Have a Voice - things Local and National

There has been a super response to the Civic Society Children's Art Competition. We will have the results for presentation at our AGM, so member or not your are welcome (7.30 p.m., 20 April, Benson Hall).

The Civic Society has had a good year with numerous projects well under way. On one side of the scale is our growing website with links to Civic Voice, the national organisation, and on the other side a good 'clean-up' of the Rib campaign, and support for young people at Freman College and Buntingford Youth Club.

Again with the greater good of the Town in mind we are likely to sponsor the Copper Beech tree and London Plane tree for the Market Hill area.

'Civic Voice' is celebrating its first anniversary and it is evident that 'Civic Voice' has a voice at the highest level. We will renew membership without increasing members' subscription this year. It is the Buntingford Journal that generates advertising revenue, which allows us to do things and keep the cover price well below printing costs.

Your probably saw the 3 March Mercury front page 'new digester site proposed'. DLP consultants working for Taylor Wimpey and local landowners have in mind 150 houses plus the disgester site between Hare Street and the Causeway. This speculative proposal is one of several challenging the Town and must not be dealt with in isolation. Localism and decentralisation (see www.communities.gov.uk/corporate/whatsnew ) gives a stronger voice to communities, so ensure that your voice is heard.

Buntingford Civic Society hold to the vision we presented to EHC during the recent consultation period. The Local Development Framework is being prepared and papers can be viewed on EHC website ( www.eastherts.gov.uk/ldfpanel ) a week before LDF meetings at Wallfields on 7 July, 9 August and 28 September. Meetings start at 7 p.m. and although open to the public are not public meetings.

Derek K Cooper, Chairman.

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