As is right and proper, announcements about new Government policies were paused during the national period of mourning.
We now look forward to the new Government, headed by Liz Truss who has moved quickly to announce very significant help with energy bills over the next two years for hard-pressed households and a six-month scheme for most business organisations including charities and public bodies.
Then, on Friday during the fiscal event, Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng announced exciting new policies to accelerate economic growth. This included new Investment Zones in 38 local authority areas, including Central Bedfordshire. We are working hard with government to introduce these as soon as possible.
We want to encourage more opportunities to enable our residents to work closer to home and to have rewarding employment. Investment Zones can help us to achieve this.
A possible location could be an 84-acre site in Cranfield where Marshall’s are considering relocating from Cambridge. They would join an existing cutting-edge research and aerospace innovation community. Enabling this to happen at speed will expand local employment and training opportunities.
We are also looking at several other potential sites across Central Bedfordshire and I look forward to sharing more details about this exciting initiative over the coming months.
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, a new Sovereign has acceded to the Throne.
Charles became our King on the passing of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. Yesterday (Saturday 10th September) at the Accession Council which took place at St James’s Palace, he was formally proclaimed King Charles III.
A proclamation ceremony for the county of Bedfordshire took place earlier today in Bedford. This afternoon at 3.30pm the Vice-Chair of Central Bedfordshire Council read out the proclamation at Priory House. It was a great honour to be able to attend both events.
It was clear from our new King’s first address to the nation that he shares the same values as his mother; he vowed to serve the whole nation with loyalty, respect and love. His Majesty has always taken a keen and active interest in all areas of public life with a particular passion about protecting the environment for future generations.
Following the long reign of Queen Elizabeth II, His Majesty King Charles III, will continue to inspire and lead our nation.
The nation is in mourning at the loss of Her Majesty The Queen and it is an extremely sad time.
The Queen has been the strength of the nation. Her 70-year reign means she was the UK’s longest serving monarch and a truly great leader standing out in our long history. She will be fondly remembered by the nation, long into the future.
Her Majesty The Queen was driven by her sense of duty which remained right to the end. Throughout her long reign she has been the symbol of stability and stoic through difficult times. Her smile and gentle humour brought warmth to many formal occasions.
My thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with the Royal Family at this time. I know they will take comfort in the reaction and support from the public both here and across the globe.
On the 18th and 25th of this month, students across Central Bedfordshire opened their exam results. This year is the first year since 2019 that students have sat exams in the pre-pandemic format and I can only imagine that must have been quite daunting for some. It was great news that the average point score per entry for our A-level students came out as 35.31 or ‘B grade’ as I know it. A 5.14 points increase from 2019’s (30.17), or ‘C grade’.
Whatever your individual results were, or if you are uncertain about your future plans, Central Bedfordshire Council has plenty of free advice and support regarding what to do next. Our careers portal, Find Your Future is for 14-to-19-year-olds. Also, our Youth Support Service offers support to 16 to 18 years olds, or up to 25-year -olds for those with Education, Health and Care Plans. Simply email: youth.services@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
I mentioned this last time, but Central Bedfordshire Council has over 70 apprentices this year in a diverse range of roles which is another excellent career avenue for all ages to apply for.
I hope that you are enjoying the summer and I’m glad it has not been as hot as it was last month. Unfortunately, we’ve seen an increase in fires because everywhere has been so dry and although we don’t have a hose pipe ban in our area, it is certainly making us all the more conscious about wasting water. Through the heatwave, we created our ‘Cool Places’ – venues across Central Bedfordshire where residents could go to stay cool. This offer was well received along with our work to make sure shelter was provided to those who are homeless. Please be assured that if we have a very hot spell again, then this offer will be made available for all that need it.
As the summer holiday draws to a close, I would just like to wish all students a successful start to the 2022/2023 school year.
I’m sure everyone is very much aware of the extreme heat we’re experiencing today and tomorrow.
Whilst we are used to fluctuating temperatures during our British summers, the heatwave this week is unprecedented. Following the Met Office red weather alert on Friday we’ve been sharing information and advice on how to stay cool and keeping hydrated.
For some people, particularly the vulnerable, the extreme heat can be dangerous. We have several ‘cool spaces’ open for people to keep cool and out of the heat. Even though these places are available to all, we ask that you offer these to anyone vulnerable first, and only to come if it is safe to travel to these buildings. Buildings include some of our libraries and leisure centres, the full list is below.
Building Name
Building Address
Opening Times
Sandy Library
Market Square, Sandy, SG19 1EH
Saturday 9am to 4pm Sunday: Closed Monday: 9am to 6pm (Cool Space only no Library service) Tuesday: 9am to 6pm
Stotfold Library
Hitchin Road, Stotfold, SG5 4GP
Saturday 9am to 4pm Sunday: Closed Monday: 9am to 6pm (Cool Space only no Library service) Tuesday: 9am to 1pm
Shefford Library
High Street, Shefford, SG17 5DD
Saturday 9am to 4pm Sunday: Closed Monday: 9am to 6pm (Cool Space only no Library service) Tuesday: 9am to 6pm
Saturday 9am to 4pm Sunday: Closed Monday: 9am to 6pm (Cool Space only no Library service) Tuesday: 9am to 6pm
Dunstable Library
The Dunstable Centre, Court Drive. Dunstable, LU5 4JD
Saturday: 9 to 4pm Sunday: 9 to 4pm Monday to Friday: 9 to 6pm
Dunstable Leisure Centre
The Dunstable Centre, Court Drive, Dunstable, LU5 4JD
Saturday: 7am to 7pm Sunday: 7am to 8pm Monday to Friday: 6am to 10-pm
Flitwick Leisure Centre
Steppingley Road, Flitwick, MK45 1TH
Saturday: 8am to 8pm Sunday: 7am to 9om Monday to Friday: 6am to 10:30pm
Houghton Regis Leisure Centre
Parkside Drive, Houghton Regis, LU5 5PY
Saturday: 8am to 6:30pm Sunday: 8am to 7pm Monday to Friday: 6:30am to 10pm
Sandy Sports Centre
Engayne Avenue, Sandy, SG19 1BL
Saturday and Sunday: 8am to 10pm Monday to Friday: 6am to 10pm
Saxon Leisure Centre in Biggleswade
Saxon Drive, Biggleswade, SG18 8SU
Saturday: 7:30am to 6pm Sunday: 8am to 9pm Monday to Friday: 6am to 10pm
Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre
Mentmore Drive, Leighton Buzzard, LU7 2AF
Saturday: 7am to 7pm Sunday: 7:30am to 9pm Monday to Friday: 6am to 10pm
We’re also in close contact with colleagues in the NHS to ensure we share information such as making use of the NHS 111 service to help keep the pressure off the hospitals.
The heat is also impacting some of our services. This week, our bin crews will be out a little earlier so that they too can avoid the extreme heat later in the day and we’ve been rearranging our roadworks schedule so we are only carrying out small-scale fixes which require no tarmacking.
During extreme heat, we work with Noah Enterprise, who support rough sleepers with severe weather advice, water, sun cream, and other resources. You can let us know someone is sleeping rough through the StreetLink app, on the phone (day) 0300 300 4370, on the phone (out of hours) 0300 300 8098. If someone sleeping rough appears seriously unwell and you think they may need urgent medical assistance, call 999.
We know some schools may need to close and headteachers will make this decision based on their facilities. Schools will let parents know directly if they close.
There may be some disruption to public transport, so if travel is necessary, keep a careful eye on the real-time displays at bus stops and train websites. If you do need to travel, take water with you and make use of local cool spaces if you need to.
The extreme heat is only due to last a couple of days and everyone can help by checking in on vulnerable friends, relatives, and neighbours.
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