Library Car Park "flower bed" - an update

No, this is not the library flower bed, this is outside of the Stratton House Hotel and many people I have spoken to, think that these are planted up and maintained by the hotel, but in fact the Town Council do all this.

But less than 100 yards around the corner !!

I have not received the courtesy of a response to my email of 22nd July 2011 asking who is responsible for this flower bed.

There has been something going on in the flower bed, not a lot though. Spot the difference.

 

BEFORE

 

 

 

AFTER

 

 

 

 

 

Biggleswade - Metal theft and Garage Burglary

 

 

This is a Ringmaster Message from Bedfordshire Police.

Please pass the details of this message onto any friends, and neighbours.

Residents in Biggleswade are asked to be vigilant, and to review the security of all outbuildings, after 2 offences have been reported.

A metal theft took place at the day centre, in Mead End, between the 26th and the 28th of July.
Lead Flashing has been removed from the outside of the building.
Crime reference, J,D,/,3,1,2,7,5,/2011.

A garage was broken into in Derwent Avenue, overnight on the 28th to the 29th of July.
The offender has forced open the metal door and a mountain bike has been taken.
Crime reference, J,D,/,3,1,3,6,9,/2011.

Bedfordshire Police ask local residents to report anything out of the ordinary.

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

 

or 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 these crimes or other suspicious incidents, please call the Police Control Centre on (01234) 841212.

Or call crime stoppers in confidence on (0800) 555111.

Alternatively text your message to (07786) 200011 or email your message to:

 

chc@Bedfordshire.pnn.Police.uk

Thank you for your support.

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Town Council Open Day

Included on the Agenda of the Town Council meeting for Tuesday 26th July was the following item:

____________________________________________

Town Council Open Day

The idea of an open day would be to give the public a better idea of the work of the Town Council and its Councillors. Perhaps on a Saturday morning (September) open the building to the public to meet Councillors & staff.

Displays:      Court House history

                    New look to "Town Hall"

                    Work of the Council

                    Staff details and office opening times

                    Meeting dates

                    Involvement with CBC i.e.: issue of recycling bags etc

Make it a social event and send out invites to local groups & organisations plus advertise for all general public. Provide tea & coffee.

Members are asked to consider this idea.

___________________________________________

Councillors agreed the idea and will set a date in September.

Councillor Steven Watkins, addressing himself to the Mayor, Councillor Tim Woodward, said he knew who had come up with the idea, but would the Mayor like to say. The Mayor said it was not his idea but he could not recall whose idea it was.

Lift the Handle, turn the key

Press Release on behalf of the Community Safety Partnership

27th July 2011

Lift the Handle, turn the key

This is the simple message being given to residents by the Community Safety Partnership to reduce the risk of burglary.

Following the success of Bedfordshire Police’s Operation Peak which aimed to reduce burglaries during the winter months, Central Bedfordshire Council and its partners are now passing on a clear message to communities, ensure your properties are secure all year round.

By securely locking UPVC doors - along with keeping valuables out of sight – burglaries around the area could be prevented particularly as the evenings are getting longer, the weather starting to warm up and people spending times in their gardens thinking their houses won’t be a target.

All too often police get reports of people who have come in from the garden to find someone has slipped through a front or back door and grabbed easily removable items such as handbags or wallets – or even keys along with the family car.

Most thieves are lazy opportunists and if they see a door left wide open, or possibly unlocked with the owner engrossed elsewhere, they will not hesitate to take advantage of the situation.

Another very common method of entry is whereby offenders will smash a window or a pane of glass close to the door lock, reach in and open the front or rear door from the inside. This is made possible if a key has been left in the back of the door, the door only has a simple latch lock and no deadlock, or if a lock exists but is not used.

Whilst it is important to implement measures to protect your property from burglary it is also very important to be able to escape quickly in the event of a fire. Therefore, keep a window key in every room and ensure that door keys are easily accessible near to your front and back doors. You should also develop and practice a fire escape plan for your home and make sure that all members of the household including visitors know how to quickly and safely evacuate the building.

Cllr Brian Spurr, Executive Member for Sustainable Communities Services at Central Bedfordshire Council said: "By taking very small and simple steps we can help reduce the amount of burglaries that take place around Central Bedfordshire. The summer is a time when people are out and enjoying the weather, but everyone needs to be vigilant and take measures to ensure that they do not become a victim of crime."

Other ways to deter burglars include:

• Fit outside security lights and put gates across side passages;
• Leave lights and a radio on when you go out;
• Double check fences and boundaries for weak spots;
• Fit security features such as window locks, patio door locks and a burglar alarm;
• Never leave keys under mats and flower pots, it’s the first place burglars look;
• Keep an eye out for strangers in your street, especially if they are selling property door to door. If you are suspicious, call the police; and
• Help protect your neighbourhood by joining Home Watch, or becoming a co-ordinator.

                               

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Kingdom Hall proposed demolition- comments

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Kingdom Hall, Shortmead Street.":

This building should be kept as it is, If it is not now large enough for what the Jehovah's want, Let them buy another building and leave this one to the Memory of our soldiers.

Also I understand Fen Reeves want's to sell the Rose Lane car park for flat's to be built on it.
The School is a pleasant building to see as you go down Rose Lane we have not many old one's left in the town , And I don't like the thought of it being hidden behind modern flats.

Those of us who went to the School I am sure would rather it stayed as it was.


Posted by Anonymous to Biggleswade OnLine at 24 July 2011 19:52

__________________________________________________

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Kingdom Hall, Shortmead Street.":

Perhaps our council with all our money could buy it so the Jehovah’s could move elsewhere, and with the loads of our money they have accumulated bring it back up to modern standards as far as insulation etc. They could reprovide the community centre (Avenue Club) they sold and never replaced and give it back its original name.


Posted by Anonymous to Biggleswade OnLine at 24 July 2011 19:55

WANTED

This is a Ringmaster message to all members, please forward this message to friends and neighbours. - 25 July 2011

Gary Burke – Wanted

Following an appeal on last week’s BBC Crimewatch programme, police are making a direct appeal to Gary Burke of Luton to contact officers.

Burke, aged 23, from Osborne Road, Luton, was due to be tried for conspiracy to supply class A drugs last year. However, he failed to answer bail or attend court for the trial, and there is a warrant for his arrest outstanding.

Burke’s photograph was featured in last week’s Crimewatch show and produced good quality new information from the public which detectives are currently working on.

Det Sgt Zara Brown, who is the investigating officer for Burke’s case, said: “We are actively investigating new leads as a result of the programme, but we are still keen to hear from anyone who has further information about Gary Burke’s whereabouts.” “It may be that Gary himself does not know how serious evading a crown court trial is and does not realise that the situation – far from going away – is actually becoming worse for him the longer he prolongs it,” she said.

“If anyone knows where Gary is, you can contact us in complete secrecy, or you can contact us via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111, anonymously. You don’t have to give your name, but can still receive a financial reward,” said Det Sgt Brown.

Information can also be given directly to officers via the force control room on 01234 841212.

---

Kingdom Hall, Shortmead Street.

The Biggleswade Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses has made a planning application to demolish Kingdom Hall, Shortmead Street, Biggleswade, (which is within a conservation area), and build a new Christian Meeting Room.

Details can be found at

http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/portal/index.asp

Planning cases numbers: CB/11/01495 & CB/11/01496

______________________________________________________

From Mike Strange:

The building was the Church Memorial Hall. It was first mooted at a public meeting held in the Masonic Rooms on 21st January 1919 to discuss building a hall in memory of the soldiers who had fallen during the 1914-18 war. The site chosen was on land in front of the Church School. The land was conveyed to the Parochial Church Council represented by the vicar and churchwardens.

The building finally came to fruition when it opened on 9th October 1924 at 3pm followed by tea and entertainment, repeated at 7.30pm. Funds were raised by various donations including church bodies and by public subscription; the total cost was about £1,485. There was still an outstanding debt of £105 in July 1925 cleared by a fete in the vicarage gardens.

The Chapter House replaced the Memorial Hall and the hall was put up for sale. When the area behind was redeveloped the building was sold to The Jehovah Witnesses and was dedicated as the Kingdom Hall in March 1978. Since then the original building has been altered and enlarged on this important corner site together with a car park accessed from Ivel gardens.

Above is an artist's impression of the building in 1923.

If this is allowed to be demolished it will be another snook cocked at preserving our heritage and an insult to the men in whose honour it was originally constructed.

Library Car Park - "flower bed"

A picture is worth a thousand words.

As the Chinese say, 1001 words is worth more than a picture.

I have had a word with Biggleswade Town Council and await a response.

Biggleswade Health Centre, Planning Appeal - Important Dates

The Biggleswade Town Council decided to appeal after a discussion behind closed doors on the 21st June. The Council were not unanimous in its decision. 

The start date of the appeal - The Planning Appeal was validated and accepted by the Planning Inspectorate on the 5th July 2011.

On the 10th July 2011 I emailed the Planning Inspectorate:

For the attention of Darren Cryer

I will be commenting on the appeal as an interested party, by the deadline of 16th August 2011, but in the meantime I would like to draw your attention to some “technicalities” with the Biggleswade Town Council appeal documents.

Online Appeal Document -

A. Appellant Details – The name of the person(s) making the appeal must appear as an applicant on the planning application form.

Mr R McGregor does not appear on the original application.

L. Check sign & date.

Signed on behalf of Mr R McGregor. If “A” above is wrong then “L” is.

I received a swift response:

The Local Planning Authority and the appellant have been contacted regarding the name of the appellant. They have been told that as the name Biggleswade Town Council appears on the application form the appeal will continue in the name of Biggleswade Town Council and not Mr R McGregor.

Many thanks - Darren Cryer

Completed Questionnaires - Both Biggleswade Town Council and Central Bedfordshire had to answer a number of questions, concerning details of the site etc, by 19th July 2011.

Interested Parties Comments - On the 6th July 2011, Central Bedfordshire sent out letters to interested parties and organisations that had shown an interest or commented before on the original application. These comments must be with the Planning Inspectorate in Bristol by 16th August 2011. If you have any further comments to make then you should send three copies to:

Planning Inspectorate

3/13a Eagle Wing

Temple Quay House

2 The Square

Temple Quay

BRISTOL

BS1 6PN

Reference: APP/P0240/A/11/2155625

The case officer is Darren Cryer

You can contact Customer Support Line on 0117 372 6372

You can e-mail the Case Officer at teamp1@pins.gsi.gov.uk

The Hearing - Previously interested parties have been sent a letter by Central Bedfordshire dated 19th July 2011 to advise that the one day hearing will start at 10.00 am on Wednesday 12th October 2011, at Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands, Bedfordshire AG17 5TQ. You may attend the hearing and at the Secretary of State's Inspectors discretion be allowed to make your views known.

____________________________________________________

When I read in the Chronicle today (22nd July 2011), the comments made by Mayor, Councillor Tim Woodward, the well worn expression "they still don't get it" comes to mind.

Biggleswade Town Council has so far spent over £50,000 of our money, and there will be additional expenditure for the appeal, including legal representation, that they are going to employ, to argue their case. They are apparently concerned that if the project does not go ahead the land could be sold to developers. Even if permission is granted, CBC own the land and to a large extent they can do what they like with it. It will just be worth more. Options are limited though as it is outside of the Local Development Framework.

_____________________________________________

All of the Appeal Documents are available at:

http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/portal/index.asp

and entrering CB/10/00518 in the case number search box.

Biggleswade Town Council - "not our responsibility"

If you read this blog regularly you will have noticed that I report to different local agencies, potholes; street Lights - day burners, damaged and not working; weeds - in gutters and on pavements; signs - unauthorised developers signs, incorrect ones, out of date ones, irrelevant and wrong ones; damage to: railings, fences, pavements etc etc etc.

I do this in an effort to get our town properly maintained and tidy, so that it is a more pleasant place to live. This may all sound a bit hearts and flowers but I do not see why we should have to put up with a town that if left to our Town Council would probably end up looking like a war zone. That sounds a bit extreme but many of the things that I pursue, I find out the Town Council are fully aware of, but as they are not their responsibility, they ignore them.

This all sounds like a bit of a ramble but at one time I was naïve enough to think that the Town Council actually represented the town and would pursue other agencies to do their bit for our town. Not so I am afraid.

I was recently told that it was about time people realised the Town Council are not responsible for all of the town and they should report their problems to the right people. You can report problems to the Town Council but if it is not their responsibility, then apparently it is unlikely it will be reported onto the right agency.

Some members of the Town Council argue that they should be given more responsibility for the town, and this came out again in the recent local elections. Heaven help us.

What are Biggleswade Town Council Councillors and staff doing to get these problems fixed that are not their responsibility? I have to say I have seen very little evidence of many of them taking a regular interest in dealing with any of these problems. There are exceptions.

What do you think??

Planning Applications - a few facts

The Town and Country Planning Acts, which I believe started in the 1940s, have determined the rules for the development of our communities since that time.

The Town and Country Planning Act 1990 remains in force as the principal planning act in England and Wales.

The basic rules and regulations have not changed and I will go through a couple of them for the enlightenment of a number of our Town Councillors, who do not seem to understand them.

You can apply for planning permission on land you do not own providing you serve formal notice on the owner of the land. The planning permission is attached to the land and can normally be implemented by anyone, (provided they own the land) not necessarily the person who has applied for planning permission in the first place.

YOU CANNOT OBTAIN PLANNING PERMISSION AND HOLD IT SO THAT NO-ONE ELSE CAN DEVELOP THE LAND.

If you apply for outline planning permission, with all matters reserved the proposal should be described as accurately but as concisely as possible.

"Outline application for a health centre, sports pitches, changing facilities, with car parking, relocation of allotments, travelling show peoples site, woodland, meadowland and children's play area"

Details of all of the buildings proposed must be shown. Where more than one use class is proposed as part of any development, floor space should be specified for each separate planning unit (by Use Class).

If you then obtain outline planning permission

YOU CANNOT DO WHAT YOU LIKE WITH IT AND CHANGE IT ALL.

A detailed planning application following from an outline planning permission merely firms up on the principles already established and provides detailed plans of the buildings, with detailed dimensions, building materials etc etc. If you want something totally different you go back to outline and start again.

You have no rights over the land if you do not own it and have no say in what the owner does with the land. You have no right to claim from the owners monies you have spent on obtaining the planning permission.

Undeveloped land which has gained the benefit of any planning permission, is worth substantially more as a result.

The above details are not an opinion they are FACTS.

Ringmaster Bedfordshire - Parcel Delivery Scam

This is a Ringmaster Message, from Bedfordshire Police.

Please pass on the details of this message to any friends or neighbours.

20 July 2011

It’s not your name on it!

Bedfordshire Police is warning the public to check labels carefully when taking delivery of parcels at their homes...

A new scam has come to notice whereby parcels are being delivered to residences with the labels showing a correct address, but an unknown name. The person receiving the parcel has been asked to sign for it and, in many cases, has done so.

Soon after the delivery, usually the following day, a woman visits the address saying she believes a parcel intended for her has been delivered there by mistake.

The woman takes the parcel and is not seen again.

Within a few days, occupants of the address invariably start to receive paperwork, often including payment demands for the parcel.

The woman is described as being of mixed race, aged in her 20s, large build and approximately 5’5” tall. She has ‘significant red hair’.

Sergeant Andy Rivers said, “Even if you are expecting a delivery, make sure the label is correctly addressed to you or a member of your household.

“If you are not expecting a parcel, carefully inspect the label and if there are any discrepancies in the details, you must seriously consider declining the delivery.”

If this has happened to you, or you have any information about the scam, please contact Sergeant Rivers on 01234 841212 or text 07786 200011, or call Crimestoppers, anonymously if preferred, on 0800 555111.

Thank you for your support.

Living Streets - What did the pub say to the bank?

Clearly, it's no laughing matter. Your vital shops and services can be transformed without planning permission or communities having a say. Unbelievably, the government is looking at making this kind of development even easier.

Living Streets, the national charity that stands up for pedestrians, believes everybody should have a say when buildings get turned into something new. We want your help keep essential shops and services within walking distance.

Eric Pickles, the Secretary of State for Communities, is now reviewing the planning rules for when buildings change their use. Without immediate public support the shops and services that you walk to in your neighbourhood may be at risk.

Please take a few moments to ask your readers to join other Living Streets supporters and support our campaign. Don't let your high streets get taken over by cheque-cashing shops, fast-food takeaways and betting shops.

Feel free to contact Ruth Billingham at ruth.billingham@livingstreets.org.uk if you would like further resources to help promote the campaign on your website.

81% of us think that communities should have a say when buildings change their use. Let's make it happen.

Living Streets: 4th Floor, Universal House, 88-94 Wentworth Street, London E1 7SA
020 7377 4900 | info@livingstreets.org.uk

Living Streets (The Pedestrians Association) is a Registered Charity No. 1108448 (England and Wales) and SC039808 (Scotland), Company Limited by Guarantee (England & Wales), Company Registration No. 5368409. Registered office 4th Floor, Universal House, 88-94 Wentworth Street. E1 7SA

Biggleswade Town Council Accounts - surpluses

Again last year (ended 31st March 2011), Biggleswade Town Council had a surplus on its budget. This time it was £65,030, which equates to about 11% of the precept for the year, which is collected in our Council Tax through Central Bedfordshire District Council.

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against surpluses and cost savings as such, but when you look back over the previous 5 years they have pretty much always been in surplus. It varies from 2% through 19% and up to 30%. The 30% equated to over £164,000. 

How can you get a budget and certain elements within it, so wrong, year on year on year? Why are there monies in the budget that are never spent either in full or part?

Given the surpluses year on year on year, why does the Town Council element of our Council Tax keep going up, apart from this year, when they were not allowed to put it up?

The total Town Council budget in 2006 was a little over £500,000 and last year was just over £600,000, that’s a 20% increase in 5 years.

The Council reserves now stand at well over £2 million, which is enough to fund them for well over 3 years, which is much more than the statutory requirement. Why do they need all this money? What are they going to do with it ?

Biggleswade Town Council Accounts 31st March 2011 - unaudited detailed breakdown

Please excuse the cut and paste but I have reduced 14 pages to 4.



Central Bedfordshire Council accounts open for inspection

Rather belatedly CBC have posted on their web site (dated 14th July 2011) that their accounts are open for inspection from 18th July to 12th August 2011. Under the Audit Regulations 2011, fourteen days notice should be given, not four.

The Notice of Audit from CBC Financial Services is actually dated 3rd July 2011.

The link to Central Bedfordshire Council's Statement of Accounts can be found at:

http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/budgets/annual/default.aspx

Biggleswade Town Centre Strategy & Masterplan

Central Bedfordshire Council's Executive has approved recommendations, which will see the Biggleswade Town Centre Strategy and Masterplan adopted as part of the Local Development Framework for the north of Central Bedfordshire.

The Town Centre Strategy and Masterplan forms a long term vision for the future which seeks to safeguard all that is good about Biggleswade town centre including its historical core, commercial vitality and distinct identity. It also aims to improve key areas identified by residents, businesses and other visitors to the town centre as requiring attention and improvement.

The focus of the masterplan will now turn towards delivery. Council officers will be seeking to work with a range of partners, investors and stakeholders to deliver the improvements identified by the masterplan. Whilst the strategy and masterplan provide a long term plan that will primarily be delivered by private sector investment, it is envisaged that some key projects will start to be brought forward in the near future.

The Town Centre Strategy and Masterplan will have the status of a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). As an SPD the document will carry significant weight in planning terms in its ability to both guide and attract future investment and improvements into the town centre.

Link to press release:

http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/news/news/july-2011/biggleswademasterplan.aspx

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT - Comments

__________________________________________________________

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT":

I find it quite amazing that someone would bother to discuss this with their solicitor and then demand a retraction. Now that *is* someone with too much time on their hands. Guess I'd better keep this post anonymous just in case another member of the town council happens to share my name!

Posted by Anonymous to Biggleswade OnLine at 11 July 2011 20:11

__________________________________________________________________

Rob has left a new comment on your post "SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT":

For the record, I am not and have never claimed to be Mr McGregor. Rob isn't an unusual name.
Posted by Rob to Biggleswade OnLine at 11 July 2011 19:04

___________________________________________________________________

I have been contacted by Rob McGregor, Town Clerk, Biggleswade Town Council, claiming I have intimated that comments left on my blog under the user name of "Rob" come from him.

He wants me to inform everyone who views this blog that the comments posted under the user name of "Rob" were not posted by him.

He has discussed this matter with his solicitor and they require an immediate retraction that the comments were not posted by him and if someone is using my blog purporting to be him I should immediately block them.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT - COMMENT

__________________________________________________________________

Rob has left a new comment on your post "SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT":

For the record, I am not and have never claimed to be Mr McGregor. Rob isn't an unusual name.


Posted by Rob to Biggleswade OnLine at 11 July 2011 19:04

_______________________________________________________________________________________

I have been contacted by Rob McGregor, Town Clerk, Biggleswade Town Council, claiming I have intimated that comments left on my blog under the user name of "Rob" come from him.

He wants me to inform everyone who views this blog that the comments posted under the user name of "Rob" were not posted by him.

He has discussed this matter with his solicitor and they require an immediate retraction that the comments were not posted by him and if someone is using my blog purporting to be him I should immediately block them.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

I have been contacted by Rob McGregor, Town Clerk, Biggleswade Town Council, claiming I have intimated that comments left on my blog under the user name of "Rob" come from him.

He wants me to inform everyone who views this blog that the comments posted under the user name of "Rob" were not posted by him.

He has discussed this matter with his solicitor and they require an immediate retraction that the comments were not posted by him and if someone is using my blog purporting to be him I should immediately block them.

blogger.com problems

 

There are contnuing but intermittent problems with:

1. Followers not appearing on the side bar on the public blog. I have no visibilty of them either.

2. Comments not appearing on the side bar or under the individual blogs on the public page. I have no visibilty of them either.

In the past, when it is corrected the followers and comments have been restored and nothing has been lost.

Planning Appeal - Land to the East of Saxon Drive (Health Centre)

The Planning Inspectorate having decided there will be a hearing into this appeal. The date and venue have yet to be decided.

Letters have been sent out from Central Bedfordshire District Council advising those who showed an interest in the application or may be affected by the appeal. The last date for any representations to the Planning Inspectorate in Bristol is the 16th August 2011.

The Appellant's grounds of appeal and the Councils planning application file are available on their web site. The Planning application number is CB/10/00518 and the appeal reference is APP/P0240/A/11/2155625.

Link to :

Start letter and appellants questionnaire 1:

http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/portal/showimage.asp?j=cb/10/00518&index=394906

Central Bedfordshire Council questionnaire 2:

http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/portal/showimage.asp?j=cb/10/00518&index=394907

Policies, Advert, Site Notice, Footpath Maps and Statements:

http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/portal/showimage.asp?j=cb/10/00518&index=394910

Vehicles Targetted in Biggleswade

Businesses in Biggleswade are asked to be vigilant and review the security of commercial vehicles, after 2 incidents have been reported.

A vehicle crime took place in Montgomery Way, on the Stratton Business Park, on Sunday 3rd July. The offence took place between 2:25 and 2:35 a.m. The vehicle was a Mercedes Sprinter Van. The offender has gained access to the yard and attempted to remove the Catalytic Convertor from under the vehicle. The exhaust system had been welded to the chassis preventing the offender from removing it.

Crime reference, J,D,/,2,7,8,1,2,/2011.

A second vehicle crime took place at a garage in London Road, in Biggleswade. The offence took place between 6:00 p.m. on 2nd and 8:00 a.m. on 4th July. The catalytic Convertor and the Exhaust system have been removed from the underside of the vehicle.

Crime reference, J,D,/,2,7,8,1,3,/2011.

If you have any information about these crimes please call the Police Control Centre, on(01234) 841212.

Alternatively text your message to (07786) 200011 or email your message to chc@Bedfordshire.pnn.Police.uk.

Summer Drinking Campaign

Central Bedfordshire Council is kicking off its summer drink-driving campaign with a host of roadshows aimed at reminding motorists not to drink and drive this summer.

The Biggleswade roadshow will be at Asda car park on Tuesday 12 July  from 10am to 4pm.

Link to CBC press release:

http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/news/news/july-2011/summerdriving.aspx

Land to the East of Biggleswade - Health Centre - planning appeal

Did everyone see this Public Notice in the Biggleswade Chronicle dated 24th June 2011. I missed it, and it was pointed out to me by my little helper!

_____________________________________________

Notice Under Article 6 and 9(1) of the Town and Country Planning (General Development Procedure) Order 1995

Proposed development at land to the East of Saxon Drive, Biggleswade. I give notice that Biggleswade Town Council having applied to the Central Bedfordshire Council to obtain outline permission for health centre, sports pitches and changing facilities with car parking (Revised) is appealing to the Secretary of State against the decision of the Council.

Any owner of the land *or tenant* who wishes to make representations about this appeal should write to The Planning Inspectorate, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol. BS1 6PN by 8th July 2011.

If you decide to make representations you should make it clear that you are an owner of the appeal site or tenant of an agricultural holding on the site and you should give the site address.

*owner* means a person having a freehold interest or a leasehold interest the unexpired term of which is not less than seven years, or in the case of development consisting of the winning or working of minerals, a person entitled to an interest in a mineral in the land (other than oil, gas, coal, gold or silver).

*tenant* means a tenant of an agricultural holding ant part of  which is comprised in the land.

Statement of owners' rights

The grant of planning permission does not affect owners' rights to retain or dispose of their property, unless there is some provision to the contrary in an agreement or in a lease.

Statement of agricultural tenants' rights

The grant of planning permission for non-agricultural  development may affect agricultural  tenants' security of tenure.

__________________________________________________

Who decided to do this and spend more of our money? I suppose as normal it was done in secret.