Central Bedfordshire Local Plan to 2035

Central Bedfordshire have been working on a new local plan for some time now.  There is plenty more detail available here.

Whilst there have already been various elements of public engagement as part of the evidence gathering process, they have only now reached the stage of the first statutory public consultation (known in planning terms as Regulation 18).  The consultation period will be open from 04 July 2017 and close on 29 August 2017 (a period of eight weeks); during that time there will also be opportunities for people to ask further questions and seek clarifications.

Residents of Caddington, Slip End and nearby hamlets will no doubt take a keen interest in the draft plan given that the dreaded phrase "west of Luton" is rearing its ugly head again.  I suspect that opinion will be split on whether this is a good or bad thing; that split is not likely to be an even 50/50.

It needs to be understood that the pressure to provide new housing (and associated jobs and infrastructure) in this part of the country is overwhelming.  Politicians from different sides may argue over the best way to provide this housing but none of the major parties take a position which reduces the numbers.

Central Bedfordshire can not avoid significant amounts of housing being provided in the short and medium term (this plan looks through until 2035) and, if that is accepted as fact, then it follows that having some sort of structured approach through a Local Plan is the approach needed to try and plan for and address the infrastructure issues that are intrinsically linked to sustainable development.

Failure to deliver an up to date Local Plan leaves the authority more exposed to hostile applications from developers and also at risk of Central Government intervention to take control in the absence of a plan.

The nature of Regulation 18 is consultation on a DRAFT plan; feedback received plus ongoing work on whether sites are deliverable and sustainable will then further refine the detail before Regulation 19 consultation in about a year's time.  This consultation is about OPTIONS for growth; the areas up for discussion are not yet filtered down to preferred options and some may well be dropped as the process continues.  Similarly, the map and accompanying narrative deals with broad locations and not specific sites.  By consulting on more than might eventually be needed, there remains flexibility within the consultation process to further filter out unsuitable sites.

People can (and indeed should) play an active part in commenting on the draft plan and helping shape the further refinement of the plan over the next year; people will have right and proper concerns about their particular part of Central Bedfordshire but everyone should be absolutely clear that failing to deliver a local plan would be the worst possible outcome for all of us.  Please do follow the links, study the evidence base and comment as you see fit.

MORE16 and MORE Drive

A reminder that young drivers from Central Bedfordshire or Luton can attend FREE courses at Millbrook which aim to give them either a first taste of driving or some extra skills for those who have recently passed their test.  The next courses are scheduled for Sunday 13 March 2016.

Local press coverage is available here and the website for the Bedfordshire and Luton Casualty Reduction Partnership is here.

CBC Elections 2015: playing with numbers

First and most importantly, many thanks to everyone who took the trouble to take part in the democratic process and cast their vote (whichever way it was given!).  Secondly, special thanks to those who assisted the campaign for myself and Richard locally, helping with the canvass, displaying posters or delivering leaflets.

I would also like to express my personal thanks for the generally warm reception on the doorsteps.  Some people really didn't want to talk politics - which is fine, we get that some people are disinterested and others prefer to remain private in their beliefs - but those that did want to talk (supportive or otherwise) were generally polite and civil.  That has not always been the case.

Finally, an acknowledgement to everyone who contributed to the administrative function of running an election.  Ranging from those that manned polling stations to those that helped with the count (and I saw some senior CBC officers with their sleeves rolled up - literally), after so many weeks focussed on getting out the vote and promoting your own message it was a stark reminder that none of this happens without practical support.  I am aware that these people were paid for their efforts and it is fair to say that lessons have been learned from the count around issues that could be dealt with better next time, but that does not detract from the underlying message that the election would not have functioned at all without the efforts of a significant number of people.

Full details of vote numbers for all CBC wards are available on the CBC website; I have posted below some of the output from internal summaries of the results.

Share of votes cast, Caddington ward

Share of the votes cast, Central Bedfordshire

 

 

 

 

 

 

One interesting set of statistics was around voter turnout.  Adjusted for rejected votes, this ranged from 75.5% down to 52.4% for 29 of the 31 wards; Northill was exceptional at 35.4% and Heath & Reach has no data being uncontested.

turnout based on valid votes

The backdrop to this is an overwhelming Conservative dominance; we entered this election with a significant majority and managed to increase it.

What I do find interesting is that the three independent candidates who successfully won their respective contests (in each case holding onto a seat they already occupied) rank amongst the top five in terms of turnout; it suggests that their personal message to the voters encouraged people who, perhaps, might otherwise have stayed at home to vote in support of them.   Contrast this with the relatively poor turnout in Dunstable Northfields where two Independents, including the previous group leader, lost their seats.

It is also curious that, if you ignore Northill as a statistical oddity, the three successful candidates on a non Conservative and non Independent ticket won in the least engaged wards.

CBC Highways statistics for April

 There was a drop in the number of potholes reported in April and in total, 547 potholes were repaired.

You can report defects (potholes, faulty lighting etc) to Central Bedfordshire using the online facility here.

Compost awareness week

As if the election were not enough excitement for us all, I am informed that we also have national Compost Awareness Week coming up from May 04 to May 10.

Through the council, Central Bedfordshire residents can buy home compost bins at a subsidised price of £13 for a 220-litre bin or £15 for a 330-litre bin.  For more information about compost bins, including a buy one, get one half price offer, call 0844 571 4444 and quote reference CBC10L. 

Alternatively order your home compost bin and accessories at www.cbc.getcomposting.com

Cheering Volunteering

There are so many volunteer groups carrying out excellent work across Central Bedfordshire.

Please follow this link for details on a special awards event due to take place on 02 June 2015, how you can nominate an individual or a group who you feel deserve recognition and how you can secure a free ticket to the event.

CBC Highways - stats for January

January 2015 saw a 70% increase in emergency street lighting repairs compared to December 2014.  A spike in demand for emergency repairs is common in the winter months, but the maintenance team aim to resolve all urgent enquiries within 24 hours (and indeed are currently managing to do so).

Ongoing improvements in Dunstable

Insider Media press release Nov-14

There has been talk for a while now of impending changes at the White Lion Retail Park in Dunstable, and it is now very much looking like things are going to happen.

Central Beds Council have been keen to work with site owners, retailers and the local Town Council to make the town an attractive place to do business in.

Luton On Sunday 15-Feb-14

(click on either clipping to enlarge)

These changes make Dunstable a more attractive place to shop whilst simultaneously opening up job opportunities; that can only be good for the town itself and also neighbouring rural communities like Caddington and Kensworth who are only a short car drive or bus ride away from these facilities.  In time, the new A5/M1 link road will also remove a lot of the traffic that currently passes through Dunstable Town Centre.

We also look forward to welcoming BBC Three Counties to their new base in Dunstable in the near future when they vacate their old home in Hastings Street, Luton.

An invitation to meet the Mayor

I have received an invitation to a small business launch event next month being hosted at Harpers in Pepperstock.  The new Harper's function room is a fine choice and I am delighted to see them doing so well in their new home.

What is slightly troubling is that the invite also encourages my attendance on the grounds that The Mayor will be present.  And Pepperstock in Central Bedfordshire does not have a mayor.

You would presume that a Mayor from a neighbouring authority might have the courtesy to inform local councillors if they were co-hosting this type of event in the ward, but I guess it is easy to presume too much these days.