Councillor Tim Hill’s Report to Elstow Parish Council- 29th November
Village-wide Issues
a) Wilstead Roadfootpath - Spoke to Lizzie on Monday. Agreement reached between Parish and Borough.
b) Street lights in the old village that are more in keeping with its Conservation Area - Have chased Chief Sustainability Officer on Climate Change Fund Grant.
c) Dog fouling - especially at the south of the old village - No update.
d) Speeding in Abbey Fields/Elstow Lower Parking - No update.
e) Adoption of Abbey Fields estate by Borough - Borough Officer has confirmed estate is adopted bar one or two patches. No update.
f) The Swan - Sorry to see that it has closed its doors after 200 years as a Public House.
Local Issues
Since my last Parish Council Report, I have amongst other local issues progressed the following raised by residents:
a) Poor state of tree supports on green at entrance toWaltham Drive- No update.
b) Grass verge near 9, Bayham Close needs cutting -Borough Officers are clarifying if it is adopted. No update.
c) Speed checks - I have asked the local SNT for details. No update.
d) Progress Way roundabout - I am pleased to see that the urgent repairs to safety-related problems I asked for have been done. I am chasing a proper, longer-term repair to roundabout.
e) Grass verge in Wigram Close needs cutting - No update.
f) Bunyans Mead footpath - Dropped kerb. No update.
g) Bunyans Mead footpath - General tidy up and weeding. See below.
h) Litter bin onRomsey Wayplay area site - Pleased to see that it is being well used.
i) Proposed development nearInterchangeRetailPark- No update.
Ward Fund
- Attended summer "walk-about" with Graham Leach and Keith Hooson from BPHA, and Sue.
a) Medbury LaneGarages - In need of maintenance and repair.Cllr Charles Royden, the Executive Portfolio Holder for Highways asked Borough Councillors for examples of poor maintenance by BPHA of garages as it is a problem in his Ward as well. I gave theMedbury Laneones as a good example. No update.
b) Bunyans Mead footpath - Part of the problem is of course that BPHA is only responsible for the parts of the footpaths fronting BPHA properties. Graham noted down several areas where weeding and/or maintenance is required. I will be asking the Borough for confirmation of who "owns" the other parts. No update.
- Cannot attend November one as it is during day.
Ward Fund
- I have re-arranged a meeting for 1st December 2011 with the Council's Ward Fund Team Manager to review my bids.
- Street lights - See above and also may have an additional £1.7k available due to change in Stewartby Project.
Borough Council
The consultation to help Bedford Borough Council deliver £36millon of savings in the next four years closed on Monday 21st November at 5pm. Bedford Borough Council, like all local authorities, is facing an unprecedented challenge to overcome a significant shortfall in funding while continuing to provide vital public services for local residents. The Modernisation Programme contains 206 proposals, across all Council directorates, and aims to deliver £36million of savings over the next four years, in the context of a net budget of £129million. Over 2,000 people have responded to the consultation. Responses will then be considered by the Council Executive on 7th December before the final budget is discussed in February next year.
Covanta Incinerator
- This has been the biggest news by far affecting the area since my last report in September. I have personally lobbied the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pressing for this awful decision to be over-turned. I have not received any responses as I type. I have offered my help to the spontaneous group of people opposing the Incinerator that recently met at The Chequers in Houghton Conquest.