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24 Phonebox Magazine | July 2025A New Town for Milton KeynesAt the June meeting of Milton Keynes Council, the Leader of the Council let slip in a debate that it is highly likely that Milton Keynes will be a site for one of the government%u2019s %u201cNew Towns%u201d. New towns are likely to be built in a similar way to Milton Keynes, with a development corporation buying up land at agricultural values under compulsory purchase and then developing the land. The corporations are not democratically elected and, as a result, there will be very few ways for people to be involved in the planning process. The exact location has not yet been announced but will be imminent. This is something that we warned about last year and will be the biggest change to the area since Milton Keynes came along. We await the exact location and scale of the proposals but know the impact this will have on the communities it destroys. Watch this space; we will keep you updated in future articles.Democracy or Lack ThereofFurther Changes to the Milton Keynes constitution limit your representation even more!After changes were made in May to limit residents and parish councils%u2019 rights to challenge the Council, the ruling Labour group, with the support of the Lib Dems, has made further restrictions on how many motions can be brought to each meeting and also how many people can speak in every debate. In our view the limiting of debate will only further harm the democratic process, hinder and delay councillors%u2019 abilities to represent residents on issues such as the fl ooding in Lavendon as we did last year and also the need for new healthcare facilities in Olney. With a New Town coming and decisions on a regional Mayor, there could not be a worse time for this. However, this is most likely why the changes have been made now, to limit debate and challenge. This is a massive backwards step, and we will commit to reverse these changes if the makeup of the Council changes after the elections next year.New Health Centre for OlneyOlney desperately needs a new health centre, and it is something that Peter and Keith have been working on particularly hard for the last few years. The way Milton Keynes City Council has undertaken certain property transactions in recent months has complicated the issue. We are committed to seeing a new facility in Olney, and we will do all in our power to ensure Milton Keynes City Council makes the changes required to enable a new facility to be built as soon as possible.A Private Members%u2019 Club in OlneyIn mid-June we received formal notifi cation of a Licensing application for a private members%u2019 club to be located on Olney High Street in the premises previously occupied by the Old Shanghai restaurant. The application has triggered quite a lot of comments on Facebook, some negative and some positive. If you wish to make any comments, the reference number is 174579. Representations should relate to one or more of the four Licensing Objectives, against which all applications are determined and should be sent to licensing@milton-keynes.gov.uk :%u2022%u2002The Prevention of Crime and Disorder. %u2022%u2002The Promotion of Public Safety. %u2022%u2002The Prevention of Public Nuisance. %u2022%u2002The Protection of Children from Harm.The applicant may need to make a planning application, which is a separate process. It will depend on the previous planning %u201cUse Class%u201d and would it cover the proposed use. If an application is required, then people will be able to make comments; objections must refl ect material planning matters. We will update readers in the future if an application is lodged. However the consultation period may fall between issues of the Phonebox, so keep watching social media!New Ward Boundaries Finally Decided.As we have reported before, the ward boundaries change about every 12 years in MK, with the latest changes announced earlier in June. For the Olney Ward it means that Moulsoe will leave the ward and join the Broughton Ward, which is currently on the other side of the M1. It is a shame that the approximately 250 voters in Moulsoe cannot remain in the rural ward they are far more aligned with than a newly developed part of Milton Keynes. The villages of Stoke Goldington and Gayhurst will join the Olney Ward, meaning the ward will now represent 18 parishes. The changes will come into eff ect at the May 2026 elections when all-out elections for the now 21 wards of Milton Keynes.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 WhitworthOlney 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.ukAs many of you will know, I%u2019ve been vocal in speaking out not just for myself but as a voice for all of you who have reached out to me against the Government%u2019s plans for welfare reform.Many residents across the ward have contacted me with their concerns since these reforms were announced back in March and have been sharing their own accounts and their deep concerns attending my ward surgeries The proposed reforms are anticipated to have a signifi cant impact on people up and down the country. The Government%u2019s own impact assessment states that the reforms will push 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, into relative poverty.The Government is essentially embarking on a monumental money savings exercise. At their core, these reforms are cuts. Cuts to the tune of %u00a37 billion off the backs of the most vulnerable people in society. Disabled people, the poor and the sick and those with hidden disabilities. Having less money is a well-recognised contributor to poor mental and physical health through the stress of trying to make ends meet. There are also direct health eff ects from being unable to aff ord essentials, such as nutritious food or adequately heating your home. I know a great many residents on PIP are already struggling with their mental health deeply anxious about the impacts that these cruel cuts will have on them.If like me, you oppose these welfare reforms here are some actions you can take: Write to your MP %u2013 www.writetothem.comJoin me in London to protest when the Bill returns to Parliament on 1st July.Housing concerns: A great many residents across the ward (Olney and Lavendon in particular) have been reaching out to me with their housing concerns regarding evictions. Anyone who needs help navigating the housing register at MKCC I can help steer you at my ward surgeries https://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/housing/housing-allocations-schemeIf you are at risk of becoming homeless, please contact the Housing Solutions team in the fi rst instance.Private members clubThere has been much speculation regarding an application in respect of retail supply of alcohol at a private members club with a %u2018no under 25%u2019 restriction in Olney and I have received many letters and emails from residents wanting to know how they can comment. For information please see MKCC website link below :www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/environmentalhealth/licensing/alcohol-entertainment-latenight-refreshment/making-representationsIf a person feels that the application will or is likely to eff ect one or more of the four licensing objectives then they can submit their concern (known as a representation) in writing to the Licensing Authority at the following address Licensing, Milton Keynes City Council, Civic, 1 Saxon Gate East, Milton Keynes, MK9 3EJ. 01908 252800. Email: licensing@milton-keynes.gov.ukLastly I%u2019ll sign off this month to say do enjoy this sunny weather of course but let us all keep a look out for the vulnerable - elderly people, young children, and those with chronic illnesses who are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses.