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.

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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.

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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.

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COVID-19 - Town Council Updates
Annual Town Meeting and Chatter Tables Postponed

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VE Day Commemoration

Make a note of this date in your diaries – Saturday 9^th May 2020

On Saturday 9^th May 2020, Buntingford will be commemorating the 75^th Anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe VE DAY 75.

The event will take place on the playing fields at the Seth Ward Community Centre starting at 2.00pm and ending at 10.30pm.

It will be an outdoor event with live bands, children's free funfair, beer tent, food outlets and much, much more. All residents of Buntingford are invited - you can even bring your own picnic. Entry is free for all Buntingford residents so come and be part of the BUNTINGFORD COMMUNITY.

You are invited to share this post with any other Buntingford based Social media community groups that you may be members of.

More information coming soon.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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