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Dunstable Today ~ BBC Three Counties Radio ~ Luton & Dunstable Express Lib Dems Launch Petition16 May 2009 Houghton Regis Liberal Democrats today launched a petition in Bedford Square, Houghton Regis, in protest at Tory proposals for three gypsy and traveller sites within the boundaries of Houghton Regis. More Information...Huge Victory For Lib Dems in Parliament29th April 2009 A Lib Dem motion in the House of Commons has defeated the government. It wasn't supposed to happen. But it did.! Ghurkas Campaign VideosCore StrategyApril 29th This project is about the future of this area. If you are interested in this area of South West Bedfordshire please note Core Strategy consultation ends on 12th June, 2009.Local public meeting dates were posted here, they have now passed, but there is still time to Read the Core Strategy documents. Top Team Pledge to Back Residents in Fight Against Traveller Site ProposalsApril 24th 2009
In the latest Focus, a team of Houghton Regis Liberal Democrats have pledged to "back residents in fight against traveller site proposals". Several sites were proposed by Tory run South Beds District Council earlier this year, some of them very close to Houghton Regis. At the annual Towns meeting on April 6th, Leader David Jones, said "Out of the whole of South Beds a disproportionate number of sites have been chosen close to Houghton Regis. This could have a severe impact on schools and other services, if these do not receive additional resources".  April 2009 Cllr David Jones and Cllr Rita Egan visited Orchard Close playground last week. The new play area equipment looked great and a number of young people were using it. As we left new litter bins were being installed. Let's all work to keep this new equipment in good condition. It is a welcome and colourful addition to the neighborhood.
Successful Year For Lib Dem Town Council6th April 2009 Houghton Regis Lib Dem¯Run Town Council has reported another successful year:
♦ £ 9,000 was given out to local charities and organisations via grants. ♦ The supply of gas, electric, and telephones had been reviewed, and savings made. ♦ The council have worked closely with the Police. ♦ Work will start soon on a skate park at Tithe Farm. ♦ New signs have been installed on the village green to combat parking problems. ♦ Work has begun to renew play areas at Orchard Close and Parkside Lower. ♦ Lib Dem councillors made 13 objections to 76 planning applications reviewed. New Central Bedfordshire Offices in ChicksandsUnitary Council for Central Bedfordshire1st April 2009 ~ What it means for Houghton RegisThe new Central Bedfordshire unitary council is launched today by combining the Mid Beds and South Beds District councils. This new council will provide ALL the services that are now the responsibility of Mid-Beds, South Beds and Bedfordshire County Council, including education, roads, social services, planning, waste collection, benefits, and environmental health. Some of these services will be delivered jointly with the new North Beds Council to achieve economies of scale and cost savings. Houghton Regis Town Council will continue to run local services like the cemetery, allotments, parks and open spaces. Electoral changes Fresh elections will be held on June 4, 2009 to form a new body of councillors. The combined area of Mid and South Beds currently has 103 district councilors and 33 county councillors. This total of 136 councillors will be reduced to just 66 in the new authority. Instead of 7 District Councillors and 2 County Councillors, Houghton Regis will only be represented by 4 Central Bedfordshire Councilors. Area Covered by Central Beds The area served by the new council will stretch from Tempsford in the north-east to Dunstable in the south-west. The largest town will be Leighton-Linslade with Dunstable the next largest. Three Centres Despite Mid Beds District Council having recently built central offices costing £15 million, the new authority is likely to have three sets of offices: Dunstable, Chicksands and Bedford County Hall, because there is not enough space to house all the 2,700 Central Beds staff in the existing Dunstable and Chicksands buildings. Some 2,000 Central Beds staff will have to work from the former County Hall when the new unitary starts. Do I Need Planning Permission?Following a change in the law, planning permission is now required to repair an old driveway, or install a new one. If the driveway is over 5m square, facing the highway, permission is required if porous materials are not used or drainage onto the owners property is not provided.
Clegg: Britain Can Choose a Better Future8th March 2009Nick Clegg, Spring Conference in Harrogate, "We are the only party that will put money into people's pockets with fair tax cuts. The only party to offer universal childcare and smaller classes in our primary schools. The only party that will use Gordon Brown's wasted billions to create thousands of jobs today by investing in homes, hospitals, schools and public transport to build the green economy of tomorrow. The only party that will rebuild the jobs, homes and hopes this recession has destroyed. So don't believe the doubters, the nay-sayers, the professional cynics. This time it can be different." Snowy Houghton!5th Feb, 2009 The Kings Arms, in Houghton Regis. Click here for more! Snow in Houghton Regis.5th Feb, 2009: filmed after 3-4 inches fell overnight. This follows the snowfall of the 2nd Feb.Gypsy and Traveller Sites Proposed for Houghton RegisJanuary 2009 - The South Beds Tory-run District Council proposed several sites for Gypsy and Traveller Sites; some are quite close to Houghton Regis residential areas. Although these sites are cleverly positioned away from housing, Lib Dem Town councillor, David Jones, said "The lack of consultation with the Town Council about this proposal is very disappointing. Your Lib Dem councillors will make your views known to Central Beds Council."
M1 WIDENING THROUGH SOUTH BEDS SCRAPPED - TRAFFIC TO USE HARD SHOULDER INSTEADMonday, 26 January 2009 The Government has scrapped the proposals to widen large parts of the motorway network to four or more lanes - including long sections of the M6, the M1, the M62 and the M25. This includes the section that runs through South Beds - M1 junctions 10 to 13.Instead they will be using the hard shoulder running system: * Hard shoulders are opened to traffic at busy times * Maximum speed limits of 60mph * Traffic flows monitored by closed-circuit television * Speed limits reduced further when necessary * Emergency refuge areas set up every 800 yards This system was tested on the M42 near Birmingham last year. Scrapping the widening will save the Government between £5m to £7m according to experts. A leaflet about hard shoulder running is available at Highways Agency website. Read more about the plan at Highways. Ros Jump Raises Cash 12 Jan 09 - Campaigning Liberal Democrat Cllr Ros William's went on a sponsored sky dive, raising over £200 towards a skate-park for Houghton Regis. Here she is pictured with HYVE, making her presentation. Sadly, Ros has been confined to a wheelchair after falling badly during the jump. She would like to publicly thank all those friends, relations and neighbours who have helped her since the incident including Stacey and mother, Errol and Kathleen, Daniel, Sue and Lynda. Skatepark Coming Soon to Houghton!October 08 - Your Liberal Democrat Town Council has given the go-ahead for a Skatepark for the Town. Following widespread consultation the Council decided that the Skatepark would be located at Tithe Farm Recreation Ground. £30,000 of the funding for this will come from a grant won by HYVE (Houghton Youth Voice Experience). The young people worked with the council on this project.Lib Dem Cllr. David Jones, Leader of the Council, said "We are delighted to be able to take this project forward, and would like to assure residents that we are sensitive to the issues of noise and nuisance. Noise-retardent materials will be used, and the Skatepark will be placed as far from homes as possible bearing in mind other uses of the site." Lib Dem Cllr. Lynda Walmsley, Chair of the Environment Committee, added, "The Council listened to the young people and is now helping to provide a popular facility." Houghton Regis To Get 7,000 New Homes30 June 08 - A scheme to build 7,000 new homes to the north of Houghton Regis has got the go ahead. Members of Luton and South Beds Joint Committee voted by a majority to press ahead with the scheme which will add a total of 19,000 extra homes in the two Districts. Luton Liberal Democrats are reported to oppose the plans for expansion near Luton due to already over-capacity roads. Public Consultation will follow in Autumn 2008. Tell Us What You Think.Older news... Tony Swain, Elected Mayor of Houghton RegisTony Swain has been elected Mayor of Houghton Regis for the year 2008-9. Cllr Swain is a Houghton Regis Town Councillor, representing Houghton Hall Ward, and a South Beds District Councillor. Tony is employed in the HM Prison Service. Deputy Mayor for the year is Cllr Linda Walmsley, who also represents Houghton Hall ward on Houghton Regis Town Council. In his acceptance speech on 14th May 2008, Tony said he was looking forward to an exciting year, and that he felt the need to encourage youth activities, and fitness for all.The outgoing mayor, Cllr Eric Ball was given a vote of thanks by the Liberal Democrat group leader on the Town Council, Cllr David Jones. Cllr Jones told the meeting that Eric had managed to raise over £3,000 for his nominated charities during the year. The councillors then voted the members for the Town Council's Committees for the coming year. Crime Halted as Car Menace is ApprehendedApril 2008 Car break-ins in Houghton Regis reduced considerably following the apprehension of a Bedfordshire drug addict. Following almost daily reports of damage to vehicles, and loss of property from a car, the reports have almost seized up.According to Ringmaster, an email and phone service from Befordshire Police, "On Thursday the 10th of April 2008, Dean Hall of Beatrice Street, Kempston, appeared at Bedford Magistrate Court and was charged with theft from a motor vehicle and theft of a jacket. Also taken into consideration were 120 offences of theft from motor vehicles under the 'clean slate' initiative. He was sentenced to 18 months supervision, 12 months Drug Rehabilitation Requirement, and a 3-year ASBO was also imposed which restricts him from entry into any car park in Bedfordshire. The prosecution, following Mr Halls assistance and willingness to admit his criminality supported the sentence." (source: Ringmaster message, from Neighbourhood Watch and Bedfordshire Police). [note from Votelibdem.com editor: "Now, would someone kindly inform our car insurance companies?"] Receive messages about local crime in Bedfordshire from Ringmaster (click on Apply). SUGGESTIONS 1. Opportunists criminals may find it too much of a temptation to ignore property on view. Keep it hidden and keep it safe. 2. Number plates thefts can be reduced by applying a small amount of super glue to the underside of the screw head. |
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It Matters What You Think!Contact Houghton Regis Focus Team.
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