Mercury Report Public participation There were two members of the public wishing to speak at this month's meeting. Steve Axtell spoke on a matter that was a formal agenda item, so Mayor Steve Clark invited him to stay for that item and speak then. The second was Brian Rice, who reminded the council that the parking problems in Weston Road and Oakdown Crescent had been going on for two and a half years now, and he felt it was time something was done. He said the situation was getting worse and felt the proposed Sainsburys' store would only make matters worse. Brian also said that the only solution put forward by the council so far was 'laughable' and it was time that they 'pulled their fingers out' and got it sorted. Deidre Bethune proposed that the issue was made a formal agenda item at the next meeting. --Co-option of new a member-- As reported last month, there is a vacancy on Olney Town Council as Debbie Brock has resigned her seat. There had been no requests for an election from the public, so the post could be filled by co-option. Mayor Steve Clark said that there were five candidates for the post, anyone of which he thought would make an excellent councillor. The candidates were Chris Shaw, Cassie Knight, Malcolm Messenger, Ben Peters and Sally Pezaro. Each of them submitted a resume and was invited to briefly address the council as to why they wished to be co-opted, except Ben Peters who was not present. Town Clerk Liam Costello explained that the council's Standing Orders had changed so the previous 'first past the post' method had been replaced by a requirement for the winning candidate to have an absolute majority. A ballot would be held and at each stage the candidate with the least votes would be struck off the list, until one candidate would be declared the winner. In the first round, Ben Peters had the least votes so was struck off. In the second round, Malcolm Messenger and Cassie Knight tied, so it fell to the mayor to have the casting vote. Steve Clark said that as Malcolm Messenger had polled higher in the first round, it was only fair that he should progress to the next. In the next round, Chris Shaw gained an outright majority and was declared the winner and took his seat at the table. Chris has lived in or close to Olney for nearly 22 years and is currently part of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group. He is a recently retired chartered surveyor with more than 40 years in the residential market. He is a trustee of Milton Keynes Parks Trust and Chair of Whitecap Ltd, a subsidiary of the trust, which is responsible for all leisure activities in and around Willen Lake. He is a trustee of Greensleeves Homes Trust and has been both Chair and Clerk to the Tyringham and Filgrave Parish meeting. He has played rugby for the Olney Rugby Club Vets. BOFF indemnity At a previous meeting, the council received a request to indemnify the Big Olney Food Festival against financial loss, but had voted not to do so. This month, Steve Axtell presented the request again and answered questions on behalf of the organising committee. He explained that BOFF is organised by the Olney Chamber of Trade with the objective of promoting food retailers and producers of the town and to bring visitors to the town. Over the past five years, it has grown in size and in cost, with the majority of revenue coming from business sponsors, fees charged to stall holders and bar sales. He stressed that it is not a commercial event in the sense that the chamber does not make tephen akley & o ESTATE AGENTS · SURVEYORS · VALUERS PROPERTY MANAGERS & CONSULTANTS For a Free Valuation Contact Stephen Oakley & Co The area s most established Independent Estate Agency Serving Olney and Surrounding Villages TELEPHONE: 01234 711800 EMAIL: in @stephenoakley.co.uk Drayview, 35 High Street, Olney, Buckinghamshire MK46 4EB www.stephenoa ey.co.uk Licensed by the andARLA Buyers! Sellers! Landlords! Tenants! Please visit our New website www.stephenoakley.co.uk 40 Phonebox Magazine