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22 Phonebox Magazine | November 2025Newport Pagnell Mayor%u2019s UpdateNewport Pagnell Councillor CornerNewport Pagnell South FOCUS Team, Cllrs Jane & Andy Carr, Tony OyakhireOverhanging Trees and Overgrown ShrubsWe are often asked about overgrown areas, tall or overhanging trees and asked if the City Council can cut them back. The answer is often a no, as the shrubs or trees are either on private land or the work felt to be unnecessary. This is often highly frustrating for residents who want a resolution. This year, due to the hot, dry weather, many trees are dropping weak branches, which is a natural response as it conserves the tree%u2019s energy over the winter, but action is often needed to protect the public and property. This has led to a higher-thannormal number of requests for help. The City Council will not normally prune or fell a Council-owned tree because it is perceived to be too big, because it hangs over into your land, or if the tree is felt to obstruct light. If the tree is in good health with no evident risks, it will be left to nature.%u00a0 However, there is a lot of concern as to why some trees seem to have been heavily cut back, like the beautiful willows on the Poets estate. Whilst a tree looks as though they have been unnecessarily hacked, tree surgeons do this to preserve and protect the tree, allowing a tired tree to rest and then grow with strength in the spring. One of the most common arguments between neighbours is over trees and landscaping. There is clear law within the context of %u2018nuisance%u2019 for overhanging trees from neighbours, but there are restrictions on when to cut trees and hedgerows within the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which protects nesting birds; otherwise, you can cut back overhanging trees. It%u2019s best to inform your neighbour before doing so to agree on what work is to be done and to ask if they want the branches returned.%u00a0 However, windfall fruit or fruit on overhanging branches cannot be taken without consent and trees on boundary I was privileged to watch a performance of %u201cGrease %u2013 the musical%u201d at Ousedale School. The show was beyond automatic, systematic, and hydromatic; it had groove and meaning.%u00a0 My only complaint was that I didn%u2019t have the opportunity to return the next evening and watch it again, and instead I was writing this column while refl ecting on what made the performance so good. There were several important groups involved, those who carried weighty-looking props on and off stage, the lighting crew, orchestra, etc, as well as the on-stage performers, the interval caterers and so on. While some school staff and volunteers were involved, essentially this was young people demonstrating a wide range of talents, and they impressed. The enthusiastic audience enhanced the experience too. I noted that the wide range of those roles and the contribution each made combined to something special.Meanwhile, across town, there is similarly a need for many groups to play their diverse parts in keeping our community and economy fl ourishing. We want a range of high-quality retailers and hospitality employing competent and friendly staff , but without an enthusiastic customer base, they will not survive. We want successful sporting clubs to follow, but without suffi cient spectators and players, they can%u2019t invest in what%u2019s needed to achieve winning results; we want great events and clubs, but without volunteers or participants, they cannot be sustained.My point is that so much of our town depends on what we do as townsfolk and how much we engage. Just as all groups involved in the show were needed, so many other aspects of our town life rely on many groups of people to play a role.So, if, like me, you want Newport Pagnell to keep being the best it can be, we can play our parts as customers, supporters, volunteers, participants, etc. Whenever you lines are owned jointly, so negotiation is necessary. The removed branches must be off ered back to the neighbour, not just thrown back over the fence, as disposal is the responsibility of the person cutting the tree or removing the landscaping. For those interested in the City Council%u2019s Tree Policy, it is available at the following address: https://tinyurl.com/mr2yxa76.This 32-page document covers a range of issues, such as sap and leaf fall, trees obstructing light or touching private property, plus issues such as trees obscuring streetlamps or the highway. Litter Pick Dates The last one for this year will be on 25th October %u2013 meeting at Station Road Car Park at 1pm. Everyone is welcome, especially families, as this will be half-term.%u00a0 Just come along.Councillor Surgery %u2013 Our next councillor%u2019s surgeries will be on 22nd November, from 10 to 11.30am, at the Mead Centre, Newport Pagnell, to coincide with the Repair Shop. We will then return in January 2026.You can contact the Focus team by emailing newportsouthlibdems@gmail.com or phoning 01908 216366. Follow us on Facebook %u2013 Newport Pagnell South Ward. 200 Club Winners %u2013 September 2025, 1st Mrs Le Count, 2nd Ms Ford.Greased lightningcan #Supportlocal #EatLocal #ShopLocal #DrinkLocal #VolunteerLocalLet me know what you thinkPhonebox readers with any comments about Newport Pagnell can contact me at pauldaymk@outlook.com. I am also on social media @pauldayMK on Facebook.