As part of the government’s initiative to help households with rising energy costs, they have announced a £150 Council Tax rebate for most households living in Council Tax bands A to D, as their main home.

People who are paying their Council Tax by direct debit will receive this payment automatically in April 2022. You can register to pay by direct debit via the Council’s website.

Those who are not paying by direct debit will need to complete an online form to give the Council their bank details and enable this payment to be made. Please email 150energy@bedford.gov.uk to be alerted when this form is available on the Council’s website.

We are really keen to get this funding out to people as quickly as possible. Paying Council Tax by direct debit is the simplest and most convenient way to pay, and means we can make this payment to you automatically. Visit our website and sign up by 1 April 2022.

‘Homes for Ukraine’

The Government has launched a webpage for sponsors to record their interest, ahead of Phase One of the scheme opening for applications this Friday. The ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme will allow individuals, charities, community groups and businesses in the UK to bring Ukrainians to safety – including those with no family ties to the UK. Phase One of the scheme will allow sponsors in the UK to nominate a named Ukrainian or a named Ukrainian family to stay with them in their home or in a separate property. You can find out more and record your interest on the ‘Homes for Ukraine’ webpage.

King’s Oak Primary School rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted

Following a two day inspection in January 2022, King’s Oak Primary School in Kingsbrook, Bedford, was upgraded from ‘Requires Improvement’, in 2018, to ’Good’.

The primary school received a ‘Good’ rating in all five areas of the latest inspection, including the quality of education, contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children and the effectiveness of leadership and management.

Inspectors said, “Pupils at King’s Oak are offered exciting learning experiences that are preparing them well for the future” and that “Pupils are supported to become responsible and active citizens of their community”. Inspectors noted that pupils had access to a vibrant environment and there were many opportunities for pupils to develop their individual talents.

The report also stated, “Pupils are nurtured and well cared for” and “Early years is a happy and safe environment where learning encourages independence”.

Rob Morley-Smith, Headteacher at King’s Oak Primary School said, “I am delighted with the findings of this report and am incredibly grateful to all the pupils, staff and governors for their continued hard work and support. The inspection team recognised the impact of these efforts, particularly on personal development and the exciting learning experiences that are on offer.”

COVID-19 Hasn’t Gone Away

Local health leaders, Anne Murray, Chief Nurse and Dr Sarah Whiteman, a GP from Milton Keynes and Clinical Chair of the Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Clinical Commissioning Group, have joined together to urge local residents to get vaccinated and protect themselves from COVID-19, after 157 people were admitted to local hospitals with the virus in just 24 hours.

Nationally, COVID cases have started to rise, and this has led to an increase of 12% in the number of people being admitted to hospital. The East of England and South East are reporting the highest increases in the country.

There are measures we can all take to help slow the spread of COVID-10:

• Get vaccinated- visit the BLMK CCG website for information on drop-in sessions locally
• Let fresh air in if meeting indoors, or meet outside
• Wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces
• Stay at home and book a test if you have COVID-19 symptoms
• Remember to wash your hands and ‘Catch it, Bin it, Kill it’

You can see the latest COVID-19 snapshot on our website. 

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