Kitelands New Play Equipment

If you are wondering what ever happened to that, here is a quick summary shown below. Do you think it will happen this year?

DATE		Content
16th June 2010	CBC Planners	Received planning application for play equipment.
7th July 2010	Richard Mason, email to CBC Planners.	Reference the above application, we have today received a letter concerning this but we are not listed on the documents, on the web site (neither are a number of our neighbours) as having been sent it. Can you update the documents please so we know who was sent the letter. We will be making comments on the application in due course but in the meantime can you clarify something. We were always under the impression that Kitelands Recreation Ground was on top of Pit 72, which at one time was used for the depositing of commercial and household waste. I was given to understand that regular methane testing is carried out and Anglian Water also test the surface water run off. The application indicates at Section 15 that, the land is not known to be contaminated or suspected to be contaminated. If it is contaminated then it states an appropriate contamination assessment needs to be submitted.
14th July 2010	CBC email to Richard Mason	I acknowledge the receipt of your letter with regard to the play area, I need to speak to our Minerals and Waste team with regards to the issue over "Pit 72" and I will get back to you with regard to this and your other comments shortly.
22nd July 2010	Richard Mason email to CBC Planners	Advised that the land is contaminated, application says No, therefore no environmental risk assessment prepared. Application invalid.
22nd July 2010	CBC Planners email to Richard Mason	A full list of neighbouring properties consulted on this application can be found on the central Bedfordshire website. I have consulted both the Minerals and Waste Department and Public Protection (Environmental Health) with regard to any issues over the lands previous use. Any correspondence from yourself should be within the consultation period and be written representation.
26th July 2010	CBC Minerals to CBC Planners	C.B.C. Minerals & Waste advises C.B.C. Planners that land is contaminated.
26th July 2010	CBC Planners letter to Levitts	Wrote to Levitts, (Biggleswade Town Council Agents), pointed land is contaminated and an appropriate assessment required. Information required by 16th August 2010 or the application will be withdrawn.
27th July 2010	Richard Mason email to CBC Planners	I have commented on the application but I think you have missed the point. The land is contaminated and the application says it is not. The application should not proceed until an assessment has been provided. I will be writing to Gary Worth about this.
28th July 2010	CBC Planners email to Richard Mason	Last Monday I informed the agent for this application that it is invalid, they were unaware of the potential contamination from the former landfill site. They will have to provide us with a contamination assessment. Please note should you wish to take this matter further Gary Worth no longer works for this Authority, Andrew Davie is our Development Control Manager and Trevor Saunders is our Assistant Director. Once the application has been made valid, should the applicant wish to proceed you will get another consultation letter, should you still wish to comment upon the play park then comments will need to be sent again as it will be considered a different application.
24th August 2010	Biggleswade Town Council Meeting	Minutes - Levitt Partnership has received correspondence from Central Bedfordshire Council Development Management stating that the above planning application cannot be continued with, and a copy is attached to this agenda. It was RESOLVED that Cllr P Vickers would discuss this application with CBC Planning Dept and report back to Town Council.
31st August 2010	CBC Planners letter to Levitts	C.B.C. Planners wrote to Levitts, (Biggleswade Town Council Agents), work could proceed under Permitted Development, providing an appropriate risk  assessment and investigations are done.
28th September 2010	Richard Mason email to BTC Town Clerk	The above application was sent back because your agent stated that the site was not contaminated or part of the site was not suspected to be contaminated.  It seemed to be common knowledge that the site was either contaminated, or adjacent land was contaminated. This was apparently not known by your agent and I am surprised that completed application forms are not shown to you before they are sent in. As far as I know there were no objections to the application. The letter dated 26th July 2010, from the Planning Officer, Annabel Gammell gave you the opportunity to validate the application, by submitting an appropriate contamination assessment by 16th August ,which you have failed to do. Contaminated land assessments were not a requirement when other applications were submitted for Kitelands. They are in this case, a paper exercise, gathering information from the various agencies and could have easily been completed within the timescales. The minute shown for the 24th August 2010 Town Council Meeting is simply not correct. The application can be continued with and could have been validated and can still be resubmitted, albeit now with another planning fee, providing it is accompanied by a contamination assessment.
14th January 2011	BTC Town Clerk to CBC Planners	Advised that the Town Council are awaiting a test pit to be dug and a risk assessment carried out in order that we can proceed.
9th August 2011	Biggleswade Town Council	Public Land & open Spaces Committee, Town Clerk advised he was currently awaiting 2 forms of information for a survey to be undertaken to move forward. This item would be brought to the next Council meeting.
5th November 2011	Steven Watkins BTC Councillor email to Richard Mason	The soil testing has still not yet been carried out. We apparently are awaiting for a quote for the work, having originally obtained one there was a delay meaning we had to go out to tender again. Clearly this is a nuisance but in the defence of the Clerk he does have a heck of a lot of work on at the moment
23rd January 2012	Steven Watkins BTC Councillor email to Richard Mason	The soil testing has either been done or is very close, because new equipment is being installed at Kitelands after quotes are obtained, this was discussed at the last meeting. I will again ask the Clerk to confirm this.
7th March 2012 (received 17th March 2012)	BTC Town Clerk email to Steven Watkins BTC Councillor	This was discussed at Council, resolution that I try and get C.B.C. to allow use to use some of the 106 monies to pay for the soil samples, I have met with C.B.C. and they have agreed we can. I am awaiting application forms and I will apply. When I get the go ahead from C.B.C. I will get the test done and install the equipment.

Be Scam Aware - Engergy Saving Devices ????

Central

Bedfordshire

Scam Aware

The Trading Standards team would like to bring the following warning, issued by Hertfordshire Trading Standards, to your attention:

"Energy conscious consumers are being warned to be on the look out for bogus cold callers selling devices they claim can cut energy use.

Hertfordshire Trading Standards is warning that the devices, which are being sold for up to £99 each, could pose a fire and electrocution risk. The devices also offer no energy savings.

The cold callers speak to unwitting victims and appear genuine, often possessing details of their energy supplier and sometimes some or all of the digits of their credit/debit card.

The plug-in-the-wall devices have been sold by a number of different companies nationwide and can be identified by the distinctive green box and instruction manual in broken English.

Associated with this first scam, a second bogus 'claims management company' operation has been uncovered.

The claims management company tells consumers that they have been sold a faulty energy saving device and could be eligible for up to £3,000 compensation.

To qualify for compensation, consumers are told to buy a Ukash voucher of around £300 to cover admin costs and to wait for their compensation cheque to arrive. However, this is a scam and victims do not receive any money after sending through the Ukash voucher code over the phone."

If you think you have recently purchased one of these devices from a doorstep cold-caller or have received one of these cold-calls, or have any information about a suspect rogue trader or possible scam in general, please contact the Trading Standards team via Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06.

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.

PLEASE DO NOT REPLY TO THIS EMAIL.

If you would like to stop receiving our email notifications, please email be.scamaware@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk with the subject heading as “UNSUBSCRIBE” and provide your email address and postcode for verification purposes.

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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Central Bedfordshire Council
Priory House, Monks Walk, Chicksands,
Shefford, Bedfordshire SG17 5TQ
customer.services@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

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Improving the quality of life for all

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This email is confidential and intended exclusively for the use of the intended recipient(s). Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Central Bedfordshire Council. If you are not the intended recipient(s) please note that any form of distribution, copying or use of this e-mail or the information in it is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender and then delete the message and any attachments from your system.

This message has been checked before being sent for all known viruses by our antivirus software. However please note that no responsibility for viruses or malicious content is taken and it is your responsibility to scan this message and any attachments to your satisfaction.

Central Bedfordshire Council reserve the right to monitor e-mails in accordance with the Telecommunications (Lawful Business Practice) (Interception of Communications) Regulations 2000.

Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail. Thank you

Although to date, we have not received reports of this scam operating within Central Bedfordshire, we would still urge residents to be extra vigilant should they receive a visit from a cold-caller as detailed above.

Let's Talk Together Meetings

The last meeting for Biggleswade / Sandy was held on 20th October 2011. This is the link to the notes:

http://www.centraltogether.org.uk/download/priority-neighbourhoods-media/111020%20LTT%20Sandy%20Biggleswade%20meeting%20summary%20v1.pdf

In trying to find out when the next one was to be held, as the web site they will be every 3 months I came across this:

http://www.centraltogether.org.uk/lets-talk-together/lets-talk-together-contacts

We’re currently reviewing Let’s Talk Together meetings, and we’d like to hear your views.

If you’ve been to a Let’s Talk Together event, please complete one of the evaluation questionnaires below by 3 February 2012.

• If you’ve attended as a member of the public click here
• If you’ve attended as a representative of a partner organisation or as a representative of a Town or Parish Council, click here
• If you’ve attended as a Ward Councillor / Member, click here

If you’ve got any questions about Let’s Talk Together, or about any other aspect of community engagement, please contact:

Sarah Hughes

Community Engagement Manager

Central Bedfordshire Council

Telephone: 0300 300 8000

Windermere Drive, Biggleswade - vehicle plates

Vehicle owners are encouraged to improve the security of registration plates, after a theft took place in Windermere Drive in Biggleswade.

The offence took place between 3:00 p.m. on the 20th and 7:00 a.m. on the 21st of March.

The vehicle was a Beige, 54 registered, Citroen Berlingo.

Both the front and rear registration plates have been taken.

No attempt was made to enter the vehicle.

Bedfordshire Police recommend using one of the following methods.

Replacing the plates with Anti Tamper plates.

Replacing the existing screws with non return screws.

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 0 0 6 5 / 2012.

Alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0 8 0 0 5 5 5 1 1 1.

Thank you for your support.

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Biggleswade Cycling & Walking Scheme

Further to the post of 23rd January 2012.

http://biggleswadeonline.blogspot.com/2012/01/cycling-signage-completely-new-scheme.html

I received a response on 3rd February:

I’ve had another look at the design drawings and can confirm the following:

The sign at southlands school needs rotating 90 degrees to face towards the east directing school bound cyclists from London Road into the right of way along the school site (accessing Southlands School and Holmemead Middle via Mead End) and cyclists town centre bound towards Home Court Ave via Kitelands Road to the recommended cycle route alongside the railway.

The sign at the top of Home court Ave is correct, as cyclists for Stratton Upper are directed to the London Road Toucan Crossing (same direction as Stratton Business Park) in order to continue on Saxon Drive and Sorrel Way to access the school.

I hope this makes sense?

I replied on 10th February 2012:

No, sorry it doesn’t make sense.

Shown below is the sign on the Kitelands Road bend, which I have also indicated its position in red on the attached location plan. I believe the sign already faces East. If you turn it 90 degrees, one way, the town centre is across Kitelands recreation ground and the schools are in the opposite direction. You would not see it coming from London Road. 90 degrees the other way would point to the town centre back up the London Road and the sign pointing away from Southlands. As it exists the sign is pointing at the one and only cyclists entrance to Southlands, but as I have said before you cannot access Holmemead School that way. I don’t understand your comment “directing school bound cyclists from London Road into the right of way along the school site (accessing Southlands School and Holmemead Middle via Mead End)” You cannot access Southlands Scholl from Mead End.

Moving on to the sign at the top of Holmecourt Avenue. As a cyclist coming up Holmecourt, (its not a cycleway, just a recommended route), seeing the sign pointing to the right to Stratton Upper School, I would cycle around the roundabout, take the 3rd exit and go towards Stratton Business Park. I would not even consider dismounting at the top of Holmecourt crossing over the road, and going across the crossing on London Road, then crossing over Saxon Drive.

If this is so correct why is it on drawing 501070-001-001 for Cycling & Walking Route Improvements it is proposed to change this sign

I did say in my last email

“ 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 ??”

I would be grateful for a response to that question.

The reply I received on the 21st February was:

I will need to visit site with the CBC Cycling Officer in order to resolve this.

I will update you again as soon as I can.

I have today gone back to him:

I have asked you a couple of times, about the proposals on the pdf of drawing 501070-001-001 for Cycling & Walking Route Improvements, as they appear to be almost a complete replacement of the directional signage which was put up less than a year ago. I asked is this the latest scheme ??

You have never responded to this question.

Well I seem to have my answer, as yesterday the cycling sign, on the lamp post near our house was removed and the the road marked up to take the new signage. Today workmen are removing and repositioning the barriers on the public footpaths.

I have just received this reply:

Apologies for the delay. The plan mentioned forms the basis of the latest scheme which include very minor alterations to the original layout. I understand since our discussions a revision has been issued.

Since your last email the Central Bedfordshire Council Client confirmed the scheme signage is correct. If you have further disputes I suggest you contact him directly as I am only relying on his information when I respond to you:

Sustainable Transport - nick.shaw@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

Cycling & walking Officer -  steve.lakin@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk.

Now you know who to contact if the signs do not make sense to you.

Help us to improve health services in South East Midlands. Have your say.

I have just discovered that the NHS in Bedfordshire, Luton, Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire have started working together to shape a healthier future. They want your say!

There is an online questionairre at:

http://healthiertogether.northamptonshire.nhs.uk/questionnaire/

The closing date for comments in 20th April 2012.

I'm not sure how in depth this is, as I didn't get past page one.

Kitelands Recreation Ground - painting of swings

I understand that Biggleswade Town Council employees started painting the swings on Tuesday.

The problem was that they apparently did not made any attempt to use any sort of safety barriers or tapes, which is a basic commonsense safety procedure. I am told that children were standing underneath and looking up, whilst painting was in progress, as curious children do.

The painting continued on Wednesday and finished shortly after lunch and left with wet paint signs hanging off the uprights.

Council Watch

Did you know there is an organisation called Council Watch? Well I only found out about this a few days ago. It only covers District & Borough Council NOT Town Councils.

The link is:

http://www.councilwatchuk.co.uk/index.php

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

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

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.

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Biggleswade Woman Jailed For Robbery

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.

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