Page 62 - Phonebox Magazine June 2007

Report of Olney Annual Town Meeting
Friday 11th May 2007
There were thirteen members of Olney Town Council present, together with Milton Keynes Councillor Debbie Brock, Town Clerk Pat Slaney and her deputy, Sandra Grummet.
Police Report
Inspector Sue Usher introduced herself, explaining that she is responsible for the MK Rural Sector. Her staff consists of two Sergeants, eleven Police Constables and four Police Community Support Officers, she said. Overall, there has been a slight increase in reported crime in the last year although some individual categories have shown a decline. Violence against the person has increased but Inspector Usher explained that domestic violence accounted for around one third of such incidents. It has been proved that many of the burglaries are committed by gangs coming from outside the area to target a particular town and then move on. Antisocial behaviour by a small minority of youngsters continues to be a problem, she said. Mobile CCTV and covert hidden cameras are being employed in areas known to suffer from problems. Also, one particular outlet was known to be selling alcohol to underage customers and trading standards had successfully prosecuted them during the year. Tony Evans said that a concerned resident had approached a group of youngsters aged between thirteen and fifteen carrying alcohol and asked them where they had obtained it. The answer suggested that the problem had not been eradicated. Inspector Usher said the police would continue to monitor the situation, sending in ‘under-cover’ youngsters if necessary.
A member of the public asked if there was any progress on apprehending the ‘Flasher’. Inspector Usher said the police had a good description and were following a number of leads.
Recreation and Services
Tony Evans gave a report as Chairman of the Recreation and Services committee. He described some of the action that the council had taken to deal with the antisocial behaviour, particularly at the East Street car park where reckless driving had been a problem. Permanent CCTV has been installed together with speed humps and centre kerbs.
The allotments continue to be a success and Tony said that much of the credit is due to the work of Ian and Liz Crouch who help new plot holders with advice and assistance. New plots have been created to
meet demand, he said, and appealed to any existing plot holders who feel they cannot manage their plot to get in touch with the council. The Allotment Holders’ Association held a stall on the Sunday Market, raising £451 for the Children’s Liver Disease Foundation.
The Sunday Market continues to go from strength to strength but the Thursday Market is having a tough time. Where there was previously a long waiting list it is now difficult to maintain a full compliment of stalls, he said.
Tony finished by thanking the council staff, particularly Pat and Sandra in the council office and also Ian Wright and Richard Mynard.
Planning Liaison
John Sharp then gave a brief report as chairman of the Planning Liaison committee. He said that there had been very few planning applications during the last year. The main sites such as the new Pegasus homes, the new secondary school and the tannery site were all nearing completion. A member of the public asked if one of the conditions attached to the granting of planning permission could be a requirement to provide off road parking for contactors’ vehicles. There had been times recently when vehicles had obstructed the roadway, particularly in West Street, Dagnell Road and Yardley Road. John said that those particular developments were due to complete soon, but the council would consider making such a request to the planning authorities. Another member of the public said that the builders only have jurisdiction over their own site and there is nothing to stop contractors parking where they want off site.
A member of the public asked if the finish on the exterior of the new school is in line with the original planning application. Debbie Brock said that it is not, but some changes can be agreed directly between the developers and the MKC Planning Officers under delegated powers and this appeared to fall into that category.
Finance
Paul Watson presented the financial accounts for the last financial year. Total Income was £295,856.70 which is £188,579.05 less than the previous year. However, last year £180,000 had been paid to Olney Town Council by Milton Keynes Council for the release of Barnfield. Total expenditure was £258,713.55 which is £6,210.54 less than the previous year.
Reserves have increased from £463,739.17 to £500,882.32 which has enabled the precept to be held at the same level for the third consecutive year.
Olney Centre Management
Alan Richardson gave his report as chairman of the Olney Centre Management committee. The building itself will be 130 years old this year and October marks the fifteenth anniversary of its opening as the Olney Centre. It continues to be well used, with bookings by around twenty four local organisations each week. A number of checks were necessary for insurance and Health and Safety reasons and these are now complete and up to date. New doors are due to be fitted to the main entrance to enable easier wheelchair access, he said.
He thanked council staff Peter Evans and Rob Hall for their work.
Reports from local groups and charities
Reports were included in the ‘handout pack’ from the Olney Feoffee Charity, the Olney Education Foundation Charity and the Olney British School Charity.
Tony Evans presented the report from the Ann Hopkins Smith Almshouse Charity. He explained that nine trustees administer the trust which was set up to run the twelve almshouse in Weston Road. He was pleased to report that no vacancies had arisen this year and all the residents are in fairly good health. He said that the steep rise in fuel prices last year had necessitated a larger than normal increase in rent, but the rents still remain very competitive with comparable accommodation.
Tony Seward gave his report as chairman of the Cowper and Newton Museum Trustees. He said that the year was always due to be a busy one, following the award of a Project Planning Grant by the Heritage Lottery Fund. What they had not bargained for was the offer in May 2006 of a major collection of Cowper material if they could raise the purchase price within six months. In the event nearly £40,000 was raised by donations from local, national and international sources, with several months to spare. Amongst other things the collection consists of one hundred and seventy of Cowper’s letters, twenty four of his own books, various items of furniture and the linen cap in which he is often portrayed. Also included for free was a large portrait of Cowper which opens to reveal hidden parchment containing details of his ancestry. There is a dubious reference to Henry VIII
62 Phonebox Magazine