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22 Phonebox Magazine | January 2025Newport Pagnell Mayor%u2019s UpdateNewport Pagnell Councillor Corner200 Club Winners %u2013 December1st prize Mr Houchin, 2nd prize Ms Lewis. You can contact the Focus team by emailing newportsouthlibdems@gmail.com or phoning 01908 216366. Follow us on Facebook %u2013 Newport Pagnell South Ward. Newport Pagnell South FOCUS Team, Cllrs Jane & Andy Carr, Tony OyakhireNewport Pagnell Town Waste TipYou may have heard that Milton Keynes City Council is to close our local tip, along with those at New Bradwell and Bleak Hall. The proposal is to open two much larger sites, one of which will be at Wolverton, but the site of the second is being debated. At present there is a suggestion it will be sited in the southwest, meaning there will be no waste tip on the east side of the city!These new sites will still operate a booking system but offer more slots to accommodate the growing demand for waste recycling and also off er opportunities for those walking or cycling to safely visit the sites. We are arguing that the current Newport Pagnell site should remain open until there is a site open on the east side of the city, possibly within the new development towards the M1. This will reduce the time spent driving to the sites for those living this side of the city, whilst also limiting the carbon footprint. The vacant land will then be used for housing, but at this stage there is no defi nite plans as to what.We would welcome your views on this. Town Boundary For City Council Elections We are very pleased to announce that following our submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission (LGBC), with the support of other organisations, not least the Town Council, the LGBC has taken the view that Newport Pagnell should be seen as one whole ward, rather than the current split in two down the High Street and Wolverton Road. This will mean three dedicated City Councillors with a sole focus upon Newport Pagnell. It does not aff ect the General Election boundaries, nor the Town Council, but will mean it will be easier for residents to know which City Council ward they live in. These boundaries will come into force from the next City Council elections which are to be held in May 2026. There are no planned elections in 2025. This proposal is now open until 24th February 2025 for public consultation, so please feel free to add your thoughts via the website https://www.lgbce.org.uk/allreviews/milton-keynes/feedback . Happy New Year The team would like to wish you all a prosperous New Year and look forward to working with you all in 2026.Our next councillors surgery will be on 25th January 2025 from 10%u201311.30am, at the Swan Revived Hotel, Newport Pagnell. Happy New YearIt%u2019s a time for refl ection on the 12 months before and to consider the period ahead of us.Top of my list for our town is the impact of the simultaneous roadworks impacting local roads. Whenever I pass, I see folks hard at work progressing development of the new traffi c light-controlled Marsh End roundabout and dualled Willen Road. In contrast, London Road development has been out of sight on a closed road and has been going on for much longer. The promised reopening as far as the hotel and then the closure and subsequent works on the shorter stretch from there to motorway junction has not yet happened. This all needs to be completed ASAP. %u201cMilton Keynes East%u201d as that area is currently called will see construction and then occupation of homes, schools, and more warehouses (next to Junction 14) for many years that follow, but once both these roads are open at least we should be able to travel past without delay and those wanting to come here (including customers for local businesses) can do so. New Year resolutionsVolunteering is proving to be good for physical and mental wellbeing and many groups around town would benefi t from your help in some way. There are opportunities to suit anyone, so if you%u2019d like ideas or to fi nd out more just contact me.Police StationThe Town Council now owns the old Police Station, which includes the former magistrates court and cells. It will be used for better Town Council offi ces and other public benefi t. It will be a few years before it is ready to open. Flooding riskThe Town Flood group has been acclaimed as a national best practice example. They brilliantly prepare for and infl uence local factors that might change what happens to the water once it%u2019s landed, however the increased rainfall across the world is due to climate change. The Town Council are looking at our own environmental impact. Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE)Our Town Council support the proposal that Newport Pagnell becomes a single ward before the next scheduled MKCC elections occur in 2026. There are no elections due in 2025.As always, Phonebox readers with any comments about Newport Pagnell, can contact me at pauldayMK@outlook.com and can follow my Mayoral activity at %u201cPaul Day, Newport Pagnell%u201d (@PaulkDayMK) on Facebook.