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22 Phonebox Magazine | December 2025Newport Pagnell Mayor%u2019s UpdateNewport Pagnell Councillor CornerNewport Pagnell South FOCUS Team, Cllrs Jane & Andy Carr, Tony OyakhireElectric Scooters %u2013 Do Not Buy Them For ChristmasWe get many complaints about scooters; the speeding, being abandoned, obstructing the path or being used for criminal activity, but did you know privately owned scooters are illegal unless used on private land and only with the landowners permission? We recently meet with representatives of Thames Valley Police at their recent Coff ee with a Cop to discuss the issue.There are two types of scooter; the ones you can hire which can be used on cycleways and footpaths, and the privately owned ones, which can%u2019t. We are warning anyone who might want to buy one, or owns one now, to be aware, your Christmas present might get squashed! Most owners are unaware that their scooter, purchased legally online or from high street shops, is a problem. Privately owned electric scooter can only be used on private land with the landowner%u2019s permission. They often run at faster speeds and are always uninsured; so Thames Valley Police are taking a fi rm stance, anyone seen with an illegal scooter will have the it confi scated and crushed, no excuses. The rider could also receive a fi ne and points on their driving license. Private e-scooter rented through an offi cial trial scheme are allowed on public footpaths, including cycle lanes, but there are issues with them being abandoned.The Focus team are working with organisations to secure restricted areas called Geo-parking. The GPS technology creates virtual parking that controls where hired e-scooters and bikes can be rented from and parked. The scooter%u2019s on-board technology constantly checks its location against these virtual maps. When a rider tries to end a trip outside of a designated parking zone, the app will prevent them from locking the scooter and may issue warnings or potential fi nes. We are keen to ensure Newport Pagnell has a range of The town council want Newport Pagnell residents to have good physical, mental and fi nancial wellbeing. This includes supporting local businesses to prosper, and there is no better time to do that than at Christmas. I say this constantly, because it%u2019s true, but whereas a large multinational selling you something may make billionaire owners even more unbelievably rich; it if you make that same purchase from a local business may keep them trading.Rather than hide the money in the Cayman Islands they are much more likely to take the money you paid them and to spend it in our local economy too.So, this Christmas time while you may be buying items please can I encourage you to consider what purchases you might make from local businesses and groups. And please remember it%u2019s not just the shops in the town centre, but there are other local people providing services and products across town. Spending more locally might also be a fantastic New Year%u2019s resolution.Christmas isn%u2019t supposed to be about gifts other than gold, frankincense and myrrh. For many it%u2019s an important part of their faith and it%u2019s also about spending time with family and friends, which conversely means it%u2019s also a peak time for those who are on their own to feel real loneliness. Our town is a great community, we look after each other, so do try and keep a supportive thought for neighbours who might not see others over the break.Finally, a sincere thank you to police, fi re, ambulance, NHS and care workers; and of course the armed forces and security personnel, whose jobs mean they are caring for us at all times of year. Likewise the others that keep our world going, all through Christmas and the holiday period (we must never forget the importance of all the heroes we clapped for during Covid lockdown). Merry Christmas to all.Let 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. these parking places to better protect the public, so we will keep you informed.Coff ee with a Cop is operating throughout the town, with dates and times reported on Chit Chat. Just come along.Councillor Surgery - Our next councillor%u2019s surgeries will be on 24th January from 10.00 to 11.30am, at the Mead Centre, Newport Pagnell, to coincide with the Repair Shop. Follow us on Facebook %u2013 Newport Pagnell South Ward. You can also contact the Focus team by emailing newportsouthlibdems@gmail.com or phoning 01908 216366. 200 Club Winners %u2013 October 2025, 1st B Slater, 2nd M Nudd.Have yourself a very Paggy Christmas