Update - From Cllr Jodie Chiller y

New Execu tive on CBC:

Leader: Adam Zerny Depu ty and Children's Ser vices: Hayley Whitaker, Finance: John Baker, Highways/Waste: Simon Ford, Communities/Health: Rebecca Hares, Adult social care: Mark Smith Planning: Mar y Walsh

The f irst FULL Central Bedfordshire Council Meeting since the election took place on the 27th May where an Independent administration was elected to run Central Bedfordshire Council Some o f you asked during my election campaign if I would be joining the “Independent Group or Network”. I thought long and hard abou t this and researched the options carefully

It became clear to me pretty quickly that joining the group would pro vide suppor t, advice and an oppor tunity to learn abou t the workings o f local go vernment f rom those who have experienced it themselves and experience the journey with newly elected members just like me The Independent Group is NOT a par ty, there is no whip and I am f ree to vo te on matters in the best interests o f you, the residents The group is a diverse mix o f individuals with var ying political views, life experiences and pro fessional backgrounds. Cllr Nick Andrews (Labour) also represents Arlesey & Fair f ield ward, we have met several times and plan to work together in the best interests o f the residents, we are bo th new so please be patient with us while we learn the ropes!

In the election, Independents won the highest number o f councillors (27), with the Conser vative group reduced f rom 43 councillors to 20, Lib Dems winning 10, Labour 5 and Greens 1 Councillors o f all groups were invited to propose members to f ill the key positions on the council

The new Independent administration plans to do things differently;

- We won’t be taking the full Special Responsibility Allo wances claimed by our predecessors. We will take a third less, which will save the Council in excess o f £110,000 per year.

- We will begin to work to mo ve to more flexible meetings so that more members o f the public can attend.

- We have commenced an immediate constitu tional reform o f the way the council works, in order to make council meetings and procedures more accessible for the public

- We will begin a forensic review o f the council's f inances.

- The council committee chairman and vice chairman will no longer all be f rom the same group. For the f irst time ever on CBC these have been shared ou t propor tionately between the different groups

Business/Assets: Steve Watkins, Sustainability/Climate: Tracey Wye, Chairman: Gareth Mackey, V ice -chairman: Sue Bell

ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR:

In response repor ts o f anti social behaviour in Arlesey (some incidents o f intimidating behaviour, drug related issues and street nuisance) o ver the last few weeks, the CBC Community Safety Team have visited Arlesey rec and Arlesey You th Club o ver several evenings to engage with the young people, (and o thers) This team are a fantastic resource who CAN RESPOND to repor ts o f antisocial behaviour To f ind ou t more abou t this team or repor t any concerns to them please see here https://www centralbedfordshire go v uk/ /community safety its well wor th familiarising yourself with ho w they can help.

YOU TH PROGR AMME:

Nicola King f rom the Grand Union You th Involvement project, who also works with the Community Safety Team gave a summar y o f the You th Involvement Project in Arlesey & Fair f ield at the Arlesey To wn Meeting This included work around education on anti social behaviour and engaging with young people on the street This summer, the project has a focus on working with Arlesey, Fair f ield & Sto tfold with a summer programme that will host a wide variety o f activities for ages 8-17 o ver the six weeks It will o ffer a mix o f ou tdoor activities, cooking, ar ts, shor t mat bo wling (this is f irst!) f itness and much more

LETCHWORTH RECYCLING CENTRE Good news, Cllr Nick Andrews has liaised with Nor th Her ts representatives to establish that the Recycling Centre in Letchwor th, can be used by residents o f Arlesey & Fair f ield - as long as you pro vide ID that you live in Central Beds / Arlesey or Fair f ield.

RELIEF ROAD: jodie chiller y@centralbedfordshire go v uk

CBC and SISK held a ver y well attended and lively public drop in session to discuss the current phase o f construction o f the new road linking the A507 to the High Street. I am hoping a follo w up event will be held for those who were unable to attend this one, I'll keep you posted CBC are also planning to publish a Q&A page based on the many questions residents posed at the meeting Please contact me direct for the link to that and I will for ward and disseminate when it becomes available.