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24 Phonebox Magazine | February 2025City Centre Parking ChargesAs we reported in the January edition the Labour Administration%u2019s decision was called in by Peter and other councillors from our Group. Unfortunately, but completely expected, whilst the decision was reviewed by a specially convened sub-committee comprising of two councillors each from the Labour and LibDem groups and one from the Conservatives, this was Keith, they decided not to refer the original decision back for review. Outcome is parking charges will go up again in April 2025! This is estimated to raise over %u00a33 million per year.Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs)Further to the short item we wrote last month about this we can now confi rm that the Newport Pagnell tip will close as well as New Bradwell and Bleak Hall HWRCs and be replaced by two %u2018super sites%u2019 at Old Wolverton and Snelshall (very near the southern boundary of the city on the way to Buckingham). Once again, the Labour Administration approved the project by Delegated Decision in mid-January taken by the Deputy Leader.Whilst we were opposed to MK:East, the original master plan allocated two hectares for a recycling and reuse facility; this would have been ideal for those currently using the Newport Pagnell HWRC and this is what we will continue to push for. Milton Keynes City Council %u2013 Budget 2025-26As we write this the fi nal version of the Budget to be considered by the Council on Wednesday 19th February is being fi nalised. The Council got itself into a fi nancial mess this year with a massive %u00a310 million overspend in children%u2019s services which led to numerous in year cuts across the Council including stopping free tea and coff ee for the staff . Hence to balance the books they are having to increase fees across the Council as well as make a few cuts. The fees that will rise include the parking charges referred to earlier and if you have a second green bin then they are proposing to charge you an extra %u00a355 a year for this service, this includes places like churches. The Council is also consulting on increasing the charges to people in sheltered accommodation by either %u00a311 a week or %u00a325 a week to cover the costs of the wardens. If they do not increase the income from residents, they may totally remove the wardens. Pensioners in those sheltered accommodation facilities are also having their dedicated once a week shopping bus removed. Pensioners might think they are being hit from all sides after the winter fuels cuts as well. The closure of the tip in Newport Pagnell will make savings for the council in fi nancial terms, however the cost in extra journeys and the impact to the environment driving to Old Wolverton and back doesn%u2019t seem to have been considered though. There will also be some savings in staffi ng at the Council and with a number of posts not being fi lled and also some grants the Council gives being cut.Lavendon FloodingAfter the motion that we took to Council at the end of last year to ask for money to help prevent fl ooding in Lavendon, which was cynically refused by the Labour Administration and not even supported by the Lib Dems, we have not given up with seeking this support. The funding that was in place to build the fl ood prevention scheme was removed nearly 10 years ago and it is vital that this money is replaced and this work done. At the Council meeting in January this became all the more annoying when it emerged that the Council spent around %u00a32 million to protect two buildings of its own from fl ooding in MK:East but they cannot aff ord less than half of that to protect the village of Lavendon. We will continue this fi ght and continue to keep people updated.SurgeriesWe continue to hold our ward councillors%u2019 surgery every month on the fi rst Friday of the month, at the Olney Centre from 7pm. Please do drop by if we can help with anything or contact us direct.Olney Ward Councillor Corner CONTACT DEBBIE:Tel: 07494 681907 / debbie.whitworth@miltonkeynes.gov.ukMy ward surgeries are every Tuesday, 10am-12pm at the Olney Centre. No need to book, just pop along.Cllr Debbie WhitworthYardley Manor: A residents steering group has recently been set up and it has been agreed that representatives will be invited to join future on-site visits and be kept informed on progress. After liaising and working closely with Milton Keynes City Council (MKCC) monitoring and implementation team, I have been given a progress review by Vistry, the housebuilder, on outstanding works as was requested by residents. Drainage and lighting issues are also being addressed.Olney Ward Councillor CornerCllr Keith McLean Cllr Peter GearyCONTACT US: Keith: 07983 456081 keith.mclean@milton-keynes.gov.uk :: Peter: 07774 939404 peter.geary@milton-keynes.gov.ukItem Status DateTar Spray and Chip Paths. These are the main paths throughout the open space areas.Methodology approved and awaiting milder weather for installation due to the application requirement (needs to be laid in mild conditions to bond)Early %u2013 Mid March. Then fully openBMX Track Remedial works required February for works, then openBreedon Gravel Path to front of siteSmall remedial works required to fi nishAlready open, but works to follow next monthDrainage All complete Drainage works completeFootball Pitch Seed and Soil have taken wellOpen Spring. We will tie in an opening arrangement with view to a walkaround and progress update of the community building at the same timeRoad Remedials Inspection with MKCC for end of the month, then remedials to followFinal works to highway complete FebruaryPlay Area OpenCommunity Building Works ready to start on site Friday 24thJanuary start on site, building to be open AutumnVarious Fencing to areas of open spaceWalkover next week to review areas that can now be removedOngoing as works are complete Devolution: I confi rm a joint expression of interest in an authority covering Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes (BLMK) has been submitted by MKCC. BLMK already have excellent partnerships and connections in place, including our long-standing joint health and care services.Buses - number 21: Many residents have fl agged up concerns with me that they didn%u2019t know about the change to stops at MK. I%u2019ve been informed that all the previously used stops at the Point and at the railway station have large clear notices on them explaining where now to get the bus from if it has moved. These were put up before the changes took place on 6th January. The information is also on the electronic timetables at the new stops, and on the fi rst day some of the team went to the station to help people as it was a big change, particularly there.Overall what these changes mean is that all buses going in the same direction will be from the same stop or extremely close so people can easily get on the fi rst available bus for their direction.Lavendon: The fl ood meeting at Lavendon was followed by Full Council where it was confi rmed that there would be an update as part of a wider appraisal on Flood and Water Management at the Environment and Place scrutiny meeting on 27th March.I want to assure residents of Lavendon that MKCC are continuing to proactively engage the Environment Agency (as is our MP Chris Curtis who is meeting with the EA to raise the fl ooding issues at Lavendon) and work with them on options. More of course will be known after the scrutiny meeting in March after which I will update you all further.