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.
Tuesday, 25 January 2011
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
Thursday, 30 December 2010
Housing consultation to close 1 April 2011
Central Bedfordshire Council is inviting residents and businesses to help shape a new Housing Strategy that will guide provision for the five years between 2011-2016.
The strategy, which sets out the vision and aims for housing in Central Bedfordshire, places housing matters in context with other social affairs such as crime reduction, bringing communities together, enhancing neighbourhoods and improving health.
It is an over-arching document that encompasses plans such as the Homelessness Strategy, housing for older people and the new Empty Homes Strategy, which was published in November.
The strategy also explains how the council works, and will work, in partnership with other organisations to deliver its housing plans.
Public consultation on the Housing Strategy will start on Tuesday 4 January 2011 and last for 12 weeks until Friday 1 April 2011.
You can view a copy of the Housing Strategy and have your say on the consultation through one of the following ways:
Visit the consultations section of Central Bedfordshire Council’s website www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/consultations/default.aspx ; or
Pick up a paper copy from either the Council Offices at either Central Bedfordshire Council, Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford, SG17 5TQ or Central Bedfordshire Council, Watling House, High Street North, Dunstable, LU6 1LF.
If you would prefer a copy to be sent to you, or for further information, please contact John Goody, either by telephone on 0300 300 4449 or at Central Bedfordshire Council, Technology House, 239 Ampthill Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 9QQ.
The strategy, which sets out the vision and aims for housing in Central Bedfordshire, places housing matters in context with other social affairs such as crime reduction, bringing communities together, enhancing neighbourhoods and improving health.
It is an over-arching document that encompasses plans such as the Homelessness Strategy, housing for older people and the new Empty Homes Strategy, which was published in November.
The strategy also explains how the council works, and will work, in partnership with other organisations to deliver its housing plans.
Public consultation on the Housing Strategy will start on Tuesday 4 January 2011 and last for 12 weeks until Friday 1 April 2011.
You can view a copy of the Housing Strategy and have your say on the consultation through one of the following ways:
Visit the consultations section of Central Bedfordshire Council’s website www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/consultations/default.aspx ; or
Pick up a paper copy from either the Council Offices at either Central Bedfordshire Council, Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford, SG17 5TQ or Central Bedfordshire Council, Watling House, High Street North, Dunstable, LU6 1LF.
If you would prefer a copy to be sent to you, or for further information, please contact John Goody, either by telephone on 0300 300 4449 or at Central Bedfordshire Council, Technology House, 239 Ampthill Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire, MK42 9QQ.
Friday, 24 December 2010
Identity cards to go; school finger-printing next?
Identity cards were officially scrapped on Tuesday 21 December when the Identity Documents Bill was granted Royal Assent. Liberal Democrats have consistently campaigned against ID cards, a scheme introduced by the previous Labour Government. All existing ID cards will be cancelled within one month, and the National Identity Register will be destroyed within two months. The move has saved £845m in planned future investment over the next ten years.
But what about the various finger-printing systems ushered in by schools to help them go cash-less for school meals or card-less for borrowing from the school library? They're still alive and well here in Central Bedfordshire, much to my chagrin.
When will they go? Indeed, how many other schools have introduced ID systems for our minors and when will they be outlawed?
What are your views and experience of this abuse of personal data? I'd like to hear from you.
But what about the various finger-printing systems ushered in by schools to help them go cash-less for school meals or card-less for borrowing from the school library? They're still alive and well here in Central Bedfordshire, much to my chagrin.
When will they go? Indeed, how many other schools have introduced ID systems for our minors and when will they be outlawed?
What are your views and experience of this abuse of personal data? I'd like to hear from you.
Friday, 10 December 2010
Street Traders braced for scalping
You have until 9 January to let Central Bedfordshire Council know your views on their new draft licensing policy for street traders, which proposes to designate all streets within the authority as 'consent streets' for which a licence must be obtained for trading.
The proposed fee is £280 one-off or £750 for an annual fee.
Local resident and former guides' leader, Madeleine Burr, thought the one-off fee would be enough to kill-off the generations-old initiative of fund-raising from cake stalls and such in the community if they had to buy a licence at these prices.
For further details see www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/licensingconsultation
Please send any comments to licensing.section@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk by 9 January or write to:
Licensing Team,
Public Protection,
Central Bedfordshire Council,
The Council Offices,
High Street North,
Dunstable LU6 1LF.
The proposed fee is £280 one-off or £750 for an annual fee.
Local resident and former guides' leader, Madeleine Burr, thought the one-off fee would be enough to kill-off the generations-old initiative of fund-raising from cake stalls and such in the community if they had to buy a licence at these prices.
For further details see www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/licensingconsultation
Please send any comments to licensing.section@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk by 9 January or write to:
Licensing Team,
Public Protection,
Central Bedfordshire Council,
The Council Offices,
High Street North,
Dunstable LU6 1LF.
Barton-le-Clay ward boundary change afoot
Barton-le-Clay is due to lose Bushmead, Sharpenhoe, Streatley and Sundon as it shrinks to become a one Member ward with effect from May 2011, serving the residents of Barton-le-Clay alone.
This is not what the Liberal Democrats had proposed; we'd suggested adding Pulloxhill, most of whose children attend the Barton-le-Clay schools, in order to make the small adjustment needed to keep the ward a two-member one. But the Boundary Commission ruled otherwise, ignoring our views and those of Streatley Parish Council that had also written to the Boundary Commission asking to remain within the Barton-le-Clay ward owing to shared services and resources, again not least the schools.
Overall, new arrangements are that newly recommended electoral arrangements for Central Bedfordshire will see a reduction in the number of councillors from 66 to 59 and ward boundaries redrawn.Other planned changes include:
Central Bedfordshire Council will consist of 31 electoral wards.
These will be made up of 9 three-member wards, 10 two-member wards and 12 single-member wards. This contrasts with the current arrangement of 5 four-member wards and 23 two-member wards.
The final recommendations contain revisions not only to the council’s ward arrangements but consequently to parish ward arrangements for the parishes of Biggleswade, Dunstable, Houghton Regis and Leighton-Linslade.
The number of councillors in the newly drawn ward boundaries has been based on the size of the electorate in 2008 and the projected electorate size in 2015.
Parliament must now implement the proposed new arrangements and an Order – the legal document which brings into force the recommendations – will be laid in Parliament in the coming weeks.
The draft Order allows for the new electoral arrangements to come into force for the next council elections in May 2011.
This is not what the Liberal Democrats had proposed; we'd suggested adding Pulloxhill, most of whose children attend the Barton-le-Clay schools, in order to make the small adjustment needed to keep the ward a two-member one. But the Boundary Commission ruled otherwise, ignoring our views and those of Streatley Parish Council that had also written to the Boundary Commission asking to remain within the Barton-le-Clay ward owing to shared services and resources, again not least the schools.
Overall, new arrangements are that newly recommended electoral arrangements for Central Bedfordshire will see a reduction in the number of councillors from 66 to 59 and ward boundaries redrawn.Other planned changes include:
Central Bedfordshire Council will consist of 31 electoral wards.
These will be made up of 9 three-member wards, 10 two-member wards and 12 single-member wards. This contrasts with the current arrangement of 5 four-member wards and 23 two-member wards.
The final recommendations contain revisions not only to the council’s ward arrangements but consequently to parish ward arrangements for the parishes of Biggleswade, Dunstable, Houghton Regis and Leighton-Linslade.
The number of councillors in the newly drawn ward boundaries has been based on the size of the electorate in 2008 and the projected electorate size in 2015.
Parliament must now implement the proposed new arrangements and an Order – the legal document which brings into force the recommendations – will be laid in Parliament in the coming weeks.
The draft Order allows for the new electoral arrangements to come into force for the next council elections in May 2011.
Gypsy and Traveller site consultation
Residents in Central Bedfordshire are being asked for their comments on a Draft Submission version of the Gypsy and Traveller Development Plan Document by 5pm on Wednesday 2nd February.
The document sets out Central Bedfordshire Council’s chosen sites for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation (23 pitches plus 4 pitches for Travelling Showpeople) for the former Mid Bedfordshire area. It also contains policies against which the determination of future planning applications for Gypsy and Traveller related proposals will be made.
The sites selected are:
eight pitches at Old Acres, Barton Road, Pulloxhill;
two pitches on land off Westoning Road, Greenfield;
ten pitches on land at the rear of Hitchin Road, Arlesey;
three pitches at Oak Tree Nursery & Magpie Farm, Upper Caldecote; and
four pitches to be placed at Kennel Farm in Biggleswade for Travelling Showpeople.
A permanent Gypsy and Traveller pitch is the space required to accommodate one household and their caravans, parking space and enough room for the turning of vehicles.
Documents which include maps of the locations and the accompanying Sustainability Appraisal are available to view and download at www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/GTLDFNorth and residents are urged to make comments online. Once registered as a user, residents will be able to comment online on all of the future LDF documents.
If you wish to make comments by email or in writing, you can download a comments form from the CBC website. Paper copies of the document and comment forms will also be available at the council offices in Dunstable and Chicksands, customer service centres and libraries around Central Bedfordshire.
All comments received will be passed on to an Independent Planning Inspector who will assess the documents in a public examination. Only those residents who make objections at this stage will be able to participate in the examination.
For further information you can contact the LDF North Team on 0300 300 8000 or email ldf@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.
The document sets out Central Bedfordshire Council’s chosen sites for Gypsy and Traveller accommodation (23 pitches plus 4 pitches for Travelling Showpeople) for the former Mid Bedfordshire area. It also contains policies against which the determination of future planning applications for Gypsy and Traveller related proposals will be made.
The sites selected are:
eight pitches at Old Acres, Barton Road, Pulloxhill;
two pitches on land off Westoning Road, Greenfield;
ten pitches on land at the rear of Hitchin Road, Arlesey;
three pitches at Oak Tree Nursery & Magpie Farm, Upper Caldecote; and
four pitches to be placed at Kennel Farm in Biggleswade for Travelling Showpeople.
A permanent Gypsy and Traveller pitch is the space required to accommodate one household and their caravans, parking space and enough room for the turning of vehicles.
Documents which include maps of the locations and the accompanying Sustainability Appraisal are available to view and download at www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/GTLDFNorth and residents are urged to make comments online. Once registered as a user, residents will be able to comment online on all of the future LDF documents.
If you wish to make comments by email or in writing, you can download a comments form from the CBC website. Paper copies of the document and comment forms will also be available at the council offices in Dunstable and Chicksands, customer service centres and libraries around Central Bedfordshire.
All comments received will be passed on to an Independent Planning Inspector who will assess the documents in a public examination. Only those residents who make objections at this stage will be able to participate in the examination.
For further information you can contact the LDF North Team on 0300 300 8000 or email ldf@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.
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