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October 2025 | Phonebox Magazine 25September 2025locations. More volunteers are required said Debbie so if anyone would like to assist with improving the water quality please get in touch with Debbie through the OTC offi ce. The combined sewer overflow (CSO) at Weston Underwood had been responsible in 2024 for what Debbie described as %u2018appalling hours of dumping%u2019 and has been reported to the EA, and a response is awaited. Water levels have been the lowest in living memory, and there has been a huge increase in weed and algae (including blue-green algae) growth, she said. It would appear that there has been no recent testing for E.coli, but testing is now taking place for ammonia and levels are not excessively high. Electrical conductivity measures the ability of water to conduct an electrical current. The higher the concentration of dissolved charged chemicals (also known as salts) in the water, the greater the electrical current that can be conducted. Signifi cantly elevated electrical conductivity can indicate that pollution has entered the river. Based on the fi gures from June:The Weir%u2022%u2005 Electrical conductivity 448 microsiemens per cm (%u00b5S/cm).%u2022%u2005 Phosphates down from 1.98 to 1.28 mg/l %u2022%u2005 Nitrate has remained stable at around 5 mg/l%u2022%u2005 Ammonia (not previously reported) 0.1mg/lBathing Place steps at rec to river%u2022%u2005 Electrical conductivity 456 (%u00b5S/cm%u2022%u2005 Phosphates up from 0.48 to 0.97 mg/l%u2022%u2005 Nitrates down from 7.5 to 5 mg/l%u2022%u2005 Ammonia 0.2 mg/lThe Mill%u2022%u2005 Electrical conductivity 433 (%u00b5S/cm%u2022%u2005 Phosphates up from 0.45 to 1.25 mg/l%u2022%u2005 Nitrates down from 7.5 to 5 mg/l%u2022%u2005 Ammonia 0.32 mg/lYardley Manor developmentConfirmation of physical completion of the public open space consisting of the playground, playing pitch, BMX track, and parkland was issued by MKCC in June, which initiated a 12-month maintenance period by the developer before it can be transferred to OTC A snagging list is being addressed. Progress is being made on the community building but options are being explored with MKCC legal team as to legal enforcement for completion. Update on the ex-Football Club buildingJane Brushwood said the building refurbishment was no further ahead, although permission had now been granted to proceed with relocating the public toilets into the building. However, the delay could be a blessing, she said, as a commercial proposition for the building of two padel courts had recently been received which would be in front of the existing tennis courts and could be integrated into the refurbishment costs for the building. This is not connected with the previous request from the tennis club to build a padel court to the side of the existing tennis courts, for which OTC had granted permission but the tennis club had decided not to proceed with. David Chennells said he%u2019d read the proposition and was impressed with the enthusiasm shown and the fact that it would be selffinancing. Chris Shaw expressed concern about the possible noise generated, but Jane did not think that would be a problem as the proposed courts are well away from any residents, although she did note that it would be using the space currently used for the funfair and stalls at the annual Fireworks night, so those would need to be relocated.The proposal was generally supported by members to bring a new sport to the town. Jane will investigate further before taking the proposal to the Joint User Group and back to full council.Marquees on the Market PlaceCurrently marquees erected on the Market Place for events such as BOFF and the Pancake Race are secured by 1m steel spikes driven into the tarmac. The holes are back-filled by the suppliers when the marquees are removed. Jane Brushwood said that this destabilises the surface which will eventually result in the whole area needing to be resurfaced at a cost of %u00a350,000 at last estimate. The organisers of the events do not care because it%u2019s not their land, she said. She noted that the Rugby Club had used an alternative method for a recent event on their paved patio area. Deirdre Bethune belatedly declared an interest as a member of the Pancake Race Committee. The committee had sent an email to the mayor and clerk explaining how much this would add to their marquee hire charges, she said. Would it cost %u00a350k interjected Richard Hillier? A fraction of that, someone replied. I rest my case, he said. The council had previously agreed that the spike method could continue until the area was resurfaced, said Deirdre. Jane said part of the surface had been replaced this year at a cost of %u00a310k but the continued use of spikes was making the day that the whole market place would need to be resurfaced come sooner. David Chennells was supportive of the proposal from a health and safety point of view, saying the days are gone when you drive spikes through somebody else%u2019s tarmac and that professional marquee companies now use weights. Alan Stone said he uses weights for his garden gazebo which slip around the feet and work just fi ne. Jane said for larger marquees the weights would be concrete blocks or water-fi lled containers. BOFF and Pancake Race organisers do not pay the council for use of the Market Place to raise funds for themselves but there is a cost to the council, she said. The Recs and Services Committee had recommended that the new regulations are enforced from the beginning of next year. A vote was taken and all voted in favour, with he exception of Deirdre who, having declared an interest, abstained.Odds and SodsTree Preservation: Colin Rodden and David Tyler had prepared a very detailed report as the Tree Preservation Working Group in order to protect what is considered to be an at-risk critical environmental asset around the %u2018crane site%u2019. Neither was at the meeting to present the report, but the council agreed to forward it to MKCC to urgently request a Tree Preservation Order on the vital group of trees.Burial of Ashes: A request for a non-resident burial of ashes in the cemetery had been received, which was approved because of long-standing family connections. Deirdre Bethune observed that the necessity to bring all such requests to full council could result in delays to non-cremation burials and suggested that such applications should be delegated to the Town Clerk in future. Annual Town Fireworks: The Annual town Fireworks organised by The Olney Group (TOG) will take place on the recreation ground on Sunday, 2nd November.Ukrainian Twin request: An email had been passed to OTC from MKCC asking if the council would consider a request to twin with the Ukrainian City of Buryn which is situated a few miles from the Russian border. It was agreed to politely decline as members did not relish the possibility of being twinned with a potential Russian city.Cowper & Newton Noticeboard: The Cowper and Newton Museum have requested their own noticeboard in the Market Place. Debbie Whitworth observed that there is already quite an array of boards there belonging to OTC, Women%u2019s Institute and Royal British Legion. With their new permanent signs and notices outside of the building, she felt she could not support the request. Members were in agreement, and David Chennells was of the opinion that the museum is %u2018a little bit selfevident%u2019, so the request was declined.The Next MeetingThe next meeting will be held on Monday 6th October 7pm in the Olney Centre. If you would like to contribute to the Public Participation section at the start of the meeting, or any time the mayor deems appropriate, please contact the Town Clerk, townclerk@olneytowncouncil.gov.uk.