophine Road
Edinburgh
EH12 7AT
Telephone: 0131 314 6575
Email: diversity@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
Government's rural affairs department, Defra opened a consultation yesterday about the future ownership and management of the public forest estate in England – land managed by the Forestry Commission on behalf of the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. A copy of the consultation document is available through the DEFRA website (www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/index.htm) and the Forestry Commission website (www.forestry.gov.uk/england-pfe-consultation)
It sets out the rationale for a move away from the Government owning and managing significant areas of woodlands in England and the principles which will guide the Government in deciding the way forward. The consultation proposes a mixed model approach to reforming the ownership and management of the public forest estate to create a far greater role for civil society, businesses and individuals.
They invite views on the mixed model approach, the criteria for deciding which parts of the estate fit within each model, the principles guiding each model, the safeguards for providing public benefits, and alternative approaches. They also invite views on the implications for the future role of the Forestry Commission in England.
Ministers have previously announced that a further 40,000 hectares would be sold over the four years period 2011/12 to 2014/15. The sales criteria for the 2011/12 period are also published now. More information on these sales can be found at:
www.forestry.gov.uk/england-woodlandsales
This consultation will be of interest to individuals, communities, businesses and others working or using the public forest estate. It will also be of interest to potential investors and the partners in the public, private and voluntary sectors.
It has been prepared by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Forestry Commission.
The consultation will run for 12 weeks and will close on 21st April 2011 and includes:
* Consultation letter (PDF 120 KB)
* Consultation document (PDF 380 KB)
* List of consultees (PDF 30 KB)
* Map (PDF 2.7 MB, large file size)
* Impact Assessment (PDF 1 MB)
* Equality Impact Assessment (PDF 300 KB)
* Sales criteria (PDF 200 KB)
How to respond
Name: Public Forest Estate - Consultation co-ordinator
Address: Forestry Commission England, 620 Bristol Business Park, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1EJ
Email: publicconsultation@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
This is a joint Forestry Commission/Defra consultation and responses can either be submitted online or by post.
If you need this publication in an alternative format, for example in large print or in another language, please contact
The Diversity Team
Forestry Commission
Silvan House
231 Corstophine Road
Edinburgh
EH12 7AT
Telephone: 0131 314 6575
Email: diversity@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
Tuesday 25 January 2011
Help the police prioritise the pennies
Bedfordshire Police Authority needs to know what you think so that they can set the right priorities and invest in services that are important to you. By completing their 10-15 minute survey you are helping with this.
You may be aware that many areas of the public sector are being asked to make significant savings. Bedfordshire Police Authority will see its budget of £104m reduced by £19 million over the next four years. Most of the savings need to be found in the first two years, £6.3m in 2011/12 and an additional reduction of £5.6m in 2012/13.
Please click on link to an online survey that will take 10-15 minutes
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3P8SCX6
Unfortunately they only wrote out on 11 January and the completion date for the survey was Monday 24th January 2011, but I have been assured that the results will feed into a seminar of Police Authority Members at the end of January and a Police Authority Meeting in late February. Also, any comments left after February will still be of value as the Police Authority will start work on budget issues for 2012/13 in April.
Any residents who would like to complete the survey but do not have access to the internet can obtain a paper copy from Sam, see below. Police Authority Members will also be attending some of the ‘Let’s Talk Together’ meetings that are taking place across Central Bedfordshire every quarter.
Sam Orcheston-Findlay
Community Engagement Officer
Bedfordshire Police Authority
Woburn Road
Kempston
Bedfordshire
01234 842208
You may be aware that many areas of the public sector are being asked to make significant savings. Bedfordshire Police Authority will see its budget of £104m reduced by £19 million over the next four years. Most of the savings need to be found in the first two years, £6.3m in 2011/12 and an additional reduction of £5.6m in 2012/13.
Please click on link to an online survey that will take 10-15 minutes
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3P8SCX6
Unfortunately they only wrote out on 11 January and the completion date for the survey was Monday 24th January 2011, but I have been assured that the results will feed into a seminar of Police Authority Members at the end of January and a Police Authority Meeting in late February. Also, any comments left after February will still be of value as the Police Authority will start work on budget issues for 2012/13 in April.
Any residents who would like to complete the survey but do not have access to the internet can obtain a paper copy from Sam, see below. Police Authority Members will also be attending some of the ‘Let’s Talk Together’ meetings that are taking place across Central Bedfordshire every quarter.
Sam Orcheston-Findlay
Community Engagement Officer
Bedfordshire Police Authority
Woburn Road
Kempston
Bedfordshire
01234 842208
Books on wheels: are you being served?
Both Streatley and now Sundon Parish Councils have asked for support in saving their mobile libraries; neither have said how many people rely on this service, only that some people do and the alternatives of getting into Barton-le-Clay or Luton are not feasible for those people.
The outgoing chair of Streatley PC, Geoffrey Farr, spoke at their last meeting of his willingness to be a voluntary driver for a new initiative being set up there a la Big Society to drive people to local places for such things as medical appointments. I suspect the need to visit a library would be eligible for such trips if the mobile library is axed.
I'm trying to find out how much the mobile library is used in the various areas in Central Beds and how vital it is to the lives of those who use it; how much it costs and whether one person runs each van or if it is over-staffed?
Some people with longer experience of local politics than me say it is the seasoned middle-brow campaigners who fight for such things, not those who use the service. I'm all ears to hear your views about what you value.
The outgoing chair of Streatley PC, Geoffrey Farr, spoke at their last meeting of his willingness to be a voluntary driver for a new initiative being set up there a la Big Society to drive people to local places for such things as medical appointments. I suspect the need to visit a library would be eligible for such trips if the mobile library is axed.
I'm trying to find out how much the mobile library is used in the various areas in Central Beds and how vital it is to the lives of those who use it; how much it costs and whether one person runs each van or if it is over-staffed?
Some people with longer experience of local politics than me say it is the seasoned middle-brow campaigners who fight for such things, not those who use the service. I'm all ears to hear your views about what you value.
Local Transport Plan 3 - have your say
Want the footpath between Sharpenhoe and Barton-le-Clay finishing? Want the car parking provision improved near your shops? Write in now before 11 February to have your say.
Central Bedfordshire Council is asking residents for their views on a draft Local Transport Plan 3 (LTP3), mapping provision over the next 15 years, which is available online.
The plan outlines a long term framework for investment in roads, railways, buses and car parking as well as looking at accommodating cyclists and pedestrians across the whole of Central Bedfordshire. The council is also working with surrounding authorities such as Luton, Bedford, Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes, to ensure that all journeys across the borders are looked at within the plan.
Central Beds Council is now asking for further comments about the draft document which will be presented to Executive on February 15 before being formally adopted in April.
LTP3 also contains a shorter term implementation plan which will be updated on an annual basis, as well as a programme of schemes to be delivered over a three year period.
The draft LTP3 is available to view online at www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/transport-and-streets/policy/LTP/what-it-says.aspx and in hard copies at Central Bedfordshire Council's customer service centres and all libraries including the mobile library. The deadline for comments is Friday 11 February.
Central Bedfordshire Council is asking residents for their views on a draft Local Transport Plan 3 (LTP3), mapping provision over the next 15 years, which is available online.
The plan outlines a long term framework for investment in roads, railways, buses and car parking as well as looking at accommodating cyclists and pedestrians across the whole of Central Bedfordshire. The council is also working with surrounding authorities such as Luton, Bedford, Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes, to ensure that all journeys across the borders are looked at within the plan.
Central Beds Council is now asking for further comments about the draft document which will be presented to Executive on February 15 before being formally adopted in April.
LTP3 also contains a shorter term implementation plan which will be updated on an annual basis, as well as a programme of schemes to be delivered over a three year period.
The draft LTP3 is available to view online at www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/transport-and-streets/policy/LTP/what-it-says.aspx and in hard copies at Central Bedfordshire Council's customer service centres and all libraries including the mobile library. The deadline for comments is Friday 11 February.
Wednesday 5 January 2011
National parks: assets for sweating
The Department for Environment and Rural Affairs, Defra, is inviting views on the governance of the 10 English national parks and the Broads, which are assets being considered for sweating by the government.
Fair do, you may think, since everything is being looked at, but we leave such matters to those in Whitehall and Westminster at our peril. These glorious beauty spots are our national heritage and we owe it to generations to come to assure their survival in pristine form.
I’m pleased to read that the proposal is to retain an independent National Park Authority (NPA) for each of the national parks and the Broads. Good governance of national parks is essential. The current governance system ensures local input via the local authority (LA) appointee route and the parish council (PC) appointee route and should be maintained subject to improvement.
I offer four suggestions for improvement of the governance process:
1. Insist that the PC appointee must have been elected onto the PC, to ensure the appointee has a real mandate from people living within the local area.
2. Remove the cap on the length of time the LA appointee may serve on the NPA, making it equivalent to the system for PC appointees and allow prolonged access to local expertise.
3. Make the draft advertisement for national members available on the Defra website to invite ideas for improvement and maximise confidence in the appointment process.
4. Oblige declarations of interest at the outset and at regular intervals not only by those on the governing bodies of the NPAs, but also by the officials working at the NPAs.
I appreciate that this last is a new departure, but it is one that would demonstrate openness and would address in part the fear picked up in media coverage that England may sell off some of these natural assets to help with the nation’s current fiscal difficulties, without due care and consideration for the longer term implications for our national heritage. Those involved in this work need to show at all times that they remain squeaky clean and are not benefiting in any way from any subsequent sale or change of status of the assets in question.
Good governance is vital and your views are sought now, by 31 January, on this by Jeff Coast, follow link http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/nationalpark-governance/index.htm
I've already given my views as a hiker, cyclist and YHA family member, and am keen to hear the views of constituents so I may also submit views as a Councillor; please pop into my surgery at Barton library on Saturday 8th or let me have your views by 21 January on tel: 0300 300 8550 or janet.nunn@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
Fair do, you may think, since everything is being looked at, but we leave such matters to those in Whitehall and Westminster at our peril. These glorious beauty spots are our national heritage and we owe it to generations to come to assure their survival in pristine form.
I’m pleased to read that the proposal is to retain an independent National Park Authority (NPA) for each of the national parks and the Broads. Good governance of national parks is essential. The current governance system ensures local input via the local authority (LA) appointee route and the parish council (PC) appointee route and should be maintained subject to improvement.
I offer four suggestions for improvement of the governance process:
1. Insist that the PC appointee must have been elected onto the PC, to ensure the appointee has a real mandate from people living within the local area.
2. Remove the cap on the length of time the LA appointee may serve on the NPA, making it equivalent to the system for PC appointees and allow prolonged access to local expertise.
3. Make the draft advertisement for national members available on the Defra website to invite ideas for improvement and maximise confidence in the appointment process.
4. Oblige declarations of interest at the outset and at regular intervals not only by those on the governing bodies of the NPAs, but also by the officials working at the NPAs.
I appreciate that this last is a new departure, but it is one that would demonstrate openness and would address in part the fear picked up in media coverage that England may sell off some of these natural assets to help with the nation’s current fiscal difficulties, without due care and consideration for the longer term implications for our national heritage. Those involved in this work need to show at all times that they remain squeaky clean and are not benefiting in any way from any subsequent sale or change of status of the assets in question.
Good governance is vital and your views are sought now, by 31 January, on this by Jeff Coast, follow link http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/nationalpark-governance/index.htm
I've already given my views as a hiker, cyclist and YHA family member, and am keen to hear the views of constituents so I may also submit views as a Councillor; please pop into my surgery at Barton library on Saturday 8th or let me have your views by 21 January on tel: 0300 300 8550 or janet.nunn@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
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