Page 25 - Phonebox Magazine August 2007

Mercury Report
Olney Town Council Meeting of Monday 2nd July
Public participation
Stuart Parkin was the only member of the public to speak at this meeting. He explained that Olney Rugby Football Club planned to hold a 7-a-side tournament on Saturday 7th July and that this had proved much more popular than anticipated, with 20 teams in the competition. The event was conceived in response to a request from the Rugby Football Union for local clubs to hold events prior to the World Cup starting later this year, with the aim of attracting new players. He apologised for not informing the Council of it sooner, noting again that the Club had not expected it to be so popular.
He said that the field would be left as it was found (i.e. that rubbish would be cleared up), asked if the Club could erect a small marquee and various gazebos to shelter the teams and asked if an Ice Cream van could attend. He finished by noting that if the event was successful, and at the time of writing Mercury believes that it was, it could be expanded to include more than just rugby – if the people of the town were to get behind it.
The Council agreed to Stuart's requests.
Police report
There was no report this month as no representative of the Police attended the meeting.
Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG)
The main topic of the previous NAG meeting was that of under age drinking, which the Group had asked the Police to look into.
Tony Evans asked for an update on the new Drinking Control Zone noting that, since the Police had suggested it and it was now in place, it would be nice to have the Police at the meeting to discuss it. Michael Hughes felt that the Police think Olney is quiet and peaceful when, in fact, it isn't always. He also lamented the 0845 number on which members of the public are meant to report crimes, feeling that, as Councillors have noted many times in previous meetings, it was unsatisfactory. For information, the number is 0845 8 505 505.
The discussion concluded with John Sharp saying that he'd go to the Police Office and
ask why there had been no attendance at the last two Council meetings.
Planning matters
The Council had received a Planning Application related to the A.G. Morgan store at 8 High Street, Olney. In accordance with the way members' interests are dealt with, Ian Morgan left the meeting for the duration of this item. The Application and plans, for a workshop to replace a smaller store, were viewed and discussed by Councillors, who decided to pass them on to Milton Keynes Council without comment.
Raft Race
Dave Price explained that this year's Raft Race had been postponed due to the high water level in the river. The new date is expected to be Sunday 2nd September, and it's likely that Ricky Mason will be organising some music for near the finish line.
Ousedale School
This part of the meeting was a discussion on how the facilities at the new School campus can be
rented out by the
people of Olney.
In April's Council meeting, Tony Evans had noted the agreement that Milton Keynes Council's Education Department would, in return for Olney Town Council's help with the new School, make an effort to ensure that some of the school's facilities be made available to the people of Olney. The Council had since received a list of charges for the facilities at Ousedale School.
Tony felt that the best way to publicise their availability would be to distribute a leaflet
around the town showing the list of charges. He'd hoped that the School might do something like this but, as he felt that might be unlikely, asked if the Council should place adverts in Phonebox Magazine.
This exposed a difference of opinion. Michael Hughes felt that, as the facilities were the School's and not the Council's, it would be odd for the Council to advertise them. Jeremy Rawlings agreed, noting that the facilities of just about every School in Milton Keynes were available, but that it was very unusual for individuals to book them, bookings usually being made for the long term by groups such as the Scouts. He said that this fitted in with how Schools worked and that it would therefore be unwise to advertise the facilities in this way.
Tony said that, if an advert was not acceptable, the Council should at least tell people that the facilities were available and how they could find out more.
After more discussion, this topic was added to the agenda of the next Council meeting. K
AVAILABLE FOR
BIRTHDAYS
PARTIES
COMPANY EVENTS
CORPORATE EVENTS
WEDDINGS
& ALL SPECIAL OCCASIONS
The next meeting will be held at 7.30pm on Monday 6th August 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.
Phonebox Magazine 25
TEL/FAX: 01234 240499
EMAIL: therealclemcurtis@hotmail.com WEBSITE: www.clemcurtis.com