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16 Phonebox Magazine | August 2025Mercury ReportOlney Town Council Meeting Summary 7th July 2025The meeting began promptly, with Mayor Debbie Whitworth requesting a minute%u2019s silence in memory of the victims of the 7/7 bombings, 20 years ago.Public ParticipationMartyn Wilkinson was fi rst to speak, raising concerns about speeding on Weston Road. He claimed MKCC (Milton Keynes City Council) appeared uninterested, and noted Ward Councillor Keith McLean, present at the meeting, believed the road was too short to speed on %u2013 something Martyn, voice slightly raised, strongly disagreed with. The mayor asked him to be less %u2018passionate,%u2019 though councillor Colin Rodden chirpily quipped that %u2018passion is good%u2019. Martyn reiterated that, despite logistical challenges in placing SIDs (Speed Indicator Devices), he felt a 20mph limit should be considered.Sarah Lowe then addressed the issue of BBQs at the recreation ground, highlighting the serious fire risk due to dry conditions and a lack of visible signage, particularly near the swimming steps. She proposed smaller, focused BBQ-specific signs and showed a sample to the council, noting that 22 BBQs had been used in the fi eld over one weekend alone.HousekeepingApologies for absence were received from Councillors Shaw and Diamandopoulos. Deirdre Bethune declared an interest in a wellness-related item on the agenda.The minutes of the previous meeting were discussed. Councillor Colin Rodden criticised the brevity of OTC%u2019s minutes. Deputy Clerk Rob Mungham explained that minutes are intended to record decisions, not full discussions. The Clerk confi rmed the minutes were compliant with guidelines. Colin said that he would like to know what he had said in previous meetings. Debbie Whitworth acknowledged Colin%u2019s comments, and the minutes were approved. Mercury advises he invest in a small recorder%u2026 or read Mercury.PCSO ReportPCSO Arlene Ormston confi rmed that traffi c concerns on Weston Road had been passed to traffi c management. She clarifi ed that while PCSOs can fi ne for alcohol-related antisocial behaviour, they can only advise on BBQ usage. Arlene also covered a range of local crime statistics. These included assault with injury, 3; assault without injury, 4; burglary business, 2; burglary from supermarket, 1; burglary of machinery and criminal damage, 1; drink/drug driving, 1; drug off enses, 1; public order, 2; neighbour dispute, 1; male shouting in the high street, 1; robbery, 1; a theft of bag, mobile phone and a parcel from a doorstep. Theft from vehicle, 6; theft of diesel, 1; theft or unauthorised taking of a motor vehicle; two bicycles stolen and a car stolen (recovered). So quite a few. There were other non-crime related incidents such as urinating in a bush, cannabis use, industrial noise concerns and others. No reports on arrests or convictions seem to be forthcoming.Colin asked if there was any way OTC could help, and she reminded residents to use 101 for real-time concerns, as online reports can take up to a day to be processed. Also, there is 999, but only for immediate emergencies.New CouncillorsSarah Lowe and Alan Stone were co-opted onto OTC with unanimous approval, with hands shooting up like a fl ock of swallows fl ying from a bush, bringing the number of councillors to 13, with two vacancies remaining.Ward Report %u2013 Cllr Keith McLeanKeith reiterated the dangers of BBQs, referencing a major fi re in Stoke Poges started by a single ember. He also raised issues about misleading road closure signs, prompting a later discussion from David Chennells, who pointed out that some roads are marked as closed but aren%u2019t, causing unnecessary delays and irritation for drivers. It is also rumoured that the A509 to J14 of the M1 will open in seven weeks, which was met with a degree of scepticism. There%u2019s also speculation about a new town within MK, although it isn%u2019t clear where, or indeed why.Sheltered AccommodationConcerns were raised about possible cuts to wardens at Clifton Court. The mayor reported that tenants on full benefi ts will be fully supported, those on partial benefits will receive contributions, and those not on benefi ts will need to pay %u00a312 per week.BBQ Enforcement DiscussionColin Rodden queried whether PCSOs could enforce BBQ rules. It was clarified again that their enforcement powers are limited to alcohol, as explained by the PCSO. Dan Rowlands suggested raising the issue with MKCC, and Keith McLean confi rmed this could be requested, and it may as well be tried.Budget and ExpenditureThe fi nancial report was presented by Rob Mungden and showed healthy figures. No objections were raised.Community Reports and EventsDebbie Whitworth praised the success of recent events, such as the Cherry Fair and the 700th anniversary celebrations of St Peter and St Paul Church. She also thanked all volunteers and attendees of the Armed Forces Tea, where Colonel John Curtin expressed his appreciation via a heartfelt letter to OTC for their support.Other Updates%u2022 SID Report: From 8th May to 9th June, SID results were generally positive.%u2022 Weston Road: Reports of damaged street furniture; residents were encouraged to report issues via the MKCC website.%u2022 River Water Quality: Current results are %u2018OK but not great.%u2019 Debbie thanked Mark Butterfi eld for his continued support. Exact test results can be seen at OTC, but this is an ongoing project.%u2022 Raft Race: Approved and went ahead with great success.%u2022 Child Safety at River: New Councillor Sarah Lowe raised concerns about children swimming. Were they more susceptible to the medical dangers than adults?. David Chennells, well qualified to answer such questions, responded, noting that children are more likely to ingest water and that low water levels increase the risk of Weil%u2019s disease, but there are many factors to be considered when weighing up the arguments of this question.%u2022 Historical Note: Deirdre Bethune mentioned that during the tannery%u2019s operation, despite pollution, the river was actually cleaned as part of the process and therefore in the past it had been less polluted.%u2022 PLUG: Deirdre Bethine mentioned that she had a PLUG (Park Liaison User Group) meeting, and Emberton Park is celebrating its 60th anniversary with music and food. It will have fi nished by the time this report comes out, but hopefully it will have been a great success.Yardley Manor DevelopmentThe planned play area is progressing, but the community building is now delayed until February 2026 %u2013 well beyond the original August 2025 deadline. Councillors expressed frustration and discussed potential legal action, and to be frank there was a sharp intake of breath when this delay was announced. This opened a full debate, of course. Both Debbie, the mayor and Jane, the town clerk, made it clear that this was totally unacceptable and they had made this clear to Sutton Land Development, who oversee this much-delayed project. It has been seven years, and one has to consider with another winter between now and the supposed end date if work really would be carried out in that time.Colin Rodden asked if OTC could see the contracts. Jane pointed out that it would be