Page 52 - Phonebox Magazine June 2009

Councillor Corner
A contribution from Cllr Debbie Brock and Cllr Peter Geary
MK BRASS VISITS RAVENSTONE ALL SAINTS
St George’s Day was celebrated in style this year at Ravenstone’s All Saints Church. The famous MK Brass played a patriotic programme which was rounded off by a rousing rendition of Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1. The event was
organised chiefly by Danny Adamson and Richard MacGowan with help from many other Ravenstone residents, monies raised on the night went towards Ravenstone Church funds and Stoke Goldington School. Congratulations all round.
CHANGES TO RAVENSTONE PARISH COUNCIL
Tim Lyford and former long standing Chairman Eddie Reed have stepped down from Ravenstone’s Parish Council. Tim had served on the Parish Council for some 12 years and Eddie for 10 both had contributed an enormous amount to the community of Ravenstone. Two new councillors have filled the vacancies, they are Councillor Stephen Howkins and Councillor Chris Fry, at the May meeting Councillor Bill Meades was elected Parish Council Chairman. Many Congratulations.
BRIDGE STREET, OLNEY BOLLARDS UPDATE
Following on from a consultation with residents on Bridge Street, a trial has been carried out with traffic cones to enable residents to see how proposals to erect bollards would affect them in practice. Several have been relocated and the scheme now moves forward.
The draft of the South East Plan shows an
overall reduction in the amount of
aggregates that the south east region has
to dig, at the moment its 12.18 million
tonnes per year, under the new plan this
will fall to 9.01 million tonnes. At the moment Milton Keynes has to supply 0.12 million tonnes per year of that quota but under new proposals that figure will rise to 0.16 million tonnes per year. One of the reasons being the future development of Milton Keynes and the local demand over coming years. The officer report states “Due to the ‘riverine’ nature of sand and gravel deposits in this area, areas along the River Great Ouse and the Area of Attractive Landscape are key locations for potential mineral reserves and are identified as Areas of Search (for future mineral development) in the Minerals Local Plan, and are therefore likely locations for future minerals development.” It is therefore pretty clear that in the near future there may well be plans for gravel extraction in our area. These plans are only draft at present and may well change. The Cabinet at Milton Keynes Council is due to decide what response they should make to the consultation at the Cabinet meeting on June 23rd. Presently officers are proposing not to object to the requirements. We will keep you informed of both the response that Milton Keynes sends in with regard to this scheme and the results of the scheme when it is finalised.
This is a matter that is due to be discussed at the forthcoming MK North East Consultative Area Forum at the Sherington Pavilion on June 3rd at 7.30pm.
INCOMING MILTON KEYNES DEPUTY MAYOR
Milton Keynes Council’s Ceremonial Annual Meeting saw the retiring Mayor, Councillor Jan Lloyd thanked for her tireless commitment to the role. Jan had made several visits to the Olney Ward in her year in office; her warm personality and ready smile have been much appreciated. Councillor Euan Henderson was duly elected and now takes over the Chains of Office – he announced his Mayoral Charity to be Hope Outreach UK, a charity bringing hope to the people of Sri Lanka who have been devastated by Civil War and the 2004 Tsunami which left many children orphaned. If you would like to find out more see www.hopeoutreach.org.uk.
Cones showing the locations of the proposed bollards in Bridge Street
The possibility of siting several bollards at High Street south in the vicinity of the Swan is also being explored and the work on remodelling the Church Street junction continues with modifications to the crossing point proposed.
MINERALS CONSULTATION
The digging of sand and gravel is usually an issue that concerns residents in areas where it is proposed. Some years ago Lathbury fought very hard to stop gravel being dug near their village. The South East of England Regional Assembly is currently consulting on the apportionment of the amount of aggregate each local authority in the south east of England will have to provide.
52 Phonebox Magazine
After being appointed Deputy Mayor, Debbie with Peter and parents Norton and Trish.
Debbie has been elected to the position of Deputy Mayor with Peter as Consort, this is a great honour and a first for Olney, past Mayors from our area include Alderman Edward Ellis and Alderman Pat