Councillor Tim Hill’s Report to Elstow Parish Council - For 14th February 2012
Village-wide Issues
a) Street lights in the old village that are more in keeping with its Conservation Area -Sustainability Committee on 25th January 2012 approved the proposal and the money has been transferred from my Ward Fund into Highways.
b) Dog fouling - especially at the south of the old village - No update.
c) Speeding in Abbey Fields/Elstow Lower Parking - No update.
Highways Programme 2012/13
- No update.
Local Issues
- Since my last Parish Council Report, I have amongst other local issues progressed the following raised by residents:
a) Grass verge near 9, Bayham Close needs cutting -Borough Officers are clarifying if it is adopted. No update.
b) Speed checks - I have asked the local SNT for details. No update.
c) Progress Way roundabout - No update.
d) Overgrown bushes on verge in Wigram Close needs cutting - Officers have advised resident that it is on his land and therefore he should check his deeds. If deeds confirm officer's view, resident will need to cut back and in future, maintain bush.
e) Bunyans Mead footpath - Dropped kerb. Highways asked for my feedback on exact position and I advised it needs to be outside Social Centre.
f) Bunyans Mead footpath - General tidy up and weeding. . No update.
g) Proposed development nearInterchangeRetailPark- Arranged meeting with Planning and Highways Officers. Developers believe it will have no impact on local traffic flow. Officers and I disagree.
h) Bus timetable inProgress Waybus shelter - Ted Bowen contacted me asking me to chase this. Bus shelter will be replaced in spring and will include a bus timetable area.
i) Red Lion - I have asked the Licensing Officers and the Police to work with the Red Lion management to reduce the nuisance caused by its customers to local residents.
BPHA Walkabout
- Attended summer "walk-about" with Graham Leach and Keith Hooson from BPHA, and Sue.
a) Medbury LaneGarages - In need of maintenance and repair. 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. I will be asking the Borough for confirmation of who "owns" the other parts. No update.
Ward Fund
- Street lights - See above.
- Bunyans Mead - Dropped kerb.
- 2012/13 Ward Fund - No growth in amount available. Please advise of any suggested Projects that may benefit from a Ward Fund contribution.
Borough Council
- The Council's Library Service has linked up with Family History Detectives to promote family history at Bedford, Kempston and Wootton Libraries this month. If you get along to one of these libraries this month you will be provided with free access to computers and library online resources including www.ancestrylibrary.com. Those who have been bitten by the family history bug know how fascinating and enjoyable it can be. Through this initiative, it is hoped that people will be able to get even more out of their research at their local library.
Covanta Incinerator
- The latest news on "the grapevine" is that the challenges by Covanta and the Government to the Special Parliamentary Procedure petitioned for by Bedford Borough Council, Central Beds District Council and 23 Parish Councils have failed. However, that is still to be formally confirmed. If it is confirmed a Joint Committee of the Commons and the Lords will review the IPC decision to approve the proposal.