Page 74 - Phonebox Magazine October 2014

Olney Mercury Report
Latest News and Updates
At the start of this month’s meeting Mayor Steve Clark requested that all present stand for a minute’s silence to
pay their respects to Police Officer Kevin Leaney, who was tragically killed in a road accident in July.
Public participation
There were two members of the public wishing to speak at this month’s meeting. The first was Susan Warren regarding the ongoing problems of parking in Oakdown Crescent. Susan said that her husband’s illness and subsequent death had not given her time to pursue the issue but had now ‘got her Mojo back’! She pointed out that Brian Rice had been told at the last meeting that Milton Keynes Council (MKC) Ward Councillor Peter Geary would approach MKC for an update and report back at this month’s meeting. It was not on the agenda, she said, and was appalled that the elderly tenants had been pushed into the background. She said the situation had worsened because part of the pathway had now become broken up which could cause the tenants to fall. If it happened to her mother she would have no hesitation in taking Olney Town Council (OTC) to task by presenting them with a very large bill. In recognition of the council’s omission from the agenda Steve Clark said he would permit Peter Geary to give an update after the next item of public participation.
Elaine Herniman spoke on behalf of the Allotment Holders Association regarding the recent increase in monthly rents from £2 to £3 per pole. Elaine said that nationally there have been press reports of instances of increased rents, which range from successful high court cases where rate increases have been revoked, to rents which are only increased in line with inflation. In November 2013 the Recreations and Services committee voted to increase all other fees by 5% and the allotment rents to £3 per pole but the meeting minutes did not state the existing rate, which could have led members to believe this this would also be a 5% increase. It was, in fact, a 50% increase, she pointed out. Elaine said the Allotment Act 1950 states that rents should cover the associated overheads only and be non-profitable. Since the land for the Olney allotments was bequeathed by the Earl of Dartmouth many years ago there was no 74 Phonebox Magazine
cost are associated with the purchase of this land. She asked the council to provide a breakdown of the cost to serve of the allotments, as a figure of £5k per annum had been muted but not substantiated. If the increase in the rent per pole means the allotments are actually subsidising the other amenities, this increase could be deemed to be unfair. She asked that any future rent increase is kept in line with the rate of inflation and more importantly in line with other leisure amenities in Olney.
Oakdown Crescent parking
Peter Geary said that two years ago OTC had put in a bid for funding and had been allocated £10k for traffic orders. It was accepted that this was never going to be enough and if double yellow lines were marked in Oakdown Crescent it would need to be in conjunction with additional parking elsewhere. MKC had considered a number of possibilities including a roadway round The Pyghtle, demolition of nearby garages and creating additional spaces on land known as ‘Jack’s garden’. He said there is an opportunity to apply for funding from the current round of capital schemes, which is open until the end of September and recommended that the Recs and Services Committee put forward a proposal to MKC. It would need a significant amount of money though, he warned. Tony Evans was of the opinion that it should be discussed and agreed by the full council, not just Recs and Services and John Boardman agreed, saying that it was important for all members to be aware of and fully understand all of the options. Joe Stacey said that regardless of who was responsible for the issue OTC should drive the solution and solve the problem once and for all. Peter suggested a site meeting with all three ward councillors plus Steve Clark.
Market Place CCTV
Susan Hughes from the Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) was present to give an update on the project. She explained that the Police and Safer MK Partnership have purchased a number of cameras and were prepared to give OTC a month’s free trial in order to assess which of the two models to consider. Deputy Mayor, Jeremy Rawlings, asked if costs were available and was told that one was £4k and the other £6k. Colin
Rodden thanked Susan for her work so far and asked if a cost for the full surveillance system could be obtained. Peter Geary felt that OTC was right to continue, with the proviso that funding can be made available either by cutting expenditure elsewhere or increasing the Parish Precept.
Berrells Court resurfacing
In 2011 local resident Roy Turner obtained planning permission to erect two dwellings in Berrells Court on the site of some garages. One of the conditions of the planning consent was that the applicant lays a tarmac surface along Berrells court before development commences. The court is a public right of way but is not registered as belonging to anyone, has not been adopted by MKC and the surface is currently in a very bad state. OTChas agreed to take the lead in the resurfacing and will take contributions from interested parties, including Mr Turner who will make the major contribution. Recently Mr Turner obtained a variation in the planning consent to require him to resurface the road before occupation of the properties, rather than commencement of the building. OTC have obtained an agreement from Mr Turner to pay two thirds of his contribution up front to enable OTC to commence the work, with the remaining one third to be paid upon completion. Once again the matter of long term maintenance was raised, although Deidre Bethune cut the discussion short by saying that OTC had agreed to progress with the project, subject to agreement by Mr Turner and it was not a matter for discussion now. Town Clerk Liam Costello said that because it was not adopted the owners of the adjacent properties would be responsible for the upkeep. Peter Geary pointed out that the surface was being laid to a high standard so there will not be a problem of pot holes appearing for many years. He added that OTC would be making up the shortfall of the funding as not all residents and businesses in Berrells Court were prepared to contribute. John Boardman asked if OTC could apply to have it adopted once resurfaced but Peter said the drainage via soakaway would preclude this. Ben Brock asked what would happen if Mr Turner sold the properties before completion. It was agreed that in that case the final third should be payable on point of sale and the agreement would be modified accordingly.