Page 52 - Phonebox Magazine January 2011

Councillor Corner
A contribution from Cllr Debbie Brock and Cllr Peter Geary
NUN WOOD WIND FARM
The Nun Wood Wind farm story rumbles on. We reported last month that the developer had appealed to the planning inspector as the council had not determined the planning application in time. This was due to numerous delays in receipt of further information by the developer. When the inspector started to look at the case it became clear that the developer had appealed a day too early as the councils were still within time on the appeal. The inspector therefore rejected the current appeal and the developer has had to resubmit another one. This therefore has delayed the determination of what the three councils would have done if they were making the decisions, now the application is expected to be heard at the Development Control Committee meeting of Milton Keynes Council in February. It is expected that the other two planning authorities will work to similar timescales. In effect all this does is put a delay in the process but it does highlight that the developer has little knowledge of the local planning process and it seems was wanting this method of determination rather than it being a last course of action as is usually the case.
POWER CUTS IN LAVENDON
Debbie has been in receipt of a large petition from members of Lavendon with regard to power cuts that have been happening in the village recently. Debbie arranged a meeting with the local Central Networks representative where she handed over the petition and asked about the problems as well as looking for reasons and solutions. In effect the company is well aware of the issues and has done a lot of work to find the problems. This includes installing load monitoring equipment to find why certain areas in Lavendon are dropping out. There is no one quick solution and a number of small measures have already been taken with more planned depending upon the outcome of the investigations including changing the supply routes to some parts of the village. The issues experienced are unfortunately not rare for rural areas but we will continue to monitor the work and advise as to any further changes or updates as they are planned.
BUDGET CUTS
As part of the cutting of the
national deficit the amount of
money that central government gives local councils is being cut. This is having a direct effect on Milton Keynes council who are having to cut back on jobs and services. Currently there are a number of staff who have had notice that their posts are at risk and some services have been announced that they are currently under risk of closure. One of the services under threat is the library service. Currently Stony Stratford and Woburn Sands Libraries are in danger of closure but we have sought assurances and received them, that Olney Library is NOT in danger at present. This is obviously an issue that we will continue to monitor. There is however the possibility that other services will come under threat. By the time you read this far more detail will be available when the administration’s draft budget is published but at the time of writing this is not available. We will continue to keep you updated on the budget situation and also will continue to fight to make sure that the Olney ward with its rural location is not unfairly disadvantaged by the cuts.
The MK North East Consultative Area Forum will be looking at the impact of the budgetary situation on the parishes in our area when it meets on 19th January at 7.30pm at North Crawley’s Village Institute.
Finally could we wish everybody a very happy, peaceful and prosperous New Year. Our first Surgery of 2011 will take place as usual at The Olney Centre at 7.30 on Friday 7th January. Please feel free to come along if we can assist in any matter.
Contact details:
Cllr Debbie Brock and Cllr Peter Geary,
c/o Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East,
CMK MK9 3HG
TEL: 01234 714260
EMAIL: debbie.brock@milton-keynes.gov.uk peter.geary@milton-keynes.gov.uk
Museum Matters
Mum & Co
Parent, Baby & Toddler Group
The very popular Mum & Co Toddler Group which has been running at the Olney Youth Centre for nearly 10 years will not re-open in the New Year unless a team of at least three volunteers come forward to replace the outgoing committee.
If you would like to keep the playgroup running please come along to the Olney Youth Centre at
10am on Monday 10
January 2011 to find out
how you can help.
The Museum is closed now until Tuesday 1st March. With no major building maintenance planned this winter, advantage will be taken of this period to catch up with behind the scenes tasks such as housekeeping and
planning the new 2011 season.
The Friends of the Museum would like to thank everyone who helped their Annual Grand Christmas Raffle raised just over £1600. In particular they would like to thank the sponsors Marcus Jordan & Co, who have been such staunch supporters over many years. In addition the help of those who have donated prizes for this event including local businesses Teapots; Donzella and Beans as well as Waitrose, Stables and Royal and Derngate theatres; Bedfordshire Golf Club and Northampton Football Club has been invaluable and is much appreciated. The Friends are also very grateful to all the hardy souls who sold tickets at Dickens of a Christmas, the December Farmers’ Market and the weekly Thursday markets; as well as all of you who purchased tickets. The draw took place on Wednesday 15th December and all prizewinners have been informed.
During the closed season the Friends of the Museum will again be holding their popular winter Coffee Mornings and Second-Hand Book Sales from 10.30am until 12 noon on Thursdays 27th Jan, 10th Feb and 24th Feb. Ann Collins on 01234 712882 will be pleased to hear from those who have books to donate and will arrange a time for them to be collected or dropped off at the Museum. All are welcome at these coffee mornings so do come along, enjoy a coffee, have a browse and perhaps you’ll find that book which you have always intended to read.
52 Phonebox Magazine
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