Police and Crime Commissioner Resident Consulation

 

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

 

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

 

 

  1. 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.

 

Kind Regards,

 

Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner

Emergency alert system and test on 23 April 

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.  

Luton Airport Expansion Plans

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

Village Tidy Up

The Wrestlingworth & Cockayne Hatley annual village tidy was on Saturday 11th 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 

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.  

Petition calls for 20mph zone in Wrestlingworth – Biggleswade Today Article

A petition is calling for a 20mph speed zone in Wrestlingworth to stop drivers “hurtling” through the village and putting lives in danger.

The campaign was started by parish councillor Julie Dix, who moved to the area during lockdown and was left appalled by the “ridiculous” speed of drivers.

Councillors and residents out in protest. Pictured are residents with Councillor Zerny (right), Councillor Dix (second from right), Cllr Wye (third from left) and chair of Wrestlingworth and Cockayne Hatley Parish Council, James Kirkpatrick (second from left). Image: Councillor Zerny.

Councillors and residents out in protest. Pictured are residents with Councillor Zerny (right), Councillor Dix (second from right), Cllr Wye (third from left) and chair of Wrestlingworth and Cockayne Hatley Parish Council, James Kirkpatrick (second from left). Image: Councillor Zerny.

“A driver could also come face on to a horse rider quite quickly, and then of course there’s the village school…”

The petition was accepted by Wrestlingworth and Cockayne Hatley Parish Council on Friday (February 3) will the full support of all members.

Cllr Zerny added: “Anyone can sign the petition as long as they live, work or study in Central Bedfordshire. More than one person per household can sign.”

To add your name, visit the Central Bedfordshire Council website and search for ‘current e-petitions’, or click here. The petition link is also available on the We Love Wrestlingworth and Cockayne Hatley Facebook page, and the Parish Council Facebook page. Posters with QR code for the petition will also appear around the village and in local businesses soon.

A Central Bedfordshire Council spokeswoman said: “We take road safety in Central Bedfordshire extremely seriously and once this petition is submitted, we would be happy to review and consider it at our Traffic Management Meeting.”

20MPH ZONE FOR WRESTLINGWORTH

SIGN THE PETITION TO GET A 20MPH ZONE FOR WRESTLINGWORTH
Wrestlingworth residents have now begun a petition to push for a 20mph zone through the village. If more than 100 people sign it then CBC will have to consider it formally, at a committee meeting in the coming months.
Anyone can sign the petition as long as they live, work or study in Central Bedfordshire. More than one person per household can sign.
The petition runs until 17th March.
Please support Wrestlingworth!

The Election Act 2022

The Election Act 2022 will come into force for the Local and Parish Elections on 4th 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)