Dunstable News Desk

Central Bedfordshire Council is consulting on a new strategy to ensure it has good quality homes for children in its care and further improve on its ‘good’ Ofsted rating for ensuring they have safe and stable homes. The Looked After Children Placements Strategy is also aimed at reducing demand on the care system by providing earlier intervention for children in its care, with locally-based services that work better together to help vulnerable families. Nationally and locally there is a shortage of foster carers in CBC while other residential placements are becoming increasingly expensive. Therefore, the strategy aims to: Provide quality placements that offer safe and stable homes and contribute to children and young people achieving positive outcomes. Directly provide or commission local accommodation to meet the needs of children and young people Ensure value for money by balancing the cost with quality and minimising the need for children to move placements. The

What are you doing this Summer? Dunstable Library is looking for young people aged 13 – 24? to help with the Summer Reading Challenge. The Summer Reading Challenge is a scheme that is designed to inspire children aged 4-11 to keep reading throughout the Summer holidays. Volunteers help run the challenge in libraries by telling children about the challenge, talking to them about the books they have been reading and handing out rewards. Volunteering is not only a great way to contribute to your local community, it can also help you to develop more confidence, learn new skills, increase your employability and can be added to UCAS forms! But don't take our word for it: 89% of volunteers felt their skills had increased. "The skills I've learnt could probably be put towards a job in the future"  Young volunteer from Staffordshire. "People who volunteer are up to 3X as likely to get invited for a job interview as people who didn't and 67% of em

Local environmental charity The Greensand Trust is looking for young people aged 13-18 to take part in its Youth Ranger Scheme coming this autumn to Rushmere Country Park, thanks to generous sponsorship by building and civil engineering company Sir Robert McAlpine. The scheme is a perfect opportunity for young people interested in conservation and the environment to learn new skills, gain valuable work experience and a recognised environmental award while having fun and making a difference to the environment and the local community.  The Youth Ranger Scheme has received a financial boost thanks to sponsorship from Sir Robert McAlpine as part of its Grassroots 150 campaign which donates to worthy causes on the occasion of the company’s 150th anniversary. The Greensand Trust was proposed as a recipient by Lorraine Parker, sustainability administrator at Sir Robert McAlpine, who also volunteers for the Greensand Trust as part of the Visitor Services team at Rushmere Country Park.

St Augustine’s Academy, who are based in Dunstable, has become the first school in Central Bedfordshire to achieve a bronze level Modeshift STARS award, a national scheme that aims to reduce the number of cars used on journeys to school. The scheme, funded by the Department for Transport’s Access Fund, recognises schools who demonstrate excellence in promoting, supporting and increasing sustainable forms of travelling to school, in order to improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people. The Academy were presented with their award on Monday (17 June). To achieve the accreditation, St Augustine’s Academy has been working closely with Bike It Officers from Sustrans, who are funded by Central Bedfordshire Council, to take part in many initiatives which encourage their pupils to walk, cycle and scoot to school. The activities included Dr Bike maintenance sessions, cycle and scooter training, and participating in cycle competitions such as the Big Pedal and the Santa C

At the start of Scams Awareness month, which runs from the 10th-23rd June, Central Bedfordshire Council is warning people to be wary of telephone scams after a vulnerable local resident was conned into handing over large sums of money last year. The resident, who has learning difficulties and lives on her own in Dunstable, had been unable to recognise that financial abuse was taking place until it was too late. One caller on an international number befriended her and managing to convince her that they were a distant relative. This caller made regular, almost daily calls, with promises of a ‘reunion’ holiday together and regularly asked the victim to send money to pay for flight tickets, hotels and visas. The vulnerable victim was receiving 12 scam telephone calls every day on average, and on certain days received over 25 calls. Concerned by the volume of phone calls she was receiving; the victim then enlisted the help of Central Bedfordshire Council’s Trading Standards Tea

Report by Central Bedfordshire Council The owner of a listed building that has become an infamous local eyesore has been ordered to renovate it*. Central Bedfordshire Council told the owner of number 4, High Street South in Dunstable, which is the site of the former PizzaRoma store, that they must repair the building within months. The listed building dates back to the 1600s and is in the Dunstable Conservation Area, but it has become derelict and dilapidated. Councillor Kevin Collins, Executive Member for Planning and Regeneration at Central Bedfordshire Council, said: “Our officers have tried to persuade the owner to carry out the much-needed repairs, but they have failed to do so. The building’s poor condition is affecting it as a historically-important building, as well as impacting on the appearance of the surrounding area. “An enforcement notice has therefore been served. This requires the owner to carry out a list of 19 things to improve the condition of the bui

Concert in the Park  – Saturday 10th August from 5pm Kicking off our Big Summer Weekend of fundraising, come and join us on The Meadow for a relaxed evening of local music talent raising funds for Rushmere Country Park. This is a family-friendly event with food stalls and a beer tent and fun for the kids. We're working hard to bring you the best possible event - once again we'll have a real stage and improved sound system which we're sure will add to your enjoyment of the event. ·         Tickets: Adult £12 ·         Concessions £8 (ages 4-16, over 65s and NUS students card holders) ·         Under 4s go FREE https://www.greensandtrust.org/Event/concert-in-the-park-2019 Summer Fayre and Fun Dog Show  – Sunday 11th August 11am – 4pm Our Big Summer Weekend of fundraising concludes with our annual Summer Fayre and Fun Dog Show. Come and join in the fun and games - free admission with arts, crafts, all manner of stalls, refreshments and a wh

Voting is now open for the People’s Choice prize in this year’s Best Bar None Awards. The Best Bar None awards are designed to help cut alcohol-related crime and disorder in the town by acknowledging and rewarding well-run pubs, bars and clubs. A number of licensed premises across Dunstable and Houghton Regis have passed the first phase of the of this year’s Best Bar None awards. The first phase of judging is based on a venue’s ability to meet strict standards relating to licensing and dealing with potential crime and disorder. As well as the assessors picking their overall winner, residents can nominate their favourite venue too. The following venues are in contention for the awards: Dunstable Creasey Park Community FC Gary Cooper Grove Theatre The Old Sugar Loaf White Lion White Swan Houghton Regis The Kings Arms, Houghton Regis Go Houghton Over 1,000 members of the public took the time to vote for their favourite venue in last year’s competition. To vote

Page moved to LINK

Central Bedfordshire Council has recently undertaken an election to appoint four parent governor representatives on the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Following that process, there is still a vacancy for a parent governor representative of a maintained school. Therefore, letters have been sent to all parent governors of schools maintained by the local authority seeking nominations for the posts. This committee scrutinises performance, considers children’s services policy and offers comments that inform the council's Executive in making decisions. Candidates are required to self-nominate, and parent governors in any school phase (lower, primary, middle, secondary or upper) are eligible. The council’s Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee is one of four overview and scrutiny committees which are responsible for reviewing service delivery and performance, helping to develop council policy and making recommendations to the council’s Exec

A brand new library opend to the public in Dunstable on Monday 3 June. It will be a large, bright and airy open-plan space that will have something for everyone.  There are zoned areas for different activities including space to relax, read or study, a children’s zone and new facilities for teenagers. The library also offers access to computers and iPads with free Wi-Fi. There will be a host of new activities for both children and adults on offer as well as long opening hours. Regular Activities for Children Children's MakerSpace Monday to Friday. 10am to 3pm. Just drop in to create, design and play. (Term time only) Sensory Sessions for under 5's Monday and Thursday. 11am to 12pm. Join us for a fun time with our lovely new sensory equipment. (Term time only) Toddler Tales for under 5’s Tuesday. 10am to 10.30am. Drop in and join us for a story. (Term time only) Mega Blocks and Duplo fun! Wednesday: 10am to 12pm. What will you build? (Term time only) M