It is my pleasure as Chair to report on the activities of Turvey Parish Council over 2023-24.
During the year we welcomed Damien Clarke, John Lynch and Gerry Morris to the Parish Council.
1. Planning:
As consultees, Turvey Parish Council consider all planning applications within the parish and respond as necessary to Bedford Borough Council. Thanks in particular to Cllrs Ed Poll who is responsible for planning issues. The Parish Council will also continue to monitor the Inspired Villages development at Station End. We encourage all residents to submit responses to planning applications via the Bedford Borough Council planning portal.
During the year, I and Cllr Poll met with the Mayor, the Head of Planning and Borough Cllr Robert Rigby. The key points of the meeting were as follows.
• Planning: the Borough Council will look into the possibilities of a review of the local NDP.
• They accepted that the lack of notice of the Newton Lane application which went to the full planning committee prevented us exercising our right to representation. The mechanism for notification will be corrected.
• They have agreed to a site visit of the Carlton site and Carlton Road by myself and Cllr Poll, Deputy Mayor Weir, the Planning Lead and Borough Cllr Rigby, plus a Highways representative. We explained our great fears about heavy vehicle access to the site and the disastrous effects it could have. We also expressed our dismay at the removal of protective clauses of the Plan by the authority.
• They are considering actions to prevent illicit sexual activities at Picts Hill.
• The Mayor proposes requesting Highways to lease the land outside the Cranes to the Parish Council. To fix the threat to the tables there.
Cllrs Poll, Clarke and myself attended the Bedford Borough Council Planning Committee meeting on March 25th to speak regarding application 23/00019/MAO: Land East of Carlton Road, Turvey. As a result, the decision on the application was deferred unanimously by the Committee with the view that the developers should go away and consider how they might get around the difficulties regarding Carlton Road. We voiced our dissatisfaction with the NDP and our serious concerns about Carlton Road and how misleading the Plan was.
2. Highways and Footpaths:
The Parish Council continues to monitor highways and footpaths and works to achieve improvements to general road safety. Cllr Skippins and Cllr Ludlow presented the petition to the full council and as a result of sending the information into the Borough Council in advance, Borough Cllr Jim Weir was able to confirm it was in the Borough Council works plan to get most of the work undertaken. Thanks to Cllrs Skippins and Ludlow for setting up the petition and attending to present it.
The Parish Council have taken an active interest in the walls along Carlton Road and their impact on the resurfacing of the road and the safety of pedestrians using the footpath. I have written to the Borough Council asking that regular inspections take place to monitor their condition.
We encourage all residents to report any footpath, road (including potholes) problems to Bedford Borough Council as it has responsibility for highways issues and not the Parish Council.
3. Grants:
The Parish Council gave out a grant of £125 to Turvey Bloomers to cover insurance costs for its volunteers. Please note that there is both a grant application form as well as a grant criteria form on the website. Please consider applying.
4. Precept:
It was agreed in January this year to hold the Band D charge at the same level as it was in 2023-24 (£58.93). A precept of £34,801 was requested from Bedford Borough Council.
5. Recreation Ground:
Quotes were accepted in May 2023 for a full resurfacing of the tennis court and also for moving the existing basketball equipment and kick board, to make good the damaged ground. This would also replace the existing damaged and old climbing frame with a new CE play safe structure. Weather and supply issues have slowed progress on these works. Funds to cover these works will come from reserves. Thanks to Cllr Kirk for his work on this.
Two new recycled benches were purchased from Glasdons with one located on the rec and the second bench to replace the one near the church. Funds were also allocated to refurbish the lytch gate.
6. Future Projects:
It is known that the Pavilion is in a severe state of disrepair. £20,000 has been allocated from Parish Council funds to the project and Cllr Poll is in consultation with the FA for further monies. An architect has been commissioned. It is noted that grass mats have been installed to increase the car park at the Pavilion. Thanks to Cllrs Poll and Clarke for their ongoing work on this project.
I thank Borough Cllr Simmons for his kind contribution of £3,000 towards the cost of new fencing and barrier.
I would like to thank our Borough Councillors Robert Rigby and Dylan Simmons for their steadfast support of the residents of Turvey and Turvey Parish Council. I look forward to working with them over the coming year.
I would also like to thank my fellow parish councillors for all their support and hard work on behalf of the residents of Turvey as well as supporting me as Chairman over the last year.
Finally, I would also like to encourage all Turvey residents to attend the bi-monthly meetings and use the opportunity to engage with local democracy. The parish council meeting always starts with a public question session which is the opportunity for residents to raise concerns. We publicise the dates of our meetings on the noticeboards and the website. The latter also contains copies of our agendas and minutes.
Dr David Niblett, Chair of Turvey Parish Council 30th May 2024