March/April 2017
The newsletter for residents of Leighton Buzzard and Linslade
Published by Leighton-Linslade Town Council
REMEMBER clocks
go forward 26 March
Photo from left to right: Cllr Ferguson, Cllr Palmer, Cllr Morris, Cllr Chambers, Cllr Jones, Richard Walden, Cllr Perham, Cllr Freeman, Cllr Berry & Rob Smith
Council achieves prestigious ‘GOLD’ Award
It is important that we as a Town
Council can demonstrate a level of
work practice that gives confidence
to its residents that we do everything
within our power to represent and
serve its communities to the best of
our abilities. Leighton-Linslade Town
Council is delighted to have achieved
Gold status under the Local Council
Award Scheme, one of only 20 parish
councils nationally to have achieved
this accreditation. The award
recognises our work of delivering
innovative projects, working in
partnership with other organisations,
engaging with diverse groups in the
community, ensuring value for money
and achieving successful outcomes
for the benefit of the community.
Officers presented a few examples
such as the Beacon Lighting
celebrations in 2016 for The Queen’s
90th birthday, the refurbishment
TION
SPRING into AC
ring Clean
Keep Britain Tidy Sp
denfoot Car
Fri 3 March - Meet in Tid
)
Park (0930 - 1230 hours
nal Bridge in
Sat 4 March - Meet at Ca
urs)
the Town (0900 -1200 ho
ncombe
Sun 5 March - Meet in Du
hours)
30
Drive Car Park (0930 - 12
W: www.leightonlinslade-tc.gov.uk
of the public conveniences in
Parson’s Close, achieving three
Green Flag awards for our open
spaces and supporting the Friends
of Leighton-Linslade in Bloom with
the outstanding community garden
at Pages Park. Council Leader,
Councillor Ewan Wallace expressed
delight in receiving the award, “It
reflects the hard work of everyone
involved, officers, partners and
Councillors alike, for the benefit of the
town.”
In this issue
4
Best Bar None Success !
5
TACTIC Activities
6
Worthy Winners of Honorary
Burgess Award
7
Fairtrade Fortnight
YOUR COUNCIL
EVENTS
On the MARKET
MEET YOUR COUNCILLORS
MARCH
27 Feb - Fairtrade Fortnight, for more information visit
Sun 12 www.fairtradell.co.uk
BARNABAS
Cllr Sarah Cursons
Conservative
Tel: 07849 259200
sarah-lou@pawpaws.
co.uk
GROVEBURY
Cllr Farzana Kharawala
Conservative
Tel: 01525 850795
farzana.kharawala@
leightonlinslade-tc.
gov.uk
PLANTATION
Cllr Brian Spurr
Conservative
Tel: 0300 300 8558
brian.spurr@
centralbedfordshire.
gov.uk
BARNABAS
Cllr Mark Freeman
Independent
Tel: 01525 379216
mail@markfreeman.
org
GROVEBURY
Cllr Syed Rahman
(Deputy Mayor)
Conservative
Tel: 07969 110766
syedrahman60@
hotmail.co.uk
ST GEORGE’S
Cllr Carole Perham
Conservative
Tel: 01525 631920
cpmowbray56@
hotmail.com
BARNABAS
Cllr David Perham
Conservative
Tel: 01525 631920
daveyp26@gmail.
com
LESTON
Cllr Stephen Cotter
(Mayor)
Conservative
Tel: 07949 241785
stephencotter@
btinternet.com
ST GEORGE’S
Cllr Ewan Wallace
Conservative
Tel: 07952 649818
ewan.wallace@
leightonlinslade-tc.
gov.uk
BROOKLANDS
Cllr Dave Bowater
Conservative
Tel: 01525 375308
dave.bowater@
leightonlinslade-tc
gov.uk
PLANETS
Cllr Ken Ferguson
Conservative
Tel: 01525 376543
kenferguson.ltc@
gmail.com
SOUTHCOTT
Cllr Alan Brandham
Conservative
Tel: 01525 371647
alanbrandham@
hotmail.co.uk
BROOKLANDS
Cllr Amanda Dodwell
Conservative
Tel: 01525 378418
amanda_dodwell@
btinternet.com
PLANETS
Cllr Stephen Jones
Conservative
Tel: 01525 631874
stevejuliejones@
ntlworld.com
SOUTHCOTT
Cllr Karen Cursons
Conservative
Tel: 01525 378292
karen@pawpaws.
co.uk
GROVEBURY
Cllr Carol Chambers
Conservative
Tel: 07894 451413
carol.chambers@
handyperson.org.uk
PLANTATION
Cllr Ray Berry
Conservative
Tel: 07876 340734
cllr.ray.berry@
btinternet.com
SOUTHCOTT
Cllr Clive Palmer
Conservative
Tel: 01525 378526
clive.palmer5@
btinternet.com
Cllr James Davies
Conservative
Tel: 07476 315708
james.davies@
leightonlinslade-tc.
gov.uk
PLANTATION
Cllr Tony Morris
Conservative
Tel: 07956 311450
tony.morris@
leightonlinslade-tc.
gov.uk
SOUTHCOTT
Cllr Gordon Perham
Conservative
Tel: 01525 371204
g.perham@hotmail.
co.uk
COUNCIL COMMITTEE DATES
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Allotments
Bus shelters
Cemeteries
Christmas illuminations
Community events & promotions
Grants to voluntary organisations
Markets
Parks and open spaces
Pavilions – Astral, Pages Park & Mentmore
TACTIC, Teenage Advice & Information Centre
Multi-Storey Car Park Toilets
REMEMBER: You can view or download
Agendas and latest Minutes, by visiting our
website.
2
The Market Sub Committee
recently received a report
outlining the start of actions
needed to achieve a relaunch
of our market. Consumer
habits have changed with
more ‘online’ purchases taking
shoppers away for town
centres and every town is
experiencing changes in the
makeup of shops on their local
high street. Of course markets
are feeling the impact too.
Here in Leighton Buzzard
we have a market worth
investing in. Our residents,
traders and local retailers have
told us of the value it has for
the town. We know this too and
to help it move confidently into
the future and keep attracting
new customers, it’s time to
Committee meetings start at 1930hrs and are held in the Town
Council Offices unless otherwise shown below. Please note these
may be subject to change, please check our website.
Responsible for:
•
Fri 3 - 5 Keep Britain Tidy Spring Clean Campaign visit
www.facebook.com/LeightonLinsladeinBloom
GROVEBURY
March 2017
Weds
Mon
Mon
Weds
Mon
01
06
13
22
27
Planning & Transport Committee
Grounds & Environmental Services Committee
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING (1930) Pages Park Pavilion
Planning & Transport Committee
Cultural & Economic Services Committee
April 2017
Mon
Mon
Thur
Mon
Wed
Thurs
Mon
03
03
06
10
12
13
24
Personnel Sub-Committee (1400)
Police Liaison Sub-Committee
Market Sub-Committee (1030)
Policy & Finance Committee
Planning & Transport Committee
Partnership Committee
COUNCIL
Leighton-Linslade Town Council Official
take a good hard look at the
best things about the market
and areas that could do with
some rethinking.
Over the next few months
the Town Council will work with
its market traders to confirm
the way forward and we shall
keep you updated on our
progress.
Sat 4
Full House Theatre Show, Astral Park visit
www.facebook.com/AstralPark
Sun 5
Mayor’s Civic Service - All Saints Church (1500 hours)
Sat 11
OXJAM Open Air Music - Town Centre
(1000 -1600 hours), for more information visit
www.oxjamleightonbuzzard.org.uk/
Mon 13
Sat 18
Annual Parish Meeting - Pages Park Pavilion
(1930 hours)
Farmers’ Market, Town Centre (0900 - 1600 hours)
Sat 25
Craft Market, Town Centre (0900 - 1600 hours)
APRIL
Sat 1
Pop-Up Market, Town Centre (0900 - 1600 hours)
Wed 5
Mayor’s James Goff Charity Concert at Vandyke
School (1930 hours)
Mon 10 - TACTIC Easter Arts Week, Mentmore Pavilion
Farmers’ Market, Town Centre (0900 - 1600 hours)
Sat 22
Craft Market, Town Centre (0900 - 1600 hours)
Wed 26
Business Networking Event, Leighton Buzzard Golf
Club (1730 - 2000 hours)
News from the Mayor
Spring is on its way and our big news is that
despite the cost pressures councils always face,
we decided we would maintain the Council tax
precept level. With household budgets under
strain we felt that it would be unfair to the people
of Leighton-Linslade to raise a tax that supports the services provided by the
Town Council. We have a programme of activities for 2017/18 that is already
fully funded.
Staying on Council business, I invite you to meet your Town Councillors on
13 March for the Parish Meeting to be held in Pages Park Pavilion, starting
at 1930. First up on the agenda is a presentation by the Leighton Buzzard
Society who do much work for the town and after that, the agenda is set by
you. If you wish to know more about the Council’s work, come along and ask
Councillors. We shall do our best to answer your questions.
ABOUT TOWN
(1100 - 1600 hours)
Thur 13
Sat 15
@LLTCNews
PICK UP the
2017 What’s
On Guide
from various
locations
around the
Town.
Alternatively
you can find it
in the March
edition of
the Bee Local
Magazine.
3
NEWS
NEWS
Free Local Advice
The Town Council provides
funding for the Citizens Advice
Bureau in recognition of the
work it undertakes to support the
residents of Leighton-Linslade. In
2016/17 we supported CAB with a grant
of £15,000 and for 2017/18, (April to March financial
year) we have increased this amount to £20,000. Any
one of us may experience a crisis and need help or just
need some clear advice about a problem. Below is an
introduction to the service from David Wood, Director of
CAB.
We are here to provide a free, independent and
confidential advice. We offer advice on a face to face
basis, on the telephone and by email. Our advisers are
highly trained volunteers who are used to dealing with a
whole range of issues.
Sometimes we can provide answers in a few minutes
and on other occasions we may work with a client over a
period of time until all their issues are resolved. We also
have partnerships with family and criminal law solicitors
who can see our clients for a free one-off session.
A few examples of what our advisers might be asked in a
typical day.
“I work at a shop and I’ve had money stopped from
my wages, is that legal?”
“We’re expecting a baby, what might we be entitled
to?”
“I don’t want to use the gym anymore, but they say
I’ve signed up for 6 months”
“I’d like to bring my partner from America to live
here – how do I arrange that?”
“My partner left me last night and I’ve discovered
the mortgage hasn’t been paid for months”
Last year we helped 3,500 different people with over
11,000 different issues.
We are an independent local charity and are not part the
government. The Town Council is one of our key funders
but we also have to raise funds ourselves.
To find out more about any of our services please
go to www.leightonlinsladecab.org.uk/ Advice
Line: 01525 373878 Administration Line: 01525
374589
4
BEST BAR
NONE SUCCESS
On a sparkling night at the
House of Lords, Central
Bedfordshire’s Best Bar
None scheme received
high praise from Best Bar
None Chairman Robert
Humphreys and National
Coordinator Mick McDonnell
in their opening speeches
for achieving significant
increases in the number
of participating licenced
premises across the scheme
in Dunstable, Houghton
Regis and Leighton-Linslade.
With MP’s, government
officials,
industry
representatives and the
media looking on, Central
Beds BBN was highly
commended in the category
of Most Innovative Scheme
2016, with the LeightonLinslade area being highly
commended in the category
of Best New Scheme 2016.
Well done to all those who
took part and to all our BBN
partner services. Team work
brings success to all.
FreeFlow
A Division of UK traders INC Limited
Leighton Buzzard’s Drainage Company
Blocked Drain Clearance . Drain Jetting
Colour CCTV Inspection
Excavation & Repair
Free Quotation Service
Drain Clearance £55ph+VAT
(most jobs completed under 1hr)
No Call Out Charge
(within 10 miles of Leighton Buzzard)
24hr Emergency Drain Clearance
Please call us on
Tel: 01525 634070 or 07928 652013
Fax: 01525 376094
FULLY INSURED
-
VAT No. 829 5367 90
Church Road, Linslade, Leighton Buzzard
Beds. LU7 2LR
Leighton-Linslade Town Council Official
Cost £5 per day
Activities include - Arts and crafts, Team
Games, Sports and FUN !!
Supported by
ABOUT TOWN
for 13 - 18 year olds
Date
5, 6 and 7 April (0930 - 1530 hours)
Activity
Time
FREE
Mon 10
April
Street Arts & Drama
1100 - 1300 &
1400 - 1600 hours
Tues 11
April
Animation & Creative
Dance
1100 - 1300
& 1400 - 1600 hours
Wed 12
April
Fashion / Textiles &
Drama
1100 - 1300
& 1400 - 1600 hours
Thurs 13
April
Spoken Word & Poetry
1100 - 1300 hours
& 1400 - 1600 hours
Venue: Mentmore Pavilion, Mentmore Road
Contact TACTIC on 01525-373838 or visit www.tactic-centre.co.uk for more information
.For more information
about the winners and
photos of the event, check
www.bbnuk.com
A Complete Drainage Service
Company No. 04730483
PLAY SCHEME for 8 - 11 year olds
EASTER CREATIVE ARTS WEEK
Delivering your electricity
UK Power Networks is the provider of
electricity in our town for homes and
businesses. Some people still call them
‘the electricity board’!
Over recent months, some of the
Town’s businesses and residents have
experienced power cuts and for those
members of the community who are more
vulnerable than most, a power cut can be
worrying. To help vulnerable members of
the community, UK Power Networks has
set up a Priority Service Register which
vulnerable people can sign up to. The
register helps UK PN quickly identify them
and provide help if there is a power cut.
The Town Council has a small number
of Freepost registration forms in the office
or you can register online by visiting www.
ukpowernetworks.co.uk/parishcouncils
Alternatively you can contact UK Power
Network for free on 0800 169 9970 or
by email [email protected]
ABOUT TOWN
Who is eligible to register as a
‘vulnerable’ person?
quicker than others, but you can
access extra help services including:
If you have a disability or health
condition, are of retirement age, have
a medical condition dependency on
electricity, e.g. nebuliser, ventilator or
a Careline user, or have a child under
five. There are 20 eligibility categories
so call UK Power Network to find out
more.
•
24 hour priority phone number.
•
a dedicated team who will contact
you to keep you updated during a
power cut.
•
Tailored support if needed such
as home visits, hot meals, advice
and keeping your friends and
relatives updated.
•
In certain scenarios we may also
offer a free hotel overnight and
transport to the hotel.
What are the benefits of signing up?
If you are on the register it doesn’t
mean your power will be restored
Apply for a General
Grant Today !
Applications are now being
welcomed for General Grants of
up to £500 for 2017-2018. Please
see the Grants & Awards page on
our website for further details and
application form. Start-up grants
of up to £250 are also available.
@LLTCNews
@LLTCNews
Grants are for voluntary and
charity organisations, for specific
projects which will benefit the
local community. If your group
has already had a grant from us
previously, you must submit a report
confirming use of that grant before
applying for further funding.
Deadline for applications is Friday
21 April.
5
NEWS
Worthy Winners
of Honorary Burgess
There is always great pleasure
for the Town Council in identifying
deserving recipients of the Honorary
Burgess Award and for 2017, two
recipients have been announced:
Dave Edwards and Malcolm Chaney.
Mr Edwards was nominated for
being the primary organiser of the
annual May Day Fayre for over 25
years – a huge community event
which not only brings enjoyment to so
many residents but also helps to raise
funds for many local organisations.
Mr Edwards has also been involved
in many other activities through the
Rotary Club of Leighton-Linslade, to
the benefit of many, and is seen as a
“true man of the people”.
Mr Chaney was nominated for
many years of local conservation
work, particularly in Linslade Woods
NEWS
and along the local stretch of the
Grand Union Canal. From becoming
a volunteer warden in 2009, Mr
Chaney is now a key member of the
Friends of Linslade Wood and has
helped initiate many projects to the
benefit of the woodland and those
who enjoy visiting. Mr Chaney has
also made an invaluable contribution
each year to the organisation of the
Linslade Canal Festival, liaising with
the boating community and helping
to ensure that the event goes from
strength to strength.
Both nominees will be awarded
their Honorary Burgess by the Town
Mayor, Councillor Steve Cotter, at a
ceremony at the White House on 8
March. Cllr Cotter said, “During my
year as Mayor I have come across
many unsung heroes who get on and
do things because it’s the right thing
to do. We owe much to these people
and I look forward to shaking hands
with David and Malcolm in March to
say Thank You.”
The award recognises those
who have given at least 7 years of
voluntary service, to the benefit of
the town. Recipients have often
been involved for many years with
numerous causes without expecting
recognition. Do you have someone
in mind? Look out for our next call for
nominees later in the year.
WEDNESDAY 26 APRIL
1730 - 2000 hours, Leighton Buzzard Golf Club
The annual Spring Business Network event coordinated
and funded by the Town Council, working in partnership
with Central Bedfordshire Council, the Federation of Small
Businesses and local LB Connect networking group. This
year the event is receiving sponsorship from Hascat Safety, Graham Hunt & Co
and Bee Local Magazine.
INSPIRE FAIRTRADE BREAKS in Leighton-Linslade
FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT - 27 FEB – 12 MARCH
This year, Fairtrade LeightonLinslade is calling on the local
community to put Fairtrade “in their
tea break” and support Fairtrade
to drive much-needed change for
farmers in developing countries during
Fairtrade Fortnight.
Sally Reith, the group’s
spokesperson said : “During Fairtrade
Fortnight we’ll be helping youngsters
including young people at TACTIC to
explore what it means to trade fairly.
We invite people to take a selfie
with their favourite Fairtrade product
and post it to our Facebook page,
Instagram or *Twitter* @FairtradeLL
for a chance to win a great #Fairtrade
hamper!
What does it mean to
be a Fairtrade Town ?
Leighton-Linslade businesses,
organisations and community groups
commit to sell or use Fairtrade goods.
By doing so, direct support is given
to those Fairtrade farmers to get a
‘fair’ price for the core products that
we depend on every day – the simple
cuppa, or that much needed coffee to
get us going in the morning. Buying or
The FAIRTRADE Mark on
products is an independent consumer
label that appears on products to
show that disadvantaged producers
are getting a better deal from trade.
Today, more than 1.65 million
people, farmers and workers, across
more than 76 developing countries
benefit from the international Fairtrade
system.
The Fairtrade movement helps
farmers in developing countries
secure an income that reflects
the work they put into growing the
products. It’s important because often
core ingredients are bought
cheaply and at irregular price
levels with profits being made
by the larger businesses involved
in shipping, wholesaling and
manufacturing of food items and the
original farmers do not receive a fair
share of the profits.
Take a selfie
with your
favourite
Fairtrade
product
Chance
to WIN a
Fairtrade
Hamper
Over 5,000 products have been
licensed to carry the FAIRTRADE
mark in the UK ranging from coffee,
chocolate, honey, nuts, ice-cream,
and flowers to homeware, cotton
wool, olive oil, gold, silver
and platinum.
Mayor, Cllr Stephen Cotter celebrating
Fairtrade Fortnight with a cup of tea
For more information about the
campaign and how to get involved,
visit www.fairtrade.org.uk/fortnight
or contact www.fairtradell.co.uk
Can you name the building this forms
part of and its location within the Town.
Answer can be found on page 8.
If your shop front is looking a little tired
and your branding is unintentionally
retro rather than current day … the
offer of help is here.
Working in partnership with the
Town Council, Central Bedfordshire
Council is offering funding to support
businesses to modernise their shop
fronts, upper floors and forecourts,
To book a FREE PLACE visit the website and register
www.leightonlinslade-tc.gov.uk/your-community/business/
Leighton-Linslade
Leighton-LinsladeTown
TownCouncil
CouncilOfficial
Official
Look for the Fairtrade
mark
JUST FOR FUN ...
The event works in partnership to remove barriers and enable business growth
whilst maximising opportunities through networking. Please join us to support our
growing business community.
66
selling Fairtrade goods directly works
to address issues of poverty around
the world. Our town has shown a
commitment to support the ‘fair trade’
of goods. If you are a business,
organisation or community group,
have you made this commitment?
ABOUT TOWN
ABOUT TOWN
while preserving and enhancing the
character of individual buildings, as
well as expert advice on creating
new branding for signage. Funding
is available through the High St
Improvement Scheme (HSIS).
Successful applicants will receive a
grant of 60% of the total cost of the
work to carry out improvements, with
@LLTCNews
the remaining 40% to be sourced by
the applicants. The last deadline for
Expressions of Interest for the scheme
is Monday 1st May 2017
Want to know more? Contact Vivien.
[email protected] and
ask for an information booklet.
7
NEWS
NEWS
suitable
for every
Occasion
Astral Park Sports and
Community Centre combines
facilities for sports, leisure,
business, weddings and
other community events
in an attractive setting
surrounded by trees, fields
and open parkland.
Fresh Chinese Buffet
Sunday Lunch
with the Family
Friday 28 April
Doors open at 1830 hours.
first race 7.30pm
last race 10.30pm
Tickets include a burger
and drink £10 per adult
£5 (12 yrs and under).
New for this month is the
opening of Café Astral
so dog walkers, Sunday
brunchers and sport
supporters alike can bide
their time reading the
daily newspapers over
refreshments, whilst the
world goes on around them.
Family Ticket (1 adult
3 children or 2 adults
2 children) £25.
Non-refundable tickets.
Tickets available from Astral
Park or The Town Council
Offices.
The Cafe will be open
every Saturday
ond Sunday
0900 - 1230 hours
To hire Astral Park contact
01525 851019 or visit our
facebook page for more
information on upcoming
events www.facebook.
com/AstralPark
Please find at
shanshuicottage.com
to
shanshuicottage.com
01525 850 880
8 High Street, LU7 1EA
ABOUT
TOWN
LU7 1EA
01525 306 588
Straight to your e-mail box every time.
www.leightonlinslade-tc.gov.uk/your-council/about-town/
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Did you Know ?
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Please tick relevant box
LU7
other
Answer to quiz: Looking up inside the Market Cross, Town Centre.
Whilst every effort has been taken to provide accurate information, the Council does not accept any liability for error or omission
for information on services it is not directly responsible for. The Town Council does not necessarily endorse any business
using advertising space.
Leighton-Linslade Town Council,The White House, Hockliffe Street, Leighton Buzzard, Beds LU7 1HD
Main switchboard: 01525 631920 [email protected]
8
W: www.leightonlinslade-tc.gov.uk
Printed by Eagle Graphics (Printers) Limited, Leighton Buzzard. Tel: 01525 384893
We would welcome your
comments on the services
we provide. Please cut out
and post in the box provided
at the Multi Storey car park
(West Street) or Town Council
Offices (Hockliffe St).
MENU & OFFERS
A donation will be made
to the Mayor’s Charities
on the night.
ABOUT TOWN
Feedback Form
This Sunday
Why not enjoy a relaxing afternoon
with your family at Shan Shui cottage.
Fresh buffet served from 12:00 noon