Latest News and Newsletters

The Potton Town Council Newsletter is published quarterly and the Town Council will keep you informed on this page of any latest news between Newsletters.

The 2023 Christmas Lights BIG SWITCH-ON November 24, 2023

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The 2023 Christmas Lights Big Switch-On event is on Saturday 2nd December with a Christmas Craft Fair, which will include the usual stalls from Potton groups and organisations, together with Henry Harris’ fairground rides and other entertainment on the stage in the Market Square. The Big Switch-On is at 5pm.

Father Christmas will be in his Post Office from 3.15pm and will have his post box so if you would like to write to him, please remember to include your name and address so he can reply.

Please note that the B1040 and Market Square will be closed from midday until 7pm. See map for diversion route.
Vacancies for three Potton Town Councillors November 21, 2023
There are vacancies for three Town Councillors which close at 9am on Tuesday 12th December.

There are also current vacancies for Potton Youth Councillors and Town Council Newsletter delivery rounds.

For more information and details of how to apply click here.
Winter break for garden waste collections November 20, 2023
Kerbside collections of household garden waste will pause as usual during the winter months across Central Bedfordshire.

Garden waste collections will be suspended for 12 weeks from Monday 4th December 2023 until Friday 23rd February 2024 inclusive. Potton’s final collection will be on Friday 24th November, and will resume on Friday 1st March 2024. During this period, all other waste collections will operate as normal.

Over the winter, very low volumes of garden waste are collected so it is not cost-effective or environmentally friendly to provide the service during these months. Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) is encouraging residents to sign up for email alerts to receive timely notifications about the resumption of garden waste collections and other waste service changes throughout the year. For more information about garden waste and collection dates you can also visit: www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/garden-waste.

During the break, garden waste can still be recycled at any of CBC’s four Household Waste Recycling Centres which are open seven days a week from 9am to 5pm, including bank holidays. For further details, including the opening times over the Christmas and New Year period, please visit: www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/tidytips

Residents with enough space in their gardens are encouraged to home compost and can access tips and advice on CBC’s website.

Residents can also prepare for the festive season by following the CBC’s social media and checking the website for collection dates throughout the Christmas period: www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/waste
Proposed active travel networks in Central Bedfordshire November 3, 2023
Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) is running a consultation and want you to tell them what you think about proposed active travel networks in Central Bedfordshire.

As part of their active travel commitments, they want to make it easier and safer to walk, wheel and cycle in our towns.

During 2022 CBC ran one of their most successful ever engagements when they asked for comments on network proposals, covering the five largest areas within the authority. Having taken those comments on board, they have now published a suite of reports called Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs). These explain in detail the networks they envisage for each town, plus the principles behind their design.

The benefits extend beyond pedestrians and cyclists and the plans aim to make life easier for users of mobility scooters, wheelchairs, pushchairs and prams.

00. The consultation on each LCWIP runs throughout November, closing mid-December. The results of the consultation will help to shape a Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) for five locations within Central Bedfordshire.

The plans relate to the following locations:

Ampthill & Flitwick
Biggleswade, Potton & Sandy
Arlesey, Fairfield, Henlow & Stotfold
Dunstable & Houghton Regis
Leighton Linslade

Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPs) are an initiative from Central Government asking local authorities to put together a long-term strategic approach for the walking and cycling infrastructure which is required across an area. Further work is underway to develop another LCWIP that will cover the remaining towns, villages and rural routes across Central Bedfordshire over the course of 2024. Residents will be invited to help shape this and then be formally consulted on over the course of next year.

This consultation follows a series of engagement events where the public, businesses and other local stakeholders gave their views and shared local information to help inform the proposed networks.

Central Bedfordshire Council is using a new platform called Commonplace to host this formal consultation. Using an interactive interface, it allows residents to ‘drop pins’ onto virtual maps and to comment on specific local areas.

The consultation is open for six weeks from Wednesday 1st November until Thursday 14th December. Go to www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/consultations to have your say. Paper copies will soon be available in libraries or can be requested by calling 0300 300 8301.
Floodplain – Henry Smith Playing Fields October 20, 2023

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The water levels in Potton Brook and Horse Brook are both high due to the amount of rain we are having. Parts of Henry Smith Playing Fields – which is a floodplain – are likely to flood.

Please stay away from flooded areas.
Potton Hall for All Update October 19, 2023
The Town Council has been granted permission by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to borrow £254,357.

At the Extra-Ordinary meeting of the Town Council on 17th October 2023, it was resolved that the town council approves the borrowing of £254,357 from the Public Works Loan Board.
Don’t take it out on our staff, town councillors or volunteers September 15, 2023

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Due to a further incident today, a reminder please to be polite and courteous when speaking to town council staff, councillors and volunteers.
Your child’s voice can shape the future September 6, 2023
Youth Parliament elections are now open!

Central Bedfordshire Council’s Youth Parliament elections are open and they’re inviting young people living or going to school in Central Bedfordshire to stand for election.

The Youth Parliament has been working in the community for the last 15 years to provide a voice for young people, and to make a positive difference by campaigning for issues that affect them. In the past, the Youth Parliament has designed training for teachers around various issues, raised money for charity and instigated a work experience programme at Central Bedfordshire Council.

Members also work with the UK Youth Parliament, with local representatives joining the annual debate and sitting on the green benches in the House of Commons to debate issues affecting young people.

Hear from previous members of the Youth Parliament

Valentina said: “It was honestly one of the greatest experiences of my young life. It motivated me to go into politics and to study Politics at university. You have the opportunity to make a difference and to make a great change within the community, and to have your voice heard.”

Emily said: “You should definitely [join the Youth Parliament]! Because it’s one of the best opportunities I’ve had so far, and it’s definitely worth it because you get to meet new people, make new friends, and you achieve so much!”

To be elected, young people will need to complete an online application form.

The closing date is 3 December. Each school has two positions available, and anyone who applies must be willing to campaign alongside other students in their school for one of the two positions.

The Central Bedfordshire Youth Voice Team can provide support; to contact them please email: youthvoice@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
Stop idling, start saving! September 6, 2023

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“Every minute counts” is Central Bedfordshire Council’s message as they launch a campaign urging drivers to switch off their engines when they are stationary.

The campaign comes after the council’s survey last year, which 1,687 people responded to, which revealed almost half of Central Bedfordshire residents believe engine idling has a negative impact on their health.

Leaving a car running while stationary, known as engine idling, reduces air quality and, as emissions stay near the car, those nearest to you are most affected. Exhaust fumes are especially harmful to children, who are closer to car exhaust pipes, and older people who are more likely to have cardiovascular illnesses.

Idle engines are also wasteful because the car is using fuel unnecessarily. Contrary to a common misconception, idling for more than 10 seconds uses more fuel and gives off more emissions than stopping and restarting your engine. Idling can also damage car engines over time, creating a build-up of carbon which makes them work less efficiently and wear out faster.

Other results from the 2022 survey reveal:

88% agree that engine idling has a negative impact on air quality
Just under half (49%) say it has a negative impact on their physical health
Almost a third (32%) believe their day-to-day activities were affected by the problem
Nearly two thirds (63%) say that people are not generally aware of the issue
Idling outside schools and shops were highlighted as the problem areas.
Potton Friendship Group September 6, 2023

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Newsletters

Each publication has been compiled and published by Potton Town Council who are the owners of the copyright. No reproduction is permitted without the express permission of the Council. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the various entries within this publication. In no circumstances can Potton Town Council accept any liability for any loss or damage of any kind which may arise as a result from any error in, or omission of, any entry, artwork or telephone number. The editorial content is not necessarily the views of the Council.

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