Page 15 - Phonebox Magazine June 2013

Act 1960 on the basis that publicity would be prejudicial to the public interests by the confidential nature of the business to be transacted’. This mouthful is almost invariably agreed, and Mercury, along with any remaining members of the Public make their way home, while Councillors stay to discuss the confidential business. It tends to get used to cover items such as personnel matters, where its use is uncontroversial, and tenders, where it isn’t.
Councillors had received guidance on the legislation and how to interpret it. The initial position should always be in favour of disclosing as much information as possible about the decisions the Council takes, and only in limited circumstances should information be withheld, where there’s justification, in law, for doing so. The relevant considerations in favour of disclosure include openness and accountability for tender processes and prices.
After some debate, in which it was clear that there was general agreement in favour of openness, Councillors agreed that tenders would not generally be regarded as confidential, and that the names of the companies and organisations concerned
would be anonymised. This common practice would prevent, for example, one company gaining business-critical information from another’s quotation.
Anemometer
It was mentioned in passing that a planning application had been received from RWE npower renewables for a temporary 80 metre anemometer on land at Bozeat Grange, just South of Bozeat. For more information, surf to planning.wellingborough.gov.uk/portal, click Application Search, enter Reference number WP/2013/0162 and click Search.
Hanging baskets
The hanging baskets in the town during the Summer months, bar those around the Market Square, are all sponsored by local companies, organisations and individuals. Ron Bull, who’s kindly organised this sponsorship in recent years, is not able to run it this time due to health reasons. As a result, the Council has stepped in and is starting to organise sponsorship for this year. So, if you’ve had a basket in the last few years, it’ll be the Council approaching
you to see if you’d like to sponsor one again this time round.
If you’re a company, organisation or individual who’d like to sponsor a basket this year, please contact the Council by calling Liam or Sandra on 01234 711679, or emailing them at townclerk@ olneytowncouncil.gov.uk. Each basket has an individual plaque showing the name of its sponsor.
Buses
As a result of MKC budget cuts, the Number 1 bus service between Olney and Milton Keynes will be considerably reduced from 2nd June – surf to www.milton-keynes.gov. uk/bus/documents/1.pdf. Essentially, most of the evening buses will be cut, and there’ll be no buses at all on Sundays. The Council will ask MKC if any of these evening buses could be reintroduced.
The next meeting will be held at 7.30pm on Monday 3rd June in the Council Chamber in the Olney Centre. Members of the public are always welcome to attend and, if they wish, speak at the start of the meeting, or at any point that the mayor decides is appropriate.
Will you be ready
for this year’s Olney Raft & Duck Race?
Did you know that the Olney Duck and Raft Races will be on Sunday 7th July? If you love the water and live in middle England where, let’s face it, there’s not a lot of it about, then this is the event for you. There’s something for everyone – we’ve even managed to tempt the RNLI away from the coast, and they’re bringing one of their lifeboats plus a mascot for you to see. Would you like to take part? Building a raft is great for pub teams, families, company team building, groups of friends, fundraising and more. We welcome entrants with a huge range of abilities and aims: Last year, the Olney Runners Girls team won with a time of just under 27 minutes, but we’ve also had great themed entries based on Thunderbirds, cavemen and more. Surf to www.theolneygroup.org or email mark.luckin@googlemail. com to ask questions or get an entry form.
Arrive by 1pm to see the Duck Race at the Weir in Emberton Park. Then, having watched the rafts start their race, make your way down to the Swimming Steps on the Olney Sports Fields off East Street to see them nish and spend a relaxing afternoon soaking up the entertainments we’ve laid on for you. These include food and music from the Milton Keynes Friends of the Caribbean Club, Beat the Goalie, a Fair, locally brewed Hopping Mad beers and more.
If you’re driving, park at Emberton Park (vehicle entry fee applies) on the A509 to see the start, and in Olney itself to see the nish.
If you’d like more information or to book a stall at Raft Race nish (and at the moment we’re particularly looking for fundraising and games stalls such as tombola, raf es and cakes), surf to www.theolneygroup.org, email mark. luckin@googlemail.com or call Mark on 07743 983686. The Duck Race is organised by the First Olney Scout Group, and the Raft Race is organised by The Olney Group.
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