Biggleswade Town Council have yet to comply with The Information Commissioners Decision Notice of 27th March 2014.

UPDATE NO.4.

The Town Clerk contacted me on Wednesday 25th June 2014, but has still not complied with the Decision Notice. The Information Commissioners Office asked me to advise them if I had not received the information by close of play on Friday 4th July 2014. I have now advised them that I have not received the information. 

8th July 2014 - The Information Commissioner provided me with an update:

I have chased this with the council and I have advised it to contact you as soon as possible. In essence the council is now stating that the information has been either destroyed or otherwise is no longer in its possession.  Clearly, this provides cause for concern and I am seeking advice from colleagues in the Commissioner’s Enforcement team as to the next steps.  I will contact you again as soon as I have an update.

23rd July 2014 - The Information Commissioner provided me with a further update:

I have been advised by the Commissioner’s Investigation Team to approach the council with further queries to establish the facts in relation to the timing of the removal and/or destruction of the information you requested.  I have written to the council in this regard and it has until 30 July to respond, at which point I will consult with my colleagues again as to the next course of action.

I am sorry this process is taking so long but, giving the potential seriousness of the matter, I have to ensure I follow the correct procedure.

Did you comment on the Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan?

All consultation responses and supporting evidence regarding Central Bedfordshire Council’s Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan were submitted to the Secretary of State last week (Monday, 23 June).

The most recent consultation ran from 17 February to 31 March and received more than 1,556 responses (plus a petition against Policy GT10 with approximately 2,800 signatures). All of these, along with responses received in previous formal consultations, will now be considered by an independent Planning Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State to determine whether the Plan is ‘sound’ and legally compliant.

It is expected that the Inspector will hold a Public Examination this coming autumn. Individuals who made objections and sought changes to the document during the formal consultation and requested to attend the hearings will be invited to attend the hearing sessions to present their argument to the Planning Inspector verbally.

For those who do not wish to attend the hearing sessions, the Planning Inspector will still consider their written comments and all comments, whether made in writing or verbally at the hearings, will carry the same weight.

For more information about the Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan or to view the Submission documents please visit our website. Alternatively, copies of the Submission documents can be viewed at the Council Offices in Chicksands and Dunstable during opening hours.

The public’s views on Central Bedfordshire Council’s Highways and Transport services will again be compared with others across England, as part of the National Highways and Transport Public Satisfaction survey.

The council is one of 78 local authorities to sign up to a standardised survey that will ask members of the public exactly the same questions, whether they live in Central Bedfordshire, Cornwall or Cheshire.

The survey, which is being run for the seventh year, enables local councils to compare results, share in best practice and identify opportunities to work together in the future.

The questionnaire will be sent to a minimum random sample of 3,300 Central Bedfordshire residentsthis month, followed by a reminder, with local and national results to be published in early October. Since the survey is based on a sample, residents that receive a copy are being urged to take part. 

Residents that receive the questionnaire can complete the survey on line if they prefer, a short URL link will be printed on the front of the questionnaire and they will be required to enter a code before completing the questionnaire.

The results will enable us to find out what people in this area think about these important services. This will provide one of several ways the council can assess how it is performing and which services to prioritise, and to improve.

Cllr Budge Wells, Deputy Executive Member for Sustainable Communities, Services, said: “Our roads are among the best in the country according to latest government figures which show that the proportion of roads needing repair in our area are among the lowest nationally.

"But we don't want to stop gathering evidence that could help us improve further. There are clear benefits to conducting a public survey in this way. As well as providing excellent value for money, it also enables everyone involved to identify areas of best practice and spot national, regional and local trends. It is about understanding customer views better and working together to deliver the most satisfactory yet efficient outcomes for local residents."

Officers Seek Witnesses to Biggleswade Assault

Detectives are seeking witnesses to an attempted robbery that happened in Biggleswade and left the victim with slash wounds to her legs.

The incident happened at approximately midnight on Sunday, June 29 as the 39 year old victim was making her way home after a night out.

She had left the Red Lion Public House and turned in to an alleyway close to the railway station before three men approached her.

The men grabbed the victim around the neck and demanded cash before kicking and beating her. The victim lost consciousness and when she came around the men had left empty handed but she had suffered severe bruising to her body and two slash wounds to her thighs

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The officer in charge of this investigation, Detective Constable Luke Moore, is keen to trace anyone who saw the incident or anyone who may have information about those responsible.

DC Moore said: “One of the offenders is described as a white man, approximately 27 years of age, with tattoos on his left arm. He had shaved hair around the sides and brushed back on top and wore all denim clothing.”

He added: “This was a vicious and cowardly assault which has left the victim requiring medical treatment. Biggleswade is a busy town even at night and I would urge anyone who saw three men acting suspiciously in the area or anyone who saw or heard the incident to come forward and help this investigation.”

Anyone with information about this crime can contact DC Moore, in confidence, at Greyfriars Police Station, on 01234 275011, or Bedfordshire Police on 101, or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively you can contact the independent crime fighting charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.