Page 34 - Phonebox Magazine January 2011

Mercury Report – Olney
Town Council Meeting on Monday 6th December 2010
Public participation
No member of the public spoke at this point in the meeting.
Co-option of new Councillor
As reported in last month’s Mercury, there was a vacancy on Olney Town Council (OTC). This attracted three candidates: Colin Rodden, Andrew Dooley and John Bates. Each was given a few minutes to speak and then, before the voting process began, all three were asked to leave the Chamber. The plan was then for two votes to be conducted, the top two candidates from the first vote progressing to the second, which would then decide the winner.
The first vote was taken, each Councillor writing their preferred choice on a slip of paper and the Town Clerk collating the results. This saw John Bates come first with four votes, the other two candidates attracting three votes each. This meant a tie for second place, so a show of hands was taken, with Colin Rodden winning by six votes to Andrew Dooley’s four.
The second vote, between John and Colin, was then taken. This resulted in another tie, and the Mayor used his casting vote in favour of Colin Rodden who was then duly co-opted to the Council and took his seat at the table.
Accounting and possible land purchase
When Ousedale School’s Olney Campus was built, Milton Keynes Council (MKC) transferred £180,000 to OTC in exchange for the additional land it needed to complete the new Campus. This money can only be used for land purchase, and OTC is actively looking to buy suitable land. As such, a recent Finance Committee meeting recommended that this amount be kept in general funds rather than being invested, thus keeping it available in case a land acquisition happens soon.
(Lack of) planning news
Steve Clark, Chair of the Planning Committee, reported that, likely due to the current financial climate, the number of planning applications was pretty low. It was felt that, as a result, it would be sensible to stop the regular Planning meetings, the Committee instead meeting only when a significant application required consideration. John Sharp and Mike Hughes stated that applications concerning the conservation area would benefit from face to face meetings, and this view achieved general consensus.
As background, Steve noted that, while the number of applications may be low at the moment, it would likely increase in future. For example, the interest in Green Energy may see an increase in applications for roof mounted solar panels and tubes. He touched on the fact that the current Local Plan, which expires next year, stipulates that any such addition to a roof should not be greater than 5cm in thickness. However, applications for some structures of greater thickness than this have been accepted, particularly when there is an obvious benefit – e.g. in energy
efficiency – and people living nearby are content with the plans.
It was agreed that Steve Clark, as Committee Chair, should use his discretion to decide which applications merited face to face discussion, at Planning Committee or full Council meetings, and which could be decided outside meetings, for example by email.
Christmas lights
Each year when the Christmas light columns are installed on the High Street, a contractor employed by OTC installs the light columns on the lamp posts, then OTC pays MKC to drop down a cable in each post and connect the lights. This year, OTC’s contractor offered to drop down the cables permanently, meaning that, from now on, each Christmas it could connect the lights without MKC needing to be involved. This work would cost £1,843 for the 38 light columns and, due to the yearly outlay to MKC no longer being required, would start to save money after three years. The Council voted unanimously to have the work done.
Councillors also discussed the possibility of increasing the number of light columns, stretching the decorated area further North and South. However, no decision was made and the topic will be discussed at a later meeting.
Driftway
In Debbie Brock’s absence, Gill Edmonson reported that John Price, a Countryside Manager at MKC, was investigating remodelling the mound and looking into the ownership of the land. Tony Evans was unimpressed, describing this update as ‘nothing’.
Social media
Councillors voted on whether some of them should attend a course on communicating with residents using social media. Jeremy Rawlings felt this was an important topic which the Council tended to underestimate. However, this feeling was not shared generally and, when Mike Hughes called a vote, it was not carried.
Financial control
John Boardman had spent time reviewing the Council’s Asset Register and, while finding it to be generally complete and accurate, questioned the values assigned to pieces of land owned by the Council. Deidre Bethune noted that the top half of Barn Field was noted in the register as being worth £22,500. This figure was felt too low and the land will be revalued.
Alms houses
Tony Evans reported that there is a vacancy at the Alms Houses, and that any interested elderly single lady who is reasonably agile and can climb stairs should apply in writing to him at Olney Park Farm, Yardley Road, Olney.
Play Builder
Steve Clark explained that austerity measures were resulting in holdups to the
budget for Play Builder projects, generally used to improve children’s play areas. He was unsure of what would happen, but was expecting an overall 30% reduction in the budget up to the end of this financial year. However, it was unclear how the effects of this reduction would be spread amongst the various planned play area improvements and, either way, it may just be possible that affected projects can attract funding from alternative sources.
Nunn Wood Wind Farm
Steve reported that the N-Power Nunn Wood wind farm was going to a Public Inquiry due to the non-determination of its three planning applications, there being three because the proposed site covers three different Local Authority areas: Milton Keynes (MK), Wellingborough and Bedford
MKC had asked N-Power to submit further information on certain aspects of the MK application in order to allow it to be determined. This further information was received by MKC on 7th October. Subsequently, N-Power lodged an appeal against the non-determination of all three applications, and notice of this appeal was received by MKC on 10th November.
Local Authorities are expected to determine planning applications within a certain period of time and, if this does not happen, applicants will often use the non- determination route to get the application resolved by Public Inquiry. Once this step has been taken, the Planning Inspector will rule on whether the application should be refused or permitted.
This means that the Council itself can no longer determine the application. However, it is common for the report on the application to be considered by the planning committee to ascertain what decision it would have made. The ‘theoretical decision’ might then be used as part of the Council’s representations to the Public Inquiry.
Thank you to Steve Clark for providing context and background to this topic.
Salt bins
A member of the public had asked the Council whether they could use the salt from the new roadside bins to help clear the ice. Gill Edmonson advised that the salt bins are indeed for public use and that, if a refill is required, the contact details are 01908 252570 or envservices@milton- keynes.gov.uk. For further guidance from MKC, surf to the Snow Code at www.miltonkeynes.gov.uk/highways/docume nts/Snow_Code.pdf .
The next meeting will be held at 7.30pm on Monday 10th January 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, or at any point that the mayor decides is appropriate.
34 Phonebox Magazine