Teachers' strike action 26 March 2014

The National Union of Teachers has called a strike for this coming Wednesday.

There is a section [click here] on the Central Bedfordshire website where you can register to receive school closure updates and also visit the school closures website, which will be regularly updated.

Further press coverage of fund-raising in Caddington

Courtesy of the Luton On Sunday

The villagers of Caddington were shocked to hear of the serious health issues affecting little Ava Mear but, since her family expressed a wish to raise enough money for a new ECMO machine, the community have really got behind the fundraising effort.

There is a link to the main fundraising page on the previous blogpeice below; I would encourage you to read the narrative there from Ava's father Clive which explains how this specialised piece of equipment saved Ava's life and why they would like to be able to provide Great Ormond Street with another machine.

Ava Mear's ECMO Challenge covered in the local press

Courtesy of the Luton on Sunday

Visit the fundrasing page here.

Caddington Village Neighbourhood Watch

In response to recent rises in reported crime in the area, Caddington are making arrangements to reintroduce a Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

Caddington Neighbourhood Watch meeting, March 17

Ahead of the meeting, some work has already been done in obtaining high visibility jackets (many sponsored by local businesses, for which many thanks) which can be worn by people who are already walking around the village to exercise their dogs.  It all helps to emphasise a physical presence and build on the local network of people being vigilant and sharing information.

The dogs are definitely not to be left out, and a large number of them gathered on the village green this lunchtime to show that they are proudly supporting the initiative.

Caddington Neighbourhood Doggy Watch

Caddington / Oststeinbek exchange trip

As many of you will know, Caddington is twinned with Oststeinbek, a municipality near Hamburg in Germany.  Each summer, a party of teenage children leave their home country and spend a few days visiting the twin; in 2013 Caddington hosted some visitors and in 2014 it is the turn for our children to go to Germany.

The dates have been confirmed as Monday 28th July to Friday 1st August 2014.  The trip is open to children aged between 11 and 16; they will stay within family homes in Oststeinbek and be accompanied by a minimum of one adult.  At present, costs are predicted to be £100 but this may vary as flights can not be booked before names and numbers are confirmed.  At this stage, the Parish Council are asking for a £25 deposit to confirm a place.

If you require more details, please contact the Caddington clerk (Lesley Hall) by e-mail clerk@caddington.com or telephone 01582 879811.

Police & Crime Commissioner

My colleague Cllr Stay has been commenting on some of the recent crime figures parish by parish.  Those for Slip End are pleasingly low and those for Hyde are actually down at nil recorded in January 2014.  Sadly, the next published set of data for Caddington will be less pleasant reading given the recent spate of burglaries and personal attacks.

In response to recent enquiries, included below is a reminder of how to contact Olly Martins, the Police and Crime Commissioner.  He was elected in 2011 when this new role was created.

Copy of postcard handed out on behalf of PCC Martins

 To correct a few common misconceptions, Commissioner Martins represents the whole Bedfordshire force (not just Luton) and the Police Force set their own precept and budgets.  Central Bedfordshire Council's role in the police budget is simply collecting the precept alongside council tax; the council has no further role in setting police priorities or budgets and the police are no more answerable to elected members than they are to any other member of the public.

Operational matters remain with the Chief Inspector and her officers; it is not the role of a Police and Crime Commissioner to deploy personnel to specific duties or places.  The PCC does, however, take a strong part in deciding priorities and how to deliver effective policing within the available budgets.  Commissioner Martins is in place to represent the people and strengthen links between Police and communities; if you feel you need change in your community, then engage with Olly Martins.  He wants to hear from you and has the power to shape policing in Bedfordshire for the future.