Dave Hodgson

Bedford Borough Liberal Democrats have launched the campaign to Save Bedford’s Post Offices after the closure hit list for the local area was revealed thanks to an internet blunder.  Local Lib Dems have obtained a map published briefly on the Post Office website by mistake which appears to show that seven branches are identified for closure in Bedford Borough as part of the government’s plans to close 2,500 Post Offices nationwide. 

The Post Office branch situated on Elstow Road is amongst the 7 Post Office branches in Bedford Borough apparently due for closure. Cllr Dave Hodgson said: “The planned Post Office closures bring shame upon this government.  It is maintaining the pretence that no decisions for this area will be taken until after a so-called consultation next summer in spite of the fact that the plans to close branches across Bedford Borough have been revealed.  The Elstow Road Post Office is absolutely essential to the local community. The costs to local residents of closing the branch would be far greater than any short-term financial gain for the government.  The Lib Dem FOCUS Team will fight the planned closure of Elstow Road Post Office every step of the way.

Please support our campaign by signing online at www.savebedfordpostoffices.org.uk

Orange Bag recycling will take place every week in place of green waste over the winter period, from 22 December until 25 January. The green waste collections will restart on 28 January. 

You can also recycle your Christmas trees from 1^st – 15th January at Mowsbury car park (off Kimbolton Road) and at the Barkers Lane Household Waste Recycling Centre.

Thank you to everyone who responded to our Inquiry into the state of local health care.  There was a fantastic response. We are currently processing the results but what is already clear is that local people are deeply concerned about the future of services at Bedford Hospital.

We are still waiting to see the much delayed recommendations from the East of England Health Authority on the future of hospitals in the area.  We already know that questions have been asked about the future of Maternity, A&E and Emergency Surgery at Bedford Hospital.   

Cllr Dave Hodgson said “We are determined to do whatever we can to oppose the cuts and closures at Bedford Hospital.  That is why we launched the Save Bedford Hospital campaign, if you haven’t already signed the petition you can do so on-line at www.savebedfordhospital.org ”

Warm Front Grants of up to £2,700 are available for people who are on certain benefits and own their home or rent it from a private landlord.Warm Front grants can provide loft insulation, draught proofing, cavity-wall insulation, hot-water-tank insulation, energy efficient light-bulbs, gas, electric or oil central heating and glass-fronted fires.  If you are over 60, own your home or rent privately, and you do not receive a Warm Front qualifying benefit, you could claim a £300 heating rebate to help pay towards repairing or installing a heating system.  For more information you can contact:

Warm front grants freephone 0800 316 2805  www.warmfront.co.uk

Keep warm keep well campaign  www.direct.gov.uk/keepwarmkeepwell

Home Heat Helpline (helps people who are struggling to pay their energy bills or keep warm in winter) tel: 0800 33 66 99

In the New Year Kingsbrook Liberal Democrats are launching a fortnightly email newsletter that will give you the latest news on planning applications, school fairs, local events and meetings.  The news will be very local, guaranteed non-political and aimed at Kingsbrook residents.  If you’d like to try it out just email your name and address to Cllr Dave Hodgson daveshodgson@yahoo.co.uk   You will be able to unsubscribe at any time

PC Ben Sykes started as Kingsbrook Beat Manager on 1^st November and will work with PC Surinder Ram from the Goswick Road Cop Shop. Contact details for the Kingsbrook & Cauldwell Police team are given below. Gostwick Road Cop Shop: 22 Gostwick Road, Bedford, MK42 9XD.  Tel: 01234-218793 (in emergency ring 999)

Kingsbrook Beat Manager Benjamin SYKES PC 436 Email:benjamin.sykes@bedfordshire.pnn.police.uk

Cauldwell Beat Manager Surinder RAM PC 5552 Email: surinder.ram@bedfordshire.pnn.police.uk

PCSOs for Cauldwell and Kingsbrook Helen Tester PCSO 4656         Email:helen.tester@bedfordshire.pnn.police.uk   Jessica Richards PCSO 4759 Email: jessica.richards@bedfordshire.pnn.police.uk

Surgeries The planned surgery times are given below but can change depending on Police priorities.

Gostwick Road Cop Shop: Monday 14:00-15:00; Tuesday 14:00-15:00; Thursday 12:00-14:00; Friday 19:00-20:00

Faldo Road Community House: Monday 10:00-11:00; Thursday 15:00-16:00

Bedford Liberal Democrats have launched a campaign to save weekly rubbish collections in Bedford Borough. This comes in the face of the Tory-run County Council’s push to see a common system of fortnightly collections introduced across the whole of Bedfordshire.  As part of the campaign the Lib Dems are also opposing the introduction of microchips in bins, believing that rather than punish people, the council should work in partnership with them to boost recycling and reduce overall waste.  Kingsbrook Councillor Dave Hodgson said, “The Council should be making it easier for people to recycle, such as improving facilities at blocks of flats and the inclusion of a greater range of materials in the recycling scheme. We must not have an unpopular system of fortnightly black bin collections forced upon us. This will only antagonise people when the council should be doing just the opposite by working with residents to improve recycling levels and reduce waste overall.” To support the campaign please sign the petition to Keep Our Weekly Collections, which can be signed on our website www.bedfordlibdems.org