​Dear resident,

Some positive news in respect of the COVID-19 pandemic this month is that the additional restrictions placed on our town at the end of July are relaxed from 2 September. And a positive outcome of the work being done by groups to support residents over the past few months is the establishment of a new Bingley Community Partnership.

Our August meeting saw a number of committee terms of reference documents presented for update and approval, including those for the Finance and General Purposes, Planning and Staffing committees. Reviewing these on a regular basis enables us to ensure both that the committees continue to act within their remit and also that the council’s business is transacted as effectively as possible.

A lighter topic at our meeting was Christmas, lights and tree respectively, where the council has authorised some additional spend. Primary age children will again have the chance to see their own Christmas light design featured on a lamp-post in central Bingley.

Don’t forget the monthly market, now reopened, and in action again on Saturday 5 September. And our printed newsletter, the Annual Report 2020, will be delivered to your door shortly. You’ll find a link to the electronic version below. Happy reading!

Kind regards,

Helen Owen

Chair, Bingley Town Council

​Christmas lights

The council has reviewed arrangements for this year’s Christmas lights, and agreed additional spend of £7,261 to cover new purchases, a power supply update, and a Christmas tree. The sum includes all installation and storage.

The power supply to the lights installed in the trees in Jubilee Gardens needs upgrading, and it was agreed to fit new transformers and junction boxes and a new time clock. New pea lights are also to be added to the display in seven of the trees.

The price charged by Bradford Council for a Christmas tree had increased significantly, and it was agreed to purchase a similar Nordman fir tree from Carlton Nurseries instead, at less than half the cost of Bradford Council’s offer.

A sum has also been set aside for this year’s competition to design a Christmas light, and details will be given to local primary schools on their return for the autumn term.

Residential car parking permits

A number of residents have raised concerns about virtual parking permits, and in particular visitor permits, and the difficulties experienced by those who do not use smart phones, laptops or similar devices. There are also privacy concerns around the recording of visitors’ car registration numbers. One issue raised at the meeting was that residents receiving regular support from care workers are unlikely to be notified of registration numbers in advance of their visit.

Ward councillors highlighted their own correspondence with Bradford Council’s Neighbourhood and Customer Services department on this issue, which revealed that paper permits would not be made available but that postal applications for permits can be made. The council voted to send a letter outlining concerns to Bradford Council.

Bingley Hub

A snagging list has been produced by the Project Manager, and a handover meeting for the renovation project creating the Town Council’s new office and two public toilets is expected in early September.

The building’s address is Bingley Town Council, Myrtle Walk, Bingley BD16 2LF.

Newsletter

The council’s second newsletter of the year, the Annual Report for 2020 that covers the period from April 2019 to March 2020, has now been published. It is being delivered door-to-door to all residents, so it should be coming through your letterbox shortly.

In addition to an overview of income and expenditure in the last financial year, including grants to community groups, the newsletter includes the usual update of council activity in recent months.

Please see the Annual Report 2020 newsletter here.

COVID-19

Relaxing of precautionary measures for Bingley and Bingley Rural wards from Wednesday 2 September

The precautionary measures introduced for the Bradford District on 31 July is being relaxed for Bingley and Bingley Rural wards from Wednesday 2 September. From this date, national restrictions apply – the government has provided some FAQs on what you can and can’t do.

The following information has been issued by Bradford Council.

It remains the case that you should not:

• socialise indoors in groups of more than two households (anyone in your support bubble counts as one household) – this includes when dining out or going to the pub
• socialise outdoors in a group of more than six people from different households; gatherings larger than six should only take place if everyone is from exclusively from two households or support bubbles
• interact socially with anyone outside the group you are attending a place with, even if you see other people you know, for example, in a restaurant, community centre or place of worship
• hold or attend celebrations (such as parties) where it is difficult to maintain social distancing and avoid close social interaction – even if they are organised by businesses and venues that are taking steps to follow COVID-19 Secure guidelines
• stay overnight away from your home with members of more than one other household (your support bubble counts as one household)

Gyms, pools and leisure centres can now re-open. The following businesses and activities can now also resume:

• casinos
• skating rinks
• bowling alleys
• indoor play areas, including soft play areas
• indoor performances
• remaining close contact services, including any treatments on the face such as eyebrow threading or make-up application
• wedding receptions and celebrations for up to 30 people, in the form of a sit-down meal

It is against the law for gatherings of more than 30 people to take place in private homes (including gardens and other outdoor spaces). 

Supporting Bingley residents – new Bingley Community Partnership

The Bingley Covid Group continues to meet, led by Bradford Council’s Ward Officer, with the involvement of the Town Council, Ward Councillors, representatives of the Bingley and Bingley Rural Resilience group on Facebook, Bingley Food Bank, Trinity Community Kitchen, All Saints Church and Eldwick Church.

The group has agreed to set up a Bingley Community Partnership, to be coordinated by the Ward Office and to include a nucleus of local group volunteers and leaders with links to the wider community. The purpose of the group is to act as a forum for local volunteer groups to share ideas, information and initiatives to support residents in need. The group will meet quarterly and the initial meeting will be held on 24 September. The Town Council will be represented by two councillors.

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Officer hours

The Town Council’s office is closed due to the lockdown with staff working from home. Bingley Town Council can be contacted by email at enquiries@bingleytowncouncil.gov.uk or by telephone on the following numbers:

• Town Clerk – 07703 188660
• Administrative Officer – 07856 365806 (every weekday except Thursday)

Dates for your diary

Most activities, including group litter picks, are currently on hold.

Bingley monthly markets will take place on the following first Saturdays of the month from 10.00am to 2.00pm:

• 5 September / 3 October / 7 November / 5 December

An extraordinary (additional) full council meeting is being held at 10.00am on:

• Friday 4 September 2020

The next ordinary meeting of the Town Council is at 6.30pm on:

• Tuesday 29 September 2020

Both meetings will be held on Zoom. Formally convened Town Council meetings are not password protected and agendas for meetings containing the link for the meeting can be found on the Town Council website and on our Facebook page.

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You can see all our meeting dates in the calendar of the Events section of our website, and a full listing is available as a separate document, updated weekly, in the Documents section of the site.
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