Councillor Tim Hill’s Report to Elstow Parish Meeting - For 19th April 2012

Village-wide Issues

a) Broadband coverage - Following complaints from residents, have asked for a report on current and future coverage using the "Broadband UK" roll-out - Have chased report.

b) Elstow sites in Minerals and Waste Core Strategy - Arranged meeting for Parish Council Representatives and I with Borough Council Officers and Portfolio Holders. This is proposed to take place at Borough hall on 25 Apr 12.

c) Invites to Local Community Safety Forum - These have stopped since Police re-organisation due to lack of resource. Am chasing PCSO to clarify further.

Local Issues

- Since my last Parish Council Report, I have amongst other local issues progressed the following raised by residents:

a) Overgrown bushes on verge in Wigram Close needs cutting - land belongs to resident at No.25. He has been advised to check his deeds. Bushes have been cut back.

b) Proposed development near Interchange Retail Park- Has been given planning permission with conditions that include working with officers to reduce traffic impact.

c) Ward Fund Benches on Parish part of Wixams - My Wilstead colleague's Ward Fund contribution was in the end, not needed for this. The developers have instead kindly agreed to install some benches out of their own funds.

d) The Swan - I am told the developer will be very happy to meet residents to discuss its proposals for the site. I am also told they include building on the current car park! I will be resisting this particular idea as much as I possibly can.

e) High Street footpath resurfacing - Residents have contacted me to ask why the west side has not been done as apparently promised. I have chased this up with Highways.

f) West End speeding - Residents have contacted me to express their concern at the speeding taking place on the old village side ofWest End. I have asked Highways to give me an estimate of the cost of providing a small "outcrop" by the footpath exit from the village green. If it is a fairly small amount, I will consider funding it from my Ward Fund.

g) Cow Bridge traffic lights - Following discussions at the last Parish Council, I have asked Highways if these traffic lights are still being monitored.

h) Trees on Progress Way by Wigram Close - Following discussions at the last Parish Council, I have asked the Borough Tree Officer to look at lopping and pruning these trees.

i) Too much foliage on Progress Way roundabout - Following discussions at the last Parish Council, I have asked the Borough Council to reduce the height and volume of the foliage, and also if it is on a regular maintenance schedule.

j) Dog Fouling in old village - Following discussions at the last Parish Council, I have asked the Borough Council to send out its cleansing team to clean up the area and its "hit squad" to enforce the law.

k) Litter on Abbey Fields bridge - Following discussions at the last Parish Council, I have asked the Borough Council to send out its cleansing team to clean up the area and also if it is on a regular cleansing schedule.

Ward Fund

- 2012/13 Ward Fund - No growth in amount available. Please advise of any suggested Projects and the required amounts that may benefit from a Ward Fund contribution. Also, see above.

Borough Council

- The Borough Council often dispenses advice on a range of environmental matters to householders, and I know that while people recognise that there is a valuable role for the Council in providing information and guidance on these things, what they cannot stand is any sort of hypocrisy. Quite simply, the Council should practise what it preaches. That's why we've made sure that the Council takes a huge range of actions to get its own house in order, for example by switching off lights and IT equipment when they're not being used, using energy efficient hand dryers instead of paper towels in the toilets, banning bottled water for meetings and ensuring that more recycling takes place in Council buildings. Another area where the Council needs to practise what it preaches is water use. This is obviously something at the forefront of everyone's mind at the moment, with the ongoing drought conditions. So, Mayor Dave Hodgson was pleased to welcome representatives of Anglian Water to Borough Hall to sign a 'Water Promise' on behalf of the Council. This commits the Council to aim to cut its water use in Council buildings by 20% by 2015. This will cut down on carbon emissions by 700 tonnes and achieve savings for local taxpayers through lower bills. Actions like these, along with the sort of often quite small initiatives mentioned above, combine with bigger projects such as the pioneering hydropower plant on the River inBedfordto make a real difference not only in protecting the Environment but also in saving taxpayers' money. In fact, we're aiming to cut the Council's carbon emissions by 40% by 2015, and save £1.5 million each year through our ambitious carbon management programme.

Covanta Incinerator

- No update.