Bingley Town Council Mailing – October 2023 (Issue no. 81)

Well autumn is definitely upon us, with a run of fairly miserable weather and a small amount of localised flooding from Storm Babet – hopefully all affected are recovering from this.  It does highlight how we all need to be prepared for whatever the weather throws at us.  We are currently auditing the grit bins to ensure they are ready and available for use when required.

I will be laying a wreath on behalf of the residents of the parish at the Remembrance Day parade and ceremony in Myrtle Park.

Attendance at this ceremony has been going from strength to strength, so I hope to see many people there again this year.

Kind regards

Councillor Philippa Gibbons

Chair

Bradford TramTrain proposal presentation

At the recent Full Council meeting, Professor Richard Knowles, Emeritus Professor of Transport Geography at the University of Salford and Visiting Professor of Transport at the University of Huddersfield, provided an interesting presentation on the proposal for a Bradford TramTrain.

Professor Knowles’ claimed that TramTrains would transform train access to and through Bradford city centre, by combining Bradford’s two separate rail networks and providing cross-platform connections from TramTrains to regional and national train services at Bradford Interchange, which would also improve connections to regional and national train services at Shipley to Leeds and beyond.

The Bradford TramTrain proposal will be discussed at the next Full Council meeting on 5^th December, with a view to agreeing whether the Town Council would support this proposal.

Electrification of the Bandstand in Myrtle Park

At the recent meeting of Bingley Town Council, a Business Case for the Town Council to cover the cost of the electrification of the bandstand in Myrtle Park was approved.

This will increase the usage of the bandstand for local community concerts and events, which could potentially encourage visitors to visit Bingley, increasing footfall in the town to the benefit local businesses.

The cost of this project will be covered from the Town Council’s current budget, from the remaining amounts in the CIL funding reserve and the Regeneration and Tourism cost centre.

AGM for Bingley Pool

The Annual General Meeting of the Friends of Bingley Pool took place on Thursday 2^nd November in Cardigan House, Bingley.

The Friends of Bingley Pool are aiming to recruit new trustees and engage afresh with local government to renew their campaign for a pool in Bingley.

At the meeting, after the Chair and Treasurer’s Reports, a question and answer session took place. Under discussion was the possibility of  developing  a public survey to engage with residents regarding the negative effects on them and the community as a whole since the pool was closed.  There was discussion regarding the viability of restoring the current pool and trying to acquire funding for a new building, and possible avenues and barriers to applying for funding.  The meeting was overall a positive one and the Friends of Bingley Pool have recruited some new trustees, so will take forward some new ideas and actions into 2024.  

Budget setting for 2024-25

The Town Council are currently in the process of preparing the budget for the 2024-2025 financial year, which will need to be agreed at the first Full Council meeting of the new year (Tuesday 9^th January 2024).

It has already been agreed that the Town Council will continue to provide provision for the Play in the Park events, summer bandstand concerts and Christmas trees and lights, which have all proved very popular.

It would be good to hear residents’ views on any other projects that you may like to see prioritised in the next financial year – please contact the Town Council on the details below if you have any ideas that you would like to be considered.

Remembrance Day 2023

Many thanks to the Group for their hard work and commitment every year to remember and honour the men and women who have given their lives in conflicts.

Lest We Forget.

Litter pick prior to Remembrance Day service

The Town Council’s next litter pick will be taking place prior to the above Remembrance Day event, meeting outside the Arts Centre at 8am on Sunday 12^th November, to ensure the parade path is litter free.

Many thanks as ever to all litter pick champions for their continued efforts in the parish.

Providing plants and bulbs again to the community

We have just received all winter plants and bulbs, which the Town Council purchase annually to distribute to various community groups across the parish.

We will also be ordering the plants very shortly for spring/summer, to continue to help make Bingley a bright and attractive town.

‘Loo of the Year Awards’ Platinum Plus assessment for Hub toilets

This year the Town Council entered the public toilets at our office building (The Hub, Myrtle Place, Bingley) into the national ‘Loo of the Year Awards’ – and are delighted to announce that the toilets received the highest grade possible, ‘Platinum Plus’!

The Report received on the condition of these toilets included the following statements:

‘So pleased that these facilities have been entered for the Loo of the Year Awards. They are of a very high standard for public toilets and are a credit to the Council and their cleaning team’.

‘It is clear that a great deal of pride is taken in these facilities’.

‘A great deal of thought has been taken in designing the Changing Places room’.

We are very proud of this great news!

Bingley Library

Please be aware that from the 4th December, Bingley Library’s opening hours will change to the following times:

Bingley Town Council Events and Meetings

November 2023

12th – Community Litter Pick @ Bingley Arts Centre from 8am – 10am

12th – Remembrance Day Parade @ Bingley Market Square from 10:40am

14th – Planning Committee Meeting @ The Hub from 6:30pm

29th – Events, Marketing and Communications Committee Meeting @ The Hub from 6:30pm

Your Autumn Photos

We have been enjoying the beautiful colours in and around Bingley. Here are some of our favourite photos from October.