Rural Areas
Hello
My name is Laurent Martial and I am the Community Development Officer for Rural Areas. I am based at South Bedfordshire District Council offices and can be contacted on 0845 849 6326 or laurent.martial@southbeds.gov.uk.
The postal address is
The District Offices
High Street North
Dunstable
LU6 1LF
I work closely with community groups and residents in South Bedfordshire rural areas, supporting them to organise activities, helping them obtain funding and working with them to address local issues.
For the next 18 months, my focus will be on community safety issues in rural areas but I can also provide assistance on Rural Grants and Rural Transport issues, and support Rural Residents Associations.
For more information on these issues, please click on the following links:
In response to issues raised at local meetings or by local associations, I get involved with community projects aimed at improving the lives of local residents and in particular all aspects relating to community safety: anti social behaviour, traffic issues, youth activities…
My involvement with community groups includes assisting with identifying solutions and sources for funding, applying for funding, project management, support and advice. At present, problem solving groups have been formed in Toddington and Caddington to address anti social behaviour issues.
These groups bring together the Parish Councils, the residents and all the agencies involved in addressing these issues (Police, South Bedfordshire District Council, Bedfordshire Youth Services and Youth Offending team).
Funding is available through the grant scheme and community groups and organisations can apply under the following criteria:
- Village Hall grants Scheme (up to £5,000)
- Flagship Fund (up to £2,000) incorporating help to create Parish Plans (£500).
For more information and application packs, please contact Joan Allen on 0845 849 6323 or joan.allen@southbeds.gov.uk
Youth Bus
The Youth Bus is a demand responsive youth transport service for young people living in the rural areas of South Beds and Leighton Buzzard. The service is a partnership initiative with Bedfordshire Rural Transport Partnership. Using local transport providers the service simply runs on a ‘call and book your trip’ basis. Fares are low, e.g. Hockliffe to Milton Keynes Xscape £2.50 return. The mini bus/coach will collect your group from your desired pick up point, take you to the destination of your choice (within reason) and return your group to the pick up point at the agreed time.
To join the scheme, contact Stephen Sleight at BRCC on 01234 838771 ext 115. You can then book the Youth Bus through Rachel Hughes at Leighton Linslade Town Council, telephone 01525 373838.
Rural Transport Brokerage
The Brokerage provides opportunities for groups with vehicles to offer them for use by organisations with no transport. For more information visit the following website: www.bedsrcc.org.uk/ and follow the link to community transport.
Residents Associations hold meetings inviting residents to actively participate in discussion and consultations. Local issues are raised and guests are invited to share information, carry out presentations, give updates and answer queries raised. The meetings are used to lobby local service providers to improve the quality of life for local residents.
There are currently 2 residents associations in the district:
Hockliffe Residents Association
Toddington Residents Association
Some issues these two associations are addressing at the moment are: anti social behaviour, traffic calming and youth activities. If you wish to contact these associations, please contact me and I will put you in touch with them.
