Page 28 - Demo

28 Phonebox Magazine | June 2025Olney Town MeetingThe Olney Town Council (OTC) Annual Town Meeting took place on Friday 16th May. It is a legal obligation whereby the council report on their activities to residents and residents get the chance to question the council on any matters of concern. There is usually a very small public attendance and most of the items have already been discussed at monthly council meetings and therefore covered in the Mercury reports. This year was no exception.Mayor%u2019s ReportMayor Debbie Whitworth provided a detailed report of the council%u2019s achievements, only the highlights of which can be reported here, due to space restrictions. Councillor vacanciesThere are currently four councillor vacancies, she said. VE DayThe recent VE Day celebrations were a success and the council will shortly be holding the annual veterans day tea.Ex-Football Club & Sport SuccessThe ex-Football Club building renovations will include new public toilets, with the old block being repurposed as storage space and a space for Men%u2019s Sheds. She praised all of the sports teams but gave particular mention to the Cricket Club celebrating their 150th anniversary and the Rugby Colts for winning the national U18 competition. Water QualityThe water quality of the river continues to be a cause for concern, as does fl ooding from surface water and a fl ood group has been created. Cobbs Garden SurgeryThe surgery have now obtained locum cover and are interviewing for new partners and/or salaried GPs. They are still working to secure funding for the new surgery but have meantime submitted plans for two more clinical rooms in the existing building.Police ReportThe Thames Valley Police report was provided by PCSO Connor and consisted chiefl y of a summary of the crime fi gures presented to OTC at the monthly meetings. He said theft of parcels left at front doors by delivery drivers continues to be a problem, as do drug off ences but where there are consistent reports of cannabis smells TVP are deploying drones to monitor. The team regularly visit local schools and nurseries and engage with residents to provide advice on avoiding scams, said Connor. A resident who had been causing a number of issues had been arrested that morning, he said. The various subcommittee chairs or representatives then reported on their activities. Finance ReportThe Finance report indicated that the fi nances are sound and budget vs expenditure is in line with expectations. There have been two successful internal audits and the forthcoming external audit is likewise expected to be passed successfully.Olney Centre Management ReportDeirdre Bethune reported that the Dickens event is organised very effi ciently by Deputy Clerk Rob Mungham. The Community Centres committee will in future manage the Yardley Manor and ex-Football Club centres. She thanked all offi ce and ground staff for their good work.Development Committee ReportThe Development Committee implement and review the Neighbourhood Plan (NP), Liaise with other groups to enhance facilities and monitor, review and comment on 10 to 15 planning applications each month.Recs & Services ReportDebbie Whitworth gave the Recs and Services report saying that the ground staff are doing a great job and the cemetery looks immaculate. The council are looking at a more modern alternative to the traditional Christmas tree and residents will be consulted on options.Some local organisations and charities report on their activities at the meeting.Trustees Alms Houses ReportMary Prosser on behalf of the trustees of the Ann Hopkins Smith Alms houses reported that the 12 houses are continuously let, with three having been refurbished and re-let in the past year. Cowper & Newton Museum ReportTom Jones gave the report on behalf of the Cowper and Newton Museum saying that they had unsuccessfully applied for two grants for renovations and enhancements, including a stair lift, which was unfortunate as the latest conservation survey had identifi ed %u00a3200k of necessary repairs. An application for a blue plaque had also been rejected said Tom. The Museum currently has over 160 volunteers meaning they have capacity for more visitors which would enable them to increase income to counteract the small loss expected this year. The museum will be marking the Jane Austen 250 and Church of St Peter and St Paul 700 anniversaries this year. Newport Pagnell & Olney Lions ReportTrevor Aldred provided the Newport Pagnell and Olney Lions report noting that in the 48 years of existence the branch had raised around %u00a3300k for local, national and international good causes but its future was in doubt due to a dwindling and aging membership. They had assisted at many local events including, BOFF, Riverfest, Newport and Olney Fireworks, Newport Carnival and organised collection and recycling of printer cartridges, hearing aids and spectacles.Ward Councillor ReportPeter Geary gave the ward councillors%u2019 report noting that the 2nd consultation of the MK City Plan has been pushed back to the autumn. Currently there is no allocation of additional housing in the rural areas outside of the 17k houses underway in MK East. A government report on new towns is due this summer and it is possible that MK may be included as a location. Next year all ward councillors will be up for election, due to boundary changes. Peter expressed his dissatisfaction at a recent change by MKCC in the way that residents and councillors can %u2018call in%u2019 executive decisions, as documented elsewhere in this edition.Public ParticipationFinally there was a public participation forum. The only subject discussed was the %u2018crane site%u2019 currently operating without planning permission, which has been reported extensively in The Phonebox and discussed on social media. There was much anger at what residents felt was the blatant abuse of planning regulations.