Page 16 - Phonebox Magazine February 2007

Councillor Corner
A contribution from Councillor Steve Clark
The Town Dinner
One of the most enjoyable social events around this time of the year in Olney is the Annual Town Council Dinner, which occurred this year on Friday 5th January. The Town Council Dinner normally has a theme and the theme this year was education, in recognition of the superb schools we have in the town. The current facilities will, of course, shortly be augmented by the opening of the new Ousedale Campus in Aspreys, sadly the subject of a number of delays that have caused great frustration for many students and parents in recent months.
Among the many guests present were the Head Teachers and Chairs of Governors of each of the schools. Olney Infant School was represented by Steve Dunning and Jeremy Rawlings, Olney Middle School by Alison Waspe and Helena Newbold, and Ousedale School by Ken Lever and Paul Collins. Also present was David Sands, Head of the new Ousedale annexe. The educational theme was continued with the presence of Cllr. Euan Henderson, MKC Cabinet member for Leisure, Community and Economy.
Town Council Dinner – photograph by Jeremy Rawlings
Town Councillors and the assembled guests were provided with an excellent dinner and were also entertained by a rousing speech from Town Mayor Paul Watson. Paul made specific reference to the presence of Ricky Mason, a name that will be familiar to regular readers of this illustrious missive. Ricky has been presented with the ‘Matthew Knight Trophy’, in recognition of friendship and support for others. A previous winner of this prestigious award, Tamsin Rawlings, was also present at the dinner. A response from the assembled
guests was given by David Sands, who gave a hilarious commentary relating to the rather sorry saga of the new school annexe. I am pleased that David has retained his sense of humour despite all the frustration and inconvenience caused by the delays in the project! All in all, I am sure that everybody present had a memorable evening. I certainly enjoyed the excellent company of the guests on my table although, curiously enough, I was not the one responsible for introducing horses as one of the many topics of conversation!
Where not to grow?
Residents in various villages to the east of the M1 were stunned and amazed by the release of a report from planning consultants Colin Buchanan suggesting that a new community of 12,500 homes should be built in their area. The issue of growth has been a very contentious one in recent years, but there has been a general consensus that the rich agricultural land around Moulsoe and surrounding villages was not appropriate for a massive increase in housing. The Milton Keynes Growth Strategy was the subject of extensive public consultation last year and does not include housing to the east of the motorway. Despite this, two Conservative- controlled councils, Bucks County and Aylesbury Vale, commissioned the consultants to challenge the Milton Keynes Growth Strategy and to specifically look at the feasibility of expansion taking place on the other side of the M1. The consultants proposed a new settlement of up to 12,500 homes in this rural area and also suggested doubling the number of homes within the existing new city. This seems particularly ludicrous when consideration is given to the fact that Bucks County Council was one of the parties to sign up to the original Growth Strategy! The concept of extensive housing to the east of the motorway was also suggested in an equally barking scheme promoted by the unelected Milton Keynes Forum. Needless to say, the Buchanan report will be challenged with great determination by Liberal Democrat-controlled Milton Keynes Council.
The subject of growth has been discussed at length on a regular basis by the MKC External Scrutiny Panel. In recognition of the growing importance of this debate, growth will be the single subject in a themed council meeting to be held at the Civic Offices on Tuesday 13th February 2007. The public are, of course, welcome to attend. The debate promises to be a lively and interesting one, unlike the majority of ‘normal’ meetings of the council.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Cllr Stephen Clark, 32 Dagnall Road, Olney, Bucks MK46 5BJ
Telephone, SMS text or fax: 01234 711743*
Or email: stephen.clark@milton-keynes.gov.uk
*You can now contact me by SMS text message to the number above.
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16 Phonebox Magazine