Houghton Regis In Touch

23/03/2026

This Wednesday 25th March..........

Some of the CBC Teams are attending the Don't Let Dunstable Die JOB FAIR this Wednesday - it should be buzzing with lots of job opportunities and volunteering opportunities if you can pop in!
Look forward to seeing you...........

23/03/2026

09/03/2026

Pushing for more money on highways ..........

£4 MILLION ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR HIGHWAYS REPAIRS - AND DON'T WE NEED IT!! "FILL IT ONCE, AND MAKE IT LAST"

Our Group proposed that an additional £4 million be added to the Highways budget for road repairs, resurfacing etc. as there was NO additional Council money being added to the Government funding in the Capital Budget.

Previously we have shared on here how much Central Beds Council receives from Government for highways, and traditionally the Council has added its own contribution. But not this time.

CAN WE AFFORD IT? in a year when we are seeing £17m loss of Government grant across the Council. We requested this £4 million be raised as Capital so it comes out as borrowing, and repayments, through the Revenue Budget, not as a large £4 million amount from Revenue.

Cllr Nigel Young (who is Chairman of the Sustainable Communities Overview & Scrutiny committee) seconded the request made by our colleague Cllr Ian Adams: Serving Flitwick and Steppingley (who is Chairman of the Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny committee).

Cllr Young talks here about the need to investigate different types of materials to provide improved repairs, that would be longer lasting - saving the need to revisit, and make the Council's money more productive in highway repairs. Trials of different materials have now been agreed and thanks were made to the Portfolio Holder.

https://centralbedfordshire.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/1075690/start_time/3202000?force_language_code=en_GB

02/03/2026

HOW DID THE BRIEFING GO AT THE GROVE THEATRE?

02/03/2026

WHERE IS THE DETAIL THAT COUNCILLORS KEEP ASKING FOR?

CBC BUDGET FAILS BY MAJORITY OF COUNCILLORS
At the vote last night, the vote was 34 against passing the budget and 17 in favour with 4 abstaining. For the first time in Central Beds Council the budget was not agreed, many councillors unhappy with areas of uncertainty and obscurity, which were outlined by Cllr Richard Wenham as our Group Leader.

We are faced with a £17m funding gap as a result of the Government's new and very unfair funding formula. But this was not a surprise as the Council knew it was heading our way, although not the specific amount. Councillors challenged the Independent run administration, who could have been preparing and planning for this a year ago. Instead we were presented with a budget that had 'undefined' savings, lack of detail for new savings and charges, unachieved savings and no real plan for the subsequent years in the Financial Plan to tackle more Govt cuts of £28m and £40m.

The Council has to make huge savings and there are lots of lines in the budget that are 'savings' amounting to £20million, but we have no clear idea how these savings are actually going to be achieved.
The Executive recently resorted to bringing in external consultants to offer savings ideas across Council services. This was high level and indicated to be part of a 3-year plan. A number of us are frustrated that this was not done sooner, or is proposed to move at pace, given the urgency!

To compound issues, this administration has used reserves on day to day services, getting through £78million of reserves since taking control in 2023. Clear planning and tighter financial controls could have eased the pain now. The meeting will resume on Thursday next week when there will be another attempt to agree a budget. The Council has to have an agreed budget by a majority of councillors to then agree the Council tax.

Our Dunstable councillors spoke on a number of issues including parking charges, green waste collection, highways and some minor amendments to retain funding for Stroke support and Carers support, pointing out where funds were available to cover these proposed cuts.
MORE UPDATES to follow

02/03/2026

POTHOLES? SURFACE DRESSING?

14/01/2026

Do you want to vote for your next Conservative Parliamentary candidate? Join at www.conservatives.com , JOIN, and use Buzzard2026 in the PROMO BOX

06/12/2025

CBC website updated..........recycling paused/collections suspended
https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/

05/12/2025

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON DRY RECYCLING COLLECTIONS

15/11/2025

Tenant Open Day today and a chance to look inside All Saints View!

An opportunity for tenants to get involved - and take a look inside All Saints View!!

15/11/2025

Reminder that green waste collections end on 1st December for the winter.........

Garden waste collections will pause this winter
From 1 December 2025 to 20 February 2026, garden waste collections in Central Bedfordshire will stop for 12 weeks.
The last collection in your area will be the week starting 17 or 24 November – check your dates here: https://ow.ly/VJJn50Xn1hC
✅ Other waste collections continue as normal.
♻️ You can still recycle garden waste at our Household Waste Recycling Centres.
Please share this with neighbours who might not use social media – let’s keep everyone informed!