These items appeared in the Houghton Regis Focus A3 edition.
No Increase in Town’s Council Tax
The Town Council’s share of your Council Tax bill will remain the same for 2014/15. The budget was set in the last week of January.
Cllr David Jones, Lib Dem Leader of Houghton Regis Town Council, said, “The Local Government Finance Settlement received by Central Bedfordshire Council included an amount to support the new Council Tax Benefit arrangements. Part of that money, some £800,000, is given to mitigate the effects of the new arrangements on Town and Parish Councils. However, it is not ring-fenced, and Conservative councillors at CBC have voted not to pass the money down, but to retain it for that Council’s purposes.”
“In my view, this could be described as legalised theft, and means that the Town and Parish Councils have been penalised twice.”
“At the Town Council, we anticipated the loss of this income of £90,000 when setting last year’s budget, so this year we have been able to provide a “no Council Tax increase” budget without cutting the services provided, something we were very keen to ensure.”
Porz Avenue
We reported the flooding in Porz Avenue. Highways say there could be a bigger problem with broken drains. We reported the lights out in Porz Avenue. Highways promised they would investigate it.
Town Councillor Laura Ellaway said, “Over the next few months, it is my ambition to report to the council any other issues that could be considered to be a health hazard. If you find anything you are concerned about, feel free to contact me or contact the Council direct.”
Call Laura on 01582 537105
Liberal Democrats in Government
This recovery would not be happening without Liberal Democrats in Government.
GDP figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show Britain’s economic growth of 0.7% in the fourth quarter in 2013. Growth was up 1.9% in 2013.
The Coalition Government are cutting your income tax bill by £700. Council tax freezes mean that, on average, households are £1,000 better off over the course of this Parliament. Because we’ve frozen fuel duty, you’re £7 better off every time you fill up your tank. Families with young children will save £1,200 per child through our tax free childcare. And, on top of that, if they’re in infants school, you’ll save over £400 per child, per year because we’re going to provide free school meals.
“Thank you” says councillor
By Councillor Susan Goodchild
I was delighted to see many local people at my late husband’s Service of Thanksgiving.
Jack fought a long hard battle; we had a joint determination to face everything together. He had an indomitable spirit with a quick sense of humour and a deep sense of fairness, I will miss him terribly.
I can only pray that I will find the courage to live as fully as I can, and continue amongst other things, to serve Central Bedfordshire Council and the community of Houghton Regis.
I would like to thank residents for raising their concerns with me, by working together we can hope to get things done!
Recent successes include drop kerbs to The Green helping our more vulnerable residents to reach The Green in a safer way, barriers in Barleyfield Way to prevent nuisance bikes as this places our residents at risk of harm, and significant work has been undertaken in Bedford Road/Vicarage Road, cutting back of overgrown trees and bushes and a general clean up of the area.
Meet Your Councillor
Councillors Surgeries are held monthly at the Library in Tithe Farm Road.
No appointment required. Discuss issues in private or openly.
22nd February, 29th March, 26th April
High Street Woes
We continue to hear your complaints about our High Street.
The plans for the High Street works were originally delegated by Central Bedfordshire Council to their officers and Bedfordshire Highways. Then there was a prolonged period of activity while contractors, appointed by the supermarket development, carried out the prescribed works.
The result is plain to see - dodgy zebra crossings, puddles due to shoddy workmanship, and pedestrians confused about where to cross, and drivers irritated.
Last November exchanges took place between your Houghton Regis councillors, council officials, and Bedfordshire Highways representatives.
We passed on your complaints, and our many concerns, and were promised a report back after safety checks were done.
And that is where we are at the moment; still waiting for them to report back. But we are not resting there, we will continue to press for improvements.
CONTACT YOUR HOUGHTON REGIS LIBERAL DEMOCRAT COUNCILLORS
Email: hrfocusteam@gmail.com
Central Bedfordshire Councillors
Cllr Mrs Susan Goodchild (Houghton Hall) 0300 3008525
Cllr David Jones (Houghton Hall) 0300 3008535
Cllr Peter Williams (Tithe Farm) 0300 3008567
Cllr Dr Rita Egan (Parkside) 0300 3008518
Houghton Regis Town Councillors
Cllr Alan Winter
514654
Cllr Andrew Roberts
868288
Cllr David Jones
655162
Cllr Laura Ellaway
537105
Cllr Michael Hunting
526630
Cllr Marion Rolfe
866215
Cllr Peter Carrington
866314
Cllr Peter Williams
865358
Cllr Robin Hines
759026
Cllr Rob Shimmin
532444
Cllr Mrs Shirley Gilchrist
519087
Did you know?
Town Councillors receive no payments for attending council meetings.
Community Diary
Are you new to the area and wondering what Houghton Regis has to offer?
Especially if you are a young family and want to find facilities for younger children.
A Community Diary is available through a community network group supported by your Lib Dem run Town Council.
Events at Tithe Farm and Parkside Neighbourhood Centres, local pubs, churches, and meeting places are covered, and new events are always being added and others updated.
The Houghton Regis Diary is online at
http://houghtonregis.blogspot.co.uk
Woodside Link
The Woodside Link is a new road intended to provide a more direct route for traffic between the M1 motorway at the new Junction 11a and the Woodside Industrial area.
The application for the new road is by Central Bedfordshire Council, who want to connect the new road to Sundon Road and Parkside Drive.
The Lib Dem run Town Council took professional advice, which concluded that the connection to the Sundon Road should be accepted, and that the reopening of Parkside Drive was unnecessary for the success of the scheme. This has been the basis of our stance at the Public Enquiry currently underway.
A report will be made by the independent Inspector in the summer, before going to the Secretary of State for a final decision.
HRN1 - 5,150 homes
Last September outline planning permission for a huge building scheme was granted.This is expected to bring up to 5,150 new homes, 2,450 new permanent operational jobs and a further 2,550 temporary construction jobs. The scheme will help deliver the Woodside Connection; provide three new primary schools and a new secondary school; a supermarket and local retail; community and leisure facilities; offices and warehouses; and 78 hectares of green infrastructure (about 1/3 of the area).
The scheme will not now be called in by the Secretary of State.
Cllr David Jones said, “This is great news, as it will also expedite the delivery of the A5-M1 Link, which has been sorely needed for many years.”
Work on this new road is now expected to start in the spring of 2015.
Tell Us What You Want
In Houghton Regis we run many events in the town under the auspices of the town council. Circus and fairs come here. There’s a Carnival in July, a play scheme in the summer holidays, and a Classic Car Show in September. And new for this year - a
pancake race on 4th March on the Village Green
Have you got any other ideas you’d like considered?
Rabbit Lane Noise
New arrangements to tidy up Rabbit Lane - the pathway running between The Green and Porz Avenue - have left some residents frustrated by noisy motorbikes using the pathway. The problem has been referred to the Sustrans Team. They are now working with a manufacturer to install barriers that will deter motorcycle use, without impeding legitimate users.
Gritting and Potholes
Central Bedfordshire Council have produced a new video showing how they tackle potholes and how they use their gritters.
http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/highways
Lock it Up!
We would like to urge residents to pay attention to locking up side gates, and not to leave valuable items in outbuildings. Thieves are active. They never rest.
Swimming Pool
The Swimming Pool will be reopening in the summer following a local campaign. The
campaigners used social media, and a non-confrontational approach to win support by the public and councils for the pool.
Attendance figures for the dry-side shot up, and now the operating company feels confident that the swimming pool attendance figures will make it worthwhile to re-open the pool.
The campaign group was fully supported by your Lib Dem run Town Council, who allocated paid staff time to help, as well as a grant. We would like to say publicly to the group, “Very well done! “
Cars Seized in Police Operation
Two cars were seized during a police move in November. Lib Dem Councillor Andrew Roberts, from Manor Park, was among many who regularly complained to the police about noise from Foster Avenue.
Bedfordshire Police are now working with Central Bedfordshire Council, and solicitors representing companies who own the road, to try to implement measures to stop the nuisance.
The Focus team urges local people to play their part by reporting incidents.
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If an incident is happening and it is an emergency, then ring 999.
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Otherwise, ring 101.
Nursing Home News
A revised planning application for a “58 Bed Nursing Home with associated parking and manoeuvring” has been approved. The home would be built opposite Recreation Road, in Tithe Farm Road, depending on when the private developers decide to start.
Combatting Anti-Social Behaviour
Councillor Susan Goodchild has been supporting residents who are the victims of anti-social behaviour. Anti-social behaviour is something that disturbs others, destroys people's quality of life, or destroys the peace and quiet of the neighbourhood.
At Central Bedfordshire Council both the Housing Estates Team and the Community Safety Anti-social Behaviour Team are dedicated to sorting out anti social behaviour and aim to work together with residents so that you can enjoy a quiet and peaceful home environment.
To report, or get advice on these problems call the local rate number
0300 300 8000 : Abandoned Vehicles, Bonfires, Fly Tipping, Graffiti, Illegal Traveller Encampments, Pest Control, Planning, Street Cleaning and Street Lighting.
Noise: 0845 849 5972.
Potholes: 0300 300 8049
Go on! - have a grumble!
To report a problem in Houghton Regis please write to:
FREEPOST, Central Bedfordshire Liberal Democrats, 8, Sycamore Close, FLITWICK MK45 1LT
Don’t forget to add your Name, Address, and any contact email or telephone number. Or ring a contact number, above.
