Dear residents,
It is good to see a return of activities and some form of ‘normal’ life in Bingley. However, we must still be aware that COVID-19 cases locally continue to be of concern. Many local schools are still having to close classes and year groups in order to self isolate and cases in Bingley Rural are worryingly high as I write this. The message of Hands, Face, Space and the importance of mask wearing are still paramount.Â
Bingley Town Council was able to hold its first Litter Pick on Saturday June 26th and it was pleasing to welcome new and regular faces to the group and to have a successful session. The next session is July 31st – location to be confirmed. Litter Champions continue to be recruited and if you’d like to take action in your local area, please contact enquiries@bingleytowncouncil.gov.uk.Â
The floral displays in the town and village centres, supplied by Carlton Nurseries are now in place. Bedding plants provided by Bingley Town Council for the various village societies and community groups have been distributed and planted out. Thanks to the many volunteers who take part in this. Bingley is certainly blooming and looking very fine in the summer sunshine.
Helen Owen
Chair
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Bingley Pool
At the Full Council meeting on 29th June, Diane Fairfax a trustee of Bingley Pool gave an update from the Friends of Bingley Pool.
Swimming lessons, an essential element in the National Curriculum, are not available to children in Bingley schools, as other local pools are at capacity already. The need for a community campaign to raise awareness and promote positive action in order to provide swimming provision in Bingley was identified.
Ms Fairfax was thanked for her thorough and comprehensive report.
Annual Governance and Accountability Return.
The Annual Governance and Accountability Return for 2020-21 (AGAR) was accepted by the council. A copy of the report is placed in the town centre noticeboard. The statutory period of the exercise of public rights is from July 1st until August 11th. Â This allows any member of the public to request and inspect the accounts of the Council
Technology – Improving access to Council Meetings
The Council agreed the purchase and use of the ‘Owl’  technology and appropriate accessories in order to allow greater access for members of the public to observe and participate in all council meetings, without having to attend in person.
This will allow greater access and improve communication with residents
Community Grants
 A grant of £2000 was awarded to Bingley Little Theatre towards the cost of upgrading lighting in the theatre to a better more eco – friendly system
A grant of £1308 to Friends of Myrtle Park for the cost of permanent Information display boards at the refurbished visitors facility in the park.Â
The Council expressed its thanks to these groups for their work in the community
Changing Places Facility
Planning permission has been applied for the installation of the facility. Letters have been sent to potential sponsors in the local area. BMDC will be approached again to request support from the HM Government allocation for Changing Places facilities
Play in the Park
Free Play in the Park events will take place again this summer, provided by Bingley Town Council.
All sessions are from 11.00 a.m – 3.00 p.m. Portaloos will be available at each event and a Mobiloo at both Myrtle Park sessions.
Dates and locations are as follows:Â
July 30th. Gilstead Rec.                       August 20th Cottingley Rec        Â
August 7th Myrtle Park                       August 27th Eldwick RecÂ
August 13th Crossflatts Rec                   September 3rd Myrtle Park
Bingley Farmers’ Market
Monthly Markets take place on the first Saturday of each month 10.00 a.m – 2.00 p.m. Entertainers and a local Charity Stall will return in August, COVID -19 restrictions permitting.
The  August 7th market will form part of a special Back to Business in Bingley Day, with lots of extra activities and many local volunteer groups present, thanks to Bingley Community Partnership
Local Support
The Council agreed to give support to staff at Airedale General Hospital who, since the formation of AGHS have been hired on lower wage rates and different conditions of service from established staff, despite performing the same tasks. The Council will contact the Board of Directors of Airedale NHS Trust and AGHS formally
Councillor Vacancy
Following the resignations of Councillor John Pennington and Councillor Michael Taylor, there are vacancies in the Crossflatts and Micklethwaite Ward and the Bingley Central Ward.
Notice is posted by Electoral Services at BMDC. A By-election must be held if 10 residents request this within the required time. If an election is not requested, then the Council must follow a process of Co-Option to install a new councillor.
Potential candidates who wish to stand as Independent councillors are encouraged to contact the council. There are many former and current Independent Councillors who will be able to offer help and explain the process. For further details and information please contact enquiries@bingleytowncouncil.gov.uk.
Covid -19
Level 3 restrictions currently remain in place. Â
The move to Level 4 is anticipated to be 19 July subject to the Government tests being met.Â
The Government corona-virus website advises that when England moves to step 4 of the roadmap, the Government will continue to manage the risk of serious illness from the spread of the virus.Â
To do this, the Government will:
- Reinforce the country’s vaccine wall of defence through booster jabs and driving take up.
- Enable the public to make informed decisions through guidance, rather than laws.
- Retain proportionate test, trace and isolate plans in line with international comparators.
- Manage risks at the border and support a global response to reduce the risk of variants emerging globally and entering the UK.
- Retain contingency measures to respond to unexpected events, while accepting that further cases, hospitalisations and deaths will occur as the country learns to live with COVID-19.
Further details can be obtained at COVID-19 Response: Summer 2021 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
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.go.uk or by phone on the following numbers:
Deputy Town Clerk:Â 07703 188660
Administrative Officer: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday – 077835 19439
Dates for your diary
Monthly Saturday Farmers’ market – First Saturday of each month 10am to 2pmÂ
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The next ordinary meeting of the Town Council is at 6.30pm on Tuesday 27 July 2021Â
The agenda for the meetings can be found on the Town Council website within the Documents section.Â
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
Looking at the picture (above) of Bingley Arts Centre, it is hard to ignore the burgeoning problem of weeds thriving among the paving stones, not alas unique to this particular area. Who is responsible for their clearance – the excellent work being done by Bingley Council and the voluntary groups is being undermined by this picture of neglect.
Thank you for your positive feedback about the work of Bingley Town Council. I have sent you an email in reply to your question.
Kind Regards
Ruth Thompson
Administrative Officer