Latest news with #LutonBoroughCouncil
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Council opens housing scheme to cut homelessness
A council has launched a scheme to help people at risk of homelessness find private accommodation. Luton Borough Council's government-financed fund your own home initiative was designed to cut council house waiting lists in the town, which can be up to 10 years. The Labour-run authority said demand for housing assistance had reached "unprecedented levels", with the number of families seeking support rising from an average of 200 per month to 450. Rob Roche, the council's portfolio holder for housing, said: "This is about families and giving them a decent home and if they have children, giving them a secure place to live." In Luton, more than 12,000 people are currently on the council's housing register, so the authority hoped this scheme will help some of them explore the private rental sector as a more immediate housing solution. Roche said in the past people had "come to us with eviction dates" and they then had "to be put into temporary accommodation". He added he hoped the scheme would help "get in there first before that happened". A woman from Luton, who wished to remain anonymous, was one of the first to benefit from the scheme after being placed at first into temporary accommodation with her three children. Her housing officer urged her to explore renting privately with council assistance instead and she now lives in a home close to her extended family. She said she "needed to change for her kids and needed more structure and routine" and her "mental health was a lot better" in their new home. Her children have "settled in really well and are pursuing their hobbies like cycling around friends and family" and they were able to recently celebrate Eid together, she added. The council worked on the scheme with the Mary Seacole Housing Association. It creates personal plans for applicants, which look at their household size, potential disabilities, support needs and financial situation. Matthew Bushnell, chief executive of Mary Seacole Housing Association, told the BBC that "homelessness can feel overwhelming" and that it was "quite easy to bury your head in the sand" if you were at risk of it happening to you. He hoped this scheme would help "alleviate that stress and anxiety very early on". He added that "if you are able to go through the private rental route" you are likely "to secure housing via a much faster process". Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Town plans more than 400 new homes a year Council told to pay mum £1,200 over housing error Luton Borough Council: Housing Find Your Own Home Mary Seacole Housing Association
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
New scheme in Luton launched to cut council house waiting lists
A council has launched a scheme to help people at risk of homelessness find private Borough Council's government-financed fund your own home initiative was designed to cut council house waiting lists in the town, which can be up to 10 Labour-run authority said demand for housing assistance had reached "unprecedented levels", with the number of families seeking support rising from an average of 200 per month to 450. Rob Roche, the council's portfolio holder for housing, said: "This is about families and giving them a decent home and if they have children, giving them a secure place to live." In Luton, more than 12,000 people are currently on the council's housing register, so the authority hoped this scheme will help some of them explore the private rental sector as a more immediate housing said in the past people had "come to us with eviction dates" and they then had "to be put into temporary accommodation".He added he hoped the scheme would help "get in there first before that happened".A woman from Luton, who wished to remain anonymous, was one of the first to benefit from the scheme after being placed at first into temporary accommodation with her three housing officer urged her to explore renting privately with council assistance instead and she now lives in a home close to her extended family. She said she "needed to change for her kids and needed more structure and routine" and her "mental health was a lot better" in their new home. Her children have "settled in really well and are pursuing their hobbies like cycling around friends and family" and they were able to recently celebrate Eid together, she added. The council worked on the scheme with the Mary Seacole Housing Association. It creates personal plans for applicants, which look at their household size, potential disabilities, support needs and financial situation. Matthew Bushnell, chief executive of Mary Seacole Housing Association, told the BBC that "homelessness can feel overwhelming" and that it was "quite easy to bury your head in the sand" if you were at risk of it happening to hoped this scheme would help "alleviate that stress and anxiety very early on".He added that "if you are able to go through the private rental route" you are likely "to secure housing via a much faster process". Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
What can I expect at Luton's two Eid festivals?
Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend two community Eid al-Adha festival and prayer events in Luton. The special celebrations for Muslims will take place at Stockwood Park on Friday and Saturday and Wardown Park from Friday to Sunday. Due to the growth in their popularity, Luton Borough Council said it was putting traffic control measures in place. Here is a guide to the colourful, family-friendly events. What are the timings? There are two events: the Inspire Eid event at Stockwood Park takes place from 13:00-21:00 BST on Friday and Saturday. The 1Eid event at Wardown Park will start with Eid prayers for men and women at the cricket pitch at 10:00 on will then continue on Friday from 12:00-21:30 with fireworks on Popes Meadow. On Saturday and Sunday events start at 13:00 and continues until 21:30. Which roads are impacted? Javed Hussain, a Labour councillor and the deputy leader of Luton Borough Council, said: "Whilst it's great that communities are coming together to celebrate on such a special occasion, the increasing popularity of these events are putting increasing strain on local infrastructure and the road network."We understand the frustrations of residents which is why we are stepping in to put in place measures to mitigate disruptions and ensure safety for those living near to the events and those attending. "For those not attending we strongly advise they avoid the areas of the two festivals during the weekend."For Stockwood Park there will be no waiting or loading restrictions in place during parts of the day and evenings for Friday and Saturday and signed diversions will be in place. The roads impacted are: Farley Hill RoadLondon RoadCutenhoe RoadWhipperley WayNewlands RoadThere will also be a closure in place on Whitehill Avenue, except for residents. For Wardown Park, the same applies, from Friday to Sunday with restrictions on the follow roads: Old Bedford RoadNew Bedford RoadSections of connecting roads - Cromwell Hill, Stockingstone Road and Montrose Avenue What can you expect at the event? Inspire FM, which is behind the Stockwood Park event, said there will be a free outdoor cinema running throughout the day inside the Discovery Centre, offering family friendly films. As tens of thousands attended last year's event, it was expecting the same number this year. There will also be rides, foods from around the world, a "bustling bazaar, and fun games and activities for the whole family". The organisation has partnered with Luton Foodbank, to provide free ride tokens to families who need them, it added. For the event at Wardown Park there will be funfair rides, an urban beach, donkey rides, circus performers with fire juggles, a bazaar and fireworks. Where should you park? At the Stockwood Park event parking is free at the top of the park near Farley Farm Road. The usual entrance to Stockwood Park will be exit only, and there will be no access via London Road, organisers said. At Wardown Park, pre-booked payable VIP parking is available at Popes Meadow. Organisers said there was "absolutely no parking on roads or pavements". The council said anyone attending "should consider using public transport or car share". "Event-goers must park considerately and safely, or they will receive a fine or have their car removed," it added. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Artist wants mural on old cinema in Luton to convey 'hope'
A mural artist who has repainted the Art Deco facade of an old cinema said her work aimed to convey a sense of hope, colour, and local culture. Sarah Hodgkins spent 16 days transforming the exterior of the disused ABC on George Street, held on online survey to ask people what they wanted to see at the cinema, which closed in 2000. "There were strong feelings of going back to the good old days. This is where people had their first dates and met friends. They wanted a sense of hope, that something was going to happen with the building at some point," she said. The lively mural features a Vauxhall car, an aeroplane, and a plethora of characters wearing hats - all of which relate to Luton's Hodgkins added: "I appreciate the timing isn't great, with the recent closure of the Vauxhall factory, but such a lot of people in the town have a connection to it. "The plane is a nod to Luton Airport, but keeps within the important Art Deco theme. "Art Deco celebrates all the things that were new and exciting, as air travel would have been in the cinema's heyday." Another prominent feature of the mural is a painted billboard advertising Myles Smith and his single Stargazing. The singer/songwriter's name came up repeatedly when Sarah was seeking inspiration from her public survey. She said: "He embodies a symbol of hope. He was born and bred in Luton, and look what he's achieved internationally." The designs were reviewed by an independent panel made up of representatives from Luton Borough Council, Luton Arts and Culture Strategy Group, and Luton Heritage Forum. It was funded through UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) in collaboration with the council and the Step Forward Luton Taylor, a Labour member of Luton Borough Council with a responsibility for regeneration, said: "Sarah's vibrant mural has wonderfully transformed the cinema's frontage, giving the building a much-needed refresh while it awaits longer-term development."This is just one of many positive developments planned for the town centre that will help to ensure that investors and businesses see it as an area where people will enjoy living, visiting and working." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
29-01-2025
- Business
- BBC News
'Bold leader' Robin Porter steps down from Luton Borough Council
A council chief executive has announced he is to step down after six years in the role, citing personal Porter was officially appointed to the role at Luton Borough Council in May 2019."I make this announcement with the deepest regret, but also with absolute confidence that it's the right decision for my family, for me and for the council," he said."For some time I've been dealing with a difficult situation in my private life because of the serious and ongoing illness of my wife." Mr Porter, who will leave in three months' time, continued: "I now find myself in a position where I must either compromise on the care and attention I can provide to my wife and son, or on how effectively I perform my role for the council. "Clearly neither of these options is tenable. With the scale of agenda that's in place and the level of ambition we hold, I don't believe it would be right to have a chief executive who can't commit 100% to achieving it."He said it had been "the honour of my life to serve this brilliant organisation and our amazing town".Hazel Simmons, Labour leader of the council, said it had been "a pleasure" to work alongside Mr Porter."His bold leadership, particularly around the Luton 2040 vision, has helped position Luton as a trailblazer in driving inclusive growth and tackling inequalities," she said."I will be eternally grateful for his work in steering the organisation through a global pandemic, a cost-of-living crisis, and sustained financial pressures on our services. "His legacy will leave the organisation much better equipped to face these types of challenges in the future." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
