Buntingford Town Council

Buntingford Town Council provides your local services. We strive to make Buntingford a better place to live, work and visit. Our website includes a wealth of information about how we conduct business and what we do. Use the search or browse the site to find whatever you are looking for. If you can't find the information you require then please contact us.

---

Official statement from Buntingford Town Council

Buntingford Playground Facilities

We have received many enquiries as to the present situation regarding the opening of the Children's Playgrounds located at Seth Ward Community Centre, Norfolk Road Playing Fields and Hare Street Road Playing Fields, the Outdoor Gym Equipment located at Norfolk Road Playing Fields, the Skate Ramps at Norfolk Road Playing Fields and the Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) at Norfolk Road Playing Fields.

Regrettably all of these facilities remain CLOSED until such time as the Town Council has carried out Risk Assessments (RA's) for ALL locations and put in place the necessary measures to, as far as possible, minimise the risk of users contracting COVID 19 from any of the items of equipment. It should be borne in mind that the virus can remain on Hard Surfaces for up to 72 hrs.

We are working through these RA's now and will be producing appropriate signage at each location, until these official Signs are displayed at each location the sites remain CLOSED. Our aim is to get these sites open as soon as possible. We will advise Social Media sites as soon as we have a confirmed date. We would invite you to share this post with any other Buntingford based Social Media site you are a member of.

We have again repaired the metal fencing at the Multi-Use Games Area but have been made aware that some groups of teenagers have gained access by climbing the 4 metre high steel fencing to play football. Could you please remind your children that this is extremely dangerous and could cause serious injury if they fall. We would like to take this opportunity to remind all residents that the MUGA is owned by Buntingford Town Council but managed on our behalf by Everyone Active who also manage Ward Freman Pool, which is also CLOSED. We will be discussing with them when they may reasonably be able to restart taking bookings for the MUGA.

Please be patient during these extraordinary times, our main objective as a Town Council is to do as much as is possible to minimise the risk of ANY resident contracting COVID 19, but ultimately we are relying on everyone using their common sense and not putting themselves or others at risk.

STAY ALERT – CONTROL THE VIRUS - SAVE LIVES

High Street

The Government is instructing local authorities to put in place safe social distancing (SD) measures to protect residents, in preparation for when our High Streets will be fully open. Hertfordshire Highways are therefore looking to provide enough space on pavements to enable social distancing. Measures have already been put in place in many towns without any prior consultation. For example, in Royston High Street the parking spaces have been closed with barriers. However, they are listening to representations afterwards, for example in Royston to gain an extra disabled space.

These are temporary emergency measures to aid the easing of restrictions.
The Town Council, Civic Society, County Councillor and the Chamber of Commerce agreed that it would be good to get in first and put forward to Herts Highways something that might be acceptable locally, particularly for residents. A group went round the town to consider potential solutions for Buntingford. However, ultimately, the final decision rests solely with Herts Highways.

At the end they discussed their views and Jeff Jones agreed to put this in a draft email so that those in the group could comment. That is what has been circulated. There are no formal, proposals, just an attempt by the group to try to find possible solutions to enable the inevitable social distancing measures.

Any individual thoughts on social distancing measures should be directed to Herts Highways as they are unilaterally responsible for any measures that are put in place to protect shoppers and ensure shops can re-open safely in a town with narrow pavements.

---

Job Opportunity - Adult Care Services at Hertfordshire County Council

If you or someone you know has a caring personality and is searching for a rewarding job, then working in care for Hertfordshire County Council could be just the role for you. There are opportunities at various locations across the county, including in Buntingford and Hatfield. For more details and to apply, visit: https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/carejobs

---

COVID-19 - Town Council Updates
Click to view the Local Business Directory

---

Official Buntingford Town Guide

The Town Guide features information & history about the town, numbers for local clubs, societies & businesses, and useful contacts for those living in and around the area.

You can pick up spare copies at the Manor House.

You can also view the new Town Guide electronically by clicking here or by clicking the front cover.

---

---

---

Message From Councillor Graham Waite - Mayor of Buntingford

I would just like to share with you some of my thoughts on the situation we find ourselves in at present, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

These are unprecedented times we are experiencing at present, and according to all of the reports it is likely to get worse before it gets better. Whilst to some, the new rules issued by the government regarding "social distancing", "stay at home" and "only leave your house if it is absolutely necessary", may appear to be an inconvenience, I cannot reinforce enough how important they are to ensure we minimise the loss of life due to this COVID–19 virus.

I call on you all, residents of Buntingford, to take all precautions to avoid spreading this virus, and the only safe way to do this is to reduce as close to zero, the amount of close contact you have with other residents who are not direct members of your family group, ie living in the same home. This means that you may not be able to come into close contact with your relatives living in the town, but you must continue to support them through this unsettling period, even if it is by giving them a daily call to make sure they are OK, not only physically but mentally as well.

I will not repeat what has been reiterated constantly in the media but just ask everyone to take heed of the advice from the government.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to all of you that have responded to the call of the "Here To Help" group who are doing a great job in helping those amongst us who are less able, elderly, vulnerable or self-isolating, you are truly community minded and deserve respect and thanks from all of us. This also applies to those of you that are doing selfless things for neighbours, friends and possibly people you have never spoken to before, don't let that die when this is over, this is how great communities are built and maintained. We should also thank our terrific shopkeepers who have stayed open and tried to keep us supplied with the essentials, an extremely difficult job at this time, please show patience with staff as they are only trying to keep them and you safe. Those shops and local businesses that have had to close, we hope that when this crisis is at an end you are able to start trading again, giving the town and surrounding areas the great service that you have done until now.

On Thursday night at 8.00pm it was very emotional listening from my front door to the clapping, cheering and hooting to thank our NHS, you should all share in that show of solidarity.

The actions by the people of Buntingford that we at the council hear about, really do reinforce what I have always thought of this town, "A SMALL TOWN WITH A BIG HEART"

Rest assured we will come through this period of uncertainty and we will be sharing experiences for years to come let's try to make them positive ones, although it may seem difficult at present.

Keep safe, keep healthy and keep your chin up, be proud of where you live and remember, WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.

Cllr Graham Waite – Mayor of Buntingford.

---

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Community Help

Buntingford Town Council are aware that many residents of the town are concerned about the present situation regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the affect it is having on daily life.

We would encourage all members of the public to follow Government guidelines and take all sensible precautions to avoid contracting the virus. These guidelines can be found on Hertfordshire County Council website here.

We are aware that there are some residents of the town who are elderly and vulnerable especially those with underlying health problems and we would encourage those residents to take extra care.

There are some residents of the town who have offered to help those in need and working with them we have formed the "Buntingford and surrounding villages community support against Coronavirus" group.

If you are in a position to help those who are self-isolating, elderly or vulnerable, or you are in need of help yourself, we would ask that you contact us using either of the methods below leaving your name and contact details (telephone number, address and email). For safeguarding purposes, we are only able to register volunteers who are listed on the Electoral Role OR who are police / security checked.

If you are aware of someone who you regard as in need of help, but are unable to give assistance yourself then please contact the Council on 01763 877 545 or by email to heretohelp.buntingford@gmail.com and we will try to match help with requirement.

Please visit the Community Group "here to help" facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/208682160199053/

---

Waste and Recycling Collection Dates Feb 2020 - Jan 2021

Make sure you know your bin collection dates for 2020!

East Herts Council has an alternate refuse and recycling collection service. This means your black wheeled bin is collected fortnightly on your waste week with your blue and brown bin being emptied on the alternate week. Visit East Herts for more information.

Click here to see a guide of what you can and can't put in each different bin.

For any further information or queries regarding waste and recycling collection please contact East Herts District Council on 01279 655 261.

---

CCTV Update

It has been a long process, but the Town Council are happy to finally announce that planning and listed building consent has been granted for the CCTV system in the High Street. We have begun the electrical works, and aim to have the CCTV fully installed by the end of March 2020.

If you have any questions please contact us on 01276 272 222.

---

Chatter Tables

If you would like some company when you go for a tea or coffee, come along to the Manor House every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month between 10:00 - 11:30. Spend some time with others whilst enjoying a hot drink and a cake.

The first few sessions have seen a good number of people turn up, but we would like to see even more of you come along.

Free tea and coffee provided for Chatter Table participants.

For more information contact 01992 531 613.

---

Finn's Freedom of the Town

On Friday 28^th June 2019, at the Buntingford Civic Reception, the Town Council was honoured to present the freedom of the town to retired police dog, and local celebrity Finn. The award was presented by the Town Mayor, Graham Waite.

You may have seen Finn and Dave on Britain's Got Talent, but for those of you who are unaware of his story, Finn was seriously injured whilst pursuing a suspect with his handler PC Dave Wardell in 2016. He suffered stab wounds to the chest and head. Under the current law, the attacker was only charged with criminal damage. This lead to a long campaign spearheaded by PC Dave Wardell, and because of all his hard work a new law recently passed, "Finn's Law" which gives service animals more protection. For more information please visit. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/finns-law-delivered-to-protect-brave-service-animals

---

Power Cut During Stormy Weather?

As part of their preparation plans, UK Power Networks has organised for additional staff in their contact centre to help customers whose electricity supply might be affected by the predicted weather, and they have called up additional engineers to carry out repairs to overhead lines and poles as soon as the wind reduces to a speed at which it is safe to work.

Anyone experiencing a power cut should:

• Call 105 to report power cuts and damage to the electricity network, or 0800 3163 105 (from a corded phone or mobile phone if you have no power)
• Visit www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk for the latest updates
• Visit www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/powercut and type in their postcode to view our live power cut map
• Tweet @ukpowernetworks to report a power cuts or to receive updates

They advise people to stay clear of power lines and report damaged power lines immediately by calling 105 free from either a landline or a mobile phone. If you see electricity lines that are down or causing significant risk to the public you should call 999.

They provide extra help to customers on their Priority Service Register during a power cut. Households with older or disabled people, those with children under five, or where someone uses medical or mobility equipment that requires electricity as well as other reasons can join the register. You can find out more information about their Priority Service by following this link: ukpowernetworks.co.uk/priority.

---