Borough Council Report April 2021
Estate Management Chamonix
Cllr Valentine (Kempston West Ward Cllr) and I met with Chamonix at the end of March to discuss ongoing concerns that both of us constantly receive from residents. (We discussed a number of cases which I am forwarding to Chamonix). We outlined a general dissatisfaction expressed regarding communication, levels of service and costs. We have agreed to hold regular meetings in which I will represent any residents who do not feel that their individual concerns are being met by the Company. The Chamonix Manager – Luke Pierce – has also agreed to hold a monthly meeting with residents and make himself available to meet face to face once the Covid-19 restrictions are eased. I have asked them to look at service levels (SLA’s) and key performance indicators (KPI’s) so that we can all see the standard of service given. They have also committed to more frequent ground’s maintenance in the growing season and have included the following in their latest newsletters.
“Please be advised that as we are now approaching the growing season which is typically late March – October, you will notice the grounds teams on site on a more frequent basis for the grounds maintenance services. Please if you have any queries or areas of concern then do not hesitate to speak with our site operatives, Darren, James & James”.
Please drop me an email if you are not getting the responses needed and I will take up the issue.
I have contacted SDL and will be contacting RMG to try to support residents having issues with these two other estate management companies.
Controversial route ‘E’ for East West Rail a source of increasing concern for Borough residents
The chosen route selected for the East West Rail project – route E – continues to prove controversial and Borough Councillors received a petition this month, signed by over 1600 Bedford residents, objecting to it. The petition was debated at a heated meeting of the Borough Council on 24th February, when a number of residents from parishes in and around the route, put a series of questions to Council Leaders, and calling for the Council to “hold a full public consultation to be followed by a debate at Full Council in respect of the Council’s decision to support Route E”.
Many residents felt that there had been a lack of transparency around how the Mayor and Borough had come to support route E and felt that not enough information had been put in the public domain. They also demanded to know how route E, previously identified as one of the most expensive of the 5 options A-E, had suddenly become the cheapest option, without any explanation.
The subject of freight also proved controversial, with residents, parishes and Borough Councillors expressing the view that freight had been underplayed in previous discussions, and more information was required, as it forms a key part of the business case for the EWR project.
In the Council debate that followed, the Mayor’s and Council leadership put forward a resolution which reconfirmed the Borough’s support for a route through the town centre but didn’t really address the concerns of the petitioners. Councillors representing the rural wards in the north of the Borough, those most affected by route E, objected to the motion. They feel route E will do irreparable damage to the north Bedfordshire countryside. Equally, Councillors in the south of the Borough wanted to ensure the safe delivery of Wixams station and wanted an EWR route that would not jeopardise this. Ultimately, the Mayor’s resolution was not unanimously supported.
The EWR Consultation has now opened. One point of particular controversy over their ‘emerging preferred option’ is that it affects up to 97 properties in the north of Bedford. The residents in the properties effected were informed the day before the consultation that their property may be subject to a CPO (Compulsory Purchase Order) in the future.
You can view all documents and respond on their website found below. There are also some dates for virtual events. We strongly urge you to respond before it closes on 9 June: https://eastwestrail.co.uk/consultation
Mowsbury Golf Course now open, other Fusion run facilities to hopefully follow.
In-line with the government roadmap, golf facilities at Mowsbury Golf and Squash Centre reopened on March 29.
The 18-hole course and driving range will give golf fans the opportunity to get back to the sport they love, in a safe and secure way.
The centre will be operating in line with the latest government guidelines and those planning to visit will be required to book and pay online, minimising contact required at the centre and allowing for the track and trace process to be implemented.
Centre users will be asked to arrive ready to play. These measures, combined with meticulous cleaning routines, are designed to keep customers safe and offer complete confidence to use the facilities.
Fusion is working with Bedford Borough Council to reopen other facilities in the area in a phased approach in line with the government roadmap.
Bookings can be made up to seven days in advance, via download of the Fusion Lifestyle app or visit www.fusion-lifestyle.com to register and use the booking facility.
For centre opening times and timetables please visit www.fusion-lifestyle.com/centres/mowsbury-golf-and-squash-centre
Boundary Commission update
The Boundary Commission has changed its timetable for its recommendations. There will now be more draft recommendations released on 11 May for 8 weeks of further consultation. The final recommendations will then be released on 31 August.
Register to Vote by 19 April
On Thursday 6 May, the Police and Crime Commissioner elections will take place across the country.
To have your say and vote, you must be registered. If you have recently moved or are not registered to vote, make sure you register by Monday 19 April.
It is quick and easy to register to vote, via the Council’s website at www.bedford.gov.uk/elections
Measures including social distancing, face coverings and asking people to bring their own pen or pencil with them to polling stations will be in place to ensure the voting process is safe and COVID-secure.
There is also the option to register for a postal vote. You will then receive your ballot paper through the post, and you can post it back for your vote to be counted. You can register for a postal vote at www.bedford.gov.uk/elections by 5pm on Tuesday 20 April for this Election Day.
You can also apply to vote by proxy- for someone to vote on your behalf. Completed applications must be with the Council by 5pm on Tuesday 27 April, and you can apply online at www.bedford.gov.uk/elections
On-street electric vehicle charging points to be installed for residents without driveways
Bedford Borough Council, following a successful bid for over £96,000 to the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) and in partnership with electric vehicle (EV) charging specialist Connected Kerb, is installing 30 EV charging points in streets across Bedford.
These electric vehicle charging points are being installed in five different streets across Bedford. These are Russell Avenue near Russell Park, Oaklands Road off Kimbolton Road, Cutcliffe Grove off Bromham Road, Park Road West near Bedford Park, and Victoria Road off Ampthill Road.
The charging points will all be on-street to cater for residents who do not have their own driveways and so are unable to charge at home.
These installations are part of the Council’s ongoing efforts to support Bedford Borough’s transition to greener transport while working to improve local air quality. These sites will help to shape the future of additional borough-wide charge point deployments.
These charging points are expected to be open and available for use by the end of March.
Find out more at www.bedford.gov.uk/electricvehicles
Kempston housing development given go-ahead despite being 200 parking spaces short.
The Planning committee chairman used his casting vote to give the go-ahead to a development of 341 new homes on a derelict former factory site in Kempston.
Pointing out that the proposals would be 200 parking spaces short of Bedford Borough Council’s accepted standards, objectors fear jam-packed residential roads would have to squeeze in more cars.
Planning Officer Alastair Wren said their recommendation to approve the plan was a “balanced” position, with issues both weighing in its favour, and against.
He added that the 326 car parking spaces proposed for the 2.74-hectare site falls 206 short of Bedford Borough Council’s usual standards, but they accepted that it was “appropriate” and would not cause a problem off-site.
More information is available at: Kempston housing development given go-ahead despite being 200 parking spaces short – Bedford Independent