Dear Residents
As this is the first monthly mailing in 2022 I would like to wish all our readers a belated Happy New Year.
Operating under changing Covid regulations has presented its challenges. In December and January Full Council meetings continued to be held in person; however, staff were requested to comply with Government guidelines and to work from home where possible. This resulted in a closure of the Town Council office to members of the public. Working group meetings were also held remotely. As restrictions ease we welcome the reopening of the Town Council Office at The Hub,
The pandemic is still with us and councillors and residents are urged to continue to follow any guidelines that are in place. In addition, I would like to acknowledge the strains on the NHS and emergency services and thank all these workers for their continued efforts in extremely difficult circumstances.
Bingley Town Council is preparing for the new financial year and have now agreed a budget and precept for 2022-2023 to present to Bradford Metropolitan District Council. Thanks are given to the Officers and Councillors who have worked hard to plan and form this budget.
Bingley Town Council has historically had a very low precept, originally set by Bradford Metropolitan District Council, in comparison with similar councils in the district. It is difficult to offer services and projects which benefit residents from such a low base. I believe that this Town Council continues to give very good value.
The 15th Bingley Town Council Newsletter has now been produced and it will be sent for publication and distribution within the next fortnight. I hope you will find the newsletter an informative and interesting read.
Helen Owen
Chair
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Town Council budget and precept
The Town Council has given careful consideration to the work to be undertaken in 2022-23. This is a key component in determining an appropriate budget and level of precept required. Following this planning process the 2022-23 budget for Bingley Town Council was agreed as £278,275, and the precept was set at £237,457, which is £27.79 per Band D property.Â
Update from the Friends of Bingley Pool
Andrew Morris of the Friends of Bingley Pool attended the January Town Council meeting and provided an update on the work of the group. Councillors were advised that that the group will be attending a meeting with Bradford Council on 31st January to discuss the future of the pool and to begin planning for a regeneration project for Bingley.
Changing Places
The Town Council are still waiting for news from Bradford Council on the government funding bid to support the project.  As a result it has been agreed to pay for the Changing Places toilet build from this year’s budget, via the virement of funds from unspent cost centres.
Play in the Park
Play in the Park events continue to be a firm favourite and a highlight of the summer holidays.  The Town Council is pleased to be supporting the events once again in 2022.
Events will commence at 12 noon and will be held in Cottingley Rec, Crossflatts Rec, Eldwick Park, Gilstead Rec and two at Myrtle Park.
Dates are currently booked for Friday 29th July, Friday 5th August, Friday 12th August, Friday 19th August and Friday 26th August.
Look out for the locations for each date in future monthly mailings and on the Town Council website.
Monthly Farmers’ Market
The December market was a disappointing turnout in both stall holders and shoppers due to the bad weather; however, Farmers’ Markets will continue on the first Saturday of the month, starting on 5th February.
In order to increase awareness of the event the Town Council will be increasing the market publicity in 2022 including the provision of new marking banners.  Contact will also be make with Bradford Metropolitan District Council to identify further publicity opportunities through them.
Community litter picks
Thank you to all the volunteers who spend their time working to keep Bingley litter free.  Please help them by always taking your litter home or finding a suitable bin.
The dates for the next community litter picks have been agreed as:
Saturday 29th January, (Cottingley)
Saturday 12th March
Saturday 23rd April
Saturday 11th June
Saturday 23rd July
Saturday 10th September
Saturday 22nd October
Sunday 13th November (Remembrance Day)
Saturday 10th December
Please always check the Events section of the Town Council website before attending to ensure the litter pick is still going ahead and to find meeting locations and times.
Covid – updates
The Government has announced that the measures put in place under Plan B in England will be lifted.
This means:
- The government is no longer asking people to work from home if they can. People should now talk to their employers to agree arrangements to return to the office.
- From 20 January: Face coverings will no longer be advised for staff and pupils in secondary school and college classrooms.
- From 27 January: Face coverings will no longer be advised for staff and pupils in communal areas of secondary schools, nor for staff in communal areas of primaries.
- From 27 January: There is no longer a legal requirement to wear a face covering. The government suggests that you continue to wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces where you may come into contact with other people you do not normally meet.
- From 27 January: Venues and events will no longer be required by law to check visitors’ NHS COVID Pass. The NHS COVID Pass can still be used on a voluntary basis.
Click here to read the current Government advice on Coronavirus: how to stay safe and help prevent the spread – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Council meeting dates
The 2022 schedule of Full Town Council meetings has now been agreed. Â
Full Council meetings will continue to take place on the last Tuesday of every month at 6.30pm with the following expectations:
November (no meeting)
December meeting to be held on 6th DecemberÂ
January 2023 meeting to be held on 17th January (to allow time to put in the precept demand to Bradford Council).
All town council meeting dates can be found in the events section of the Town Council website at Events for February 2022 – Bingley Town Council.
Office hours
Following the lifting of Covid restrictions the Town Council’s office at The Hub, Myrtle Place has now reopened to the public. Opening times are Monday and Wednesday from 1pm to 3pm.
Bingley Town Council can also be contacted by email at enquiries@bingleytowncouncil.gov.uk or by phone on the following numbers:
Town Clerk: 07529 222679
Deputy Town Clerk:Â 07703 188660
Administrative Officer: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday – 077835 19439
Dates for your diary
Events:
Saturday 29th January – Community litter pick – Meet near the notice board, The Parade, Cottingley 10am to 12 noon.
Saturday 5 February – Monthly Saturday Farmers’ Market. (Held on the first Saturday of each month 10am to 2pm).
Council Meetings:
The next ordinary meeting of the Town Council is at 6.30pm on Tuesday 22nd February 2022.
The agenda for the meetings can be found on the Town Council website within the Documents section.
You can see all the council’s meeting dates in the Events section calendar on the website.
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Newsletter distribution
So that the council can keep as many people as possible informed, please do share this newsletter with friends and family and encourage them to subscribe too.
Bingley Town Council, Myrtle Place, Bingley, BD16 2LF
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