BOLNHURST & KEYSOE PARISH COUNCIL
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT MAY 2025
The Parish Council has operated with a full complement of Councillors for most of the year 2024/2025.
Jazz Spencer left the Parish Council during the year and, on behalf of all my colleague Councillors, I express our gratitude for her help and support during her time as a Parish Councillor. We welcomed Christopher Faulkner as a Councillor for the Keysoe Ward in 2024 and look forward to the benefit of his expertise going forward.
Sam Langley resigned from her role as Parish Clerk in November 2024. James Soos joined us as Parish Clerk at the end of January 2025
On behalf of the Parish Council, I would also like to thank our “Parish Handy Person”, Simon Beverley who, with the support of his son George, has done so much to keep the Parish looking in pristine condition.
Parish Council Meetings take place both in Bolnhurst Old School and Keysoe Village Hall – we are indeed fortunate in having two halls in which it is always pleasant to hold meetings.
Parish Councillors have worked diligently in undertaking their duties during the last 12 months.
Sarah Brooks has continued working with the Bedford Borough Council Rights of Way Officer, addressing various issues that have been raised in respect of Footpaths and Bridleways in the Parish. The Rights of Way maintenance by the Borough Council under the seasonal vegetation cut continued to be reviewed in consultation with members of the public, and recommendations put to the Rights of Way Officer as deemed appropriate.
There have been several issues that have affected that Parish during the year which have been addressed with varying degrees of success – crime which, fortunately, is very limited in the Parish and the state of the Road Surfaces being two in particular.
Speeding continues to be of concern to Parishioners, and the second Speed Indicator Device that was purchased in 2021 has been put to good use.
Work was commenced on the replacement of the water main from Ravensden Water Tower, through Bolnhurst and into Keysoe to include Keysoe Row West and Church Road – as far as the Keysoe War Memorial. Unfortunately, these works were stopped in Q4 2024 but are scheduled to recommence in July 2025 and be completed by mid December this year.
The saga of East West Rail(EWR) continues to rumble along with the BFARe group very active in pursuing not only EWR but also government ministers in an attempt to have the current decided route reconsidered.
East Park Energy/Brockwell are looking to develop a 1900-acre Solar Farm which will affect farmland around parts of Keysoe through Pertenhall, Little Staughton, Great Staughton and Hail Weston. A “Stop East Park Energy” group has been formed with a view to persuading the Government that approval should not be given.
I would like to thank my fellow Parish Councillors for their hard work, time, and commitment over the last year and, finally, I express my thanks go our new Parish Clerk for his advice and support since taking on the role last January.
Martin N Gossage
Chairman – Bolnhurst & Keysoe Parish Council