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24 Phonebox Magazine | November 2025Mercury Report 6th October 2025Olney Town Council Meeting,6th October The meeting kicked off promptly at 7pm, with no members of the public leaping to their feet to speak, which made for a smooth start. Apologies rolled in from Cllrs Tyler, Stone, and Diamandopoulos, and with no declarations of interest, the minutes of the September meeting were briskly approved.Ward ReportsCllr Keith McLean began with the New City Plan. The regeneration plan. No, it%u2019s not a new Doctor Who, but rather the latest debate about which fi elds may or may not be built on. A big meeting on the subject is coming up, aptly on 5th November, which feels about right given all the plotting involved.Then came the curious case of the Petsoe End Wind Farm Fund. Until recently, this was managed by people not actually elected by their parishes. When OnPath Energy took over the wind farm, they asked some awkward questions about how the money was being handled. The entire committee promptly resigned en bloc, handing all documents and funds (around %u00a334,000) back to MK Council.There%u2019s talk now that the Milton Keynes Community Foundation will take it on; they%u2019d manage the pot (around %u00a340,000 once topped up) and even cover admin costs. That%u2019s good news, as it means the fund might fi nally become accessible for community projects rather than just %u2018energy saving.%u2019 Sherington has already bagged %u00a33,500 for SIDs, and there%u2019s roughly %u00a37,000 added each year until 2031, so plenty of time to get your bids in.There was some discussion about whether traffi c-calming signs count as %u2018energy saving.%u2019 Keith valiantly suggested that slower cars equal fewer emissions, which some thought a bit of a stretch, but nobody argued too hard. The main thing is that the Community Foundation will be transparent and open to applications. A step forward.Elsewhere, 40mph signs have appeared on the Sherington bypass, but road closures from 13th October for three weeks are causing confusion. Keith asked for precise timings months ago %u2013 still waiting, like the rest of us.Before dashing off to another meeting, Keith cast a knowing glance at Agenda Item 18 %u2013 the mysterious %u2018groomer%u2019 purchase %u2013 so he can read Mercury for the details.Cllr Debbie Whitworth rounded things off on a positive note: the New City Plan apparently includes concrete assurances that Olney and its surrounding villages are protected for a generation (about 25 years in council-speak). A rare bit of good news, then.No PCSO report this month %u2013 perhaps busy chasing villains.Finances & ReportsThe budget report sailed through, though Colin asked about unpaid rates. Jane explained that the Valuation Offi ce is almost impossible to contact %u2013 Colin was welcome to try his luck.External meeting reports were light, just one from Mary Prosser, who confirmed that the Alms House BBQ turned into an indoor cheese and wine thanks to the British weather.Speed Indicator Device (SID) DataRob Mungham%u2019s SID report off ered plenty of numbers:%u2022%u2002 Bridge Street (northbound): 546,815 vehicles, average speed 24.77 mph.%u2022%u2002 High Street (southbound): 233,901 vehicles, average 18.55 mph.%u2022%u2002 Yardley Road (near the middle school): 45,848 vehicles, average 20.02 mph %u2013 just right for the new 20mph limit.One rogue vehicle managed 80 mph, prompting a debate about emergency vehicles versus boy racers. Either way, most councillors agreed the fi gures were encouraging, though Colin reminded everyone that anyone hit at 40mph %u2018won%u2019t get up.%u2019 Fair point.River Water QualityThe Olney & Clifton Fishing Association continue to work with the Environment Agency, though the results are grim. Weston Underwood readings last year were %u2018off the scale,%u2019 but Anglian Water insists everything is %u2018normal%u2019 %u2013 possibly because their maps are out of date and their data, well, meaningless. Debbie is chasing the EA and our MP. A meeting is being organised because, as she put it, %u2018enough is enough.%u2019 Hear, hear.Yardley Manor DevelopmentProgress, of sorts. The community building is now pencilled in for February 2026. MK Council say they%u2019re using a %u2018threat of enforcement%u2019 approach %u2013 which sounds like %u2018sternly worded emails.%u2019 Residents are understandably frustrated, and issues such as pavements, recreation areas, and the broken zip line remain unresolved.Deirdre raised concerns about a narrow footpath being lost, but David Chennells reassured her that it can%u2019t legally be closed. Still, something to watch.Ex-Football Club & Padel CourtsJane Brushwood reported rising costs after a structural survey found a bowed back wall and roof issues %u2013 no cheap fi x there.As for the padel courts, nothing can happen until there%u2019s a lease, a rent agreement, and planning permission. Designs are being debated %u2013 three options so far %u2013 and the clerk will clarify which fi ts best with the surroundings. Approved to move forward, cautiously.Trees & New CouncillorsThe Tree Working Group seems to have gone a bit quiet, so Colin will chase that up.No new councillor this time %u2013 the candidate withdrew due to changing circumstances.Events & VolunteeringThe Outdoor Nativity at Guinea Orchard is going ahead, and LifePath returns next year.The Remembrance Service (9th November) is on the Market Place %u2013 volunteers were recruited, so the clerk doesn%u2019t have to do everything single-handed again. Good luck, team.Double Yellow LinesThis always sparks lively debate. MK Council has handed responsibility for suggestions to local councils, but each request still requires more than one resident to support it.Spring Lane and Dartmouth Road both had solo applicants, so no go.Coneygere and Church Street also discussed emergency access concerns, but again, only one complainant. %u2018Perhaps just have a word,%u2019 someone suggested. Colin fl oated the idea of doing all problem junctions at once, but Jane reminded everyone that there are laws about parking at junctions and no traffi c enforcement in any case. So, petitions, people %u2013 get signing.Marketplace Bus Shelter ArtworkPositive feedback all round from churches and historians. Deirdre queried the numbering system but withdrew her comment after discussion. Approved.Artifi cial Christmas TreeA hot topic! The Petsoe End Wind Farm Fund might foot the bill. Petsoe End Wind Farm Fund is becoming quite popular. Richard pointed out that it saves chopping down real trees; others wondered if a fake one might clash with Olney%u2019s %u2018Dickensian%u2019 charm.It%u2019ll be green (phew) with white lights, same size as usual, and foldable for storage. Probably too late for this year, but on the cards for 2026. Mercury just hopes it%u2019s not plastic.Purchase of a GroomerAh, yes %u2013 the mystery item. Turns out it%u2019s not a hairbrush, or indeed anything else one may have thought, but a fi eld roller that tidies up grass. Low-maintenance, useful, and rentable. Approved without fuss.Olney Town SignThe beautiful carved marketplace sign %u2013 made by Jeremy Turner from wood of the Cowper%u2019s Oak %u2013 is showing its age. Scaff olding to repair it costs %u00a3400 a pop, so the debate is whether to restore or replace.A new identical sign might cost around %u00a310,000, which isn%u2019t outrageous for something so detailed. Jane will contact Jeremy to see if it can be salvaged. No rush, as it%u2019s not about to collapse.Preschool FenceOTC will fund a new fence and gate (around %u00a31,000) for safety %u2013 unanimously agreed.And with that, at last, the meeting wrapped up.No fi reworks (those are next month), but plenty of lively discussion %u2013 and a fair few action points for councillors to follow up.The Next MeetingThe next meeting will be held on Monday, 6th October at 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.