Page 24 - Phonebox Magazine September 2014

Newport Pagnell Councillor’s Corner
Cllr Derek Eastman
It has been a hot summer, too hot for me but fully acceptable to others. But, typically, as I’m writing this it’s raining. Bertha has come to shore with heavy rain and hailstones. She has now passed over and I think we can return to the unusually warm weather we have been experiencing. When this drops on your doorstep, all of this will probably be forgotten.
Giffard Park pond
In last month’s issue, Paul raised the important subject of the pond and the fact that a lot of work was needed to restore it. It hasn’t helped that a tree has fallen into the pond. On the 8th August, I attended a meeting with members of Great Linford Parish Council and Officers from MK Council. We discovered that repair work would cost in the region of £60,000. Also, the pond is ‘man made’, which I did not know about before (not sure if that is the politically correct thing to say these days!).
I don’t pretend to know the science surrounding ponds but it is clear there are significant problems. Apparently a high degree of anaerobic activity, coupled with the extremely hot weather, has taken its toll. An increase in nutrients in the water has increased activity from ‘bottom feeders’, creating a high demand for the oxygen in the water. This has led to fish dying. A major problem is the amount of bread in the pond, which just sinks to the bottom and increases the nutrients in the water, creating more problems. With the water level falling, the weeds and plants are encroaching. The duckweed floating on the pond is not a problem as when the weather changes it will disappear.
Now, an action plan will be drawn up to remedy the problems. The overgrown vegetation will be attended to and money raised to resolve the issues identified. This will not be a five minute job and ongoing maintenance will be required.
Overgrown vegetation
With the hot weather and occasional rain, our local vegetation has run wild in places. Creeping across redways and footpaths, it’s irritating pedestrians and blocking street and road signs. Wheelchair users and pushchairs are finding it difficult in some places. I have received a number of complaints on the subject, all of which have been reported to MK Council for resolution. If you are experiencing problems with overgrown vegetation, you can report them on the council’s own website (milton-keynes.gov.uk) or, if you live within the Newport Pagnell South Ward, contact the Focus Team (details below).
Railway Walk, Newport Pagnell
New lamps for old
Recently, I have been asked questions about the double lamps on Railway Walk, Newport Pagnell. For example, will the old ones be removed? As with all things, the lamps have a finite life and the street lights on Railway Walk have come to the end of theirs, so a replacement was needed. You will probably have noted that many lamps across the whole of Milton Keynes have been replaced over the past few months. The new lamps are low energy and will save money in the future.
Great Linford overgrown vegetation
Your vote matters
The way you register to vote is changing. In the future, you will be able to do it electronically, but if you’ve already registered you should have received a letter about it. There are two registers kept on the system. First is the electoral register, which recorded everyone and is solely used for election purposes.
Secondly, the open register is one which can be purchased by any person or business. You can ask for your details to be removed from this one, without it affecting your right to vote.
You can find out more about the electoral system by visiting gov.uk/yourvotematters.
Follow me online at
derekeastman.mycouncillor.org.uk or on Facebook by searching Cllr Derek Eastman.
If you need to contact any of the Newport Pagnell South Liberal Democrat Focus Team, please email us at, NewportSouth@mklibdems.co.uk or write to us at:
FREEPOST RSLR-SSHC-GKUS, Newport Pagnell South Focus Team, NEWPORT PAGNELL, Bucks, MK16 0BW
(No stamp needed)
Fallen tree at the Gifford Park pond
24 Phonebox Magazine