Bang on time

Big thanks to Don Allan and Gerry O'Mara clock-maintainers to the parish. Don has written to the parish council:




"Gerry O'Mara and I have reset the time on the village clock this morning at 10.00 am. I spoke to Smiths who told us exactly the best procedure. We followed this and the four and a half minutes it had gained has now been eliminated and it is at the correct time. A number of our parishoners had remarked on it being at the wrong time - Gerry had also had a few people comment to him. As we were part of the training group held by Smiths we were keen to put into practice what we had learned. Gerry and I are happy to keep an eye on the situation and to keep records of any changes made."

Pot holes 2

A parishioner replies to the post about potholes:

Hi

why cant the pot hole repairs be done so that they do not re-occur? or is that just too simple a question?

the Managed Service providers appear to get away with a distinctly inferior service and lack of CBC oversight – we pay for it after all

you would not let these people repair your drive for instance

I have responded:


Much too simple question as you and I know. Why can't bankers put our money in a vault and give it back when we ask for it? 


Some of these roads actually need resurfaced - like all of them and the 
delays are lengthening all the time. I acknowledge issues about government and tax and spend but maybe we need to look again at hypothecating. Specific taxes for specific purposes which people accept need doing.  

Freedom of Information Home Farm

It is three months since Persimmon said they had put an occupant in a property on Home Farm, contrary to planning conditions. In that time Central Beds have said either they are taking legal advice or there are no developments to report. 


I am concerned that they have not moved towards enforcement. If there is a legal or practical reason why not I believe they should share that with the residents in Cranfield. 


In the mean time I have contacted Central Beds requesting copies of correspondence to and from Persimmon since 2 April under the Freedom of Information Act. We are entitled to know what, if anything, has been done. Or not done. 

Parish Council 4 July

Agenda for parish council committees next Wednesday 4 July at Holywell School

BUSINESS TO BE DONE

7.45pm – Viewing of planning applications.

Meetings 8pm

To receive apologies for absence:  CB/PCllrs:  D Allan

To receive declarations for Members in relation to: (a) Personal Interest or (b)   Prejudicial Interest in any Agenda item.

1.     Planning Committee

1.1.  General Planning Matters

1.2.  Home Farm

1.3.  Review of annual objectives – new objectives

1.4.  Consultation on the Draft Development Strategy- deadline for comments – 8^th August

Reports - Correspondence - Agenda Items

2.     General Purposes Committee

2.1.  To appoint new councillors to committees and representation of outside bodies

2.2.  Notice Boards

2.3.  Waste Bins installation – delivery address

2.4.  Review of annual objectives – new objectives

2.5.  Quarterly Report

2.6.  Annual Report/Village Directory

Reports - Correspondence - Agenda Items

3.     Environment Committee

3.1.  Tree maintenance – annual maintenance programme specification (2^nd draft).

3.2.  Recreation Ground trees – inc dead tree.

3.3.  Toddler play equipment – S106 monies

3.4.  Bulb planting – schools

3.5.  Review of annual objectives – new objectives

3.6.  Weeds at the bottom of the hedgerows – Lincroft play area

Reports - Correspondence - Agenda Items

4.     Burial Grounds

4.1.  Top soil storage – Cemetery

4.2.  Memorial Garden – Camomile Lawn

4.3.  Church Wall

4.4.  Review of annual objectives – new objectives

Reports - Correspondence - Agenda Items

Strawberries and cream

See below - sounds like the perfect way to relax

MUSIC FOR A SUMMER’S EVE

Enjoy a varied concert of uplifting pieces on the theme of summer

presented by

The Manor House Quartet

in the oldest building in Cranfield

ST PETER AND ST PAUL CHURCH

Saturday 21^st July 2012 from 7pm

Tickets £12.50

Includes

strawberries & cream + glass of wine

For tickets call:

Andrew 01234 75 13 58

Trevor 01234 75 13 21

Rev Hugh 01234 75 02 14

bus changes in Cranfield, Milton Keynes and North Crawley

Interesting meeting last night with  NCrawley parish councillors, transport officers from MK and CBC, the  local MK cllr  and Delise Ball, myself and Alan Morris from Cranfield Parish Council

The main headlines are

• Paul Dodge (CBC transport officer) says Grant Palmer announced out of the blue they wd run a commercial service while CBC was in discussion to put out a tender for a supported service to MK. GP originally planned a service that wd only run every 70 to 75 minutes but agreed to an hourly service. Later buses only run with CBC support. 
• Andrew Coleman (MK transport officer) said the borough cannot support services running outside its area and CBC was not willing/able to share costs. So the Arriva MK services stopped and the connection  between NC and Cranfield. 
• The university is still considering replacing its home grown shuttle service with a subsidy to a public service that would meet its students' needs and offer general public use. It is the only player with regards to resources.
• Cranfield Pcllrs asked for assurances that we would be consulted in any spec the university drew up regarding a new service. 
• All public representatives protested at not being alerted to the changes in advance.
• There is discouraging news that many transport operators are not actually interested in running subsidised evening services and quote silly prices. 
• There was also a hint that in some areas (no names mentioned) developers are challenging S106 housing agreements that make provision for public transport. Something we need to keep an eye on.

A right but not a way

This looks useful from CBC. I get regular stories of problems with 'rights of way' so-called around Cranfield. There seems to be a right but not a way.

CBC would like to make you aware of a new service we provide.

If any issues are encountered when walking our rights of way network then please help us to improve them by informing us of these issues. To make this process easier we have developed a 'Reporting issues on a right of way' form found on our website. 

Please see the link.

 CBC rights of way

Advance warning of M1 weekend closure

Dont get caught out by this

Central Bedfordshire Council and the Highways Agency are giving road users advance warning of a 16-hour weekend closure of the M1 between Junctions 11 (Luton north) and 13 (A421, Bedford) while a bridge over Junction 12 is demolished. 

The road will be closed from 8pm on June 30 until 12pm on July 1, and motorists are advised to plan ahead, leave plenty of time and use an alternative route if they can. Read the rest of the release on the CBC news page 

Latest crime stats

Here's the latest police report. 

23/05/2012

Theft of pedal cycle

Co-op retail Mill Road

IP left pedal cycle outside the shop propped up against the shutters, when coming out the bike had been removed.

 

30/05/2012

Criminal Damage

Vale Court

Offenders have thrown an unknown substance over the vehicle stripping the paint.

No cctv, no witnesses, no further action unless anything further comes to light.

 

 

01/06/2012

Burglary in a building other than a dwelling

Merchant Lane

Offenders have broken the padlock off the garage door and bent metal bar to gain entry to the garage. 3 motor cycle batteries have been taken. Unseen and made off in a unknown direction by unknown means.

 

01/06/2012

Miscellaneous theft

Bliss Avenue

Domestic related theft

 

04/06/2012

Miscellaneous theft

Portnall Place

Theft of electrical equipment

 

 

 

 

Anti-social behaviour

 

 

24/05/2012

College Road Cranfield University

Male riding a white super bike around the campus very fast and erratically. Security aware and dealing.

 

25/05/2012

Little Spinney

3/4 youths up a tree which looks directly into the callers property. The council has cut the tree down a few weeks ago. (Pruned the lower branches actually)

 

26/05/2012

College road

Vehicles turning up at the community centre at the University. There are approx. 15/20 people playing music from cars and shouting. LPT aware and dealing.

 

10/06/2012

Crane Way

Large group of youths age approx. 14/18 gathering. There is also a car speeding up and down. LPT aware and dealing.

 

17/06/2012

Broad Green

 

IP states there has been a party at the location. LPT were aware and dealt with.

Pot hole hell

Potholehell is descending on us. The following reports are from the latest customer service bulletin. Some have been repaired others are earmarked for repair. 

PC report approx 6 potholes in church Walk Cranfield order raised to patch the defects.

Pothole 1 - circular, 90cm x 60cm x 8cm hole   Pothole 2 - 40cm x 30cm x 3cm  Pothole 3 - 100cm x 120cm x 4cm hole  Pothole 4 - 180cm x 90cm 10cm Bedford Road order raised to repair the potholes.

Roughly circular hole 50 X 40 X 4 cms. Pothole is releasing loose chippings as it degrades & is a particular hazard to cyclists Springfield Way order raised to repair potholes. order raised to repair potholes.

Pothole that was filled 2-3 months ago is tearing apart, 4 inch squared size junks are coming away from it.  Pothole is 8-10 inchs wide & 3-4 inchs deep Mill Road has been repaired.

Pothole that was previosly repaired , about 8 cm deep, customer went through and caused considerable damage to wheel, has requested a insurance Astwood Road inspection did not reveal a pothole, if still present please provide detailed location.

Customer reports a pothole on Broad Green near to the inspection chamber, customer has attached a photograph, which has been fwd to the AT. has been repaired

There is a nasty pothole on Broad Green at the entrance to Washingleys. It looks as if pieces of the road surface from where it is are on the grass area on the left hand side of the Washingleys entrance. Attend to location fill in unmarked potholes necessary by our pavement engineer may be brought forward in to the 5 year programme but this cannot be guaranteed. In the meantime all safety defects such as potholes which could damage vehicles or pedestrians will continue to be repaired.

heading towards Folly Lane  - pothole approx 30cm in diameter and 10cm deep along centre line has been repaired

Men's breakfast

Activity in Wootton that may be of interest in Cranfield:

Gary Chester and Wootton church are holding another Men’s Breakfast on Saturday 14 July. Breakfast will be served from 8.30 and costs £5.

The Speaker will be Graham (Danno) Daniels the national director of Christians in Sport. Visit Christians in Sport

 

Nuts and bolts

Here are the reports to the June environment committee. Nothing earth shattering but everything is of interest or important to someone. The Parish Council conscientiously follows it all up.  

4.2.    Play Area Inspection.  The annual ROSPA inspection is due on 30^th June 2012.

4.3.    Mr Richardson telephoned to say that the tree that this Council requested he remove (on his land), was felled and cleared a few weeks ago.  He has requested that this Council writes again to him to confirm that the tree has been felled and that he need take no further action.

4.4.   Resident writes asking that the alleyway between Lordsmead and Springfield Way be sprayed to control the weeds encroaching upon it. 

4.5.    Tree – Partridge Piece.  PCllr Delise Ball visited the site to inspect the tree.

4.6.    Tree - Little Spinney. Residents write to ask if the tree bordering their garden can be trimmed further.  The Clerk wrote to the PCSOs to ask for their involvement following the assumption of this Council that further trimming would not solve the problem of children climbing the tree and compromising the privacy of the residents.  The correspondents suggest that by removing two more branches all but the most determined of children would be deterred as the crown would then have been raised to the 9-10' suggested by them.  They go on to say that if it is a matter of cost, with this council's permission they would be happy to arrange for the removal of the two branches themselves at their own cost & risk.  It was RECOMMENDED that this Council gives permission for the residents to have the work carried out on condition that this Council specifies the contractor, and has sight of the specification for the work before it is undertaken. 

4.7.    Skateboard Park.  Sue Playford, Wootton PC writes to advise that they were recently approached by a group of youths regarding their existing facility - who said that they were unable to use it as it was not fit for purpose.  This group have since visited a number of other parks, and the PC has met with one supplier to get an idea of what they would like to see in Wootton.  At the present time, prices have not been discussed in full, as they are waiting on a specification design from the initial supplier.  To give a rough idea, the cost would be expected to start at around £18k, but (if council agree to take this forward) the choice between a metal park and concrete has yet to be made.  Concrete is more expensive. A meeting has recently been had with Monster Play.

4.8.    Caloo – repainting of the gym equipment was carried out on the 31^st May 2012.

4.9.    It was reported that ‘No Parking Beyond This Point’ signs have been erected in Bowling Green Lane; these are believed to be unofficial.  The Clerk undertook to contact CBC to advise and to ask that they are removed.

4.10.  It was reported that the ‘Pinders Circus’ posters were not all removed.  The Clerk advised that she has received a cheque in full payment for the hiring of the site for the Circus, and that a charge of £50 has been made, and received, for the removal of the remaining posters.

Got the time?

See the following from Central Beds about 'timebanks' These are a way for local people to help others in their community and be rewarded for it – in time. For every hour of time a person gives helping someone, they receive one time 'credit' which they can claim back from others in the scheme. They can ‘spend’ this time credit asking for help themselves; ironing, gardening, reading to children, dog walking, shopping, DIY, etc. – the list is endless. Anyone can join the Time Bank and everyone’s contribution is valued. 

Central Bedfordshire Council is hosting a workshop to raise awareness on Time Banks on 13 July  at Priory House, Chicksands from 10 am to 2.30.

Book online: by July 4            https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/officeforms/Timebank_is_coming_to_Central_Bedfordshire.ofml

 

Email partnershipsteam@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk or 

jo.lay@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk

Tel  0300 300 5608

Time banks involve trading skills, experience, and support, helping to build social networks of people who give and receive support from each other. This can enable people from different backgrounds to come together and form connections and friendships. Time banks can also be developed in partnership with local organisations. By adopting a time bank approach existing local community groups and organisations can benefit by accessing opportunities to share resources and assets.

The purpose of the workshop is to raise awareness of time banks and to explore the potential for developing them in the Central Bedfordshire area.

Timebanking UK, a charity which is the national umbrella organisation for timebanking will be facilitating the event with support from Central Bedfordshire Council.

Jo Lay, Partnership Support Officer, Partnerships Team

Central Bedfordshire Council Houghton Lodge, Ampthill, Bedfordshire, MK45 2TG

Direct dial: 0300 300 5608  |  Internal: 75608  |  Email:

Alleyway tidied

A a result for one parishioner:


"I assume that something was said at last PC meeting which caused action to be taken by inTrim to clean up the burgeoning weed growth in the adjacent alleyway.

"That is much appreciated & hopefully that will continue to be done periodically."

Summer of fun

Cranfield's summer of fun continues on Saturday week.




Come to The Fete at Cranfield Church of England Academy 30 June 12-3pm lots of fun! Super BBQ, Win the new iPad!! Have fun, bring the family - enjoy a relaxing village event with an Olympic theme! 


Then Cranfest the following week with Olympic torch in Bedfordshire

Picture of the Party

I think Claire Jenkins's photograph of the PITP fireworks at their height ought to be in for an award. Unlike a lot of the firework pics it captures the audience and the gazebo "village" giving a sense of scale and drama. Well done Claire, top snapper

Men dressed as women

Jonathan Vowels, accountant to the parish writes: I know accountants are meant to be stuffy and boring…so we decided to dress three male accountants as women and take them to Blackpool – and you really don’t want to miss these photos!

Gasp Jonathan...OK we now accept accountants are not boring.

But, he continues: We are raising money for RNLI - Royal National Lifeboat Institution and I'd really appreciate your support.    

Phew, that's all right then. 

Jonathan explains: So far we only have one photo on the Just Giving page…so keep checking back because we are going to upload photo’s [watch those apostrophes please] through the weekend! And at the end we are going to ask you to vote for your favourite, either Jonathan, Aaron or Ashley.

It's easy to donate online with a credit or debit card - just go to our JustGiving page:

http://www.justgiving.com/JVCA01

JustGiving sends your donation straight to RNLI - Royal National Lifeboat Institution and automatically reclaims Gift Aid on all eligible donations, so what you give is worth even more.  I hope you'll join me in supporting RNLI - Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

T: 01234 752566

This is a fundraising accountant dressed as a tram in Blackpool. How unboring is that?

Footpath parking

Thanks to Ray who attended parish council last night to mention parking on footpaths which is getting  worse. He points out that there is a contradiction between the Highway Code which says  not to park on the pavement at all and our safer neighbourhood team which says its OK if you leave  4 ft. 

Airfield and windsock

Thanks to blog commentator regarding the ungainly windsock now drooping on the Moulsoe road.  


Blog commentator adds: "Its all part of the race to get the airfield secure for the Olympic-related bizjet parking lot that it is to come in August. 

"They are also having to install a 2 metre height security fence in places to make the airside less accessible than before as part of the requirements.  20 years ago, there were picnic tables next to the aircraft & we used to cycle down the taxiways. Today we have fences & warning notices of £5000 fines for being in same place!"


I'll say absolutely to all that. And pre technology park you could wander round the private plane maintenance areas and our kids played on the hull of the maglev prototype train left there after the project was abandoned in the 70s (now in a museum in Peterborough if you are interested)

New members

Thanks to Roy Phillips who is stepping down from the parish council after many years service.  There are now two new members who were co-opted last night Mark Phillips and Laura Moore who will be known to many of you for their sterling work on Party in the Park. A strong CV for contributing to the community!

Waste bins

A new batch of dog waste bins is on its way - vital in responding to issues raised at last week's surgery about dog waste in the park. Now we just have to make sure people use them. Some discussion about this coming up at July Parish Council.  We have also ordered steel general waste bins for the rec to replace the ones that are knocked over and unopenable and no longer fit for purpose.


Dog waste and rubbish seem pretty small beer but if they are not attended to it will soon affect all our quality of life.  


We have now appointed Dave Rawle as our new, employed, amenity cleaner after competitive interview.  Many many thanks to Roy Phillips who is stepping down from the role which he did as a contractor. Roy has and does work damn hard for the village - I've watched the van stopping outside Broad Green Rec on many Saturdays at 7 am. 

Parish council meetings

The following minute from the May parish council (approved by last night's meeting) explains why we are now meeting in Holywell school by kind invitation of the head teacher and governors. 

Parish Council meetings.  Further consideration was given to the change of venue from Holywell School to the newly refurbished Village Hall. 

The Chairman put it to members that the best value would be to keep the venue as is.  PCllr J Savill pointed out there is nothing in the budget to cover the rental of the village hall, and further pointed out that the VHMC have a firm request for Wednesday night bookings. 

After discussion, it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that the meetings will remain at Holywell School, but to identify dates when a larger/more formal venue would be needed, produce a schedule and to seek other venues for those dates.