Do You Want Faster Broadband?

Warwickshire County Council, along with Solihull and Coventry Councils have been allocated £4.07m by Government to help improve broadband connectivity. That amount has to be match-funded by the local authorities, and the private sector are expected to invest a considerably larger amount to ensure that all properties achieve speeds of at least 2Mbps and 90% of properties achieve at least 24Mbps by the end of 2015.

Faster broadband will facilitate a step-change in all our lives, including working from home; the provision of health and care facilities to help people stay in their own homes for longer; business benefits such as less travelling and cloud computing; and many, many more technologies which just a few years ago were unthinkable but which are available now – providing you have a fast enough connection.

In order to encourage the private sector to invest we need to show that they will get a return on their money and that people will actually use the service, and to do that we have set up two questionnaires, one for businesses and one for residential. If you work from home please complete both – just because a building doesn’t have a sign over the door doesn’t mean that there is no business activity inside! The survey can be found at www.cswbroadband.org.uk

We are also looking to recruit local Champions who will be able to promote the project within their own villages and to encourage others to sign up (resources will be provided). If you would be interested in becoming a Champion or have any other queries about the project, please email broadband@warwickshire.gov.uk

Business Advice on Twitter

Warwickshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service has launched its own business advice twitter as a quick and simple means to help provide Warwickshire businesses with information and advice.

Twitter will help Trading Standards Officers keep in touch with small and medium sized businesses. Officers will be able to provide the business community with help and advice and promote fair trading and safety.

The Trading Standards Animal Health Team are also hoping to use twitter as another means to communicate with the farming community.

Follow us at: www.twitter.com/warkstss

Library Volunteers Needed

Progress with Bidford Community Library Ltd. is being made and it is envisaged that the new library/hub will open on 2 April 2012.

The parish council would delighted to hear from any resident who would like to volunteer to help at the new library. If you would like to volunteer, please complete the form below and return it to the Parish Clerk.

• Volunteer Details Form (pdf)

VOLUNTEER NEEDED

Funding has been granted to Act on Energy to deliver a project in six communities around the District, including Bidford.

The project will:

• Have a business fair when Residents can access energy advice and information and meet companies providing renewable energy solutions.
• Provide training for members of the community to help other residents with energy advice information and support.
• A free energy audit for a community building.

The funding for this project will have to be spent by the end of March.

To deliver this project, we would like to find a contact within the community to liaise and enable arrangements to take place.

If anybody would like to volunteer to be this contact, or would like more information please contact the Parish Clerk.

CLERK ANNUAL LEAVE NOTICE

The Parish Clerk will be away on annual leave from Mon 30 January to Wed 8 February, both dates inclusive. The office will re-open on Thursday 9 February 2012.

If necessary, you can contact the Clerk by email or by sending a text message. A list of Councillors and their contact details can be found here.

During her absence, anyone wishing to look at building plans may do so at:

• The Planning Applications page on this web site
• Stratford-on-Avon District Council, Elizabeth House, Church Street

BIDFORD RESIDENTS GET CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU OUTREACH SERVICE

The start of a new year is the ideal time to take advantage of the new outreach Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) service which has launched in the library.

Stratford district is one of the largest rural districts in England, and for many people making the journey into Stratford can be problematic. Stratford CAB is now operating a fortnightly service for Bidford residents at the Library and Information Centre on Bramley Way.

The service is available on the first and third Fridays of each month. It is free and completely confidential.

• Poster/More Information (pdf)
• Citizens Advice Bureau Advice Guide (external link)

VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF PARISH COUNCILLOR FOR THE BIDFORD WARD

Notice is hereby given that following the death of Mr H Langston, a casual vacancy has arisen in the Office of Councillor for the Parish Council.

In accordance with Section 89(3) of the Local Government Act 1972, where the vacancy occurs within six months before the day on which the councillor whose office is vacant would regularly have retired, an election shall not be held under Section 89(1) of the above Act, and the vacancy will be filled at the next ordinary election of councillors on 3 May 2012.

The Council may choose to fill the vacancy by co-option for the period until that election.

By order of the Parish Council.
23 December 2011

WARWICKSHIRE TRADING STANDARDS: NO MORE 'CHARITY' COLLECTION BAGS PLEASE

Warwickshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service is thanking residents for sending them huge numbers of dubious ‘charity’ collection bags in a recent blitz on unscrupulous collectors.

Hundreds have already been sent in and Trading Standards Officers continue to receive bags full each week. Officers now have the details of around 50 different collectors operating across the County.

The collection phase of the blitz has now ended and the investigation phase is now well under way. Trading Standards Officers therefore no longer need residents to send in collection bags but would like to thank everyone who helped to get the project off to such an excellent start.

For advice on charity bags, visit our website: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/scams

WARWICKSHIRE GRITTING ROUTES

The map below shows the routes that will be gritted in Warwickshire for the 2011/12 winter season.

• Gritting Routes 2011/12 (pdf)

NOTICE FOR BIDFORD-ON-AVON RESIDENTS

Bidford-on-Avon Parish Council has agreed a Participatory Budget for 2012/13 and is inviting Bidford-on-Avon residents to send in proposals for an expenditure of up to £500 (ex. VAT) that will benefit its community.

The Parish Council will be holding a Finance and Strategy Committee Meeting on Monday 5th December and looks forward to hearing the proposal put forward by the Bidford Residents.

NOTICE FOR BARTON, BROOM AND MARCLIFF RESIDENTS

Bidford-on-Avon Parish Council has agreed a Participatory Budget for 2012/13 and is inviting Barton, Broom and Marcliff residents to send in proposals for an expenditure of up to £500 (ex. VAT) that will benefit their respective communities.

The Parish Council will be holding a Finance and Strategy Committee Meeting on Monday 5th December and looks forward to hearing the proposal put forward by the Barton, Broom and Marcliff Residents.

NOTICE OF CONCLUSION OF AUDIT

Notice is hereby given that the audit of accounts for Bidford-on-Avon Parish Council for the year ended 31 March 2011 was completed on 28 September 2011.

Elisabeth Uggerløse
Clerk to the Parish Council

• Full Notice of Audit (pdf)

248 REDDITCH-ALCESTER-BIDFORD-EVESHAM BUS ROUTE

Below is the timetable for the Sunday bus service from Redditch to Evesham via Alcester, Wixford, Bidford, Salford Priors and Norton (and vice-versa).

The timetable is valid from 4 September 2011 until further notice.

• Bus Route 248 Timetable (pdf)

STARTING SCHOOL IN SEPTEMBER 2012: APPLY NOW

Was your child born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008?

If so, they are due to start school in September 2012.

You can apply for a school place online from 4 July 2011 at: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/admissions

The closing date for applications is 16 January 2012. Text STARTSCHOOL to 07950 081082 for a text message reminder on how to apply.

• Information poster (pdf)

TRAIN TO BECOME A MASTER GARDENER

Enjoy growing your own fruit and vegetables?

Join a growing network of Warwickshire volunteers giving advice and support to people growing their own food.

• Full support and training from Garden Organic (next training 1 and 2 October 2011);
• Flexible volunteering in your own community;
• Pass on your own food growing experience to others.

Read more at: www.warwickshire.mastergardeners.org.uk

• Poster (pdf)
• Master Gardener Programme Summary (pdf)

BROOM FLOOD ALLEVIATION SCHEME

The Environment Agency are undertaking work to reduce flood risk within Broom.

They have appointed Birch Brothers (Kidderminster) Ltd as the contractor for construction and work will commence on 27 June 2011.

The scheme will reduce the risk of flooding to 1% chance in any given year with an additional allowance for climate change (known as the 1% Annual Exceedance Probability event).

• Information flyer (pdf)

KIND DONATION FROM THE ORGANISER OF THE VINTAGE GATHERING

Following the very successful Vintage Gathering Event on the Big Meadow on 14/15 May 2011, the organiser, Mr Mark Smith, donated £1,000 to this year's elected charity - Bidford Youth Club.

The Parish Council, Bidford Youth Club and the people of Bidford would all like to congratulate and thank Mark for organising a wonderful weekend event!

VOLUNTEER DRIVING

We are in urgent need of volunteer drivers in Bidford and surrounding villages. This vital service helps mainly older people, with a genuine need for transport to attend their appointments at Hospitals, Doctors, Dentists, Opticians and Day Centres.

We average around 200 volunteer drivers across the Stratford District and cover approximately 28,000 passenger trips to Hospitals in Coventry, Warwick, Rugby, Birmingham, Worcester, Oxford. The local appointments are equally important especially for people who are in isolated villages.

This service is very much appreciated by the clients as they often say they would not be able to attend their appointments without our volunteer drivers.

Volunteer drivers can help as much or little as they would like and we work around what they can offer – even if it was on an occasional basis or half day a week. The mileage rate is 45p per mile for authorised journeys.

We have a local office at The Globe in Alcester which is mainly staffed by an excellent team of volunteers that covers the office 5 mornings a week. We work as a team and welcome new volunteers.

Wheel Chair Short Term Loan Service – We also hold wheel chairs at our Alcester and Stratford office for up to one month's loan, free of charge, but do appreciate a donation.

Our Alcester telephone number is 01789 763117 - AM only. If you require any further information we would be pleased to have a chat with you.

Clarissa Roberts MBE – Volunteer Services Manager - 01789 262886.

ELECTION RESULT

Here are the results of the District Councillor election as held on Thursday 5 May 2011.

• District Councillor for the Bidford and Salford Ward (pdf)

COMMUNITY SPEEDAWARE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Speeding is a major cause of collisions so reducing traffic speed is often a community priority.

You can make a real difference by becoming a Community SpeedAware volunteer and promoting safer speeds using our flashing slow down signs. Your presence with the sign will have a dramatic effect on the speed of traffic.

The only cost will be your time, as you will need to be close to our signs at all times when in use. You will also need to erect, dismantle and store the signs safely for the duration of the loan.

The Parish Council would like anyone interested in volunteering for this to contact the Parish Council Office.

• Poster and information (pdf)

PERKINS' EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION AWARDS FOR 2011/12

The Governors of this charity, founded in 1656 by William Perkins of Salford Priors and London, invite applications for awards from young people under the age of 25. Grants are available to help with expenses in courses of study in further and higher education, vocational training such as apprenticeships, and in some circumstances, structured programmes of personal development such as overseas visits. Awards are not normally given to those under 17 years of age.

Applicants must have been resident in one of the following parishes - Salford Priors, Bidford, Kings Broom, Cleeve Prior or Harvington - for not less than two years immediately prior to their application.

Application forms are available, upon written request, from the Clerk to the Governors. Alternatively, an application form can be downloaded from the website: www.williamperkinscharity.org

Forms for applicants who wish to be considered for an award for the academic year 2011-2012 will be available from 1 May 2011.

Completed forms should be returned to the Clerk not later than 15 October 2011.

No applications received after that date can be accepted for consideration by the Governors for the academic year 2011-2012.

Applicants may be required to attend before the Governors for an interview at a time and place to be notified in due course by the Clerk.

Dated 1 May 2011.

The Clerk to the Governors
Perkins' Educational Foundation
10 Elm Court
Arden Street
Stratford-upon-Avon
CV37 6PA.
Registered Charity No: 528678

• Information flyer (pdf)

BIDFORD CRICKET CLUB: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Bidford Cricket Club are looking for volunteers, who have a couple of spare hours on a Saturday/Sunday afternoon, during the summer, to undertake the occasional tea duty.

Contact Macer on 07952 356506 if you wish to help out.

HEATING AND DIESEL OIL THEFT

Theft of heating and diesel oil has been a problem for many years and the Police have always noticed an increase in this type of crime whenever the price of crude oil rises.

The leaflet below offers advice on siting oil tanks, security locks and lighting, defensive planting and other security measures.

• Heating and Oil Theft Guide (pdf)

PUT A STOP TO RURAL CRIME

Your rural business has become a target for thieves, Now is the time to act... Rural businesses will be targeted as long as thieves see them as soft targets. The short guide below provides a series of key points to reduce the likelihood of you becoming the next victim.

The advice and information provided is designed to make it harder for the thief and safer for you and your employees, who you have a legal obligation to protect under health and safety legislation.

• Stop Rural Crime Guide (pdf)

POTHOLES, PAVEMENT REPAIRS, HIGHWAY AND STREET LIGHTING PROBLEMS?

Report it to:

• Telephone: County Highways on 01926 412515
• Website: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/roads
• Email: countyhighways@warwickshire.gov.uk
• Text: Lighting (followed by location and defect details) on 07950 081082

• Poster (pdf)

FLOOD WARNING SERVICE INFORMATION

The Environment Agency provides a flood warning service throughout England and Wales in areas at risk of flooding from rivers or the sea. Using the latest available technology, other staff monitor rainfall, river levels and sea conditions 24 hours a day and use this information to forecast the possibility of flooding.

• Fact Sheets (pdf)