Page 52 - Phonebox Magazine July 2011

Councillor Corner
A contribution from Cllr Debbie Brock and Cllr Peter Geary
Carers MK
Between the 13th and the 19th of June this year it was Carers Week in the UK. The week this year was titled “the true face of carers” and was supported by Dame Judi Dench. A carer is someone, who, on a regular basis, looks after someone who could not manage without that support.
Carers MK ran an information event at The Olney Centre during Carers Week, if you missed the event or would like help, information or support after careers week is over Carers MK, just like carers, continue in their role for the rest of time. Carers Milton Keynes are based at the David Baxter Centre in Central Milton Keynes and can be contacted on 01908 231703 or www.carersmiltonkeynes.org. Carers Milton Keynes also runs an Olney Support group. This group meets on the first Thursday of the month and is based at the Olney Centre from 2-4pm.
Lavendon Play Area
Lavendon’s Playing field has recently undergone some major improvements with new pieces of play equipment being installed. The funding came from a grant from the WREN fund, secured by the Parish Council to enable the installation of the equipment, using support from the national Playbuilder scheme & Milton Keynes Council, under the guidance of the Parish
Council. It is true to say that communications could have been better when it came to consulting and approving changes, with issues now resolved & work completed the new equipment should greatly increase many young peoples enjoyment of the area. The area is due to be officially opened on July 10th with an opening event running from 11am until 4pm.
Rural Strategy
Many people think of Milton
Keynes as just a city but
nearly 70% of the whole area is regarded as rural and in 2001 the rural area totalled a population of over 35000 people. While the built up areas of Milton Keynes have many issues and strategies to help resolve them, the rural areas also have particular issues which include housing and also access to services. In 2008 Milton Keynes Council adopted the Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Rural Strategy which was to drive council policies on these issues between 2008 and 2012. This strategy is due to be re- adopted next year but before that can happen it will need to be updated to take
account of changes that have happened in the area since the last strategy was written. The refresh process is therefore underway. Housing will remain an issue and the lack of broadband provision will be an important part of any strategy. We will keep you updated on any progress.
Emberton Park
Emberton Park was a pioneer
for the country being the first country park in the UK. It has had numerous challenges recently and has been undergoing some changes. Last month one of Debbie’s last jobs as Mayor of Milton Keynes was to open the newly refurbished play area at the park. This has been funded with money from Aiming High and is designed to be a play area for all abilities, featuring equipment with easy access so it can be enjoyed by all children and young people. The opening event was great fun and attended by many young people all enjoying themselves.
Many other improvements have been made in the park over recent years but the one thing we’re all waiting for is the re-opening of the café. It is hoped this will happen soon as a tendering process for a new operator has been running with Milton Keynes Council for the past few months.
Changes at Milton Keynes Council
Since the last article went to press there have been a number of changes in the way that Milton Keynes Council is led. The Conservatives have now formed a minority administration being the largest group on the council and we have both got roles to play in that administration. Debbie will be leading on Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care and Peter has a wide ranging brief covering many areas, included is responsibility for rural areas. This work comes in addition to our ward work not instead of and we will always remain focused on the needs of the Olney Ward and will continue to work hard for the people of our ward in Milton Keynes.
Surgery
We will as always be running our monthly surgeries on the first Friday of the month at the Olney Centre from 7:30 till 8:30pm. If you feel we can help please do come along or contact us at any time in between on the contact details given
New play area in Emberton Park
52 Phonebox Magazine
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