Councillor Tim Hill’s Report to Stewartby Parish Meeting - For 17th May 2012
2011/12
- I remain humbled to have been elected in May 2011 as the Borough Councillor for Elstow, Stewartby and Kempston Hardwick until May 2015.
- 2011/12 has been a very busy year across my whole Ward.
- What follows is just a short summary in no particular order of all the issues I have taken up and the progress report I have made on each to the Parish Council at its meetings.
Covanta Incinerator
- I am really pleased to report that the Bedford Borough Council "Parliamentary Petition" calling on Parliament to review the IPC decision in favour of the Incinerator has been approved. This will at least mean the objections of thousands of local people will now be heard in Parliament and an open and democratic decision made.
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.
- It was discussed at 20 Mar 12 meeting of Elstow Parish Council. It agreed it has no objection to the proposal.
- Next stage is for an Officer Report to a meeting of the Borough's General Purposes Committee.
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.
b) Village Heritage - Hosted meetings with Parish Cllr Ed Hiam, Cllr Doug McMurdo the relevant Portfolio Holder and Ian Johnson the Borough Conservation Officer. Doug has had a positive response from the Heritage Lottery Fund and is now chasing details of Hanson's Land and Planning Director.
Local Issues
a) 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 Highways Programme 2012/13 will be out soon. I very much hope this will be in it.
b) Broadmead Road- Road resurfacing. Work is planned to start as I type this.
c) Eastwood Cottages, Manor Road- Pothole. Have asked for it to be filled in.
d) Sir Malcolm Stewart Homes- Double glazing and satellite TV: Have passed Double Glazing issue to Mayor's PA for him to arrange meeting between Mayor and Senior Planner. Mayor has been briefed. Satellite TV is down to individual residents.
e) Gritting lorries: Am told they do not do The Crescent. Have pointed out The Crescent is in the gritting schedule.
f) Conservancy on pit behind Eastwood Cottages - Have raised issue of people using it illegally for "shooting" etc. with Planning Department.
g) Broadmead Lower School- inconsiderate parking. Have successfully asked for intermittent visits by traffic wardens.
h) Broadmead Road lay-by before Rose Cottage - Have asked for a litter pick.
i) Eastwood Cottages Electricity Sub-Station - in need of a tidy up. I know Vicky met with Pippa Cheetham and this was on the Agenda. Also, at my request a Borough Council Officer has written to Hanson's as the registered owner. Haven't heard anything from either since.
j) Drain cover on Churchill Close green - Broken by inconsiderate parker. Have requested it be mended and the parker to be spoken to.
k) Lay-by near railway bridge - Amey has installed the "grasscrete lay by" at my request.
l) Ruts in green on The Crescent - The long-awaited bollards have been installed.
m) Play Area - The Borough Architect promised me that a trench would be dug to confirm the site of the sewage system pipe/s.
n) Stewartby Way/Broadmead Road roundabout - A safety assessment was done at my request on this as it is now not as "proud" of the road surface as it was. The assessment found that there is no need for any further works at the site.