Page 22 - Phonebox Magazine February 2007

was possible to purchase a sound reduction system for the exhaust, as some High Street residents felt the tractor was loud while towing the water for the hanging baskets. Tony Evans agreed to look into this.
After discussion it was agreed that a smaller tractor would be purchased and, if a quick look around reconditioned and second hand units proved fruitless, it would be bought new at a cost of around £10,000. Councillors agreed that buying another tractor was sensible and, in order to expedite the process, voted to delegate the buying decision to the appropriate subcommittees.
Milton Keynes Association of Urban Parish Councils
The Council decided not to renew its membership of the Milton Keynes Association of Urban Parish Councils. The vote was four in favour, seven against and one abstention.
New school campus
Paul Watson provided an update on the continuing delays to the completion of the Ousedale Annexe. Paul, Steve Clark and Jeremy Rawlings attended a meeting at Milton Keynes Council (MKC) on 13th December 2006. At the meeting they were told that the planned opening date of the Annexe is immediately after the Easter holidays, although it's hoped that it may open earlier and, either way, the building will need to be completed well before the Easter break. The Easter half term commences on 13th February and the term ends on 30th March.
He explained that there'll be a site meeting on 19th January. The first session of this will be attended by MKC, the Architects and the Contractor, and the second session will also include Olney Councillors. The meeting will agree the definitive handover date and a phased access plan for the installation of
equipment and services. Following this meeting, MKC will write to parents with further information. Work on the traffic calming measures on Aspreys has started and should be completed by early February.
Jeremy Rawlings noted that Debbie Brock had raised a Member's Item at a meeting of MKC, asking questions about the development process, right from the acquisition of the land to the delays in the buildings' completion. Steve Clark, explaining that the motion would ask for an enquiry into the whole process, noted that he will propose an amendment to recognise the positive role played by Olney Town Council. Debbie Brock had indicated that she'd accept this, and both of them will be speaking in favour of the motion.
David Coles, an architect as well as a Councillor, pointed out that the buildings were very prominent around the local area and wondered what landscaping work would be carried out before completion of the project. He noted that a change in construction materials, allowed by MKC agreeing a minor amendment to the planning application, meant it
wasn't the building he'd been expecting.
Section 136
Paul Watson had been informed that the report on this topic should be available by early January.
West Street traffic calming
MKC had proposed some traffic calming measures for West Street due to a
development on land between there and the High Street. This development is entered from West Street and it's proposed that tear- drop paving will be added around the entrance and double yellow lines painted on both sides of West Street from there to Orchard Rise, including a short distance into that road.
Olney Town Council has been asked to provide its views on the proposal, so it was dealt with here. The main point discussed was the effects of the double yellow lines. On the minus side, they would reduce the natural traffic calming that would otherwise occur as a result of cars being parked along that stretch of West Street. However, on the plus side they would prevent cars being parked on and immediately opposite the junctions, which would presumably be a safety benefit.
The next meeting will be held at 7.30pm on Monday 5th February in the Council Chamber in the Olney Centre. Members of the public are always welcome to attend and, if they wish, speak at the start of the meeting.
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Phonebox Magazine 25