Biggleswade OnLine

Be Scam Aware - potential scam that claims you are entitled to a refund due to over-paid bank charges.

2012-03-08T16:43:00.000Z

Central

Bedfordshire

Scam Aware

Central Bedfordshire Council’s Trading Standards team would like to warn residents to be aware of a potential scam that claims you are entitled to a refund due to over-paid bank charges.

We have had a report from a consumer who received a telephone call, whereby the caller claimed to be calling from the "Ministry of Justice". The caller proceeded to inform the consumer that they were entitled to "a refund of £4990, due to overpaid bank charges". In order for this refund to be processed the caller said the consumer had to transfer a "release fee of £120" using a money transfer service provided at a local retailer. The caller then explained that the consumer would then receive a cheque for the amount owed and was asked to provide their address details.

Based on the information provided we believe that this call to be a scam and we would advise anyone who receives such calls to act with extreme caution.

Our advice to residents is that the Ministry of Justice would never cold-call you and ask for your personal or bank account details.You should never give your details to anybody over the telephone unless you are absolutely certain of their intentions. Never be intimidated or encouraged into making a quick decision and always take a moment to ask yourself whether the offer sounds genuine. If you show any interest in the offer being made, you may be identified as a possible target for a future scam attempt. If, at any point, you are unsure as to whether the offer being made or the caller is genuine, do not be afraid to hang up the telephone.

If you have any information about suspect rogue traders or would like to report a possible scam please initially contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06, in order so that all relevant regulatory authorities can be notified.

In the meantime, please visit our website www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/bescamaware for advice and guidance on how to spot a scam and how to avoid becoming a victim.

Kind regards

Trading Standards

(Community Safety and Public Protection)

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Central Bedfordshire Council Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5TQ

Telephone: 0300 300 8136 Email: trading.standards@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

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Police seek Witnesses to Biggleswade Assault

2012-03-06T22:06:00.000Z

05 March 2012

Witnesses Sought To Biggleswade Assault

Bedfordshire Police are appealing for witnesses following an assault in the early hours of Sunday February 19 which left a 23 year old man with facial injuries.

The incident happened just after midnight in London Road, Biggleswade, as the victim was walking home from a friend’s house. As he passed an alleyway, he heard some voices and as he glanced over to look where the voices were coming from he was struck in the face with an unknown object. The victim then ran home and called the police.

If you have information relating to this incident, contact PC Hayley Robinson, in confidence, on the non emergency number 101, or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Biggleswade Woman Jailed For Robbery

2012-03-01T16:39:00.000Z

A 30 year old woman has been jailed for a year for stealing another woman’s handbag in broad daylight and grabbing her glasses from her nose.

Luton Crown Court heard on Thursday 16 February that the victim could hear Donna Webster, from Brunel Drive, Biggleswade, walking behind her as she walked home on a footpath between Fairlands and Chapel Fields in the town in July.

She felt a hard shove in her back and tripped forward – as Webster pulled at the bag and a struggle ensued as each tried to pull the straps. Because the victim would not let go of the bag, 30 year old Webster snatched her glasses from her nose, scratching her face.

Eventually the bag straps broke and Webster ran off with the bag and the contents, as the victim shouted for help. Other people came to her aid and pointed out the flats that Webster had run into.

The victim recognised Webster as she had previously been a customer at the town centre shop the victim worked in.

Webster eventually pleaded guilty to the offence of robbery on January 26, at what would have been the start of her trial. She must serve at least half of the sentence given to her last Thursday.

Blog Stats for February 2012

2012-03-01T00:00:00.000Z

2,533 pageviews this month - average of 87 pageviews per day

5,758 pageviews in the last 3 months

All time pageviews - 16,539

Council Tax 2012/2013 Band D Biggleswade

2012-02-29T17:43:00.000Z

The details are published at:

http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/Images/2012-CTax-booklet_tcm6-28616.pdf#False

According to my calculations this is the breakdown for Band D in Biggleswade:

BAND D	2011/12	2012/13	increase	% increase
			£

Central Beds Council	1308.33	1308.33	0	0.0

Beds Police Authority	144.77	150.49	+5.72	4.0

Beds & Luton Fire Authority	82.44	84.09	+1.65	2.0

Biggleswade TC	104.51	106.07	+1.56	1.5

TOTAL	1640.05	1648.98	+8.93	0.5


Biggleswade Town Council Budget	£607,124	£631,348	+£24224	4.0

Be Scam Aware - potential loan scams.

2012-02-23T22:45:00.000Z

Central

Bedfordshire

Scam Aware

Central Bedfordshire Council’s Trading Standards team is warning consumers to be aware of potential loan scams.

We have received information from a consumer who had recently received an unsolicited telephone call from an alleged loan company after entering their details onto a loan comparison website. The company in question was called Ucash and was using the following telephone number 0203 2390616. As a result of the claims made by the caller, the consumer applied for a loan with Ucash and has subsequently been asked to authorise five separate transactions totalling £470 in order to receive the loan amount. Unfortunately, the consumer is still yet to receive the agreed loan amount.

Based on the information provided we believe this has all the hallmarks of a scam and we would advise anyone to act with extreme caution when applying for loans.

Our advice to consumers is that a legitimate loan company would never request an advance payment (i.e. to act as an admin or release fee) prior to you receiving the loan amount. Never be intimidated into making a quick decision just because claims of prompt payment will speed up the transfer of the loan amount for example, and always take a moment to ask yourself why you are paying money upfront before you have even received the loan amount.

In the meantime, please visit our website www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/bescamaware for advice and guidance on how to spot a scam and how to avoid becoming a victim.

Kind regards

Trading Standards

(Community Safety and Public Protection)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Central Bedfordshire Council Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5TQ

Telephone: 0300 300 8136 Email: trading.standards@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

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Be Scam Aware - Sky TV Warranties

2012-02-16T14:44:00.000Z

Central

Bedfordshire

Scam Aware

Central Bedfordshire Council’s Trading Standards team is warning consumers to be cautious when receiving a telephone call regarding Sky TV warranties.

A concerned consumer has contacted Trading Standards after receiving a telephone call, where the caller claimed to be representing "Sky Warranty". The caller was using a with-held telephone number and proceeded to inform the consumer that they had qualified for a reduction in their package payments. The consumer, not sure if they had a warranty or not, asked the caller further questions, it was then that the caller ended the call by hanging up. The consumer then contacted Sky directly and was informed it was not them that made the call and also confirmed that the consumer does not currently have a warranty.

Based on the information provided we believe that the call received by the consumer is a potential scam and we would advise anyone to act with extreme caution when receiving such calls.

Our advice to consumers is to never give your bank account details to anybody over the telephone unless you are absolutely certain of their intentions. Never be rushed into making a quick decision and always take a moment to ask yourself whether the offer sounds genuine. Also, take time to carry out checks to make sure the claims being made can be verified. If a caller claims to be representing another business, contact that business directly.

Remember, if you show any interest in an offer being made, you may be identified as a possible target for a future scam attempt. If, at any point, you are unsure as to whether the caller is genuine, do not be afraid to hang up the telephone.

In the meantime, please visit our website www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/bescamaware for advice and guidance on how to spot a scam and how to avoid becoming a victim.

Kind regards

Trading Standards

(Community Safety and Public Protection)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Central Bedfordshire Council Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5TQ

Telephone: 0300 300 8136 Email: trading.standards@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

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Biggleswade Town Council Meeting Dates for 2012/2013

2012-02-15T09:43:00.000Z

Yesterday the "Annual Town Guide to Biggleswade 2012" dropped through the letter box.Included is a list of Biggleswade Town Council Meeting Dates for 2012/2013. The Council website only includes dates up to including 24 April 2012 from 10 May 2011 and was only published in April 2011.

This is the list:

8 May 2012 - Annual Statutory Meeting

22 May 2012 Town Annual Meeting

12 June 2012 - Planning

26 June 2012 - Council

10 July 2012 - Planning

24 July 2012 - Council

14 August 2012 - Planning

28 August 2012 Council

11 September 2012 - Planning

25 September 2012 - Council

9 October 2012 - Planning

23 October 2012 - Council

13 November 2012 - Planning & Finance and General Purpose

27th November 2012 - Council

11 December 2012 - Planning

8 January 2013 - Planning

22 January 2013 - Precept & Council

12 February 2013 - Planning

26 February 2013 - Council

12 March 2013 - Planning

26 March - Council

9 April 2013 - Planning

23 April 2013 - Council

All meetings start at 7.00pm apart from The Town Annual Meeting which starts at 7.30pm. All meetings are on a Tuesday.

Council issues warning over threatening fake bills

2012-02-15T09:19:00.000Z

Resident’s have been asked to be alert to fake council tax bills apparently from Central Bedfordshire Council.

The warning came after a 17-year-old, who was not even registered as a council tax payer, was issued with a bill demanding over £350.

Councillor Maurice Jones, Executive Member for Corporate Resources said: "This fake could quite easily fool someone.

"However the forger clearly does not know we would never send a bill out with the wording 'Agent Visit'. They have also got our logo completely wrong and there are a number of other inaccuracies.

"Nevertheless, it is worrying and I urge anyone who thinks they have received a bogus bill to contact the Council’s Revenues and Benefits department.

"This is not a widespread problem, as we've only had one report to date but customers should be vigilant given we will be issuing our annual bills in March."

The letter contains a warning in bold letters of ‘Agent Visit’ in seven days - which never features in council tax bills and a rectangular logo, as opposed Central Bedfordshire Council’s official circular one.

To contact the Council’s Revenue and Benefits team call 0300 300 4154 and ask to speak to Julie Luckman and if you are concerned about scams in general visit the Central Bedfordshire website.

Council Tax is set to be frozen for a second succesive year

2012-02-15T09:14:00.000Z

A second successive year of no council tax rises is set to become a reality after Central Bedfordshire Council’s Executive agreed the budget for 2012/2013 on Tuesday, 14 February.

The decision marks the penultimate stage in setting the budget for 2012/13, as the Executive recommended the budget for approval by full council on Thursday, 23 February.

See the full press release entitled " Another big freeze on the way as council tax wish is granted" at:

http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/news/february-2012/february-2012-news-and-press-releases.aspx

Kitelands Recreation Ground Insurance - Freedom of Information Request

2012-02-14T15:40:00.000Z

On the 12th January 2012, I asked Biggleswade Town Council:

Can I have a copy of the current insurance documents, either public liability and/or combined liability, including the terms and conditions, which cover Kitelands Recreation Ground?

The statutory 20 working days by which the information should be provided was up on Thursday 9th February 2012.

On the 13th February 2012, I asked Biggleswade Town Council:

Its now more than 20 working days since I submitted my request.

I shall be calling into to your offices on the morning of Tuesday 14th February 2012, to collect the Agenda for the Planning Meeting, so could you please ensure the documents are available then.

I called into the Town Council offices this morning for the Agenda for tonights meeting and was also given an envelope. This envelope contained two sheets of paper.

I have this afternoon gone back to the Council:

I have to say I cannot believe that you consider that the two pieces of paper I collected from your offices this morning go any to provide the information I requested on 12th January 2012.

For a start there is is no indication these “documents” even apply to Biggleswade Town Council. There are no terms and conditions (as requested), which if I had them, may explain what “Territorial Limits” are and Section 2(d)(ii).

If meaningful documents are not with me by the end of Friday (17th February 2012), I shall be complaining to the Information Commissioners Office over the weekend.

Full salting run tonight - Monday 13th February 2012

2012-02-13T17:10:00.000Z

Rain is expected to ease this evening and clear overnight leaving a dry night with some clear spells. This will allow road surface temperatures to drop to around freezing.

There will be a full salting run from 1800 this evening.

Thanks!

Central Bedfordshire Council Updates

An Update ?? - Code of Recommended Practice for Local Authorities on Data Transparency

2012-02-13T10:24:00.000Z

Reply from the Mayor:

You're right on all counts and I still cannot give you date.

_____________________________________________________________________

PREVIOUSLY

Saturday, 28 January 2012

Code of Recommended Practice for Local Authorities on Data Transparency

In October 2011, The Mayor told me that this document would be put forward to Council when it was appropriate. The Council were awaiting clarification on some points from the National Association of Local Councils and once they have that it will be brought to Council for consideration.
Since that time there were full Council meetings on 22nd November 2011 and 24th January 2012 which did not include this on the Agenda.

I have today asked the Mayor again, Can you tell me when it will be put before Council?

_______________________________________________________

On the 7th February 2011 a consultation document was issued on the above, with comments to be in by 17th March 2011..

This was discussed at the Biggleswade Town Council Planning Committee on 8th March 2011 and this is recorded in the minutes:

"that a letter be written to ask if this code of practice applies to Town Councils, as they are not mentioned in the list of definitions of "local authority", and also to say that the code of recommended practice is a repetition of Town Councils own working practices."

This is the parish of Biggleswade, and without a mayor we would have a parish council with a chairman, since we have a mayor we are called a town council, That's the only difference. The code applies to Biggleswade Town Council.

It has been brought to my attention that the final document was published on 29th September 2011 with a press release from Communities Secretary Eric Pickles, which included:

Ministers believe that data transparency should extend beyond local spending and that full disclosure should be every council's default position. Councils will now be expected to have regard to the Code in all their data publications. Subject to consultation, ministers are minded to make the Code a legally binding requirement to ensure authorities can be held fully accountable to the local people they serve.

The Code asks local authorities to follow the three principles of transparency when publishing data - Demand-led, Open and Timely. The Code also proposes the minimum datasets that should be released for reuse.

They are:

expenditure over £500, (including costs, supplier and transaction information)
senior employee salaries, names, budgets and responsibilities of staff paid over £58,200 - equivalent to the lowest Senior Civil Service pay band
an organisational chart
the 'pay multiple' - the ratio between the highest paid salary and the median average salary of the whole of the authority's workforce
councillor allowances and expenses
copies of contracts and tenders to businesses and to the voluntary community and social enterprise sector
grants to the voluntary community and social enterprise sector should be clearly itemised and listed
policies, performance, external audits and key inspections and key indicators on the authorities' fiscal and financial position
the location of public land and building assets and key attribute information that is normally recorded on asset registers
data of democratic running of the local authority including the constitution, election results, committee minutes, decision - making processes and records of decisions

I have asked Biggleswade Town Council if they will be complying with the Code.

link to the code:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/localgovernment/pdf/1997468.pdf

_______________________________________________________________________

On the 4th October 2011, I asked Biggleswade Town Clerk (copy to Mayor):

The above code was published on 29th September 2011 by the Communities Secretary Eric Pickles .

Can you confirm that Biggleswade Town Council will be complying with the code?

The only response I had was on the 5th October 2011, from the Mayor. He said that they would be put before Council when appropriate, although there was no guarantee the Council would vote in favour of them. He went on to say that if the guidelines become law then the Council would implement them.

The next Council meeting is this evening (25th October 2011) and this is not included on the Agenda, so I asked the Mayor:

Can you tell me when it will be “appropriate” to be put before Council?

The response was that the Council are awaiting clarification on some points from the National Association of Local Councils and once they have that it will be brought to Council for consideration.

Be Scam Aware - electricty bill discount?

2012-02-10T21:44:00.000Z

Central

Bedfordshire

Scam Aware

Central Bedfordshire Council’s Trading Standards team is warning consumers to be on their guard if they receive a telephone call where the caller offers a large discount off an electricity bill.

We have received a report from a concerned resident who has recently received a telephone call, where the caller claimed to be calling from the "Electricity Head Board". The caller, who was described as having an Asian Indian accent, then claimed that as previous electricity bills have been paid promptly and that the resident "qualified as a senior citizen" they could be "entitled to 40% off your electricity bills by fitting a meter" which would be sent by the caller.

Based on the information we have received we believe that this is most likely to be a scam and we would advise anyone to act with extreme caution when receiving such calls.

Our advice to consumers is to never give your personal or bank account details to anybody over the telephone unless you are absolutely certain of their intentions. Never be intimidated into making a quick decision, for example, because an offer is available for a limited period only. If you express any interest to the offer being made, you may be identified as a possible target for a future scam attempt. If you are ever unsure as to whether the offer being made or the call is genuine, do not be afraid to hang up the telephone.

If you have information about suspect rogue traders or would like to report a possible scam please initially contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06, in order so that all relevant regulatory authorities can be notified.

In the meantime, please visit our website www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/bescamaware for advice and guidance on how to spot a scam and how to avoid becoming a victim.

Kind regards

Trading Standards

(Community Safety and Public Protection)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Central Bedfordshire Council Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5TQ

Telephone: 0300 300 8136 Email: trading.standards@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

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Lincoln Crescent Biggleswade - vehicle

2012-02-10T21:37:00.000Z

This is a Ringmaster message, from Bedfordshire Police. Please pass the details of this message onto friends and neighbours.

Bedfordshire Police ask residents to report any suspicious activity around parked vehicles after a theft took place in Lincoln Crescent, in Biggleswade.

The offence took place between 9:00 p.m. on the 8th and 7:00 a.m. on the 9th of February.

The vehicle was a White, 55 registered, Fiat.

The offender has gained access to the underside of the vehicle, removing the catalytic convertor.

The safest place to park your vehicle is in a garage, if you have a garage please use it.

Park your vehicle in a well lit area.

Always check that it is correctly locked, and all valuables are removed, before leaving the vehicle.

We are particularly keen to hear about suspicious persons seen under vehicles, or with containers and syphoning equipment.

If you have any information about this crime or other suspicious incidents, please call the Force Control Room on 1 0 1, and quote crime reference, J D / 4 7 7 2 / 2012.

Alternatively text your message to (07786) 200011

Email your message to chc@Bedfordshire.pnn.Police.uk

Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on

0 8 0 0 5 5 5 1 1 1.

Or online at http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/.

No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

Thank you for your support.

Be Scam Aware - potential telephone scam

2012-02-09T20:39:00.000Z

Central

Bedfordshire

Scam Aware

Central Bedfordshire Council’s Trading Standards team is warning consumers and small businesses of a potential telephone scam regarding the blocking of telesales calls.

We have had a report from a consumer who has received a telephone call whereby the caller claims the consumer has recently agreed to a service that blocks telesales calls to their number and the caller was calling to confirm payment / bank details. The consumer had not agreed to any such service. The caller was using a 'with-held' telephone number and therefore could not be traced.

Based on the information provided we believe that this call is a scam and we would advise anyone to act with extreme caution when receiving such calls.

Our advice to consumers and small businesses is that you should never give your personal or bank account details to anybody over the telephone unless you are absolutely certain of their intentions. Never be intimidated into making a decision to provide such details and led to think you have already entered an agreement. Always take a moment to ask yourself whether the call is genuine and request proof of such an agreement if you are unsure - a legitimate business will always be happy to meet such a request.

If, at any point, you are unsure as to whether the caller is genuine, do not be afraid to hang up the telephone. And remember, if you do show any interest or provide your details, you may be identified as a possible target for a future scam attempt.

In the meantime, please visit our website www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/bescamaware for advice and guidance on how to spot a scam and how to avoid becoming a victim.

Kind regards

Trading Standards

(Community Safety and Public Protection)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Central Bedfordshire Council Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5TQ

Telephone: 0300 300 8136 Email: trading.standards@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

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Wounding with Intent Earns Five Years in Prison

2012-02-09T20:36:00.000Z

A drinker, who left his victim scarred for life after hitting him with a glass in a Biggleswade pub, was jailed for 5 years on 7 February.

David Harrup, 48, of The Knolls, Beeston, Sandy, does not know why he attacked bricklayer Samuel Bartram near the pool table in The White Horse. He pleaded guilty to wounding with intent on the night of 29 January last year.

The first blow broke the beer glass and the second, delivered with the broken glass, caused a cut so deep that it passed through layers of his skin leaving his face permanently scarred and numb, Luton crown court heard.

Prosecutor, Timothy Naik, said: "The two men did not know each other. Mr Harrup said something to Mr Bartram, who replied: 'What did you say? I can't hear you.' He was struck by Mr Harrup with the glass."

Harrup was pulled off Mr Bartam and was put in a taxi. He later gave himself up to the police. Mr Naik said that the victim, who works as a bricklayer, had 12 days off work and is likely to be left with permanent scarring.

Stuart Sprawson, defending, said: "He has lived a hard-working, industrious life, supporting his family and people in the community."

Mr Sprawson said the father-of-two runs his own business and is of 'positive good character,' being involved in Biggleswade Football Club and Sandy Boxing Club.

On the night, he and a group of friends had been to a number of pubs in the area and had intended to go onto a curry house, but it was shut. As a result, he said they went into the White Horse pub, where he had not been before. He said there had been an incident in the pub earlier that did not involve Mr Harrup but he became involved with Mr Bartram, striking him twice.

"He has very little memory of what happened and doesn't know the motive. It was not planned. It was not spontaneous. He doesn't fully understand why he behaved in the way he did. He is remorseful,” said Mr Sprawson.

Jailing him, Judge Michael Kay QC said: "This case shows clearer than any case I have encountered the perils, some might say, evils of drinking to excess. It was down to alcohol - that is not mitigation, not an excuse. If anything it is an aggravating feature."

He told Harrup: "What occurred was sickening. Your victim is reminded of what happened every time he looks in the mirror. He wakes up and feels pain and suffers nightmares. It has been life-changing for him."

Police Deliver on Promise to Drive Down Burglary

2012-02-09T20:33:00.000Z

Police in Bedfordshire have honoured their pledge to tackle the crimes that matter most to the public, latest performance figures show.

Last year, Bedfordshire Police Authority ran a number of consultation exercises to gather feedback about the crimes which ranked highest on residents’ lists of priorities for the Force. In one survey, 41 percent of respondents said they wanted police to concentrate on cutting domestic burglaries rates in the county which have a devastating emotional impact on their victims. In a later questionnaire, a quarter of residents again placed domestic burglary as their top concern, significantly higher than any other single offence. As a result, Bedfordshire Police Authority ensured burglary was listed as a top priority in its Strategic Plan and that action was drawn up to target this type of crime.

And now latest figures show the Authority and Force’s efforts to address burglary rates across the county are already bearing fruit. Two fewer burglary offences took place in the county per day between April and December 2011 (from 10.7 per day in 2010 to 8.4 in the first nine months of this year). Meanwhile, police are also detecting a greater number of burglary offences, from 16 percent between April and December 2010 to 20% in the same period last year.

Overall crime also fell at a rate of almost five fewer offences per day, from 119.5 between April and December 2010 to 115.2 in the same period last year. In addition, robbery rates – which also featured high on the public’s list of priorities – also saw improvements as well as its detection rate.

Penny Fletcher chairman of Bedfordshire Police Authority’s Performance Scrutiny Committee said: “These figures are extremely encouraging and show the public that we have not only listened to them but are also delivering on the actions we outlined in our Strategic Plan. Our communities play a huge role in the way we set our policing agenda and these results show that making the effort to tell us what you think can have a real impact on our operational decisions.

“Both the Police Authority and the Force are constantly striving to improve the service the public receives whether this is in the way we deal with victims of crime or the way we listen to the problems which concern our communities. By closing the gap between public expectations and performance we will hopefully improve satisfaction levels in local policing and ensure confidence continues to grow in the Force.

“Bedfordshire Police has maintained its improved national rank positions in all of its priority detection categories compared to last year which means our communities are not only safer, they are also receiving a better service in the investigation and detection of the crimes which take place in the county. By continuing to place the needs of residents at the heart of our decisions, I am confident we will continue to bring further reductions and service improvements in the future.”

Further consultation this year has again identified domestic burglary as an ongoing concern for residents and as such it will feature prominently again in this year’s Plan.

Crimestoppers burglary campaign launched by the Bill's Graham Cole

2012-02-07T22:04:00.000Z

06 February 2012

Crimestoppers burglary campaign launched by the Bill’s Graham Cole

Actor Graham Cole, better known as PC Tony Stamp from The Bill, was in Luton last week helping Crimestoppers to crack down on burglars across the county of Bedfordshire.

He was also joined by Batman. The caped crusader is part of a campaign by the independent charity Crimestoppers to encourage the public to tell them what they know about burglary and who’s handling stolen goods in their communities.

And, like Batman, callers won’t be identified – the message being publicised by the masked hero is ‘It’s what you know, not who you are’.

Calls to the Crimestoppers’ 0800 555 111 number or information given through the website www.crimestoppers-uk.org are 100% anonymous.

The event launched Bedfordshire Crimestoppers’ new burglary campaign which will see 120,000 postcards being sent out to homes in the county appealing for information on burglary and handling stolen goods over the next 3 months. The first batch of postcards are going out this week to 7 areas which have experienced an increase in burglary over the last year. It also includes billboards, radio adverts and a short film on the human impact of burglary which can be viewed at http://www.bedscrimestoppers.org/

The well attended event was hosted by Luton’s Venue Central and included guests such as The Deputy Mayor of Luton, Bedfordshire Police, Bedfordshire Police Authority, Crimestoppers volunters, local councilors and Luton Borough Council.

Tony Lloyd, Chair of Bedfordshire Crimestoppers, explained why the campaign is important: “Being burgled is not just about losing possessions, it also robs you of feeling safe in your own home. People should be able to feel secure and confident in their homes.

“No one has anything to fear by contacting Crimestoppers. No personal information is taken and calls are not traced or recorded. Those who give information do not have to give a statement to police or go to court. In the 24 years that we have been running, Crimestoppers has never broken its promise of anonymity”.

Graham Cole added: “After 27 years of playing a police officer I am proud to put my name to the “Stamp out Crime” campaign with Crimestoppers and their new Property Protector. Its powerful technology will deter crime and provide reassurance that you are buying an official Police security solution. A special promotion is currently being offered to Bedfordshire residents at:

www.crimestopperspropertyprotector.com/bedfordshirecrimestoppers

Up to £1,000 can be claimed for any information which leads to the arrest and charge of those responsible for burglaries or handling stolen goods.

If you are having problems viewing the image in this message please use the link below

http://www.bedfordshire.police.uk/about_us/news/news_2012/february/120206_-_crimestoppers.aspx

Help keep neighbourhood pavements ice free this winter

2012-02-05T10:33:00.000Z

FEBRUARY 2012

Say no to icy, slippery pavements this winter

Icy and snowy pavements are a danger to us all during the winter months. Last year around 20,000 people in the UK were admitted to hospital after slipping on icy pavements.

If you’re older, disabled or have a pushchair, these ice-rink conditions make it almost impossible to venture outdoors.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Your council has a legal duty to keep pavements safe.

Living Streets, the national charity that stands up for pedestrians, is campaigning to keep pavements ice free this winter.

It would be great if you could ask your readers to join the campaign and write to their local council urging them to keep pavements ice free this and every winter.

Feel free to contact Rosanna Downes on 020 7377 4913 or

rosanna.downes@livingstreets.org.uk for more information.

Thank you in advance for your help. We look forward to working with you to create better streets in your neighbourhood.

© Living Streets No. 5368409
Company Registration No. 5368409
Registered Charity No. 1108448 (England and Wales)
and SC039808 (Scotland)

Biggleswade Town Council year end accounts 31st March 2010 & 2011 - an update

2012-02-02T11:31:00.000Z

Previous post 28th December 2011:

http://biggleswadeonline.blogspot.com/2011/12/biggleswade-town-council-year-end.html

Further to my email of 10th December to Councillor W P Smith and copied to Cllr. I Bond & Cllr M Russell, I received a response dated 1st January 2012, saying that I had received a complete set of budget papers for year ending 31st March 2010, on 5th November 2010 not 2011 and apologised for the mistake.

I responded on 8th January 2012:

Attached to my letter of 15th November 2011 was a summary of the events of the six months it took me to get what I thought was a copy of the accounts (breakdown into budget allocation) for year ended 31st March 2010. You will see from this summary, that the documents provided on 5th November 2010 turned out to be a Statement of Accounts, not a complete set of Budget Papers.

Therefore, I still do not have a copy of the year-end accounts (by cost centre) for 2010 and 2011, which reflect the outturn figures of £49,960 and £5876.70 for cost centre 4819, for the respective years. I requested these papers in my letters of the 15th November 2011 and 10th December 2011, but as yet they have not been provided.

I would be grateful if you can arrange for me to be provided with the correct copies of the cost centre breakdown for year ended 31st March 2010 and 2011 by Friday 20th January 2012 at the latest.

I would be grateful if you could personally verify that these are correct before they are sent to me. I have already paid for documents I was led to believe were the correct ones so I do not expect to have to pay again.

10th January 2012, email from Councillor W P Smith:

I have spoken to the Town Clerk and he will be in touch to arrange an appointment for you to meet with our Accountant when they next visit the Office. In that way you will be able to address your concerns direct to them and clarify exactly what information is required. The Accountants will be at the Office before 20th January.

This will be the best course of action for us to now take.

After 5 years of providing me with these papers, they suddenly do not know what I want and have passed the buck back to the accountants as they did a year ago.

16th January 2012, email from Town Clerk:

Re: Your e mail to Wendy Smith following up from the internal investigation, I believe that Wendy mentioned that the accountant will be at the Town Council offices on Thursday 19^th January 2012.

If you wish to see the accountant he will be available between 10.00am and 12.00pm and between 2.00pm and 3.00pm.

There is no need to make an appointment, just turn up when you are available.

I responded on 16th January 2012 by email and pointed out that Wendy Smith’s email of 10th January 2012 copied to him, made no mention of when the accountant would be at the offices, only by Friday 20th January 2012. I said I would try and get to the offices on Thursday 19th January but it is unlikely I will be able to do so for personal reasons.

At this time I am not sure when I will be able to pursue this or many other issues which are pending.

Vehicle Crime Reduction

2012-02-01T13:43:00.000Z

Help Reduce Car Crime With A Few Simple Steps

Bedfordshire Police are urging motorists to take some simple measures to reduce the chance of their cars being broken in to.

Over recent weeks there has been an increase in theft from motor vehicles with opportunist thieves targeting property which has been left inside the car and in full view with items such as satellite navigation systems, mobile phones, wallets and handbags being particularly attractive to offenders.

Detective Constable Michelle Sears of the Vehicle Crime Unit said: “Over half the incidents of car crime are ‘opportunistic’ with thieves spotting something that could earn them a quick buck.

“Vehicles with property on display are more likely to be broken into because thieves will risk setting off an alarm if there is an obvious pay-off. Even an empty carrier bag or a coat on the back seat is attractive to a thief as it may contain items of value.

“By the time the thief has realised there is nothing of value, your vehicle has already sustained damage which may be expensive, inconvenient and time consuming to repair.”

Bedfordshire Police has increased patrols in areas of high vehicle crime across the county, and has implemented many successful initiatives in the areas of prevention, intelligence and enforcement. However, in order to assist us in reducing the risk of vehicle crime, we ask that you take these simple steps:

Close the windows and sunroof, and lock the doors and boot.
Only take what you need on your journey – whenever possible, leave personal and valuable items at home.
If you must take valuable items with you, keep them out of view and take them with you when you leave the vehicle – even if you think you will only be a minute.
It’s better to store items in the boot at your point of departure, not the point of arrival – you don’t know who may be watching.
Laptops and satellite navigation systems are currently being targeted – keep them out of sight.
Remember to remove your stereo fascia – this is the best way to make your stereo unattractive to thieves.
Even small items like loose change and a packet of cigarettes are incentives to the opportunist thief.
Items with your personal details – such as letters, bank statements, vehicle documents, etc – also leave you at risk of identity fraud.
If you have a remote locking system, always double check the car is secure by trying the door handle.

Bedfordshire Police and Crime Reduction Officers continue to actively target the problem at the moment but anything that can be done to prevent the problem in the first place is invaluable. For more information on crime reduction please contact the team via email on crimereduction@bedfordshire.pnn.police.uk.

If you have information relating to thefts from motor vehicle, contact Bedfordshire Police, in confidence, on the non emergency number 101, or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111,or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Blog Stats for January 2012

2012-02-01T08:56:00.000Z

Pageviews last month - 2,004

Previous highest month - 1,442

All time Monthly average - 1,000

Pageviews all time history (since December 2010) - 14,006

Biggleswade Health Centre - after the failed appeal.

2012-01-30T21:33:00.000Z

Following the Appeal decision on 31st October 2011, the Councils Agent wrote to them.

Apparently "The Town Councils case was disadvantaged by the lack of support from the healthcare providers." What a surprise. There was no support from them for the original application, which was refused in January 2011. There was no support for it when Dr Hollington & Christina Ward (Executive Director, Ivel Medical Centre) attended the Council meeting of 22nd February 2011. Despite this, the Council pushed on and appealed in June 2011.

"The issue of biodiversity can be addressed by the necessary surveys and mitigation measures being put in place". One of the reasons that the original application failed was that these surveys had not been completed. The Council were looking to be made a special case, as the surveys were costed at circa £60,000, and they did not think that they should be wasting public money on this !!

"The Inspector can be criticised for accepting the contention of the Councils Planning Officer at the Hearing that the Council are actively involved in looking at another site in Biggleswade without any substantive evidence in support" What about all of the statements and contentions made by the Council and their Agents that they did not produce evidence for, he accepted them as well.

____________________________________________________________

On the Agenda of the Council Meeting of 24th January 2012 there was a recommendation that the Town Council write again to CBC to purchase the land East of Biggleswade.

___________________________________________________________

Consider this:

At the moment there is a planning application being considered by Central Bedfordshire Council for the redevelopment of the London Road Retail Park, Biggleswade. This includes the construction of two units (1 & 2) over the other side of London Road, off Pegasus Drive, which will be used for turnaround for the redevelopment.

I understand the Fire & Ambulance Service have both expressed a desire to move from their present sites at Chestnut Avenue, to an out of town centre location. The introduction of traffic lights in Crab Lane over the railway bridge has not helped their operations.

Central Bedfordshire Council own the Acorn Centre in Lawrence Road, Biggleswade, which adjoins the Ambulance Station / Fire Station sites.

The doctors two surgeries have expressed an interest in retaining the two practices with the possibility of some shared facilities / services.

Possible scenario:

1. Fire & Ambulance Service move to Units 1 & 2, Pegasus Drive

2. Acorn Centre used as a temporary home for Saffron Road Health Centre (Dr Kirkham & Partners).

3. Saffron Road Health Centre, refurbished / extended.

4. Saffron Road Health Centre, reoccupied by Dr Kirkham & Partners.

5. Acorn Centre occupied by Ivel Medical Centre from The Baulk, Biggleswade, with some facilities / services shared with Dr Kirkham & Partners.

‘Surf Safely’ – Police Support Staying Safe Online

2012-01-30T14:48:00.000Z

Bedfordshire Police is supporting the international Safer Internet Day (SID) on Tuesday 7 February, 2012 and inviting local parents to learn more about keeping their children safe online at an event hosted by Bedford Girls School.

The theme of ‘Connecting generations and educating each other’ will be delivered by officers from the Local Policing Team from 7pm at the school in Cardington Road, Bedford. Parents, guardians or anyone who works with or cares for young people is welcome to the FREE event. To book a place, please https://jhodgkin.wufoo.com/forms/bedfordshire-police-presentation-on-e-safety/. Spaces are limited and will be issued on a first come first serve basis.

Throughout the day the force’s ten top tips for staying safe online will be sent through our twitter feed.

Richard Denton the Children and Young People Development Officer for Bedfordshire Police said: “The Internet is a fantastic tool and the majority of the time it is a beneficial, fun and educational resource. We are just asking everyone to apply common sense and a few simple safety measures. Think about who you are talking to, the information you share and how you can maintain your privacy. We hope that this event will enhance the work we do all year round to keep young people safe online.”

Pippa Milton, Head of PSHE at Bedford Girls’ School, added: “We strive to equip all of our girls with the means to make informed decisions about their wellbeing and personal safety in every environment, including online.

“This event aims to enhance parents’ and guardians’ understanding and awareness through the expert insight of Bedfordshire Police and we’re delighted to open our doors to the wider community and share knowledge in such an important field.”

To get up to date advice about staying safe online visit http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/ If you are concerned about any content or activity on your child's internet and social networking sites then please contact Bedfordshire Police by calling 101

For more information on the event go to http://www.saferinternet.org/web/guest/safer-internet-day-2012

Follow Bedfordshire Police top 10 Internet safety tips:

Visit http://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/ to find out more about keeping safe online.
Look at installing security products that allow parents / carers to block certain websites, implement time limits and monitor activity.
Help your children to understand that they should never give out personal details to online friends they do not know offline.
Explain to your children what information about them is personal: i.e. email address, mobile number, school name, sports club. Small pieces of information can easily be pieced together to form a comprehensive insight in to their lives and daily activities.
Make your children aware that they need to think carefully about the information and pictures they post on their profiles. Inform them that once published online, anyone can change or share these images of them.
It can be easy to forget that the internet is not a private space, and as a result young people sometimes engage in risky behaviour online. Advise your children not to post any pictures, videos or information on their profiles, or in chat rooms, that they would not want a parent or carer to see.
If your child receives spam or junk email and texts, remind them never to believe their contents, reply to them or use them.
It's not a good idea for your child to open files that are from people they don't know. They won't know what they contain—it could be a virus, or worse – an inappropriate image or film.
Help your child to understand that some people lie online and that therefore it's better to keep online mates online. They should never meet up with any strangers.
Always keep communication open for a child to know that it's never too late to tell someone if something makes them feel uncomfortable.

If you have information relating to online crime call Bedfordshire Police in confidence on the non emergency number 101, or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or online at crimestoppers-uk.org

Scrap Metal Operation – Biggleswade

2012-01-30T11:22:00.000Z

27 January 2012

Biggleswade police joined forces with council enforcement teams yesterday (Wednesday 25 January, 2012) to combat the trade in stolen scrap metal.

The record price of recyclable metals across the world has prompted an ever-increasing trade in metal stolen for its scrap value.

While some items stolen from yards or building sites are scrap, many more items in current use such as gas and water pipes, electricity cables, gates, lead roofing and even statues and lightning conductors are being stolen to be traded for cash.

People trading in scrap need a licence issued by the Environment Agency, so Central Bedfordshire Council’s Environmental Protection Team and local officers spent most of yesterday afternoon stop-checking vehicles around the Biggleswade area, making sure their loads of scrap were properly documented.

“We divided our team between general mobile patrol around the area, and also stop checking vehicles approaching scrap yards so see if there were any criminal or civil offences,” said Sgt Neil Camfield. “I’m pleased to say there was no evidence of any of the vehicles we stopped carrying stolen goods, although the council team issued six notices to traders who were not complying with licensing regulations.”

The joint patrols will be continuing in coming months. Metal thefts can cause huge damage to local buildings and the environment. Anyone who has information about this issue should can contact police on 101, or independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. You do not have to give your name but you could still receive a cash reward. If you see anyone stealing or moving metal items which you suspect are stolen, contact police immediately on 999.

London Road Retail Park, London Road, Biggleswade - an update

2012-01-29T22:03:00.000Z

CB/11/03734/FULL

Demolition of existing retail and commercial units. Construction of new retail units (Use Class A1) and (Use Class A3); alterations to Homebase; associated access works, servicing and landscaping; improvements to London Road.

My last post on this was dated 26th October 2011, the day after the Consultation period started.

http://biggleswadeonline.blogspot.com/2011/10/london-road-retail-park-biggleswade.html

According to the Central Bedfordshire web site the target date for a decision is set at 24th January 2012. But we now have "Earliest Decision Date" of 24th February 2012.

There have been 3 responses against; 2 in favour and 4 comments, I am not sure how that adds up to 17 responses received shown on the web site.

Code of Recommended Practice for Local Authorities on Data Transparency

2012-01-28T21:00:00.000Z

In October 2011, The Mayor told me that this document would be put forward to Council when it was appropriate. The Council were awaiting clarification on some points from the National Association of Local Councils and once they have that it will be brought to Council for consideration.

Since that time there were full Council meetings on 22nd November 2011 and 24th January 2012 which did not include this on the Agenda.

I have today asked the Mayor again, Can you tell me when it will be put before Council?

_______________________________________________________

PREVIOUSLY

On the 7th February 2011 a consultation document was issued on the above, with comments to be in by 17th March 2011..

This was discussed at the Biggleswade Town Council Planning Committee on 8th March 2011 and this is recorded in the minutes:

It has been brought to my attention that the final document was published on 29th September 2011 with a press release from Communities Secretary Eric Pickles, which included:

They are:

expenditure over £500, (including costs, supplier and transaction information)
senior employee salaries, names, budgets and responsibilities of staff paid over £58,200 - equivalent to the lowest Senior Civil Service pay band
an organisational chart
the 'pay multiple' - the ratio between the highest paid salary and the median average salary of the whole of the authority's workforce
councillor allowances and expenses
copies of contracts and tenders to businesses and to the voluntary community and social enterprise sector
grants to the voluntary community and social enterprise sector should be clearly itemised and listed
policies, performance, external audits and key inspections and key indicators on the authorities' fiscal and financial position
the location of public land and building assets and key attribute information that is normally recorded on asset registers
data of democratic running of the local authority including the constitution, election results, committee minutes, decision - making processes and records of decisions

I have asked Biggleswade Town Council if they will be complying with the Code.

link to the code:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/localgovernment/pdf/1997468.pdf

_______________________________________________________________________

On the 4th October 2011, I asked Biggleswade Town Clerk (copy to Mayor):

The above code was published on 29th September 2011 by the Communities Secretary Eric Pickles .

Can you confirm that Biggleswade Town Council will be complying with the code?

The next Council meeting is this evening (25th October 2011) and this is not included on the Agenda, so I asked the Mayor:

Can you tell me when it will be “appropriate” to be put before Council?

The response was that the Council are awaiting clarification on some points from the National Association of Local Councils and once they have that it will be brought to Council for consideration.

Proposed Temporary Road Closure - Dunton Lane & Biggleswade Road, Biggleswade - For surfacing works.

2012-01-28T20:10:00.000Z

Closure is expected to take place during one week from 6th to 10th February 2012, between 0800 and 1800 hrs. Access may be allowed from time to time according to local signing.

Alternative route - approaching from Dunton, at roundabout Sutton Lane / Biggleswade Road / road to Edworth, take Sutton Lane / Sutton Road. Proceed to Sutton crossroads and turn left onto High Street, Sutton. Continue through Sutton to junction with B1040. Turn left and continue on B1040 into Biggleswade to junction with A6001 London Road. Turn left and continue on A6001 to roundabout with Dunton Lane. Take 1st exit and continue on Dunton Lane to roundabout with Saxon Drive and vice versa.

I calculate that as a detour of about 6.5miles.

Were You the Victim of Wallet Theft?

2012-01-27T20:29:00.000Z

Police in Bedford are appealing for a potential victim to come forward after the theft of a wallet was reported to them by CCTV operators on Thursday, January 26.

The incident happened in Harpur Square, Bedford at 7.30pm after an elderly man with a walking stick had his wallet taken from him by a woman.

Officers attended the scene, recovered a wallet close by, and arrested a 25 year old woman on suspicion of theft. She has now been released on bail pending further investigation.

PS James Panter, investigating, is keen to trace the elderly man who had left the scene prior to police arriving.

PS Panter said: “It is important that we trace the man involved in this incident as we would like to return his property to him and also find out exactly what happened on Thursday evening.”

If you are the man or if you help identify him you can contact PS Panter, at Greyfriars Police Station, in confidence, on 101, or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111,or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Batman battles burglars – The Bill’s Graham Cole stamps out crime

2012-01-27T09:07:00.000Z

25 January 2012

Batman will be joined by actor Graham Cole, better known as PC Tony Stamp from The Bill, in Luton next week to help in a crack down on burglars across the county of Bedfordshire.

The caped crusader is part of a campaign by the independent charity Crimestoppers to encourage Bedfordshire residents to tell them what they know about burglary and who’s handling stolen goods in their communities.

And, like Batman, callers won’t be identified – the message being publicised by the masked hero is ‘It’s what you know, not who you are’.

Calls to the Crimestoppers’ 0800 555 111 number or information given through the website www.crimestoppers-uk.orgare 100% anonymous.

The event will launch Crimestoppers’ new burglary campaign which will see 120,000 postcards being sent out to homes in the county appealing for information on burglary and handling stolen goods. It also includes billboards, radio adverts and a short film on the human impact of burglary.

Tony Lloyd, Chair of Bedfordshire Crimestoppers, explained why the campaign was important: “Being burgled is not just about losing possessions, it also robs you of feeling safe in your own home. People should be able to feel secure and confident in their homes.

Crimestoppers plays a major part in the fight against burglary and handling stolen goods. Last year Crimestoppers received 5442 pieces of actionable information about burglaries and theft, leading to 608 arrests and charges across the UK. More information about this burglary campaign by the charity, funded and supported by Bedfordshire Police, can be found at http://www.bedscrimestoppers.org/

Up to £1,000 can be claimed for any information which leads to the arrest and charge of those responsible for burglaries or handling stolen goods.

Quarterly Crime Update

2012-01-27T09:02:00.000Z

24 January 2012

Quarterly crime figures published show overall levels in Bedfordshire for the 12 months to September 2011 are below the England and Wales average at 70 crimes per 1000 people compared to 74 crimes per 1000 people in England and Wales.

Results of the British Crime Survey, which have also been made available, show Bedfordshire’s victim satisfaction rates are currently showing an improving trend. The latest local data shows an improvement from 79% satisfaction in the 12 months to October 2010 to 82% in the 12 months to October 2011.

Chief Constable Alf Hitchcock said: “We note the recent report comparing figures to September 2011 and these represent an historic snapshot of where the Force was in 2010 and part of 2011 policing years. The Force is working hard to drive down those crimes that most harm communities including burglary, robbery and MSV (Most Serious Violence) as well as bringing to justice those responsible. The figure to the end of December shows our continuing success in reversing previous trends and we remain committed to fighting crime and protecting the public.”

The figures show crime levels in Bedfordshire have fallen in a number of crime categories – there has been a 25% reduction in “Sexual Offences”, a 9% reduction in “Offences against Vehicles”, a 6% reduction in “Criminal Damage” and a 24% reduction in “Other Offences”. Bedfordshire currently has the lowest rate of “Sexual Offences” in England and Wales.

There has been a 12% increase in “Violence against the person – without Injury” in Bedfordshire. However, Bedfordshire is still below the England and Wales average for this offence category at 7.3 crimes per 1000 people compared to the England and Wales rate of 7.7 crimes per 1000 people. Bedfordshire is also similar to the England and Wales crime rate for overall “Violence against the person” and for “Violence against the person – with Injury”.

Bedfordshire’s Domestic Burglary rate was 14.6 crimes per 1000 households compared to an England and Wales average of 11 crimes per 1000 households. This remains a priority for the force and rates for the period April to December 2011 are 19% lower than the period in April to December 2010 and the detection rate for Domestic Burglary has improved from 16% to 21%.

While the quarterly figures published show Bedfordshire had one of the highest Robbery levels in England and Wales in the 12 month period to September 2011 this equates to a Robbery rate of 1.3 crimes per 1000 people. Bedfordshire’s robbery level has remained unchanged in comparison to the previous 12 month period compared to a 4% increase in England and Wales. Robbery rates for the period April to December 2011 are 6% lower than the period in April to December 2010 and the detection rate for Robbery has improved from 19% to 23%.

Bedfordshire has a below average rate of recorded drug offences at 2.7 crimes per 1000 population compared to 4.2 crimes per 1000 people in England and Wales.

REMINDER - 28th January 2012 - Steven Watkins - Biggleswade Library

2012-01-25T21:54:00.000Z

Steven Watkins, Biggleswade Town Councillor, Stratton Ward will be holding a Councillor Surgery at Biggleswade Library on Saturday the 28th January from 10am to Noon. He hopes to bring another councillor along.

He has made the effort to organise this, so do not miss this opportunity.

Witnesses Sought to Biggleswade Assault

2012-01-25T15:37:00.000Z

January 25, 2012

BEDFORDSHIRE Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward after an elderly man was assaulted in Biggleswade on Sunday January 22.

The incident happened at around 5.50pm in Stratton Way, Biggleswade when two offenders beat the man to the floor, set their dog on him and then punched him as he lay on the ground.

The victim was taken to Lister Hospital in Stevenage for treatment to a cut to the head which required four stitches. The man was also left with severe swelling to his face.

The first offender is described as being white, in his late teens and was wearing a red top with its hood pulled up and dark bottoms, he was in control of the dog, described as being chocolate or light brown with some black patches. The second offender was younger and wearing a black jacket with the hood up, dark trousers and a black and white scarf across his face.

Detective Constable Guy Steel-Jessop, who is investigating the incident, would like to hear from anyone who may know the offenders or may have seen them either before or after the assault.

He said: “This was a vicious attack on an elderly man who was going about his daily business. Thankfully he has not sustained any serious injury, but he has been left very shaken by the whole incident.

“The two offenders certainly weren’t afraid to use violence and I hope that anyone who may have seen them will come forward to help stop them from committing similar offences in the future.

“I’d like to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time or anyone else who may have information – however small or insignificant they think it is – that could help us. Don’t dismiss your information as unimportant – even tiny details which don’t seem relevant now might become useful later on in the investigation.”

If you have information relating to this incident, contact DC Steel-Jessop, in confidence on the non emergency number 101, or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111,or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Clampdown on illegal parking

2012-01-24T10:24:00.000Z

Whilst the great majority of motorists are considerate when parking, there are still a number of individuals that endanger the safety of others by parking at inappropriate and dangerous locations. Parking restrictions are put in place on safety grounds or to assist the free flow of traffic for the benefit of the residents and the general public.

In November 2011, in response to concerns about dangerous and disruptive parking near schools, Central Bedfordshire Council brought into use three mobile enforcement vehicles equipped with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) equipment which will allow a Penalty Charge Notice to be issued by post.

Up to the end of December 2011, only warning letters were issued to raise awareness of the action being taken by the Council. One hundred warning letters were issued in December 2011. In just two working weeks since the start of the year 326 parking tickets / Penalty Charge Notices were issued, averaging 30 a day per vehicle.

Initially the cars targeted parking hot spots around schools and near pedestrian crossings. However in response to requests from Councillors and others, the vehicles have also targeted towns and villages where parking enforcement has been relatively low key. This now includes Biggleswade.

Cycling signage - a completely new scheme to include walking routes?

2012-01-23T21:58:00.000Z

Further to the post of 4th May 2011:

http://biggleswadeonline.blogspot.com/2011/05/cycling-signage-another-update.html

Further to the email of 27th April from the Senior Engineer (Road Safety) Bedfordshire Highways:

Thank you for the further details. I will discuss these issues with ******** to ensure the intended cycle routes are clearly signed from origin to destination. Clearly from your photographs there are a few issues to resolve. Hopefully you will see these changes on the ground soon. Again, thank you for bringing this to our attention.

I asked on 25th May 2011 for an update as none of the signage appeared to have changed. I was told on the 26th May 2011 that the scheme was with an engineer and in the process of review for amendments.

I asked for an update on 19th June 2011 as some of the signs had been corrected and again on 9th November 2011, but no response.

I asked again on 8th January 2012 and received a response on 11th January from the Senior Engineer (Road Safety) Bedfordshire Highways, that he was under the impression the corrections to the signage had been completed. On the 12th January he sent me another email,

The Engineer has conformed all the signs but one has been corrected as required. The remaining works will be completed this financial year. After which a completion meeting will be held between the design engineer and client to review the works carried out.

I have today gone back to him:

It was in April 2011 that in Biggleswade a proliferation of cycling signage first appeared, some pointing in strange directions, which I brought to your attention at that time.

I contacted you again in June and November 2011 and again in January 2012 asking for confirmation that the signage had been amended.

Your response on 11th January 2012 was that you were under the impression the corrections had been completed and on the 12th that all but one has been corrected. I have not looked at all of the signage again very recently but neither the sign outside Southlands School, or the one at the top of Holme Court Avenue have been changed. I attach photographs I have previously sent you in April 2011.

Attached to your latest email was a pdf of drawing 501070-001-001 for Cycling & Walking Route Improvements. This appears to be almost a complete replacement of the directional signage which was put up less than a year ago. Is this the latest scheme ??

This is a small extract of the drawing I was sent:

19th January 2012 Central Beds News Release

2012-01-19T21:50:00.000Z

The following press release is issued by Central Bedfordshire.

Driving home the message to young people in Central Bedfordshire

Teenagers can have a bad reputation when it comes to cars - some drive too fast and they haven't got the experience of more mature motorists.

But two new courses aimed at giving young drivers the skills they need before they venture onto the area's roads could change all that.

Supported by Central Bedfordshire Council in partnership with their Highways Contractor Amey, the courses will be running in January and March.

Having already proved popular in the past, the MORE 16 and MORE Drive programmes target young people in Central Bedfordshire , aged between 16 and 24 and offer three workshops on driving skills, maintenance and safety before they start learning to drive.

The workshops are run by vehicle inspectors and collision investigators from Bedfordshire Police, Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service, Three Shires Driving School and Bedford's Millbrook proving ground and offer real-life experience from professionals at the top of their field.

The MORE 16 programme, which will be running on Saturday 28 January and Saturday 3 March, is aimed at 16 year-olds and offers them their first taste of driving on a Millbrook track. The course also offers guidance to parents on choosing a driving instructor and how to help their teens when practising. As an incentive for parents to attend, they receive a high-speed passenger ride around a track with a Millbrook pro-driver with competition history in motorsport such as Rallying or Racing.

The MORE Drive programme, which will run on Sunday 29 January and Sunday 4 March, offers 17 to 24 year-olds, who have passed their driving test, the chance to drive on a skid pan and experience ABS braking systems as well as practising emergency stops at speed to demonstrate the distance it takes to stop at varying speeds.

Elliott Viola, who has already taken part in a course, said: "What will stay with me is what not to do while driving - like speeding, drinking alcohol, or being on a mobile phone - and making sure that you are in charge, not someone else trying to influence you."

Councillor Budge Wells, Deputy Executive Member for Sustainable Communities Services, said: "These programmes offer a fantastic opportunity for young people to learn new skills and improve their driving ability.

"I'm delighted that we can offer these opportunities across Central Bedfordshire. Having attended MORE Drive, I have seen how much everyone took away with them and hope we have even more young people attend the future events."

For more information on either the MORE 16 or MORE Drive programmes, or to attend events next year, email roadsafety@amey.co.uk.

For further detals please use the following links.
LINK [County_More_Drive_16.pdf]
LINK [County_More_Drive_16_24.pdf]

Tennyson Avenue Biggleswade - Shed Burglary

2012-01-19T21:46:00.000Z

This is a Ringmaster Message from Bedfordshire Police. Please pass the details of this message onto friends, and neighbours.

Residents are asked to be vigilant, and to review the security of all outbuildings, after a shed burglary took place in Tenyson Avenue, in Biggleswade.

The offence took place on Wednesday the 18th of January, between 9:45 a.m. and 3:10 p.m.

The offender has removed a metal bar from the gate to gain access to the rear garden.

A perspex window to the shed has been pushed inwards.

Property has been moved but it appears that nothing has been taken.

Outbuildings, sheds and garages can be especially, vulnerable to criminals, and are often not the best place, to store high value items.

Always lock shed and garages, and help keep sheds secure with a good quality padlock, and hasp.

If possible anchor down items, like bikes and lawn mowers.

Consider an alarm and make sure your security lighting is covering your shed and garage.

For more information on securing your shed visit
http://www.safer-beds.org/rmwebportal/rm_desktop/files/Crime%20Reduction%20-%20Shed.html

For securing your garage visit

http://www.safer-beds.org/rmwebportal/rm_desktop/files/Crime%20Reduction%20-%20Garage.html

If you have any information about this crime or other suspicious incidents, please call the Force Control Room on 1 0 1, and quote crime reference, J D / 2 1 9 8 / 2012.

Alternatively text your message to (07786) 200011

Email your message to chc@Bedfordshire.pnn.Police.uk

Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0 8 0 0 5 5 5 1 1 1, or online at http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/.

No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

Thank you for your support.

Car Defrosting Warning

2012-01-18T22:25:00.000Z

January 16 2012

Give Car Thieves a Frosty Reception

Bedfordshire Police are warning again about car owners leaving engines running in the drive while they retreat to a warm house and wait for the windscreens on their cars to defrost.

With freezing temperatures hitting the county in the last few days, the perennial problem of opportunist thieves taking advantage has returned.

On Friday (Jan 13), a car was stolen from Miles Avenue in Leighton Buzzard after the owner tried to do a favour for his wife and start the defrosting process. But he left the engine running while he went back to the house and the vehicle was stolen – although it was found an hour later not far away.

“Unfortunately, many motorists across the country fall victim to this kind of theft every year,” said Insp Matt Thompson, of the Roads Policing Unit. “It is a temptation to leave cars unattended, especially during the winter months. But if you do this you are not only increasing the chances of having your car stolen, you are also unlikely to receive any money from your insurance company.”

“Please don't make it easy for criminals - there are plenty of products on the market to prevent frost or remove it quickly but the best way, by far, is to stay with your vehicle while it is being defrosted,” he said.

“And not leaving keys in the car – even on your drive and even for a minute or two – is something that police would like people to remember all year round.”

For more advice about how to secure your vehicles and property, please contact your local crime reduction office via Bedfordshire Police on 101 or log on to www.bedfordshire.police.uk

Bunyan Road, Biggleswade - Garden theft

2012-01-18T22:20:00.000Z

Bedfordshire Police ask local residents to be vigilant, and to report anything suspicious, after a garden theft took place in Bunyan Road, off Dells Lane, in Biggleswade.

The offence took place on Tuesday the 17th of January.

The offender has entered the garden at the front of the house, removing plants from pots and throwning them around the garden.

The owner has had a number of hanging baskets and flower pots taken from the garden during the last 2 months.

For more information on reducing crime visit

http://www.safer-beds.org/rmwebportal/rm_desktop/files/Crime%20Reduction%20-%20Introduction.html

If you have any information about this crime or other suspicious incidents, please call the Force Control Room on 1 0 1, and quote crime reference, J D / 2 1 1 5 / 2012.

Alternatively text your message to (07786) 200011

Email your message to : chc@Bedfordshire.pnn.Police.uk

Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0 8 0 0 5 5 5 1 1 1, or online at : http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/.

No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

Thank you for your support.

Blue Badge Consultation

2012-01-16T19:48:00.000Z

Central Bedfordshire would like to hear the views of current Blue Badge holders on the proposal to charge £10 for the issue of a badge.

Please read this letter (PDF 74KB) which provides details of the new Blue Badge and proposed charge and then give us your views by completing this short online questionnaire.

The deadline for responses to this consultation is 12 noon on 27 January 2012.

For more information please contact the Blue Badge Service by telephone on 0300 300 8035 or email to blue.badges@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

London Road, Biggleswade - Attempted Burglary

2012-01-16T19:20:00.000Z

13 January 2012

Police Seek Witnesses To Attempted Burglary

Detectives investigating an attempted burglary in Biggleswade which happened on Tuesday January 10 are asking the public for help in identifying the offender.

The incident happened at around 7pm when the offender tried to force open the back door of a property in London Road, Biggleswade but it appears that he was disturbed by a neighbour and fled the scene.

The offender is described as white, in his early 20s with short, dark hair. He was wearing a white hooded top and escaped on a bicycle.

If you have information relating to this incident, contact DC Jason Wheeler, in confidence, on 01234 275328, the non emergency number 101, or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

This appears to be a follow up from:

http://biggleswadeonline.blogspot.com/2012/01/london-road-biggleswade-burglary.html

Biggleswade Town Council - Community Grants

2012-01-13T21:58:00.000Z

Just to bring this notice to your attention that is published on the Town Council web site.

___________________________

The Town Council acknowledges the important contribution that Community Clubs and Organisations make to enrich and improve the quality of life for so many residents in Biggleswade.

In this respect, the Town Council would be pleased to receive applications for financial assistance from these Clubs/Organisations.

Requests for an application form should be addressed to:-

Biggleswade Town Council,

4 Saffron Road

Biggleswade

SG18 8DL

Telephone: 01767 313134

Email: enquires@biggleswadetowncouncil.gov.uk

Your completed application form should be returned to the Council Offices no later than Friday 24th February 2012

Please note that it will not be possible to consider your application after this date.

London Road, Biggleswade - Burglary attempt

2012-01-12T21:56:00.000Z

Residents are asked to be vigilant, and to report any suspicious activity in back gardens, after a burglary took place in London Road, near to the junction with Dells Lane, in Biggleswade.

The offence took place on Tuesday the 10th of January, at 7:00 p.m.

The offender gained access to the rear garden through a side gate that had been left unlocked.

The back door has been damaged but no entry has been gained.

A vigilant local resident has heard the noise and disturbed the offender, who has run off.

The offender was a White Male, 5 foot 8 with a medium build and dark hair.

Bedfordshire Police ask resident to review the security of all fences, gates and outbuildings.

Your boundaries are your first line of defence against criminals.

Always secure garden gates, keep fences and wall in good repair and consider defensive planting, or trellis.

Avoid leaving garden tools out, where they can be used by an offender to force open a door or window.

Keep property like bikes locked away in a shed or garage.

Keep garden furniture, ladders, and Wheelie bins in a secure garage or shed, or locked up away from the house, where they might be used to climb onto a roof, access a first floor window or access neighbours garden.

Report any suspicious activity, or vehicles, in the area.

For more information on reducing burglary related crime visit

http://www.safer-beds.org/rmwebportal/rm_desktop/files/Crime%20Reduction%20-%20Buglaries.html

If you have any information about this crime or other suspicious incidents, please call the Force Control Room on 1 0 1, and quote crime reference, J D / 1 3 6 8 / 2012.

Alternatively text your message to (07786) 200011

Email your message to chc@Bedfordshire.pnn.Police.uk

Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0 8 0 0 5 5 5 1 1 1, or online at http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/.

No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

Biggleswade Town Councillor(s) Surgery - 28th January 2012

2012-01-12T09:36:00.000Z

He has made the effort to organise this, so do not miss this opportunity.

Be Scam Aware - HM Revenue & Customs - suspicious emails

2012-01-11T12:21:00.000Z

Central

Bedfordshire

Scam Aware

Central Bedfordshire Council’s Trading Standards team is warning consumers to be aware of emails that claim you are entitled to a tax rebate.

We have received information from a concerned colleague who has recently received two suspicious emails in the space of a few days. The emails appear to be sent by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and at first glance appear to be genuine. The email claims that you are entitled to receive a tax refund of £xxx and in order for the refund to be claimed the recipient must open and complete an attached form, provide the personal and financial information requested, and then submit the form within six days.

However, upon further examination the email address of the sender is given as hmrct@taxes.co.uk when in fact email addresses for HMRC end with @hmrc.gsi.gov.uk.

Based on the information provided we believe that this email is a "phishing" scam, designed to obtain your personal and financial details. In most cases these types of emails will have a web-link for you to follow or an attached document to open.

Our advice to consumers is, if you receive one of these emails, please act with extreme caution. The HMRC never sends notifications of tax rebates, or requests personal information, by email. Never open any attached documents or click on web-links, as these may contain viruses that may harm your computer.

If you have any doubts as to whether an email is actually from HMRC or not, report it by forwarding it to phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk and then delete the email from your computer. For further advice on "phishing" emails, please visit www.hmrc.gov.uk/security

In the meantime, please visit our website www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/bescamaware for advice and guidance on how to spot a scam and how to avoid becoming a victim.

Kind regards

Trading Standards

(Community Safety and Public Protection)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Central Bedfordshire Council Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5TQ

Telephone: 0300 300 8136 Email: trading.standards@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Burglaries - Kingfisher Close, Biggleswade

2012-01-11T12:17:00.000Z

January 9, 2012

Did You Witness Garage Burglaries?

BEDFORDSHIRE Police are appealing for witnesses after a number of residential garages in Biggleswade were broken in to over the weekend.

Detectives received four reports of burglary and three reports of attempted burglary at addresses in Kingfisher Close, Biggleswade. Power tools, fishing equipment, a vacuum cleaner and alcohol were taken from the garages sometime between 6pm on Friday January 6 and 4.40am on Saturday January 7.

In most of the incidents, it appears that offenders have used a bladed item to force the garage lock and gain entry to the premises.

Detective Sergeant Jim Mallen, who is investigating the series of raids, said: “It is quite unusual for a number of properties in the same address to be targeted in such a short space of time.

“We would really like to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time, or anyone else who may have information – however small or insignificant they think it is – that could help us. Don’t dismiss your information as unimportant – even tiny details which don’t seem relevant now might become useful later on in the investigation.”

Bedfordshire Police are reminding residents that taking some simple measures can help reduce the chance of their house, garage or sheds being broken in to:

Sheds and garages – buy and USE a good quality lock, padbolt or hasp and staple with padlocks
Check gates and fences – are there any weak spots – a high back wall and a thorny hedge are two great deterrents.
Side passage - fit a strong gate. .
Consider an inexpensive alarm system.
Do you really need a window in the shed or could it be boarded up?
Mark your property with postcode. You can buy cheap kits from most DIY stores, which enable you to etch the number on – or simply paint it on. This is more effective than “invisible” marking which can fade. You could share the cost of the kit with neighbours and friends.

Bedfordshire Police and Crime Reduction Officers continue to actively target the problem at the moment but anything that can be done to prevent the problem in the first place is invaluable. For more information on crime reduction please contact the team via email on crimereduction@bedfordshire.pnn.police.uk.

If you have information relating to this incident, contact DS Jim Mallen, in confidence, on 01234 274151, the non emergency number 101, or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111,or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Ringmaster - News release - Have you seen these medals?

2012-01-05T21:41:00.000Z

4th January 2012.

Police investigating two burglaries in Sandy on Christmas Day, December 25, are asking the public for help.

The two burglaries took place at neighbouring properties in Windsor Way during the afternoon and are believed to be linked.

The offender has gained entry through the windows at the rear of both properties and has taken jewellery and cash before leaving the scene.

Three World War Two campaign medals have also been taken from one of the properties and DC Barry Kibble, investigating, is keen to trace anyone who has been offered any of these items for sale.

He said: “The campaign medals are very easy to identify and are of sentimental value to the victim who will not be able to replace them. It is possible that someone is trying to sell these items to unsuspecting members of the public. I would ask anyone who has been approached by someone offering items like this for sale to come forward and speak to the police, in confidence.”

Anyone with information about this crime can contact DC Kibble, in confidence, on 01234 275212, or Bedfordshire Police on 101, or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Have your say on libraries for the future - by 18th January 2012

2012-01-05T10:52:00.000Z

Central Bedfordshire Council is reviewing its Library Service to ensure it meets the needs of future generations. During summer 2011 they heard from over two thousand people about what they liked about the library service now and how they would like to see it improved. They have used this feedback to inform their proposals for the future.

They are now inviting residents to give their views on the overall direction of the library service and what residents want their local library to be like. Read the short Libraries for the Future consultation document (PDF 144KB) which sets out the proposed direction for libraries in Central Bedfordshire and then let them have your views by completing the online survey.

The deadline for responses is 18 January 2012.

Link to current online consultations:

http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/have-your-say/current-online-consultations.aspx

Bedfordshire Police Authority asks public for views on policing.

2012-01-01T09:25:00.000Z

The Authority is the independent watchdog for local policing, reponsible for ensuring that Befordshire Police is providing an efficient and effective service for Befordshire and Luton.

The Authority is asking for feedback as it prepares to set next year’s budget, which presents another challenging financial conundrum to those needing to identify savings of approximately £6.0M. Organisational changes introduced this year have delivered better value for money in these difficult financial times. Over a 1000 people have already given their views on how they have been affected on a survey running on the Police Authority website.

The online survey is available on :

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WGDV37Q

until January 26 2012.

Information generated through the survey will be fed back to the Police Authority before it discusses next year’s budget, which will be set in February.

Blog Stats for December 2011

2012-01-01T08:57:00.000Z

Page Viewslast month - 1,098

Page views all time - 11,879

Your Council Tax - no rise in 2012 ?

2011-12-29T16:42:00.000Z

Central Bedfordshire Council collects council tax from local residents which is used to fund services such as refuse collection, libraries, parks and open spaces, children's services and social care.

Council tax is also collected by Central Bedfordshire to fund local town or parish council services and Bedfordshire Police.

This year Central Bedfordshire Council froze its council tax bills and in its budget proposals for next year, it intends to once again avoid any increase in council tax.

On 6 December the Executive agreed the draft budget for 2012/13. The draft budget is now available for comment. A summary of the draft budget is provided in this consultation document (PDF 897KB):

http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/Images/111207%20ConsultDocumentWeb_tcm6-25891.pdf#False

Government funding support for councils is being reduced by 28% over four years. Biggleswade Town Council, at the Finance & General Purposes Committee held on 15th November 2011, (minutes not yet published) were, I understand looking at recommending to the Precept Meeting to be held on 24th January 2012, a 3.99% increase in their element of the Council Tax. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Bob Neill has recently stated that he regarded an increase of more than 3.5% to be excessive. Biggleswade Town Council have over £2 million pounds in reserves and hardly ever spend their budget.

Superfast Broadband - Have your say.

2011-12-29T15:17:00.000Z

Buried in the Central Bedfordshire press releases for December 2011 (if you can find them on the new website) is this one:

_________________________________________________

Superfast broadband is winging its way to most of Central Bedfordshire and a new survey should show just how much demand there is for the service.

Officers at Central Bedfordshire Council want to find out just how much demand there is from businesses and people who live in the area.

Superfast broadband would mean people could download music, games and films more quickly, and websites would download faster too.

For businesses the service could also boost opportunities to access global marketplaces and allow more companies to offer flexible working to employees.

A survey is being set up to find out just what residents and businesses want from their internet capacity.

Responses to the survey will inform the council's Local Broadband Plan, which aims to ensure that at least 90 per cent of the area has access to superfast services. And for those, possibly more rural, areas that cannot be served by the technology the plan will help to put in place alternative services so that everyone has access to minimum standards of broadband (at least two megabits).

The plan will help to extend coverage of superfast broadband (with speeds greater than 25 megabits per second, and ideally more than 30 mbps) in areas of Central Bedfordshire that are not currently, or unlikely to be served by the market.

The plan is expected to be considered by councillors in February 2012. After this, the council will then work with communities, industry and partners to deliver the plan.

To have your say, register your demand and to find out more on superfast broadband in Central Bedfordshire visit our website.

http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/local-business/business-information-and-advice/broadband.aspx

__________________________________________________________

If you then go to "Register your demand for superfast broadband" and open it you can complete the survey.

Or go directly to it:

http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/surveys/Broadband/broadband_online_survey.htm

I cannot find a published end date for the survey.

Biggleswade Town Council year end accounts 31st March 2010 & 2011

2011-12-28T17:25:00.000Z

Details of the last post on this, dated 25th October 2011, can be seen at:

http://biggleswadeonline.blogspot.com/2011/10/biggleswade-health-centre-planning_25.html

I have changed the title of this post update from "Biggleswade Health Centre Planning Application - funding and expenditure - FOI Request." as after nearly a year of asking, I have now been told this. What now transpires is, that I do not have the "real" copy of the accounts for year ended 31st March 2010 & 2011.

On the morning of the 8th November 2011 a letter dated 5th November, was hand delivered from Deputy Town Mayor, Biggleswade Town Council. It advised me that an internal review had been held by a panel that consisted of Cllr W P Smith, Cllr. I Bond & Cllr M Russell. The review panel decided that the question I asked in January 2011 was similar to the question I had asked in December 2010, so had already been answered. I was advised in this letter that £49,690 was allocated to cost centre 4819 (Saxon Sports Village) in the year ended 31st March 2010. The panel advised that they felt I had now been supplied with all of the information required in response to my queries over the last eighteen months.

15th November 2011 my response, hand delivered to the Councillors home addresses that day.

Thank you for your letter dated 5th November, which was hand delivered on 8th November 2011.

In my email of 27th December 2010 to the Town Clerk, I asked:

Now we know that the approval for this expenditure on the planning application was not minuted, but can you tell me what powers were relied upon to authorise the Council going outside of its normal remit and spending this money??

His answer to that procedural question on the 4th January 2011 was:

Any other expenditure the Council consider as long as this is agreed by Council can be made from the capital budget; this does not fall under the same category as Grants and hence requires no powers.

My question of 9th January 2011 was:

Whilst I await the accounting information I have requested, can you tell me how this application was funded and expenditure allocated within the Town Council Accounts?

It may be considered that the Town Clerks email of 4th January 2011, answered the first part of the question, but I cannot for the life of me see where in the Town Clerks email he told me where the expenditure was allocated.

If the Town Clerk was so convinced that he had provided me the information why when I asked again on 23rd February 2011 did he refer me to the Auditors and again when I asked on 16th June 2011 did he ignore me?

It is also relevant, that prior to all of this I asked for a copy of the accounts for year ended 31st March 2010, I have attached a summary of my efforts.

You are now telling me that a total of £46,960 was capitalised at year end 31st March 2010. This is news to me. You are obviously under the impression that this is shown in the copy of the accounts that I finally received in February 2011, for that period. The copy I was provided with does not show any expenditure allocated to Cost Centre 4819 - Saxon Sports Village. Neither does the one for 31st March 2011, although there were monies expended in that period as well, and the expenditure has continued into this year. In fact I have never seen a copy of the accounts for any period that shows any expenditure for Cost Centre 4819 - Saxon Sports Village. That's why I keep asking the question!

It appears that all our time has been wasted, because for some reason the Town Clerk has chosen not to provide me with the correct copy of the accounts.

I would be grateful if you can arrange for me to be provided with the correct copies of the cost centre breakdown for year ended 31st March 2010 and 2011. I would also be grateful if you could personally verify that these are correct before they are sent to me?

I thank you and your panel for the professional way that you have conducted this Internal Review.

encls:

1. summary of my efforts to get copy of accounts for year end 31st March 2010.

2. copy of page that I was told was part of year end 31st March 2010 accounts.

3. copy of page that I was told was part of year end 31st March 2011 accounts.

Emailed to Noel Mullarkey ICO

On the 25th November 2011 a letter dated 23rd November, was hand delivered from Deputy Town Mayor, Biggleswade Town Council.

The response was that:

A complete set of Budget papers for year ending 31st March 2011 were supplied to you on the 5th November 2011.

The copy budget sheets attached to your letter show the costs for the Saxon Sports Village allocated to 109/4819.

As you have already been provided with all the relevant information requested we are unable to supply any further documentation.

10th December 2011, my response sent by email to Cllr W P Smith, Cllr. I Bond & Cllr M Russell.

Thank you for your letter dated 23rd November 2011, which was hand delivered on 25th November 2011. I apologise for the delay in replying.

Given the information provided in your letters, I will advise the ICO that my request for the information, that was the subject of the Internal Review, has now been satisfied.

However you have now raised other issues that need resolving.

You said in your letter of 23rd November 2011:

"A complete set of Budget Papers for year ending 31st March 2010 were supplied to you on the 5th November 2011"

Is your reference to the 5th November 2011, to your letter of that date that was hand delivered on 8th November 2011? This letter did not indicate any enclosures and in fact there were no enclosures. Should there have been?

The "budget papers" finally provided to me as purporting to be year end accounts for both 31st March 2010 & 2011 do not show the expenditure of £49,960 you told me for 2010 or the £5876.70 the Auditors have told me was expended in 2011. All they show is a budget of £50,000 for 2010 with no expenditure and no budget or expenditure for 2011.

Therefore, I still do not have a copy of the year-end accounts for 2010 and 2011 which reflect these figures. As I asked in my letter of the 15th November 2011:

I trust you will provide these documents in a timely manner, as I would prefer not to involve the ICO again.

Be Scam Aware - Potential Loan Scam

2011-12-23T10:39:00.000Z

Central

Bedfordshire

Scam Aware

Central Bedfordshire Council’s Trading Standards team is warning consumers to be aware of potential loan scams.

We have had a report from a consumer who had applied for a loan with a company called Lending Solutions Ltd and paid a £95 admin fee upfront. The following day the consumer received a call claiming the application had been approved and the loan amount was ready to be transferred into their account, subject to part payment of the first loan repayment. The consumer duly paid this amount so that the loan amount could be transferred. However, the next day, the consumer received another call from the loan company requesting a further payment which acted as a release fee "for the tax office". Again, the consumer paid the amount requested, but has yet still to receive the agreed loan amount from the company.

Based on the information provided and the business practices described we believe this has all the hallmarks of a potential scam and we would advise anyone to act with extreme caution when applying for loans.

Our advice to consumers is that a legitimate loan company would never request an advance payment (i.e. admin or release fee) prior to you receiving the loan amount. Never be intimidated into making a rash decision just because claims of prompt payment of such fees will speed up the transfer of funds for example, and always take a moment to ask yourself why you are paying money upfront before you have even received the loan amount and why such "fees" were not mentioned at the beginning of the loan application.

In the meantime, please visit our website www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/bescamaware for advice and guidance on how to spot a scam and how to avoid becoming a victim.

Trading Standards

(Community Safety and Public Protection)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Central Bedfordshire Council Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5TQ

Telephone: 0300 300 8136 Email: trading.standards@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Be Scam Aware - Invitation to buy shares.

2011-12-23T10:34:00.000Z

Central

Bedfordshire

Scam Aware

Central Bedfordshire Council’s Trading Standards team is warning consumers to be aware of a possible scam involving an invitation to buy shares.

We have had a report from a concerned consumer in Leighton Buzzard who was cold-called by telephone, and whereby the caller claimed to be representing a portfolio management company and was offering the consumer the opportunity to buy extra shares in a specific Company of which the consumer was already a shareholder. The caller claimed the reason for the offer was that the Company in question had not paid any dividends. The consumer became suspicious of the call as they had already recently received a dividend payment from that particular Company.

Based on the information provided we believe that this call has all the hallmarks of a scam and we would advise anyone to act with extreme caution when receiving such calls. The caller subject to this particular scam would appear to already have obtained certain information (i.e. personal contact information, current shareholdings, etc.) and so at first may appear to be genuine, however in reality, they could be using this information in an attempt to extract money from consumers.

Our advice to consumers is that a legitimate company would never cold-call you by telephone. Never give your details to anybody over the telephone unless you are absolutely certain of their intentions. Never be intimidated into making a quick decision, due to limited availability for example, and never make a payment or provide your bank account details over the telephone. Always take a moment to ask yourself whether the offer sounds genuine and if, at any point, you have any doubts about the offer being made, do not be afraid to hang up the telephone.

In the meantime, please visit our website www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/bescamaware for advice and guidance on how to spot a scam and how to avoid becoming a victim.

Trading Standards

(Community Safety and Public Protection)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Central Bedfordshire Council Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford, Bedfordshire, SG17 5TQ

Telephone: 0300 300 8136 Email: trading.standards@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ringmaster - Simple Steps to Reduce Heartache of Burglary

2011-12-22T14:55:00.000Z

With Father Christmas getting set to do his rounds at the weekend, Bedfordshire Police is urging residents to take a few extra actions to prevent heartache should anyone be the victim of crime over the festive period.

At a time when expensive gifts are being exchanged, criminals seize on the opportunity to commit burglaries in the hope of scooping brand new items that they can then sell on.

Residents are being urged to register with the UK National Property Register at www.immobilise.com where they can log any items such as mobile phones, computers, bicycles, appliances and jewellery. Immobilise will record serial numbers and also allows the user to upload pictures and a brief description of the item.

The Immobilise database is linked directly to a number of police systems across the UK which makes it easier for officers to trace the owners of any recovered items as well as identifying items that have been found on suspected criminals.

Another measure that residents can consider is security marking their property with Ultra-Violet (UV) pens or chemical DNA marking solutions which can also be used on jewellery.

Inspector Jim Hitch of Bedfordshire Police said: “No one likes to think about being the victim of crime at such a happy time of year, but unfortunately there are people out there who prey on people at this time of year for that very reason.

“Registering your items with Immobilise only takes a few minutes and is completely free of charge, but the benefits of it could be priceless. By taking photos of your items, you would also providing the police with great intelligence – if you have jewellery, then place the item next to a ruler when taking the photo so that it is clear how big the item is.

“Bedfordshire Police is working tirelessly to combat the threat of burglary in the run up to Christmas and beyond but I hope that residents take the time to register and mark their belongings to make sure anything stolen really is ‘too hot to handle’.”

Bedfordshire Police and Crime Reduction co-ordinators continue to actively target the problem at the moment but anything that can be done to prevent the problem in the first place is invaluable.

Other measures that residents can take to reduce the threat of burglary include:

Keep vehicle keys out of sight at night
If you have a garage, use it
Ensure security lights are working and your car is locked and alarmed
Ensure all doors and windows are locked
If you see someone acting suspiciously, telephone the police
Join a Neighbourhood Watch or Street Watch scheme

If you have information relating to any burglaries, contact Bedfordshire Police, in confidence, on the non emergency number 101, or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Ringmaster - Police Warn against Making False Allegations

2011-12-21T22:22:00.000Z

Bedfordshire Police is reminding residents of the dangers of making false allegations and wasting police time.

During December, detectives have investigated three separate robberies which turned out to be false claims. Each of the incidents required officers to take statements, undertake door-to-door enquiries and view hours of CCTV footage before the truth was discovered.

On Thursday December 15, a 49-year-old woman claimed that she had been robbed of money and her mobile phone after visiting the Post Office in Shortstown. Officers attended the scene and carried out an area search for the two ‘offenders’ but when detectives later questioned the woman, she revealed that she had made the allegation up.

At around 10.30pm on Friday December 2, Bedfordshire Police received a report that a man in a wheelchair had been robbed in Goldington Avenue, Bedford. The man claimed that three teenagers wearing hooded tops and carrying a knife had stolen £200 from him. Detectives carried out a large search for the offenders, but again the crime report was found to be false. The same applied to a report from a 14-year-old boy who claimed that he was assaulted and robbed of his mobile phone on Monday December 5.

Detective Sergeant Gary Maxey of the Serious Crime Investigation Team at Bedfordshire Police, said: “We always take any report of robbery extremely seriously and will do all that we can to capture the offenders as quickly as possible. Unfortunately we have seen a number of incidents this month where people have purposefully made up claims and wasted quite a considerable amount of police time.

“I’d like to remind residents that making false allegations – whether they be robbery or any other crimes - and wasting police time is a serious offence which could result in the person making the claims being prosecuted. In these cases we quickly established that stories just weren’t adding up and were able to warn the claimants about their actions.”

To report any crime please contact Bedfordshire Police, in confidence, on 01234 841212, the non emergency number 101, or text information to 07786 200011. Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Ringmaster - Planning for an Emergency

2011-12-21T22:18:00.000Z

Over a quarter of local residents would save their pets first in an emergency according to a survey carried out by the Bedfordshire and Luton Local Resilience Forum (BLLRF).

BLLRF surveyed residents across Bedfordshire to ask questions related to emergency planning and how they would react in an emergency. Of those surveyed, 27 per cent said they would save their pets in an emergency with an equal number of residents saving precious photographs. Only 15 per cent opted to save family members.

BLLRF Chair and Bedfordshire Police Assistant Chief Constable, Katherine Govier, said: “In an emergency it is important to act quickly, we recommend each household has an evacuation plan so you know exactly what you would do if an emergency such as a flood or fire occurred. The survey reveals Bedfordshire is a very pet-friendly county, and our emergency advice actually states residents should take their pets with them in emergencies. Facilities will be available for animals at every rest centre.

“Our website http://www.whatwouldyoudoif.co.uk/contains details of how to create an evacuation plan for your household. It is also a good idea to have an emergency kit with water, non-perishable food and basic medical essentials at home or in the car to help make your first few hours in emergency situation more comfortable. Obviously in a fire we recommend you evacuate immediately but in some situations it might be possible for you to take your kit with you.”

As the harsh winter weather approaches, BLLRF is embarking on a winter weather campaign to help residents stay warm and safe through the cold weather. ‘A preparing for winter section’ has been added to the http://www.whatwouldyoudoif.co.uk/. BLLRF will also be tweeting emergency planning advice on @what_would and posting advice on http://www.facebook.com/whatwouldyoudoif

Ringmaster - Woman Robbed at Biggleswade

2011-12-21T22:15:00.000Z

Police in Biggleswade are appealing for information after a girl was attacked by two men last Wednesday (December 14.)

The victim was walking down an alleyway between a residential estate, near Dells Lane, and Biggleswade train station between 1.20pm and 1.30pm when she was approached by two men.

One of the men asked the victim for a cigarette however, she ignored them. One offender tried to grab her bag and after a struggle the victim was pushed to the ground. The offenders then ran off in the direction of the train station.

The offenders are described as white men aged between 16 and 20. They were wearing black hooded jumpers.

If you have any information relating to the incident contact Det Con Guy Steel-Jessop on 01234 275351, or text police on 07786 200011, or call independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. You do not have to give your name but you could still receive a cash reward.

Ringmaster - Dont let Jack Frost Assist Car Thieves

2011-12-21T22:12:00.000Z

Bedfordshire Police are urging vehicle owners across the county to think twice about leaving their cars running outside their homes while unattended.

With the weather starting to turn a bit nippier, it is tempting for motorists to start their vehicles to warm them up before heading off on their journey. This means that vehicles are often left unattended which offers easy pickings for opportunist thieves.

This week there have been two incident in the Leighton Buzzard area where motorists have been left car-less after leaving their running vehicles unattended. The first happened at 8am on Monday December 19 when a Vauxhall Astra was stolen from outside a property in Bideford Green, Linslade as the owner cleared frost form the windscreen. About 20 minutes later, a similar incident occurred in North Court, Leighton Buzzard, when a Nissan Qashqai was taken.

Chief Inspector Neill Waring of Bedfordshire Police, said: “I know that it can be very tempting for people to wait in nice, warm houses as their cars defrost but thieves have become wise. You have to ask yourself whether it is really worth the risk of losing your vehicle.

“The last thing that we want is for people to make things easy for criminals - there are plenty of products on the market to prevent frost or remove it quickly but the best way, by far, is to stay with your vehicle while it is being defrosted, and it’s free.”

For more advice about how to secure your vehicles and property, please visit the ‘crime info’ section of our website.

If you have information relating to these incidents, contact Bedfordshire Police, in confidence, on 01234 841212, the non emergency number 101, or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Ringmaster - Make Sure You Stay Safe This Christmas + New Year

2011-12-21T22:09:00.000Z

It’s that time of year again…..Christmas parties, office functions and so much food you don’t know which way to turn and of course ALCOHOL.

Bedfordshire Police would like to wish everyone a merry Christmas and happy New Year but would also like to take the opportunity to warn party goers about the dangers of excess alcohol.

“Many of us don’t really indulge during the year as much as we do during the festive season and the consequences of drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can be severe”, warns Superintendent Dave Boyle, who is heading this year’s Christmas and New Year safety campaign.

“I would like to remind members of the public not only to consider the drink drive laws and driving the day after a night out, but to take extra precautions about their personal safety when they are out enjoying themselves,” he added.

Here are some easy safety tips that members of the public can follow to help keep them safe over the festive period:

We all like to plan a night out but make sure you also plan how to get home safely.
When out with friend’s stay with them, stay together and stay safe.
Watch what you are drinking – keep an eye on how much and what you are drinking.
Always use a reputable taxi service and never get into a taxi which has not been ordered by you or is not displaying the Hackney licence details.
And don’t forget a good night out deserves remembering, have fun, be safe, hold on to your smile and walk away from any trouble.

Bedfordshire Police will be running Christmas initiatives throughout the festive season in the towns and busy areas throughout the county and together with their partners will crackdown on those being anti social whilst keeping an eye out for anyone who has over indulged and needs help.

Give Your Unwanted Gadgets a new home this Christmas

2011-12-15T22:03:00.000Z

PRESS RELEASE

Central Bedfordshire Council is encouraging everyone to recycle or donate their unwanted electronic items during the Christmas and New Year period.

Now the council's Waste Awareness team will be visiting markets throughout the area to answer your questions about electrical recycling.

In Christmas Week they will be in Biggleswade at the town's market on Wednesday 21 December from 8am to 2pm

If the items is still in good working order there might be someone else who could get more use out of it. Charity shops or reuse organisations like Preen in Biggleswade take old electrical items for reuse. Otherwise, residents can take any waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) items to one of Central Bedfordshire's four Household Waste Recycling Centres, which are open 9am to 5pm, seven days a week (sites will be closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day and will close early at 1pm Christmas Eve and New Years Eve)

Biggleswade Town Council Accounts, 31st March 2011, Notice of objection - an update

2011-12-12T17:14:00.000Z

Further to my post of 29th October 2011:

http://biggleswadeonline.blogspot.com/2011/10/biggleswade-town-council-accounts-year.html

I have now received a letter from the external Auditors dated 29th November 2011:

_______________________________________________________

Dear Mr Mason,

Thank you for your objection dated 22nd September 2011 into the accounts of Biggleswade Town Council for the years ended 31 March 2011 and 31 March 2012. We have now concluded our investigation and now write to you with our conclusions.

Your objection is that the council did not have a full and proper financial plan and feasibility study in place before it embarked on a major project. It did not wait for the full results of the consultation being undertaken as part of the Town Plan and it did not communicate its own plans. It did not consider all of the relevant facts and acted unlawfully ultra vires by applying for planning permission for the health centre.You have requested a public interest report and a Declaration under Section 17 of the Audit Commission Act that the item is contrary to law.

In undertaking our investigation, we can only investigate items of account and decisions relating to the years ended 31 March 2011 and 31 March 2012.

Year ended 31 March 2011

We have confirmed with the council that during the year to 31st March 2011 the council expensed £5,876.70 on costs relating to the plans for the Saxon Sports Village. We have reviewed the invoices relating to these costs and have concluded that all these costs are genuine cost relating to the project. We concur elements of these costs do relate to the building of a Health Centre, but none of the costs relate sole to the Health Centre. As a consequence we will be raising an issue with the audit to note this fact to the reader of the accounts. We do not believe it is appropriate to apply to the courts under Section 17 to declare the items contrary to law in this instance.

We have decided it would not be appropriate to issue a public interest report under Section 8 of the Audit Commission Act in this instance. We have considered it is not in the public interest to incur additional costs to the council in carrying out further investigations into the project as these would be likely to outweigh both the costs incurred during the year and any future public benefit which would be obtained by issuing such a report. The majority of the decisions made, as noted in the objection above, and expenditure are outside of our audit year so would not be reported on in relation to the year ended 31 March 2011.

Year ended 31 March 2012

We have confirmed with the council that up to the time of writing and during the year to 31 March 2012 the council incurred £3,213.30 on the appeal process for the planning application which was originally rejected. We have reviewed the invoice for these costs and the advice provided with regards to the decision to appeal. We have also viewed the minute confirming the decision to appeal. We are satisfied that the council have given due consideration to the reasons for the appeal, the processes and the costs. We are satisfied with the council's actions in this process. Whilst the plans submitted for appeal included the health centre, we again do not believe it appropriate in this instance to apply to the courts under Section 17 of the Audit Commission Act 1998 to declare the amounts contrary to law. The notes and recommendations being made in the opinion for the 2011 audit are deemed appropriate for purpose.

We have decided it would not be appropriate to issue a public interest report under Section 8 of the Audit Commission Act 1998 as there are no matters which need to be addressed in such a report as highlighted as part of our investigation.

We have now concluded our audit and will look to close the audit for the year ended 31 March 2011 shortly.

If you have any queries regarding the content of this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me.

______________________________________________________________

The auditors have concurred that there are costs relating to the building of a Health Centre and a note will be added to the accounts. It appears that since the costs incurred during the years in question (31 March 2011 and 31 March 2012) are relatively small and the majority of the decisions and expenditure were made in the previous year, for which the audit is closed, it is not cost effective or in the public interest to investigate further.

This project was discussed at the Public Land & Open Spaces Committee on 16th June 2009 and described as Sports, Leisure and Community Village, with no mention of a health centre. It later became know as Saxon Sports Village. I cannot find any mention of it again in any minutes prior to the Planning Application which was made in May 2010.

The bulk of the expenditure went through in year ended 31 March 2010, and I did not manage to get what I was told was a copy of the accounts, until February 2011, by which time it was too late to object to the accounts for that year.

It would appear the Auditors have had sight of "the minute confirming the decision to appeal" and they are satisfied that the council gave due consideration to the reasons for the appeal, the processes and the costs. This was discussed under Exempt Items ("pink papers") and are not available to the public.

Bedfordshire Police Authority Survey

2011-12-09T15:01:00.000Z

Bedfordshire Survey seeking local views on policing

Bedfordshire Police Authority is an organisation responsible for overseeing Bedfordshire Police. It is made up from elected councillors and independent members. The Police Authority appoints the chief police officers, sets the long term strategy and budget and scrutinises issues that concern local people.

The survey invites residents to outline their policing priorities to help shape service delivery over the next three years.

Please complete the following survey: BPA Survey

If you would like a paper copy of the survey please email us at

pat.brown@bedfordshire.pnn.police.uk