Page 44 - Phonebox Magazine June 2013

NEWPORT PAGNELL COUNCILLOR CORNER
A contribution from Cllr Andy Maric
In this monthly article, I’ve chosen to focus on the Newport Pagnell Carnival.
As your local Councillor I am a strong believer that the Carnival is part of our town’s culture and history. Events such as this help galvanise and retain a strong sense of community, which truly makes this side of Milton Keynes, especially our areas, very special – whilst being open and fun for all.
The Carnival must continue for many decades to come, hopefully expanding and drawing more people in from the surrounding areas such as Giffard Park, Blakelands, Hanslope, Stoke Goldington, North Crawley, Olney and the many other surrounding villages and areas.
It’s easy to forget that events in our area of Milton Keynes such as the Carnival in Newport Pagnell; is run entirely by volunteers from within and around the town. These volunteers are kind enough to give up their time so that the people of Newport Pagnell and the surrounding areas can come along and enjoy events such as the huge carnival parade through the High St., stalls, funfair, classic cars, Harley Davidson bikes, music and more all in one place. A great weekend out for all; young and old. Some local pubs and other establishments will be holding their own events over the weekend too, remaining open for those that are old enough and wish to continue socialising after the events.
To support this event and ensure it continues long term; I’ve donated £500 from my small ward budget to the Carnival Committee. The income that this annual event generates for our town and area in return is huge, so ensuring the viability and long term stability of the Carnival is very important both from a nancial and social community point of view.
Your local Lib Dem Focus team will have a stall at the Carnival on the Saturday where you will have the opportunity to come and meet myself and my colleagues if you have not met us at events in the town before. Tell us any problems you would like us to look into, or perhaps ask any questions you may have. To make things a bit different this year, I’ve been persuaded to be put in stocks and have sponges thrown at me, in my spirit of supporting the carnival – so we promise
50% of all proceeds raised by your sponge throwing will go directly back into supporting the Carnival for next year.
Carnival weekend:
Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th July 2013.
Theme: “Around the World in 40 oats”
Saturday: Parade and main event. Parade starts and leaves Blakelands Ind. Est. at 11:50am, going via Wolverton Road, High St towards Severn Drive and Riverside Meadow. Sunday: NP Soapbox Derby in Silver St, near Tickford Arcade (just off of St. John Street) – racing starts at 10:00am. Car boot on Riverside Meadow afterwards until 4pm. Funfair (and some stalls) will stay for Sunday which is free entry.
Bridge work continues
I’ve recently investigated the work that Milton Keynes Council is undertaking to replace the footbridge over Riverside Meadow. The Contractor has contacted local residents to inform them of timescales and also visited Tickford Park Primary School.
Roads and bus changes are a disgrace
We wish to re-assure residents that we too are appalled at the state of the roads in Newport Pagnell which Conservative run Milton Keynes Council are taking far too long to repair. Conservative budget cuts also meant direct service reductions in bus services across Milton Keynes, mainly impacting weekend and evening services. Some areas now have limited / no buses during the weekday evenings and weekends, causing havoc for residents who do not have their own transport and trying to get around. We are ghting in various forums to try and get the Conservatives to change their minds, but even after offering nancially viable solutions (approved by MK Council budget staff), they rejected our proposals and Labour chose to abstain on our amendment at the budget rather than vote against the Conservatives to restore the bus services. This meant the changes went through without proper consultation with residents.
Hmklibdems.co.uk.
Alternatively, we hope to see you at the Carnival!
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44 Phonebox Magazine
How to contact us
If you need to contact any of the Newport Focus Team please email us on NewportFocus@mklibdems.co.uk.