Eversholt Beeches - retention of caravans on A5 site

Planning application CB/16/04420/FULL is for "change of use for the retention of caravans for occupation by four Romani Gypsy families, with associated hardstanding and access. The site to contain, four static caravans, four touring caravans and associated residential parking." The consultation period for this application closes on 02 November 2016.

As might be inferred from use of the word "retention", this application is partly intended to secure
formal permission for some elements already in place in excess of existing planning permission(s).

For the sake of clarity, this application should not be confused with the separate application to create more pitches and extend the Eversholt Beeches site further into the green belt and area of outstanding natural beauty; that application will be determined on its own merits.

The Eversholt Beeches site should also not be confused with the two separate existing sites at Jockey Farm or the extensive traveller site at Greenvale; all four of these traveller sites along the Caddington stretch of the A5 are independent of each other.

Anybody who wishes to comment on this application, whether they support or oppose it, has until 02 November to submit their comments to Central Bedfordshire planning department.

CBC Press release: Caddington resident handed injuction

Man handed injuction following series of intimidating, drunken incidents

A man has been banned from part of Dunstable town centre following a number of intimidating drunken incidents.

Magill Price, 57, of Caddington, is now subject to a one-year injunction banning him from an area which includes The Quadrant shopping centre, Dunstable Library and Asda.

This follows numerous incidences of drunken behaviour where Price threatened, abused and terrified staff even though he had already been banned from a number of stores there.

Price was ordered to attend Luton County Court on 10 October where Central Bedfordshire Council, supported by Bedfordshire Police, successfully applied for the injunction.

It took effect for a year from that date and if Price enters the area from which he is banned then he will be taken back to county court and face further action. If he continues to breach the order he risks a custodial sentence.

Councillor Brian Spurr, Executive Member for Community Services, said: “This is an excellent example of partnership working and shows that by working together we can achieve an effective result in dealing with antisocial behaviour which we are determined to tackle head on.

“I would like to thank shop staff and library staff for being supportive and giving our antisocial behaviour officers the evidence we needed to progress this case.”

Anyone who is aware of Price breaching the injunction should call the council’s antisocial behaviour and statutory nuisance team on 0300 300 8302.

Bushwood - still alive with a very weak pulse

It is interesting to note that the grandiosely titled "Luton & Central Beds Economic Development Partnership" have finally got around to filing their Sep-15 accounts at Companies House (originally due 30-Jun-16, finally submitted 30-Sep-16).

Recent activity includes changing the company name, changing it again and then changing it once more back to what it was at the beginning.  Productive endeavours indeed.

What is interesting reading is the value of stock (or work-in-progress) on the balance sheet at over a million pounds; the accounting rationale here is that costs incurred thus far in exploring, developing and promoting the site are not so much 'spent' as 'invested' against a future sale at a profit.  The associated accounting policies also include the telling phrase "provision is made for any foreseeable losses where appropriate"; this is fairly normal accounting practise but underlines the point that if the sole remaining director accepted that Bushwood was a dead duck, then he wouldn't still be representing over a million pounds in spend as an investment that will be sold on at a profit in future.  Implicitly, he stands by that declaration not just at 30 September 2015 which the accounts reflect but also at 19 September 2016 when the accounts were legally signed.  I shall leave it to you to decide whether Mr Boyle knows something we don't or is simply delusional.

The Bushwood proposals were inappropriate and unsustainable when first introduced and they remain inappropriate and unsustainable now.

The more eagle-eyed may also notice that the valuation of stock has risen by only £6,450 during the year from Oct-14 to Sep-15, and the deficit on reserves rose by a meagre £721 in the same period.  Those that suspect this company is no longer the primary vehicle for Bushwood (although they stand by their £1M+ stock valuation) might wish to keep an eye on Abbey Land Developments Ltd [08853726], due to file their 31-Jan-16 accounts no later than the end of this month.

We will have to wait a while for the 2016/17 results to be made public but they will also be fun reading.  Common consensus is that Peter Village QC, currently arguing to convince an inspector of the merits of tacking the Bushwood proposals onto Luton's local plan, does not come cheap.

Development in neighbouring authorities

There is an interesting article on the front page of this week's Luton On Sunday, which also features prominently on their website.

Luton On Sunday 11-Sep-16

Cllr Shaw expresses his frustration that whilst development will all likelihood impact most heavily on the infrastructure in one authority area, the eventual Council Tax receipts will go to the authority on whose land the development actually sits.

These are very valid concerns; it is referenced that there needs to be meaningful dialogue between different areas when determining these "on the border" developments and the provision of school places, medical facilities and so on.  I do hope the same logic is applied to application 16/01146/FUL, which seeks to place in excess of 400 flats on land adjacent to Caddington Road & Newlands Road.

CBC press release: SEN advice & support sessions

Advice and support sessions for parents, carers and children with special educational needs

Central Bedfordshire’s support service for parents and carers of children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities is holding a range of drop-in sessions.

The sessions are being held across the region from September onwards and will offer free, impartial and confidential advice to visitors.

The SEND Parent and Young Person Partnership Service is open to parents, carers, children and young people aged up to 25 who have, or may have special educational needs and /or a disability in an educational setting.

It is open to all Central Bedfordshire residents and there is no referral system.

The sessions, in Dunstable, Leighton Buzzard, Sandy and Shefford, can offer advice about a range of subjects including finding a school; classroom support; SEND support plans; behaviour issues; statements; education, health and care plans and exclusions.

Residents can just turn up on the day at the sessions, which will take place at:

Downside South Children’s Centre, The Annex, Downside Lower School, Oakwood Avenue, Dunstable, LU5 4AS (Wednesdays, 9.30am-11am)
14 September, 12 October, 9 November, 14 December

The Moorings Children’s Centre, Vandyke Road, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 3HS (Tuesdays, 9.30am-11am)
27 September, 29 November
Shefford Children’s Centre, Shefford Lower School, School Lane, Shefford, SG17 5XA (Wednesdays, 9.30am-11am)
28 September, 23 November

Sandy Community Children’s Centre, Laburnum Road, Sandy, SG19 1HQ (Thursdays, 9.30am-11am)
6 October, 3 November, 1 December

Councillor Carole Hegley, Executive Member for Social Care and Housing and lead member for Children’s Services, said: “As a parent or carer of a child with special educational needs, it can be difficult knowing who to talk to. These sessions offer a chance to get impartial information and advice in an informal setting, as well as a chance just to talk with other parents or volunteers who will be able to share what you are going through. So if you have any questions or concerns, I would encourage you to go along to one of the free sessions and find out more.”
No appointment is necessary at the drop-ins. If you are unable to make a session and want any advice, please call 0300 300 8088, email parent.partnership, visit the send-partnership/overview webpage or like and share CBCSENDPYPPS on Facebook.

Studham Common receives ninth green flag award

The text below is a press release issued by Central Bedfordshire yesterday.

My congratulations to the indomitable Cllr Geoff Shute and his hard-working team of volunteers in Studham; more information is available via their website.

Central Bedfordshire continues to fly the green flag

 

Nine open spaces in Central Bedfordshire have been recognised as some of the best community-run green spaces in the country in the National Green Flag Awards 2016.

Flitton Moor; Grove House Gardens; Linslade Woods; Millennium Country Park; Parson’s Close Rec; Priory Gardens; Stotfold Water Mill Local Nature Reserve; Studham Common and Tiddenfoot Water Park have all been awarded with the Community Award which acknowledges that the sites are well-managed and welcoming places, central to the local community and high-quality green spaces.

Meanwhile, the Forest of Marston Vale’s Millennium Country Park, in Marston Moretaine, is celebrating its tenth Green Flag award and Studham Common will receive its ninth award this year.

All nine areas are part of a record-breaking 1,686 parks and green spaces receiving the Green Flag Award this year, ensuring that even more residents now have access to well-managed, high-quality parks and green spaces.

The award, now celebrating its 20th year, recognises and rewards the best parks and green spaces across the country. A Green Flag flying overhead is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent facilities.

Cllr Brian Spurr, Executive Member for Community Services for Central Bedfordshire Council, said: "It is tremendous news that nine public spaces in Central Bedfordshire have been nationally recognised in the Green Flags Award scheme. As a council, we aim to provide high quality green spaces for all residents and visitors to enjoy and it is great to see these awards acknowledge our welcoming and well-managed open spaces. I would encourage people to visit these wonderful areas over the summer.”

Central Bedfordshire Council works with Friends of Linslade Wood, Friends of Studham Common, Friends of Tiddenfoot Waterside Park, Friends of Flitton Moor and The Astwick and Stotfold Environmental Link (TEASEL) to ensure the green spaces are kept in fantastic condition.

Geoff Shute, chairman for Friends of Studham Common said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive a Green Flag Award for the ninth year from Keep Britain Tidy.

“This award recognises and highlights that people in Studham and the surrounding villages are benefiting from a green space of the very highest quality.”

International Green Flag Award scheme manager, Paul Todd, said: “We are delighted to be celebrating another record-breaking year for the Green Flag Award scheme, especially as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the awards.

“All the flags flying this year are a testament to the efforts of the thousands of men and women, both staff and volunteers, who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award.”

Proposed traffic order when A5 becomes A5183

Central Bedfordshire Council is publishing and consulting on proposed traffic orders. These relate to speed limit orders and clearway (prohibition of stopping) in connection with the construction of the A5-M1 Link Road; locally, this will affect a stretch of the main road which forms part of the boundary between Kensworth and Caddington parishes.

The documents providing more information are available by clicking this link. If you wish to make any comments, they should be submitted in writing as explained in the public notice.

In essence, nothing will change.  When the road is detrunked, it will no longer be under the control of Highways England and their previous traffic orders will be revoked; this simply puts a comparable order in place when the road comes under the control of Central Bedfordshire.

Rural roadside verges

Grass on rural roadside verges (that is, areas outside of 30mph / 40 mph limits) is being cut less frequently than it used to be.  Whilst there is obviously a beneficial cost implication, the main motivation is to preserve the areas which promote pollinating insects.

 
However, it was always intended that where there are vision splay issues, the grass would be cut according to the normal schedule.  If there are rural locations where long grass is causing visibility issues, then please log a report with CBC or contact me with the precise location and I will pass it on.

Falsified payslips lead to court appearance

Falsifying payslips to illegally claim £2,300 in Council Tax Support has cost a Central Bedfordshire woman more than that amount when she appeared in court.  According to her declared earnings, Katherine Roberts, of Swift Close, Sandy has been paying a lower rate of Council Tax for over two years.

However, a comparison of the figures she supplied to Central Bedfordshire Council with the details of her earnings held on the HM Revenues and Customs database revealed a significant discrepancy.
The Council’s fraud investigators subsequently established that between April 2013 and October 2015 the 43-year-old had provided 14 falsified payslips showing significantly less than what she actually earned.

After pleading guilty to 9 charges of supplying false information to the Council, Roberts was sentenced at Luton Magistrates’ Court on 9 June.

She was handed a 12 weeks’ custodial sentence suspended for 12 months, with a requirement to undertake 150 hours of unpaid work. She was also ordered to pay full prosecution costs of £686.65 and a victim surcharge of £80.00. Roberts also had to repay all of the Council Tax Support which she claimed illegally.

Sentencing her, the Magistrates said that they believed the offences were serious and sophisticated enough to cross a custody threshold. They felt that a substantial degree of planning must have gone into producing false payslips.

Councillor Richard Wenham, Executive Member for Corporate Resources, said: “Council Tax Support is there to help hard-working people who need it to cope financially; it is not there to be abused in order to top up your income.  “By fraudulently claiming you rob the council and Council Tax payers of money that would otherwise have been spent on vital public services.”

If you believe that someone is illegally claiming Council Tax Support then contact the council at benefitfraud@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk  or call the council's confidential 24-hour telephone hotline on 0300 300 5476

Temporary road closure, Buckwood Lane

There has been a request submitted for an emergency temporary road closure at Buckwood Lane to enable work on the ditches, gullies & grips.

The times and dates notified are that the closure will be effective 09:00 on Monday 06 June 2016 through to 15:30 on Thursday 10 June.2016; limited access may be allowed at certain times according to signage.

Proposed temporary road closure

Slip End needs two new Parish Councillors

Due to one retirement and one house move, Slip End find themselves with two vacancies on the Parish Council.

The clerk [Peter Segal] can be contacted via clerk@slipend.co.uk .

Caddington Village School's solar success

From a press release entitled

"Energy-efficient school generating more power than it uses"

An energy-efficient village school is now generating more power than it uses thanks to solar panels on its roof.  Caddington Village School is one of seven schools taking part in Central Bedfordshire Council’s Invest to Save Solar Scheme.

Since the two different 30kW solar installations were installed across two blocks at the school in Five Oaks, Caddington, during the last financial year the results have been dramatic.

Last month’s records showed that the school’s energy consumption was almost half of what it was in April 2015. What is more, the solar panels generated more power than the school used during this period.

Nicki Butler, the school’s Business Manager, said: “This is an impressive achievement and one that will become more apparent as time goes on.  We will aim to keep up the good work and impressing on pupils just how things like switching off lights translates into savings which means we spend less on services and more on teaching and learning.”

Other measures taken to reduce energy consumption include: ensuring the boilers are on much stricter timing controls; installing energy-efficient lighting as well as movement sensors to the lights and thermostatic controls for radiators; pupils have created an eco-council, pledging to take responsibility to turn off unused equipment and also made their own ‘hippos’, special devices to reduce the amount of water needed to flush toilets.

Councillor Steven Dixon, Executive Member for Education and Skills, said: “As well as producing impressive results like we have seen at Caddington Village School, this scheme really is win-win for schools.  “Central Beds paid for the solar panels and their installation up front, with the schools already taking part using the savings on their energy bills to repay the scheme interest free.  These repayments are then used to allow other schools to take part in the scheme.”

In total, the nine solar installations at eight schools have the capacity to generate 200kW of power. They are among 23 installations at 22 council sites, including Priory House, which are currently producing around 500kW of power and which were installed as part of a wider solar programme.

Pete Hughes, the council’s Schools Energy Officer, added: “Solar power has a dual benefit of reducing energy bills and producing an income through the government’s Feed-In Tariff incentive scheme whereby sites are paid for each unit of energy produced.  Solar works best on buildings occupied during daylight hours when the power produced can be used onsite. This means that council buildings and schools are ideal for solar which is why we have made a strong commitment to delivering the solar programme.  The impact of the school solar schemes has been immediate with all sites noticing a decrease in their energy consumption and energy bills. Students are encouraged to be energy aware to ensure that the power produced by the panels is not wasted by doing things such as switching off equipment when not in the classrooms. The solar schemes also provide an income to the schools through the Feed-In Tariff scheme; this income can be used by the schools to invest in learning and development resources for the pupils.”

For more information about the scheme email pete.hughes@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

MORE16 and MORE Drive

A reminder that young drivers from Central Bedfordshire or Luton can attend FREE courses at Millbrook which aim to give them either a first taste of driving or some extra skills for those who have recently passed their test.  The next courses are scheduled for Sunday 13 March 2016.

Local press coverage is available here and the website for the Bedfordshire and Luton Casualty Reduction Partnership is here.

Studham May Fair

This is scheduled to take place on Saturday 21 May 2016; the following letter is being circulated in respect of the proposed temporary road closures.

January crime statistics

Compiled from summaries issued by Bedfordshire Police