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22 Phonebox Magazine | February 2025Newport Pagnell Mayor%u2019s UpdateNewport Pagnell Councillor CornerOur next councillor%u2019s surgery will be on 22nd February 2025 from 10-11.30am, at the Swan Revived Hotel, Newport Pagnell. 200 Club Winners %u2013 December: 1st prize Ms Henderson 2nd prize Anonymous.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 OyakhireBudget UpdateThis year%u2019s City Council (MKCC), budget is likely to be one of the most diffi cult to balance as the settlement from central government is again limited. Ideally, as a council, we would want a funding guarantee that was fi xed for several years so we can plan and budget better. It%u2019s similar to balancing the household budget when you only know what%u2019s coming in next month. You can%u2019t plan anything other than essentials, meaning you are always looking at ways to save. Sadly, for councils across the country this means many are closing or reducing services previously taken for granted. For MKCC it means there are very few new projects, and some being reduced, but all councillors are engaged with the budget debate and are trying to find ways to support communities. However, the biggest budget spends are on essentials such as Children%u2019s Services, where costs for private residential care for our vulnerable young children is astronomical. For many years the council has tried to expand its fostering service, but sadly demand outstretches available homes. If you have ever thought about fostering, we urge you to please make contact with the fostering service via their email fosteringrecruitment@milton-keynes.gov.uk as every child deserves a home. Street Name PlatesFrom now until March a number of our street name plates will be replaced. It is a long process getting new street name plates, with funding for only 35-38 a year for the whole city, which means we often wait 18-24 months to get them updated. Last year we only had two or three replaced locally, this year we are pleased to say there will be more, Metcalf Grove in Blakelands, Norwood Lane, Purcel Drive, St Margaret%u2019s Close Linford Avenue and Glenwoods in Newport Pagnell are all identifi ed as being completed this year. However, we are asking for more funding as a spend to save, as signs left for two years often need to be completely replaced. Funding for Flood Groups Newport Pagnell%u2019s fl ood group is recognised as an example of best practice; therefore, we are seeking to replicate this model by asking for funding to support the setup and organisation of more fl ood groups across the city to ease the impact of fl ooding upon our towns and villages. Disappointing newsI start this column with the hugely disappointing news that the Aston Martin Heritage Trust (AMHT), a charity, have concluded they will not be able to proceed with plans to bring a Heritage Centre to Newport Pagnell. The town council have worked extremely hard in support of the project for several years, overcoming every other potential barrier to the project. However, it was always AMHT%u2019s initiative and so it won%u2019t now proceed. We understand that AMHT%u2019s intent is to move their collection and activity online, rather than to a new physical location. That%u2019s a blow to what we hoped would boost our local economy, but of course the town%u2019s longstanding and deep connection with the car company and brand continues. The land reserved for the heritage centre was always going to stay in the town council%u2019s ownership and we%u2019ll now fi nd an alternative use for the space in due course. Thoughts from local residents are invited.Police stationIn far better news, the former town police station building, including cell block and magistrate%u2019s court, has now been gifted to the Town Council by Churchill Living who will be building retirement homes, 43 apartments and three cottages on the rest of the site formerly owned by Thames Valley Police. The Town Council will be refi tting the building to accommodate improved, more accessible Town Council offi ces and meeting space, and hope to also provide a larger space for the Town Museum operated by the Historical Society. It will be several years before that will be ready and there will be consultation opportunities for the community in May and June of this year as we formally gather the thoughts of townsfolk on the proposals.What%u2019s onSome upcoming dates for your diary:%u2022%u2002 Coff ee and Cakes Event with town councillors, Portfi elds Community Centre on Saturday 8th March 2025 at 2pm.%u2022%u2002 Annual Town Meeting, at United Reform Church on Thursday 10th April 2025 at 7pm%u2022%u2002 Police Station Consultations%u2002%u2002%u2002 %u25b6%u2002 at Green Park Community Centre on Tuesday 27th May, from 4-6pm%u2002%u2002%u2002 %u25b6%u2002 at Portfi elds Community Centre on Thursday 29th May from 2-4 pm%u2022%u2002 Annual Vintage Event, Town Centre and Bury Common on Saturday 7th June from 11am5pmAs 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.