Latest News and Events in and around Heath and Reach
What’s happening when, where, who…
Community Priority Setting Meeting
Following on from the last priority meeting 4 months ago, which only seems like yesterday, I would like to invite you to attend the quarterly Leighton Buzzard & Rural Community Policing Team Community Priority Setting Meeting. The purpose of the meeting is for the local community to identify and agree two priorities that they would like the team to focus on for the next quarter. The meeting will include an update on progress against our current community priorities, which were set at the last meeting as HVG weight restriction breaches and speeding Stanbridge, Tilsworth, Great Billington, and Toddington, and aggressive cycling on pavements Wing Road Linslade.
This time the meeting will be held at Toddington Village Hall, Leighton Road, Toddington, 7 pm – 8.30 pm on Friday 6th December 2019.
PC 6923 Jim Maden
Community Policing Team | Leighton Buzzard
Bedfordshire Police
Police & Fire Hub
Lake Street
Leighton Buzzard
LU7 1RT
Email: james.maden2@bedfordshire.pnn.police.uk
‘Have Your Say’ and complete our anonymous survey. Tell us what are your priorities where you live and work. It takes under 1 minute! CLICK HERE
Posted 12.11.2019
Kerbside garden waste suspension
Kerbside garden waste suspension will take place between Monday, 9 December 2019 and Friday, 28 February 2020 inclusive. The service will resume as normal on Monday, 2 March 2020.
During this period all other waste collections will take place as normal.
Posted: 14.10.2019
Updated Bus Pass Application Procedure
Central Bedfordshire Council has recently launched an online bus pass application process allowing customers to apply for their bus pass through the Central Bedfordshire Council website. This is the culmination of many months of work to bring this online offering to the public. Residents of Central Bedfordshire can apply for age-related and disabled passes through the online service – known as My Bus Pass, as well as get a replacement pass or request a renewal. If customers require assistance with their applications this can be accessed via email or telephone.
At the same time, the administration of bus pass applications has passed from our Customer Services Team to a dedicated team at Euclid Ltd who currently provide our bus pass card management and production. They carry out this bureau service for a number of local authorities and are experts in the field. Along with the online portal, we hope this will significantly streamline the bus pass application process for customers.
Customers can still continue to apply by post if they wish, the latest application form can be printed from the Central Bedfordshire website or a paper copy can be requested by telephone.
If you have an enquiry office or regularly deal with enquiries regarding bus passes, can I please ask that you refer customers to the online portal or email/telephone service, detailed below, for the fastest service. If you regularly give out bus pass forms for residents to complete, can I please ask that you ensure these are the most up-to-date forms available from the website? We do still get examples of the pre-2018 form submitted which unfortunately is no longer accurate, particularly for customers wishing to apply for a disabled person’s bus pass.
The updated details for Central Bedfordshire Bus Pass Applications are as follows:
Online information, form downloads and application portal home page: https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/info/55/transport_roads_and_parking/577/bus_pass_applications_-_apply_for_an_older_persons_or_disabled_persons_bus_pass
Email Assistance: centralbeds@mybuspass.co.uk
Telephone Assistance:
0300 300 8308 (please press the appropriate button for bus pass enquiries)
Postal Applications:
Central Bedfordshire Bus Pass Applications, PO Box 212, WATERLOOVILLE, PO7 6ZN
Posted: 15.8.2019
What's on until December 2019
Click on the poster image above to download a copy of the Leighton Buzzard-Linslade Event Calendar for 2019.
Expires 31.12.2019
Could you foster?
Please click on the picture above to be taken to the Nexus Fostering Website.
What do you think of the roads across Central Bedfordshire?
We are just one of over 100 Local Authorities to sign up to the National Highways and Transport Public (NHT) Satisfaction Survey. The standardised survey that will ask members of the public exactly the same questions, whether they live in Central Bedfordshire, Edinburgh or London. Participating councils can then compare results and share best practice.
The online survey is open to all Central Bedfordshire residents and covers views about highways maintenance including roads and pavements, potholes, street lighting, drain clearance and gritting as well as looking at traffic congestion, road safety and accessibility.
There are real benefits to conducting a public survey like this as it will enable us to find out what residents think about the highways maintenance services and discover which services they think should be prioritised and improved upon.
The survey which is open until 31 January is available online.
A paper version of the questionnaire was sent to a minimum random sample of at least 3,000 Central Bedfordshire residents earlier this year, with local and national results to be published in the new year. The results of the paper survey and online survey will be combined, and results published in Spring 2020.
Posted: 13.11.2019
Polling Day - 12th December. Are you registered to Vote?
CBC review of its polling places and polling districts.
Central Bedfordshire Council is conducting a review of its polling places and polling districts.
The review is an ideal opportunity for electors, town and parish councils, community groups and other interested people to share their opinions on the existing polling district boundaries, polling places, and polling stations and, where possible, suggest alternative solutions. Although a review is carried out every five years, it does not prevent changes being made at any time between reviews.
To have your say, fill out a questionnaire online at www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/consultations. The consultation is open until 11 December 2019.
Residents can also get a paper copy of the questionnaire by post or e-mail: Electoral Services, Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands SG17 5TQ or electoral.registration@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
Partnerships and Community Engagement
Chief Executive’s Team
Central Bedfordshire Council
Posted: 31.10.2019
Greensand Country Landscape Partnership Newsletter
Welcome to the 4th Edition of the Greensand Country Landscape Partnership Newsletter.
To find out what’s happening, please click on the following link – Greensand Trust Newsletter – Q3
Have your say on changes to dog control orders and antisocial drinking orders
A blanket rule requiring dogs to be on leads in any open space with a marked sports pitch could be relaxed, but residents will be consulted before any action is taken.
We believe the current requirement that dogs are kept on a lead in any park with a pitch is too strict. But wants to continue banning them from fenced play and games areas and parts of our country parks. Dogs would also still need to be on a lead in cemeteries, picnic areas and A and B roads as well as their footpaths.
Further details can be read on the Central Bedfordshire Website from this link – click to read more.
Posted 9.9.2019
Expires 2.12.2019
Phone Boxes
BT is proposing to remove 30 payphones in Central Bedfordshire. The details of the payphones which may be removed can be seen on our website:www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/consultations.
BT initiated its consultation with the local community on 9 October 2019 by issuing notifications on all relevant phone boxes. It is also our responsibility to undertake a consultation process to canvas the views of the local community and other public organisations.
Our consultation which runs from Tuesday 5 November 2019 until Tuesday 3 December 2019 enables residents to comment on whether they agree with the proposed removal, would like to request to adopt the phonebox or want to object to the removal of the payphone.
Adopting a phonebox could mean that the local authority, town or parish council, or a registered charity could adopt a given phonebox, usually the red, traditional heritage style. This means that the box itself is retained but can be used for an alternative use. Some examples of how phone boxes have been used include housing defibrillators, art galleries and libraries. It’s really simple to do and it costs just £1 – http://bt.com/adopt.
You can find the full details of the consultation and have your say on our website atwww.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/consultations.
Carols on the Green 2019
We are holding our annual Carols on the Green event on 20th December ’19 at 7:00 pm on Heath Village Green. The Heath Band will once again be helping us keep in tune – hopefully.
All are welcome…
‘Cool the climate’ by home composting
Composting is an inexpensive, natural process that transforms kitchen and garden waste into valuable and nutrient-rich food for any garden.
It’s both easy to make and use. By home composting, carbon captured by plants from the atmosphere is returned to the soil which helps maintain moisture levels, adds nutrients, improve the soil’s workability, and helps reduce the release of nitrous oxide. It also is a great way of recycling items that may otherwise be thrown away in the bin.
For those wanting to try home composting, now is the ideal time to get started. Residents can purchase discounted 220-litre compost converter from as little as £13.50 and we have negotiated a fantastic ‘buy one, get one half price’ offer, so residents can purchase another for only £6.75, plus a £5.99 delivery charge.
For further information about all the compost bins and accessories, call 0800 316 4454 and quote reference CBC30L. Alternatively, you can order your home compost bin and composting accessories online at www.cbc.getcomposting.com
King's Wood Appeal
Help protect this wonderful woodland on our doorstep!
We need your donations to help us preserve ancient King’s Wood in Heath and Reach! We want to make sure the whole of King’s Wood is carefully managed in line with the National Nature Reserve Management Plan and protected in perpetuity for the benefit of wildlife, heritage and as an exceptional open space for current and future generations to enjoy.
You can help us achieve this by donating to our special 20th Anniversary King’s Wood Appeal, which through your donations hopes to secure, protect and manage this nationally important woodland and its wildlife.
Posted: 31.5.2019
Safety announcement
School Term Dates for 2019-2020
Expires 31.7.2020
Archived News – 2019
London Luton Airport Public Surgery event
The next London Luton Airport Public Surgery event – will be held in Leighton Buzzard as part of the ongoing Public Surgery programme.
The surgery will be held at Astral Park Sports and Community Centre, Johnstone Drive, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 4AY on Tuesday 12th November 2019 between 4 pm-7pm.
This event will act as an information point for any residents or councillors to approach the Flight Operations team directly. The team will be available at any point between the allocated times and will respond to personal questions and concerns relating to the current noise impacts of London Luton Airport Operations.
Please note, however, the team will NOT be able to discuss the plans London Luton Airport Limited (LLAL) have for future growth.
Posted: 4.11.2019
Remembrance Sunday 10th November
Here’s a reminder from Steve Mash…
The village service of remembrance takes place at The Memorial in the Heath and Reach Parish Cemetery at 2.45 pm followed by the church service at 3 pm on Sunday at St.Leonard’s Church.
It would be great to see you there.
Festival for older people
Expires 6.07.2019
Posted 22.3.2019
Expires 31.5.2109
Why you should vote in the Local and Parish Elections
Local and Parish Elections will be taking place this Thursday, 2 May. This is your chance to exercise your democratic right to vote for the candidate that you want to represent your community.
You may be wondering why you should bother voting in these elections. Local councillors can influence decisions made by the local authority on all manner of issues, not just the obvious ones like bins and potholes. They deal with a diverse range of issues, from transport to leisure, from waste to social care for the elderly, from benefits to business, to name but a few. These issues have an enormous impact on your community, which is why you’re being encouraged to put your cross next to the candidate that you believe will best serve you, your family and your community.
If you registered to vote by the deadline, you should have received your polling card.
If you didn’t register, then you will be unable to vote in this election. If you wish to vote in the upcoming European Election, then make sure that you register to vote at https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
The location of your polling station will be on the back of your polling card. If you don’t have your polling card you can find out here – simply enter your postcode.
For more information about voting in the 2019 Local Elections go to www.yourvotematters.co.uk/ and the Central Bedfordshire Council website.
Posted 29.4.2019
Expires 2.5.2109
Job Fair Coming Up
Do you know anyone who is searching for employment? Recommend they come to our Job Fair on Wednesday 27 February at 10.30am – 12.30pm at Methodist Church, Ashton Square, Dunstable, LU6 3SN for an opportunity to meet local employers.
Posted: 20.2..2019
Expires: 27.2.2019
Posted: 5.2.2019
Expires: 13.2.2019
Bedfordshire's Lost Orchards
Orchards East, an HLF-funded project covering the east of England (https://www.uea.ac.uk/orchards-east/home), is trying to survey as many as possible of Bedfordshire’s orchards via a parish-by-parish survey.
Many parishes are being covered but the attached map shows those that are currently missing a surveyor.
If you would like to volunteer please contact Howard Jones at Orchards East by email: Howard.Jones@uea.ac.uk
Posted: 25.1.2019
Garden waste collections resume on Monday, 4 March
All garden waste must be contained within either the wheelie bin or garden waste sacks we provide.
Any large branches, trunks and plants should be cut down to fit inside.
Please leave your bin out by 7 am on your collection day.
You can check your scheduled garden waste collection day on our website.
Alternatively, find out more about composting. If you fancy giving it a go, we offer subsidised compost bins and accessories to all residents.
Do you have excess garden waste?
Any excess garden waste can be taken to one of our Household Waste Recycling Centres in:
- Ampthill
- Biggleswade
- Dunstable
- Leighton Buzzard
All sites are open seven days a week from 9 am to 5 pm including Bank Holidays.
Please arrive at least 10 minutes before closing time to allow enough time to unload, no waste will be accepted after that time.
Posted: 22.2..2019
Expires: 4.3.2019
Have your say on changes to school admission arrangements
Consultation
We are consulting on proposed changes to school admissions arrangements for all Community and Voluntary Controlled (VC) schools in September 2020.
The admission policy for these schools sets out the criteria in which applications will be considered if the school is oversubscribed.
The current oversubscription criteria for most Community and Voluntary Controlled (VC) schools in Central Bedfordshire prioritises certain children such as those who are in care and children who live in the catchment area with brothers of sisters already attending the school.
The consultation proposes to add the following to the oversubscription criteria:
- Children who appear to the Local Authority to have been in state care outside of England, but are now adopted.
- Children of staff at Greenleas School, Southcott Lower, Heathwood Lower, Dunstable Icknield Lower, Fairfield Park Lower, Thomas Johnson Lower and Shefford Lower.
There is also a proposal to reduce the published admission number at Linslade Lower from 45 to 30. This was put forward by the school’s governing body in order to better manage class sizes and staffing.
You can have your say online at www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/consultations until 5pm on 29 January 2019.
Posted: 8.12.2018
Expires: 29.01.2019
Green Bin Collection Service
kerbside garden waste suspension will take place between Monday, 10 December 2018 and Friday 1, March 2019 inclusive.
The service will resume as normal on Monday, 4 March 2019.
Posted: 17.10.2018
Expires: 4.3.2019
Flu Jab Reminder
The last batches of the vaccine were delivered to GPs and pharmacies across the country last week ahead of the flu season, which usually starts in December.
12,898 older people across Central Bedfordshire didn’t take up their jab last year, despite being most vulnerable to flu’s effects. Many of those will have caught the virus and needed NHS treatment as a result.
While flu is a common ailment and many people can get over it with rest and fluids, for some people in high-risk groups, such as the elderly and those with long-term conditions, it can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening complications, such as pneumonia or bronchitis.
Health chiefs believe that the new vaccine could reduce GP consultations due to flu by 30,000, hospitalisations by over 2,000 and prevent over 700 hospital deaths in England, alleviating some of the health burden that seasonal flu places on the population, workplaces and the NHS.
To find out if you’re one of the 22 million people who are eligible for vaccination head to www.nhs.uk/staywell
Posted: 10.12.2018
Expires: 31.3.2019
Have you applied for your child’s school place for September 2019?
Apply online
If your child is due to start school in September 2019, or transfer to the middle, secondary or upper school, applications are now open.
Your child is entitled to a full-time place in the September following their fourth birthday if that is your wish; though your child does not have to attend school full-time until the term after their fifth birthday.
If you are applying for a place to start school or to join a middle school, you have until Tuesday 15 January 2019 to make an application.
However, if your child is transferring to a secondary or upper school in 2019 then the deadline for applications is Wednesday 31 October 2018.
Our dedicated school admission web pages contain a wealth of other information including school catchment areas, deferred entries, making an application on religious/faith grounds and how places are allocated.
Parents and carers can also complete a paper application form – these are available from the school admissions team. Call 0300 300 8037, email admissions@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk or write to School Admissions, Central Bedfordshire Council, Watling House, High Street North, Dunstable, LU6 1LF.
This information was received directly from Central Bedfordshire Council. on 4.9.2018
Expires: 15.1.2019
Christmas refuse and recycling collections
Posted: 13.12.2018
Expires: 5.1.2019
A few minutes of your time could help those affected by domestic abuse
Complete the survey by Friday, 31 May
We are asking people to share their experiences of domestic abuse through a short survey.
Domestic abuse can happen to anyone and can take many forms. That’s why we are asking as many people as possible to complete the survey – the feedback will help us think about how to improve services.
The current UK Government defines domestic abuse as “any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. The abuse can encompass, but is not limited to psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional.
The survey is completely anonymous and will take no more than ten minutes.
So, if you’re aged 16 or over, have experienced domestic abuse or know someone that has; or if you’re concerned about your behaviour towards your partner – we want your views.
You have until Friday, 31 May 2019 to complete the survey. Simply click on the image above to complete the survey. A new page will open in your browser.
Posted: 25.2.2019
Expires: 31.5.2019
Central Bedfordshire Waste Service
At the time of posting this article, the Facebook page would appear to be fairly active and using their messenger service may get a quick response to a problem.
Posted: 7.8.2018
Budget 2019 - Have your say on council spending plans, savings and council tax
Take part in the consultation by 5pm on 29 January, 2019
With increasing demand on services and reduced funding from the Government the council is proposing to (subject to approval):
- continue to find ways to reduce spending by £14.8million through a range of saving measures, and
- increase council tax by 1% to contribute towards funding services, that’s 29p extra a week for an average (Band D) property
Taken together these measures would allow the council to cover the gap in funding it faces and provide the services we need.
Find out more, including where we plan to invest almost £94million in things like improving roads and building new modern care homes.
Click here to read more.
Posted: 3.1.2019
Expires: 29.1.2019
NYE Party for Villagers
The Barn, Eastern Way – from 9:00 pm
The Hall will be decorated, warm and welcoming…
Come on your own or bring friends and family, it’s free…
- Bring your own tipple
- Bring ‘nibbles’ for a sharing table.
- Bring lots of village bonhomie!
Take part in the village tradition of singing ‘Auld Lang Syne’ at midnight whilst gathered around the Clock Tower and Pump House on Heath Village Green.
Sarah at ‘The Dukes‘ will welcome all with a glass of mulled wine after midnight.
Posted: 22.12.2018
Expires: 1.1.2019
The following link will direct you to the archived news pages for 2018 and before.
