Councillor Tim Hill’s Report to Stewartby Parish Council - March 2012

Covanta Incinerator

- As I type this, the Hearing on whether 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 should be accepted is taking place. If the challenges are accepted, the Joint Committee of the Commons and the Lords to review the IPC decision to approve the proposal will not happen.

Highways Programme 2012/13

- No update.

Ward Fund

- 2012/13 Ward Fund - No growth in amount available. Please advise of any suggested Projects that may benefit from a Ward Fund contribution.

Ward Name

- Needs to be formally consulted on with all affected residents i.e. All residents of Elstow Ward. This means as little as an article from the Borough Council in both Parish Newsletters.

- Have requested that it be discussed at 14 Feb 12 meeting of Elstow Parish Council. It does not need to be in favour, just to consent to a Parish Newsletter article. As I understand it, as very few Councillors attended the 14 Feb 12 meeting, this item was not discussed. I await confirmation of that.

Manor Road, Kempston Hardwick - volume and speeding of cars.

- I have done a consultation exercise by post with all Manor Road residents. All bar one want action ASAP but with no commonality on solutions. Have discussed this with Cllr Charles Royden the relevant Portfolio Holder. The draft Highways Programme 2012/13 will be out soon. I very much hope this will be in it.

Various Highways matters

- Broadmead Road- Work is now planned for early spring. Still pressing for an earlier start.

- Eastwood Cottages,Manor Road- In terrible state. Will be asking for a tidy up.

Sir Malcolm Stewart Homes

- Double glazing and satellite TV: Have passed Double Glazing issue to Mayor's PA for him to arrange meeting between the Mayor and Senior Planners. No update on satellite TV.

- Gritting lorries: Am told they do not do The Crescent. Have pointed out The Crescent is in the gritting schedule. Am awaiting response.

Village Heritage

- Cllr Doug McMurdo the relevant Portfolio Holder has had a positive response from the Heritage Lottery Fund but none as yet from Heidleburg. No update.

Borough Council

- Residents with a national concessionary bus pass can continue to travel for free on early morning buses following successful negotiations between Bedford Borough Council and bus operators. With a requirement for £36 million of savings of four years in order to deliver a balanced Council budget, the Council's Modernisation Programme had proposed changes which would have meant travel passes would not have been valid for bus journeys before 9.30am, bringing the arrangements into line with the national scheme. Following negotiations with commercial bus operators the Council has now agreed a new long term deal which achieves savings for local taxpayers while retaining the local extension to the concessionary travel scheme which enables use of the pass before 9.30am for journeys within the borough. The passes are issued to residents who are of eligible state pension age or have a qualifying disability.