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Coronavirus (COVID-19): What has changed - 22 September 2020

The government has today announced further national measures to address rising cases of coronavirus in England. 

Biggleswade Town Council

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Buy Biggleswade

With the national decline on the High Street, and the subsequent adverse effects upon local businesses and Town Centres from the Coronavirus Pandemic, it is imperative that we do our bit to ensure the survival of the many independent businesses that are in Biggleswade.

Biggleswade Town Council are promoting a campaign to support these local businesses, which in turn supports the local economy.

Please join us in showing support to our local businesses and ‘Buy Biggleswade’

#buylocal #buybiggleswade #localeconomy #supportlocalbusiness

The latest Statement from Biggleswade Town Council on Coronavirus 

Biggleswade Town Council understands the difficulties that this pandemic has brought to all of us.

In these unprecedented times Biggleswade Town Council is working on a response to both the national and local effort to combat the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

While we strongly urge that all residents and businesses take heed of Government advice on social distancing and self-isolation, we wish to make you aware of the following actions by Biggleswade Town Council:

1. The Town Council will continue cemetery and funeral management.
2. The Town Council's managed open spaces will remain open for the public to exercise in.
3. The Tuesday and Saturday markets are now open and measures are in place to ensure appropriate social distancing.
4. Our car parks are now open. Those permit holders that had a valid permit whilst the car parks were closed will be issued with an extended permit.
5. Allotment holders may still access their plots but must observe social distancing advice.

If you have any further questions, please email us at:

enquiries@biggleswadetowncouncil.gov.uk .

Most of all we urge all to keep safe and to observe the restrictions that have been put in place to protect the public from the virus.

Biggleswade Town Council

Opening Hours

Please note, that our office is open from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (Monday - Thursday) and 9.00 am - 4.30 pm on Friday. During this period you are able to pick up items from the lobby, as follows:

• large brown bins
• small brown bins
• food waste bags
• orange recycling bags
• green gardening bags

Biggleswade Town Council welcomes new Town Clerk & Chief Executive

Biggleswade Town Council has appointed Peter Tarrant as its new Town Clerk and Chief Executive. Peter, who joins the Town Council towards the end of August, brings a wealth of management experience in Local Government, from Parish level to Unitary Authorities around the UK, as well as a recent background in consultancy. Peter also holds a PhD in Strategic Management.

Peter Tarrant says ‘I am delighted to be joining Biggleswade Town Council at this exciting time for the town. Biggleswade is a growing and developing town and the Town Council plays a front and centre role in providing services to the public. I look forward to building strong relationships with key partners such as Central Bedfordshire Council, Homes England, Network Rail and the NHS as well as the myriad of local voluntary and community groups that make Biggleswade such a special place.’

Cllr Madeline Russell, Mayor of Biggleswade, added: ‘I am very pleased Peter is able to join the Council at this time of great change. There is a lot happening in the next few years - not least the new housing developments but the development of a transport interchange, a new health hub and the ongoing challenges of the town centre in a post Covid world. Peter’s extensive experience of local government will help the Council to meet these challenges in the years ahead.’

Notes

Peter Tarrant joins Biggleswade Town Council on 24 August 2020 as Town Clerk & Chief Executive. He has held senior roles in a number of local authorities including at Cornwall Council, London Borough of Islington and the London Borough of Barnet. He holds Masters and PhD qualifications in Strategic Management. For further questions please contact Cllr Jonathan Woodhead, Chair of the Personnel Committee on: 07719 888476 or Jonathan.Woodhead@biggleswadetowncouncil.gov.uk 

Tennis Court Update

Biggleswade Tennis Court in Drove Road will re-open on Tuesday 14th July 2020 from 
10:30 am to 8:00 pm (Monday-Sunday) and access from Glebe Road only.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions the following guidelines must be adhered to:

• only one court available currently
• please bring your own hand sanitiser and use regularly before and after touching gates and/or equipment
• please observe current social distancing etiquette of a minimum of 1 metre and no more than 4 people on the court
• please note if other people are waiting to use the court then a maximum of 1.5 hours is allowed only  

Thank you.

Play Area Update

Please note all Play Areas are now open, apart from Fairfield Road. Guidelines have been put in place in line with Covid-19.   Please click here for further information: Poster 

Saturday Market Update - 1st July 

WELCOME BACK….

Biggleswade Charter Market, which has stood in the Town since 1227, is restarting following the Government’s announcement that Outdoor Markets can re-open from 1st June 2020, as long as they are COVID-19 Secure.

Throughout Lockdown, we have had a couple of stalwart traders who were in the ‘essential’ list of exemptions under Government guidance.

A lot of work has been done to ensure that our Charter Market meets all the Government requirements, culminating in the joyous news that we will be opening Saturday 4th July 2020.  With reduced hours of 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, along with a different look to the market, we have introduced social distancing measures, as well as hand sanitisers at each of the entrances to the market. This is to ensure the health, safety & welfare of traders and customers alike.

The historical Road Closure of Market Place will run from 6:00 am – 6:00 pm each Saturday.

We look forward to welcoming back our regular traders, customers, along with the many new customers.

Pop down to see the fantastic produce and items on sale and ‘Support Local Business’.

Please click below for further information. 

Thank you

Saturday Charter Market Update - 3rd June 2020 

Following the Governments statement that from Monday 1^st June 2020, all Outdoor Markets can resume trading fully, as long as they meet current Government guidelines regarding COVID-19. On Saturdays we have been running a few essential stalls throughout the lockdown period and will continue to do so. We hope to be able to welcome back all other stall holders in the near future.

• If you are considering attending the market, we ask you to:
• Stay Alert to Save Lives
• Maintain social distancing of 2 metres
• Wash your hands before you leave home and when you return home
• Do not leave home if you or a member of your household has symptoms of a high temperature; a new, continuous cough or a loss of, or change to, your sense of smell or taste.

Our mid-week on a Tuesday remains suspended until further notice.

This said, we are in the process of completing the necessary Risk Assessments and updated policies & procedures to ensure Social Distancing is maintained and our Markets run safely for our valued Traders, Staff & Patrons. Once this is completed, a date for the Market to be fully re-opened will be set.

Please check here on this website regularly for further updates on the market 

Playground Areas - Kings Reach 

Closed until further notice

We have received a report that the multi-use games area next to Venus Avenue is damaged to allow access in and has exposed some sharp edges to the damaged fixings. 

Also there has been damage to the fence down at the MUGA which will remain closed until further notice.  If residents see it being used, please notify the police.

Please click: Photos  

As soon as it is safe to do so and ultimately on the governments guidance we will get these areas open (including the basket ball court area).

Thank you 

Fees - 2020/2021 

For access please click: Fees

Tidy Tip, Biggleswade Update

Now open - bookings only 

Central Bedfordshire Council  have put all the information about booking on the Tidy Tip webpages www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/tidytips). On Thursday they released the first week’s slots, and from today they will be releasing a day at a time for the following week i.e. Today release next Monday’s, tomorrow release next Tuesday’s etc.

CBC will review this process and update, as required. 

Monday, 11th May 2020 

Council/Committee Meetings Update

Please Click: Citizen Advice: Update April 2020

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

Please find a link to view the UK government response to Coronavirus (COVID-19).

 PARKING

Update on parking in BTC-operated car parks only.  Please click here: Notification

 Social Media Policy 

BIGGLESWADE TOWN COUNCIL

Biggleswade Town Council is responsible for several aspects of the town, including markets, cemeteries and many of the town's parks and recreation grounds. Biggleswade Town Council also provides allotments for residents and issues annual community grants to worthwhile causes. For further information on each of these services please follow the appropriate links on our website.

Please follow this link for Services and Responsibilities.

Biggleswade Town Council holds two full Council meetings on the 2nd and last Tuesday every month at 7:00 pm, as well as several Committee meetings throughout the year. For further information regarding meeting dates, agendas and minutes, as well as information about your local Councillors, please follow this link: COUNCIL.

The Unitary Authority for Biggleswade is Central Bedfordshire Council.  Central Bedfordshire Council is responsible for services such as: waste services; street lighting; highways; and planning applications. For further information on each of these services (and more) please follow the appropriate links on our website or click here: Central Bedfordshire Council.

Biggleswade Town Council are looking to the future in a positive manner and are eagerly anticipating the challenges to be faced when providing a comprehensive and equitable service to the residents of the town. We have now taken over The Orchard Community Centre, Kings Reach. For further information please click: The Orchard.

Finance 

Biggleswade Town Council: Internal Audit 2018/2019 Completion

• Notice of Conclusion of the Audit
• Letter: Completion of the audit for the year ended 31st March 2019
• Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2018/19 Part 3