Page 21 - Phonebox Magazine July 2006

Councillor Debbie Brock reports . . .
Many thanks to those of you who have sent congratulations and warm wishes following the election. The last couple of months have been a steep learning curve with a wide variety of issues.
Olney Campus
Following on from last month’s article the Olney campus remains an important issue for many people. I was given a tour of the construction site at the end of May and spoke to MK Council reps, the site manager and the architects. They assured me then that the project was still on track to open after the Autumn half term. They are also having progress meetings every two weeks, I will continue to keep in touch with this as well.
Last month I reported some parents had asked for a meeting to discuss some of the issues surrounding the delays and the need to use Oakgrove temporary school. This meeting took place at Ousedale School on Thursday the 15th June and I think was well received by the parents who attended.
Aspreys Traffic Calming
As part of the planning process for the Olney Campus it was necessary to devise a traffic calming plan for Aspreys. Despite being known about since April (I was only given details at a meeting in late May) it is only now that people seem to be finding out about the details of it, as the public consultation starts. The plans include a number of speed ‘cushions’ commonly known as speed bumps. I have received numerous e-mails and had a number
of conversations with people on the
subject. Many are concerned about the
scale of the project and also the lack of consultation. At the first full council
meeting of the new council I asked a
question of the new cabinet member
for transport about why, when the need
for the scheme had been known about
for over two years was it only now,
with a few months to go it was being
consulted on? I also sought
reassurances that a proper consultation exercise would take place on the issue with resident’s views being taken into account. I will do everything in my power to make sure that the views of every one concerned are represented to the planners. Please contact me with yours if you have not already done so.
Olney Sorting Office
This month also saw the closure of the Olney and Newport Pagnell mail sorting offices and the opening of a new joint office at Pevers Lane in Newport Pagnell. I have received a number of concerns from residents about the closure and sought assurances from the management of Royal Mail that the service would not suffer. If you experience any problems please contact me and I will follow them up with Royal Mail.
X2 Bus Service
It came to my attention that the X2 bus service from Northampton to Bedford from mid July will cease to call at Olney. This is due to the desire
Mobile Police Station
The Police will be operating a mobile Police station which will be calling in the rural areas over the next few months. I hope this will improve the Police presence in the villages. If you have any issue please go and discuss them with the officers and the volunteers
Anti-social Behaviour
Anti-social behaviour still ranks among one of the largest items in my post bag. I asked in the June article for people to report this to the Police as it was important for the true extent of the problem to be known so the correct resources could be deployed. The matter of anti social behaviour in Olney and the rural areas was raised with John Liversidge the area commander of Milton Keynes by Mark Lancaster MP at a recent meeting. There is no doubt that the Police are very aware that this is an issue and it relies on everybody who witnesses such actions to report it. Already in the last month reports from different people are mentioning the same registration numbers and hopefully this will yield some action from the Police in the near future. The Police non emergency number is 0845 850 5505. Please also keep me in touch with what is happening.
If you feel there is any way I can help you as a local councillor please feel free to get in touch by either e-mail or phone or as many people do just stop me in the street.
Surgeries
I will be holding a surgery together with Cllr Steve Clark in the Olney Centre on the first Friday of every month between 7:00 and 9:00 pm. If there is anything I can help you with I would be glad to see you. d
Mediterranean Restaurant
OLNEY
g Pizzas, Pastas & Grilled Food a Speciality g
g We Accommodate Large Parties g g Reservations Taken g
g Takeaway Service Available g
Phone 01234 714600
4 The Galleries, Market Place, Olney, Bucks MK46 4EA
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 11.30am–2.30pm & 6.00pm–10.00pm
of the provider to make the service faster and more profitable as they claim the service is little used. I have asked the council officers to ensure that another service will be provided by the operator for the people that do use this service. This will however mean a timetable change and the frequency of service will, unfortunately be reduced. The service is the 29.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Cllr Debbie Brock, c/o Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East, CMK MK9 3HG Tel: 07884 397253 Email: debbie.brock@milton-keynes.gov.uk
SMILES ALL ROUND! BUT IS THAT JUST BECAUSE OUR MAYOR STEPPED IN TO KEEP LIB DEM AND CONSERVATIVE COUNCILLORS APART?!
The formal opening of the new Postal Delivery Office at Newport Pagnell was undertaken by our local MP Mark Lancaster at 8.00am on Monday
12th June. Also at the opening and pictured from the left were Olney Ward Cllr Steve Clark, Olney Town Mayor Cllr Paul Watson, Olney Ward Cllr Debbie Brock and the Delivery Sector Manager for this area Harry Murphy. Any issues concerning the new delivery
arrangements should be directed to the local Royal Mail Enquiries Office on 01908 451301.
Phonebox Magazine 21