General

The Police and Crime Commissioner is consulting with residents of Bedfordshire on:

1. Road Safety in Bedfordshire – https://t.co/kPh9JeMBw7 closes 11 June.

2. Bedfordshire Police Web-Based (online) reporting services – https://t.co/rHq1PzqxCT closes 26 May.

We are sharing information about the consultations on our social media pages @BedsOPCC but it would be great if you could share this opportunity or retweet/share our social media posts re the consultations with your contacts and the local community so we can reach all.

We are also hosting a Multi-Faith Networking Event on Tuesday 20 June 2023 at the Rufus Centre in Flitwick, further information including how to reserve your space can be found on our website here or you can email our office at PCC@beds.police.uk.

Thank you in advance.

The Cabinet Office has launched a new system that will give the Government and emergency services the capability to send an alert directly to mobile phones when there is a risk to life. A UK-wide alerts test will take place at 15.00 on Sunday 23 April which will see people receive a test message on their mobile phones. The Emergency Alerts system will allow the government to get urgent messages quickly to nearly 90 per cent of mobile phones in a defined area. The system is now ready to be tested across the country following successful tests in East Suffolk and Reading. The alerts will only ever come from the Government or emergency services, and they will issue a warning, the details of the area impacted, and instructions about how best to respond. The Government has produced a toolkit to help councils communicate key messages as part of the Emergency Alerts campaign. This includes some key messages for motorists which may be useful, particularly given some concerns raised in the media by motoring organisations this week. An FAQ document has also been created. Although the Government is strongly recommending that people do not opt out of the service, there are concerns about vulnerable groups and especially those experiencing domestic abuse. There is information on how to opt out in the FAQs, and Refuge has produced a video on how to do this.  

Cllr’s Adam Zerny and Tracey Wye are backing a petition which would seek to prevent HGVs using Potton as a shortcut. There would be exceptions for those vehicles delivering in the area or heading to/from base. Similar bans could potentially be extended to Everton, Dunton, Eyeworth and Sutton. To find out how to sign, click here.

There was a Public Meeting in Little Gransden last month to allow residents to express their views about the relocation of the Luton airport holding arrangements and proposed expansion plans.  If you are interested in more detail a good place to start is the article Adam Zerny, our Independent CBC Councillor wrote last year which you can find here:

https://adamzerny.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=5792c34beda77d6df3c5b79ee&id=be96f00e46&e=77e4d9e7a8

The meeting was well attended; the main presentation can be read here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/relas.ad6/files/files

Some of the key points to take away:

• The review process runs to September 2023
• Current flight volumes are “just the tip of the iceberg”. Growth to take advantage of under-utilised airspace (time) windows and addition of night flights could eventually lead to 2 aircraft per minute for 21 hours per day
• The outcome of the review is not a done deal. There are still plenty of opportunities to have your say – don’t assume others are doing this

There is a lot we as individuals can do to express our views. The official channel to use to lodge complaints is the TraVis portal (https://travisltn.topsonic.aero/), or send an email to noise@ltn.aero.  You must include your full name, address and postcode for it to be accepted.  And if you are going to complain you must include how you have been impacted, for example an interrupted conversation, being woken up, broken concentration while working from home or interruption to a zoom call, etc.  Complaints without any indication of impact will likely be dismissed.

Ultimately this matter rests in the hands of MPs so if you feel strongly write to our MP at:

Richard Fuller MP

MP for North East Bedfordshire

House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA

I am very grateful to James Bonfield for his comprehensive report from the meeting, which I have taken this summary from.

Councillor Andy Ewens

Wrestlingworth & Cockayne Hatley Parish Council

The Wrestlingworth & Cockayne Hatley annual village tidy was on Saturday 11^th March.  The Parish Council would like to thank everyone who took part, it has made a big difference to our villages.  The Tidy Up was organised by the Parish Walking & Wildlife Group and particular thanks are due the Chair, Nicola Adkins for all her efforts in planning along with the PWWG Committee and for managing the activities on the day.  At lot was achieved, everyone felt we could do more, so planning is already underway for a bigger effort next year.  It would be good to see more village residents taking part next year.

Wrestlingworth & Cockayne Hatley Parish Council

Garden waste collections to resume from 27 February 

Following the winter break, we are pleased to announce the restart of household kerbside garden waste collections across Central Bedfordshire.   

Our crews will be springing into action to collect garden waste from 27 February, on your normal recycling day.   

Remember to place your bin out by 7am on your recycling day with all garden waste inside your garden bin/bags.  If you have any large branches, trunks or plants, these can be included if they are cut into smaller pieces.   

What can go in the garden waste bin/bags?  

Here’s a handy list of what you can and can’t include in your garden waste:  

Yes please: 

·       grass cuttings 

·       plants and weeds 

·       flowers, pot plants and prunings 

·       hedge clippings 

·       leaves and bark 

·       pond plants 

No thank you:  

·       food waste 

·       kitchen/general household waste 

·       compostable bags/packaging 

·       soil and turf 

·       rubble and hardcore 

·       wood or glass 

·       animal or pet bedding/waste 

·       plastic bags or plant pots 

You can find your next collection day by visiting the Central Bedfordshire Council website.  

The Election Act 2022 will come into force for the Local and Parish Elections on 4^th May.  The most significant change will be that all electors voting in person will require some form of accepted photographic ID.  We have updated our website to include all of the accepted forms of ID.

Electoral Registration and Elections | Central Bedfordshire Council

For those electors who don’t have one of the approved forms of photographic ID they can apply for the free Voter Authority Certificate (VAC) via the government portal.  Apply for photo ID to vote (called a ‘Voter Authority Certificate’) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

See page below for the first Village Link !

Village Link First Edition ! – Wrestlingworth & Cockayne Hatley Parish Council (wrestlingworthandcockaynehatley-pc.gov.uk)