Home - Biggleswade Town Council

BIGGLESWADE TOWN COUNCIL OFFICES RE-OPENING ON MONDAY 16TH NOVEMBER 2020

Please note that our Town Council offices will re-open on Monday 16th November 2020. The office will be open for all usual enquiries and to support members of the public during this lockdown period.

ORCHARD COMMUNITY CENTRE CLOSED FROM 5TH NOVEMBER 2020 UNTIL 2ND DECEMBER 2020

Please be advised that the Orchard Community Centre will remain open on Tuesday 3^rd November and Wednesday 4^th November. The Orchard Community Centre will be closed from Thursday 5^th November until Wednesday 2^nd December following Government guidelines. The Orchard Community Centre will open only for the blood donor clinic.

BIGGLESWADE TOWN COUNCIL OFFICES CLOSED UNTIL FRIDAY 13TH NOVEMBER 2020

Please note that the Biggleswade Town Council Offices are closed until Friday 13^th November 2020 due to a COVID-19 exposure. All members of staff, as of midday on 29^th October 2020, are now self-isolating for 14 days.

PUBLIC REALM

The Public Realm Team will continue to work during the lockdown period.

TENNIS COURTS

Please note that our our Tennis Courts are now closed.

TOWN CENTRE MARKET

The majority of the Market will continue to stay open in line with the Government’s essential traders advice.

MARKET TOILETS

The Market toilets will also remain open.

PLAY AREAS

The Play Areas will continue to stay open.

CHANGING ROOMS

The changing rooms will be locked as of Thursday 5^th November 2020.

REMEMBRANCE DAY

Following the announcement of a 2nd National Lockdown due to commence Thursday 4th November, the difficult decision has been taken to hold a ‘closed ceremony’ at the War Memorial. To ensure that Government guidance and social distancing is adhered to, there will not be a parade as previously advertised. The ceremony will consist of a limited amount of participants so that the proper marks of respect can be made to remember those that have fallen whilst serving their country.

This ceremony will be ‘live streamed’ onto the Town Council Facebook page, as well onto the BTC YouTube account. This will enable the public to be part of this important day, whilst being able to do so safely and socially distanced.

We ask that members of the public not to attend, however if you do, please do so following Government guidelines. If you show any symptoms of Coronavirus please stay at home. The Remembrance Service will commence from 10.40am.

We apologise for any inconvenience that these closures may cause. We will continue to keep members of the public updated through our website and social media channels.

In the meantime, if you have any concerns regarding these closures please contact our Town Clerk and Chief Executive, Peter Tarrant: peter.tarrant@biggleswadetowncouncil.gov.uk 07940389085

If you have a query regarding burials interments or memorials at our Stratton Way or Drove Road cemeteries please contact Helen Calvert: helen.calvert@biggleswadetowncouncil.gov.uk

If you have a query regarding the Orchard Community Centre please contact Karen Saunders: karen.saunders@biggleswadetowncouncil.gov.uk

If you have a query regarding our allotment site at Kennel Farm Road please contact Sian van der Merwe: sian.vandermerwe@biggleswadetowncouncil.gov.uk

If you have a query regarding football pitch bookings please contact Alison Dennis: alison.dennis@biggleswadetowncouncil.gov.uk

If you have a query regarding our Town Centre facilities or Market, the A-Boards and temporary street furniture policy, or our Remembrance Day Service or Christmas offerings, please contact Simon Newton: simon.newton@biggleswadetowncouncil.gov.uk 07494075022

For all other enquiries please contact our enquiries email address: enquiries@biggleswadetowncouncil.gov.uk

Biggleswade Town Council

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.

For further information open the hyperlink https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-covid-19-what-has-changed-22-septembe r

Biggleswade Town Council

_________________________________________________________________________

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:

The Town Council will continue cemetery and funeral management.
The Town Council's managed open spaces will remain open for the public to exercise in.
The Tuesday and Saturday markets are now open and measures are in place to ensure appropriate social distancing.
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.
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

If you are unable to visit the office please ring 01767 313134 and leave a message.

Thank you
Biggleswade Town Council

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

Thank You.

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.

Parking Enforcement Order as from 1st August 2020

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

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we need to inform you that only Council meetings will take place until further notice. Please click: Council Meetings

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 the Local Council serving the town of Biggleswade in Bedfordshire.

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