Page 32 - Phonebox Magazine March 2016

Olney Ward Councillors Corner
Cllr Keith McLean
Cllr Peter Geary
Cllr David Hosking
its alleged use as a House in Multiple Occupation. We will keep you updated in future edition.
Ongoing consultations – Plan:MK and Minerals Local Plan
A reminder that MKC is currently consulting on two major planning policy documents, both of which could have a major impact on the rural area of Milton Keynes:
● Plan:MKwillguidethefuturedevelopmentofhousingandemployment
areas for a period of fteen years, from the date of adoption. Included in this plan are proposals for satellite developments of between 5,000 and 10,000 homes. The plan is at an early stage of development with the consultation closing on 6th April.
● The Minerals Local Plan is at the nal stage of consultation before being submitted to the Planning Inspectorate. As things stand, controversial sites are still proposed in Lathbury and Lavendon. The consultation closes on 9th March.
We have organised a series of Public Meetings which have taken place across the Olney ward during the past few weeks to inform residents of what is being proposed in both documents. If you would like further details or advice on how best to respond to the consultations, please email olneyward@milton-keynes.gov.uk. Both documents can be viewed by visiting: http://miltonkeynes-consult.objective.co.uk/portal.
Pancakes!
Once again we were pleased to be
involved in Olney’s annual Pancake
Day traditions in February. The
weather remained fine and yet
again the town came together for a
fantastic day, which included a new
course record being set by Lianne
Fisher – well done to her and all
the other competitors. Thank you
to the Pancake Race Committee for all their efforts in making sure the day was so well organised and attended.
Elections on 5th May
As well as local elections taking place on May 5th, a number of parishes across the Olney Ward will also hold their own elections on the same day. If you have ever thought about getting involved in your local community and standing as a parish councillor, this may be your opportunity! The following parishes will be electing councillors in May: Olney, Lavendon, Clifton Reynes & Newton Blossomville, Weston Underwood and Ravenstone.
If you are interested in standing for election, then please email Pam Loose at MKC, pamela.loose@milton-keynes.gov.uk, or contact the parish clerk directly.
Monthly surgeries on the rst Friday of each month
If you have any issues that you would like to discuss with us in person, then please come along to one of our monthly surgeries. These are run in the Olney Centre on the rst Friday of each month between 7:30pm and 8:30pm – appointments are not necessary. Alternatively, we can be contacted at other times by ‘phone or email - our details are as follows: Keith McLean – 07983 456081 – keith.mclean@ milton-keynes.gov.uk Peter Geary – 01234 714260 – peter.geary@milton-keynes.gov.uk David Hosking – 01234 241010 – david.hosking@milton-keynes.gov.uk
Milton Keynes Council budget agreed with a 3.95% Council Tax rise
In February, Milton Keynes Council (MKC) set its budget for the year 2016/2017. The draft budget had been out for consultation since before Christmas. As we have previously reported, this included a number of controversial proposals, such as a 3.95% increase in Council Tax for residents alongside rises from the Fire Authority, the Police and Crime Commissioner and some local parish councils.
As no single political group has a majority of seats on the Council, there are always discussions about what should, and should not, be included in the nal budget. As local ward councillors we put forward an amendment to keep the Kitchener Centre in Olney open and we were pleased that this was accepted.
We also welcome a number of other changes to the budget which will see:
● MKC providing pink recycling sacks, for at least another twelve
months;
● The retention of the sheltered housing warden service at Clifton Court; ● Green bins still provided free of charge;
● The proposed closure of play areas dropped.
However, many other unpopular measures remained in the budget including the removal of funding for a multi-storey car park in Milton Keynes aimed at resolving the acute parking problems. We were also disappointed that funding was reduced for children and young people’s mental health services and that money for improving failing schools was also cut.
Overall, we thought that the budget was short-sighted and lacking in strategy; we all voted against the nal proposals. The budget was eventually passed by a majority of a single vote with this support having come from a Liberal Democrat councillor.
Sainsbury’s planning application in Olney is refused
Sainsbury’s plans for a new supermarket and petrol station in Olney were heard at MKC’s Development Control Committee last month. The application had considerable support across the town and neighbouring villages but also had a number of objectors, some of whom spoke at the committee meeting. The application was refused with the Chairman’s casting vote used to decide the reasons for refusal. It is now expected that an appeal will now be lodged with the Planning Inspectorate and/ or another planning application submitted. We will keep you updated in future articles should either progress.
New apartments at Westlands?
Continuing the planning theme, another application (Reference: 16/00142/FUL) has been submitted to convert Westlands Care Home, on the High Street in Olney, into ten residential apartments. A similar application was made in June last year with concerns expressed at the time about resident and visitor parking. We will be reviewing the revised plans and making our representations during the consultation process. Alongside this enforcement action has started against the owner for 32 Phonebox Magazine | March 2016