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28 Phonebox Magazine | November 2025Fire Service CutsThe Bucks and Milton Keynes Fire Authority, which runs the city%u2019s fi re service, is discussing proposals to cut fi re appliances in Milton Keynes. There are no current proposals we are aware of for service cuts at either Olney or Newport Pagnell, but proposals do exist proposing one fi re engine to be lost from Broughton and two engines from the Blue Light Hub at West Ashland. What is worse is that the rationale for these cuts has not been explained at all. The Fire Authority has underspent its budget for the last two years, it has reserves of over 40% of its budget and has one of the lowest debts of any fi re authority in the country. The need for austerity seemingly does not exist, so the fact these cuts have been considered by the new Lib Dem and Labour administration on the fi re authority is unfathomable. We expect these proposals will now go out for consultation, and we will give details when available on how people can comment on this.Update on Travellers%u2019 SitesFor the North Crawley site there was a hearing in the High Court on 14th October, where the appellant was seeking leave to appeal the decision of the Planning Inspector issued on 22nd December 2024. The Inspector%u2019s Decision was that the site at Brook End should be vacated within nine months of the decision notice being issued, i.e. by 22nd September 2025. The judge dismissed the appellant%u2019s request to appeal the Planning Inspector%u2019s decision and awarded costs to MKCC. We now await information about how and when the site will be vacated. Readers will have realised that this is not a quick process, as the travellers occupied the site on 3rd December 2021!For the site in a fi eld opposite Gun Lane in Sherington, an appeal against the Enforcement notice has been lodged. Submissions by both parties must be submitted by 11th November, and the fi nal comments by 2nd December. The appeal will be decided by a %u2018Hearing in Person%u2019 and we await a date as to when the Planning Inspector will hold the hearing. As with the above, this will be a long process.Bin Emptying and Return of BinsOver the past few months I have been made aware of a growing number of instances where bins have been emptied but have not been returned to the place they were taken from, or within two metres of the place where the bins were placed %u2013 this is a contractual obligation. There are also regular reports of bins being placed in front of driveways, requiring drivers to get out of their vehicles to move the bins before driving onto their property. The MKCC offi cers and the contractor need to be informed of the shortfalls in the service; this can be done using the Report It process on the Council%u2019s website. The link to the appropriate page is on the Services page with the title %u201cNon-Return of Bins%u201d. You could also send an email to customerservices@milton-keynes.gov.uk New City Plan and a New TownWe have written before about the New City Plan, where the council is planning where they will build up to 60,000 new houses in Milton Keynes. The fi nal proposals for this plan have now been released, which show a signifi cant expansion of the MKE area, which stretches almost to the top of Chicheley Hill. As well as signifi cant expansion elsewhere in the City. In addition to this, the Government announced that Milton Keynes will indeed be the site of one of the Government%u2019s %u2018New Towns%u2019. Exactly where this will be and how big it will be is currently not known, but development to the north of the City is being proposed, something that has not been included in any plans so far; this will likely lead to more than 60,000 houses. We await further details on the New Town, but the consultation for the New City Plan is now underway, and you can fi nd more details on the Council%u2019s website.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.ukNationwide Olney After liaising with Nationwide, I%u2019d like to reassure residents that they understand the challenging situation for residents and have informed me that they are working hard to minimise the impact. They have been personally calling their regular and more vulnerable customers.On the whole, customers are managing with alternatives %u2013 even the post offi ce, for those who do not know, can be used with a nationwide card if you need to take money out.A full assessment of the damage has been made, and they are working hard to ensure the branch opens soon.Nationwide thanks everyone for their understanding at this diffi cult time.MK City Plan 2050The MK City Plan 2050 is an important planning document that sets out how Milton Keynes will change and grow in the years ahead.Ward Councillors will be attending an information session on the 5th November, where we will be given details on the fi nal draft and its consultation. I will report back next month.Planning Reuse and RecyclingThe planning application for the North Milton Keynes Reuse and Recycling Centre is now live on the planning portal.Planning Application: PLN/2025/2159. All the documents relating to the application may be viewed on the portal on the Council%u2019s website under reference PP-14369614, including traffi c and transport, environmental impact and other reports. The application is being submitted for a proposed new Recycle and Reuse site at the Eco Park in Old Wolverton. This new site will replace the New Bradwell and Newport Pagnell Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs), which no longer meet the growing needs of the City. The two sites are no longer suitable due to their size, and it is not possible to expand or adapt them. Comments on the proposal may be left on the portal, and a decision is expected to be made in early January 2026.Scam talks/security advice by TVP I%u2019ve asked our local police about a Scam Talk for residents, in particular informing them on the current scams that we are seeing and what residents can do to protect themselves.The police are happy to deliver these talks to any of the local parish communities.The greater awareness they can bring on crime prevention to residents in relation to scams and advice on security, the safer everyone will be.Local parish councils can simply contact their local police to arrange.Thames Valley Business Crime Reduction Partnership %u2013 DISCI had a short introductory session on this, and I strongly advise retailers and businesses to get signed up.The aim is to get businesses across the Thames Valley area signed up and reporting nonemergency crime through DISC rather than 101.DISC is a great system designed to support retailers. It%u2019s a quicker way for businesses to report via this medium as opposed to long waits on 101, which invariably end up with the shops hanging up.Obviously if a theft is in progress at the premises dial 999.Ollie Fletcher is the Liaison for the Thames Valley Business Crime Reduction Partnership.Contact details: Oliver.fl etcher@thamesvalley.police.uk Remembrance Sunday & Armistice DayAs Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day draw near, we remember and honour the sacrifi ces of our armed forces.At the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month %u2013 we will remember them.