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.

  • Garden Waste Subscription Service March 28, 2024

    Garden waste collections from April
    If you want to continue with fortnightly garden waste collections from 1st April, you’ll need to sign up now to get the most from Central Bedfordshire Council’s new subscription-only service.

    As of 1st April, you’ll need to subscribe to continue getting a kerbside collection of your garden waste for the spring, summer and autumn months.

    The easiest way to pay is online by debit or credit card on our website, where you’ll also find all the information you need about the service.

    Garden Waste Subscription Service

    How much will it cost?
    The annual subscription is £55 per bin

    Please note:

    • you can have up to three bins (the cost will be £55 per bin)
    • you can sign up at any time in the year, but the cost will remain at
      £55 per bin for collections up to and including 31st March 2025
    • once subscribed, CBC will collect your garden waste fortnightly between now and December, and then resume collections from late February to the end of March 2025

    CBC won’t automatically renew your subscription, so you’ll have the choice of subscribing again next year if you want to continue using the service. They’ll notify you of the charge and payment date before the start of each year.

    Why is the council introducing charges for collecting my garden waste?

    The charge is a response to the financial challenges faced by local councils across the UK – largely caused by inflation and an increasing demand on both children’s services and adult social care. Well over half of councils in the UK already charge for garden waste collection, helping them to protect vital services.

    What if I don’t want to subscribe?

    If you choose not to opt in, you don’t need to do anything – you’ll just stop receiving garden waste collections. You can take your garden waste to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre (tip or dump) or compost it at home in your garden.

    CBC recycling centres are open 7 days a week, 9am-5pm. You can find your nearest recycling centre on the CBC website.

    How will it work?

    CBC will add you to their subscriber database and send you a permit that you just need to stick on your garden waste bin. The collection crews will then know which bins to collect.

    If you currently use a bag to dispose of your garden waste and you have chosen to subscribe to the service, you will be issued you with a green bin.

    How do I subscribe?

    To opt into the new service and order a permit, subscribe online. Just make sure you have a credit or debit card ready.

    Once subscribed, CBC will send you a welcome pack with a leaflet reminding you of what can be taken in the garden waste bin, and your all-important sticker.

    And remember – the service period runs until 31st March 2025 and will cost £55 whenever you join, so to get best value from the service, sign-up now.

    Garden Waste Subscription Service

  • Millennium Path update March 18, 2024

    Areas in Henry Smith Playing Fields are cordoned to keep people safe.  Please stay out of the cordoned off areas in Henry Smith Playing Fields, so that all visitors to the playing fields remain safe.  Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused whilst the Millennium path is being replaced.

  • Millennium Path works March 6, 2024


    Work has started on replacing the Millennium footpath in Henry Smith Playing Fields this morning (6th March).

    To allow access to the dog waste bin, the bin has been relocated to the railings on The Causeway.

    Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience caused.

  • Vacancies for two Potton Town Councillors March 6, 2024

    There are vacancies for two Town Councillors which close at 9am on Monday 29th April 2024.

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

    For more information and details of how to apply click here.

  • Free Carbon Literacy training course for Central Bedfordshire residents March 5, 2024


    An additional 100 free places for a carbon literacy training course are now available to help residents understand the impacts of climate change and what actions they can personally take to help tackle it.

    These places are in addition to 200 places that were snapped up earlier this year that has seen 41 residents complete the course already and gain a recognised qualification

    The 100 spaces are available now on a ‘first come first served basis’ so don’t delay in signing up.

    As of today, people will be able to book themselves onto an e-learning course delivered by community environment charity Groundwork East to introduce Carbon Literacy completely free of charge – thanks to the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

    The accredited course introduces people to the science behind climate change and equips learners with information and tools to help them reduce their own carbon footprint. It features sections on greenhouse gases and their relation to climate, how the climate is likely to change, and the effect this could have in the UK and other parts of the world. Our knowledge on climate change is constantly changing and the course features a collation of up-to-date information with links back to original sources.

    The short eModule course can be completed at home, work or college and is free for anyone living, working, or studying in the Central Bedfordshire area and can be booked online via Eventbrite.

    The Carbon Literacy course has been possible because of receiving £29,000 from the UK Government through the ‘UK Shared Prosperity Fund.’


    Central Bedfordshire Council is collaborating with the community and environmental charity, Groundwork East, and are excited to announce a new initiative offering free climate change training to our residents.

    People will be able to book themselves onto an online course providing an introduction to Carbon Literacy completely free of charge – thanks to the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). Spaces are limited and available on a ‘first come first served basis’.

    The accredited course introduces people to the science behind climate change and equips learners with information and tools to take action in their own lives and communities. It features sections on greenhouse gases and their relation to climate, how the climate is likely to change, and the effect this could have in the UK and other parts of the world. Our knowledge on climate change is constantly changing and the course features a collation of up-to-date information with links back to original sources. This free e-learning module can be completed in your own time to develop your understanding of climate science, climate change and actions you can take to reduce your carbon footprint. You must complete the whole course by 31st March 2024 to receive your certificate. By signing up you will have access to administrative support and troubleshooting, giving you the best chance at completing the certification.

    The online course is free for anyone living, working, or studying in the Central Bedfordshire area. Click here to book online.

  • Potton Community Celebration February 28, 2024


    The Chairman of Potton Town Council, Cllr Jonathan Price Williams was delighted that so many people were able to join him at the Community Celebration on Monday 26th February, which was held at Potton Primary School.

    The event was held to celebrate and give thanks to individuals, groups and businesses that contribute so greatly to the community of Potton.

    Special Thanks to Chris Kilroy MBE DL, who presented Potton Town Crier Carlton Avison with a framed certificate following his election to the Ancient and Honourable Guild of Town Criers, and to Potton Primary School for hosting the event.

    Images © Christian Cowell

  • Market Superintendent Vacancy February 27, 2024

    We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic and reliable person to supervise the operation of the SEASONAL markets.

    Please click here for more details.

  • General Assistant Vacancy February 27, 2024

    We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic and reliable General Assistant to carry out caretaking, maintenance and ground-keeping activities.

    Please click here for more details.

  • MMR Information January 29, 2024


    UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported an increase in measles across the country and is encouraging people to check that they and their children have had two doses of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. The free MMR vaccine is a safe and effective way of protecting against measles, as well as mumps and rubella.

    It’s important for parents to take up the offer of MMR vaccination for their children when offered at 1 year of age and as a pre-school booster at three years, four months of age. If children and young adults have missed these vaccinations in the past, it’s important to take up the vaccine now from GPs, particularly in light of the recent cases.

    Check your child’s Red Book to see if they’ve received MMR vaccinations as scheduled or check with your GP surgery if you’re unsure.

    Anyone with symptoms is also being advised to stay at home and phone their GP or NHS 111 for advice.

    Measles symptoms to be aware of include:

    · high fever
    · sore, red, watery eyes
    · coughing
    · aching and feeling generally unwell
    · a blotchy red brown rash, which usually appears after the initial symptoms.

    For more information about measles, see the NHS website: Measles – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

    Leaflet download
    UKHSA MMR A5 leaflet English

  • Market Square EV Parking Bays January 16, 2024

    At the Town Council meeting on Tuesday 9th January 2024, the confusion around parking in the Market Square EV parking bays was discussed.

    Following the meeting, the Town Clerk has made a request to Central Bedfordshire Council’s (CBC) Senior Sustainable Transport Officer, of the Sustainable Transport and Active Travel Department, to mark the dedicated EV charging bays with the additional word ‘ONLY’ to try to avoid the confusion caused to people parking in the Square.

    CBC Cllr Tracey Wye posted the following message on Facebook on 28th November 2023.
    “Potton Market Square Tickets Cancelled
    When it was reported that a number of drivers were issued fines for parking in the EV bays on the Market Square, I contacted CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE COUNCIL to find out what was going on.
    I got officers to investigate and as a result five out of the seven tickets have been cancelled.
    They will also be ensuring traffic wardens are reminded that only two of the parking bays are for EV only, the rest can be used by drivers of petrol, diesel or electric vehicles.
    Parking in the square is free for up to two hours, no return within two hours, Monday-Saturday, between 8am and 6pm.
    Electric vehicles can be parked in EV bays for up to six hours if they are charging.”


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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