News in brief

Occasional newsletter - mainly for expats

September 2007

Greetings from Bedford!

A serious set-back

In my previous newsletter I was able to pass on the glad news that Bedford was to be granted unitary status. There are always grumblers prepared to complain about services, but an external assessment of the Borough's performance showed that it had had every reason to be very proud of itself, so despite the low budget allocated to make a bid, the government clearly preferred the notion of the borough being able to be in control of all services, including those which up to now had been the province of the county.

There had also been an agreement between all bidders that whoever won, all would cooperate in furthering the government's proposal and ensuring that the transition would be smooth.

Consequently, it came as an unexpected shock when the County announced that it was deciding upon a judicial review. The justification, which has since become the mantra in all statements coming from the county, is that the government's decision is fundamentally flawed.

Surprised by this, I wrote to Councillor Madelaine Russell expressing concern. Her reply can be seen here.

And this, as far as one can discern, is where things stand at present. A further seventy five thousand pounds, in addition to the huge consultancy expenses already incurred, is to be spent on this exercise.

It is difficult to conjecture what has been in the minds of those who hold power in the County. Had they assumed that everything was going to go their way, that the lobbying (at considerable cost) would be sufficient? It is difficult to say.

The facts are clear. The Borough, by totally impartial and independent assessors, has been judged as Excellent - its housekeeping has been judged to be prudent and its services efficient and well managed. It is one of the best managed authorities in the country.

By contrast, for some years the County Council has been judged (again by impartial and independent assessors) as providing a poor service, and has only recently pulled up its socks to achieve its better status. But it has also been among the most expensive councils in the country, and its decisions in several areas, education, outsourcing (e.g. Hyder) etc. have been highly questionable and hideously expensive. They spent a huge amount of our money on lobbying and consultancy in their preparation of the bid for Unitary status, and are now planning to throw more of our good money after bad on a judicial review that few sane people would reckon as likely to succeed.

By contrast the Borough cabinet consists of members of differing political parties, the criterion being the best person for the job, not what colour he/she represents. And the huge victory by the present Mayor in the May election unquestionably sent a clear message that this is just what the people want.

The performance by the County has risen from zero stars -unbelievable poor- to three stars. From the way it has congratulated itself over the recent adjudication one might be forgiven for thinking it was the best authority in the country. It isn’t!

The County made clear that whatever the decision by the government (and one bid had inevitably to fail) there would be full cooperation between all concerned. It appears that the leader of the County Council has now gone back on this promise, which rather shows that she cannot be trusted.

I can well appreciate the disappointment of those adversely affected by the government’s decision. But at the same time, rather than place obstacles in the way, the best course of action must surely be to ensure that the changeover is smooth and with the best interests of the Bedfordshire people in mind. The ratepayers are owed no less.

Center Parc

I understand that the Government has overruled the recommendation of its own inspector and sanctioned the building of a Center Parcs village in Bedfordshire.

Center Parcs has described its victory in the planning battle for a new village near Woburn as 'hugely significant' for Bedfordshire.

Press spokesman Simon Kay said: "Bedfordshire will become a destination people will go to rather than just pass through – I don't mean to demean it in any way but this is a big step for us both locally and nationally.

"We think the Secretary of State got it right and that what swung it for us was the economic benefits to the region, the new jobs and our track record in enhancing the biodiversity of the area.

"It's also good to think about people staying at home for tourism instead of jetting off somewhere – we can offer high quality tourism right on people's doorstep.".

It is stated that a total of 1,400 local jobs will be created, and that there are expected to be spin-off benefits for suppliers and builders as the project takes shape at Warren Wood, near Woburn.

This will be around 360 acres – slightly smaller than Center Parcs' four other villages, all of which are around 400 acres.

First comes around £2 million worth of highways improvements to which Center Parcs is committed and which start soon, before the serious ground project can begin, which will probably be next year.

Center Parcs has not finalised detailing of the site design, but it is expected to follow the current trend of an open air village, getting away from the now more dated covered shopping mall-type layout.

The company's sub-tropical swimming paradise will feature but be of a slightly different design to its others, featuring one giant glass wall, rather than a domed roof. Restaurants and retail outlets are yet to be confirmed.

Center Parcs is expected to plant around half a million indigenous trees and shrubs and ecological plans being considered include a new fleet of electric cars and 'wormeries' to dispose of organic waste, plus water-saving cisterns.

Center Parcs points out that the village will have all-year-round usage, and boasts an impressive 94 per cent occupancy rate.

Warren Wood, as the village is expected to be called, will particularly target Bedfordshire, North London and the M1 corridor, though during its 'honeymoon period' it is likely to attract holidaymakers from all over the country.

Well, that's the spin from the company. But I very much doubt whether it will make all that much difference in terms of employment, and as for being a venue from where people can explore Bedfordshire, my understanding, from such places as Butlins, for example, is that most never venture from the village. The district councillors objected to it, the planning inspector objected to it, but it appears that none of that matters to Hazel Blears!

I'm told that a week at Center Parc is not exactly cheap. For a week for over 55s, one bedroom accommodation can come to £697.00. It's somewhat ironic that the name of the woodland on the ordenance survey map is Moneypot Hill.......

We'll see what transpires.

Now it's the music service

This week we learn of the County's inquiry into the music service, which was once the hallmark of Bedfordshire.

This is all yet to be confirmed, but according to Bedfordshire on Sunday we have one more cost-saving exercise. BoS states that the county council spent £32,835 on a review of its school music services and learned that it ought to save money.

As a result, the council is considering options such as shedding staff, cutting back on individual tuition in favour of group lessons, and charging for the hire of instruments (the last of which I thought had been in operation some years).

The review was undertaken by consultants Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC) during the summer term.

One peripatetic music teacher said: "We used to have the best music service in the country. For the last ten years councillors have been fiddling with it for no other reason than to save cash."

Bedfordshire County Council community services member Cllr Bob King said: "The PWC review was invaluable in helping to evaluate the staffing and management structure and the charges for lessons and courses.

"The initial investment in the review should lead to a more cost effective service in the long term that will give more residents the opportunity to engage in musical activity.

"Bedfordshire Music Service is held in high regard by its current users and we want to extend this service to adults to help improve individual and community well-being.

"PWC were commissioned after going through a formal tendering process." The PWC report is to be considered by the council's community services overview and scrutiny committee shortly.

Some months ago I referred to plans for the redevelopment of Greyfriars, getting rid of the hideous bus station and replacing it by a more futuristic set of buildings. September 24th will be decision time for the Planning Committee when the outline planning application for Bedford Town Centre West will be decided. This used to be called the bus station redevelopment, but it is much more than that, encompassing a swathe of dreary 1960s development from the multi-storey flats on the north of the site to the junction of Midland Road/River Street/Greyfriars on the south. In its course the dreadful Allhallows car park and the grim bus station will all disappear. The residential, the bus station, the police station and the car parking will all be replaced and there will be a food store, a department store, a cinema and much else,

It’s a £200 million scheme, the biggest that has ever taken place in Bedford.

The one area of controversy is the Pilgrim’s Progress at the junction of River Street and Midland Road. It’s a strategic point and many people want to save it. Indeed it will be sad to see it disappear, but the benefits of the proposed new development outweigh the objection.

I will keep you informed.

Autumn beckons!

Best wishes

More soon!

Robert