Page 27 - Phonebox Magazine May 2016

Olney Town Council Annual Town Meeting
Olney Town Council
it in a generally poor state, having been maintained by MKC to minimum standards. It estimated repairs in the region of £150k. Much of the discussion was similar to last month’s, so just the new points are covered here. Jeremy Rawlings noted that the Youth Centre has around £30k in its coffers, and John Boardman that the building had outlived the era of its current use so a new approach was needed. The possibility, as contained in the draft Olney Neighbourhood Plan, of some of the Centre’s land being used for a larger Doctors Surgery was also mentioned. In summary, while many Councillors are clearly worried about taking on the building, the Council is continuing with the CAT process on the bases that it can pull out at any time and that, in terms of who pays for the building to be repaired, the Council’s leverage with MKC can only increase as the process continues.
Swimming Steps
As reported before, the Council had paid for a professional speci cation to be drawn up for the work required to make good the wide crack near the bottom of the Swimming Steps. Three quotations had been received to do the work and, following a short debate, the lowest was chosen. The work should be completed before Riverfest, where the raft racers exit the river up these steps, on Sunday 3rd July.
Bits ’n’ bobs
The brown information signs discussed in previous meetings are now up. It was noted that their wording, ‘Welcome to Olney, Home of Amazing Grace’, had attracted a Photoshopped alternative, posted in
the Olney Noticeboard Facebook group and worded ‘Welcome to Olney, Home of Sainsbury’s and Moaning’.
Ron Bull explained that preparations for this year’s hanging baskets had started, with them now being available to sponsor. Peter Geary noted that Thames Valley Police had offered to spend a day in Olney to advise people on how to security-harden their houses. He suggested it would be good to have them in the Olney Centre on the same day as the local elections.
The next meeting will be held at 7.30pm on Monday 9th May 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.
Introduction
Olney Town Council (OTC) hosts a yearly town meeting which provides an opportunity for members of the Public to come along to nd out what the Council, and other local groups, have been doing. Attendance at these meetings has been sporadic, ranging from very high in years when controversial items were forward in people’s minds to near zero in others. This year, with a second Sainsbury’s Planning Application ongoing and Plan:MK progressing, there are at least two controversial items and, whether due to them, the usual interesting reports or, just perhaps, the recently introduced free cheese and wine, it was pretty busy with around 40 people all told. This small article gives you a taste of what went on.
Mayor
Steve Clark is not standing for Mayor of OTC this year, leaving the way open for a new Mayor to be elected at the next full Council meeting on Monday 9th May.
Sainsbury’s Planning Application
This was discussed during Steve Clark’s Planning Committee presentation. In
summary, the rst Sainsbury’s Application was not opposed by OTC, which had the right to recommend refusal but instead was in favour, was recommended for acceptance by Milton Keynes Council (MKC) Of cers but refused by their Development Control Committee. Sainsbury’s has since submitted a revised Application with additional parking spaces, a limit of 15% on the sales area which can be used for non food items, and an agreement that the store would not include any non-retail concession space. If this second Application is refused, Sainsbury’s would likely appeal, putting MKC’s Of cers, who had previously recommended acceptance, in the unenviable position of having to stand up in Court explaining why the Council had been right to refuse it. An appeal seems non ideal because, if Sainsbury’s was to win it, MKC would have to pay the court costs, and the Planning Gain associated with the Application may be reduced.
Bits ’n’ bobs
The Plan:MK Action Group is a set of Parish Councils including Olney which has banded together to ght the option within Plan:MK to build satellite towns around certain towns and villages, Olney included, in northern rural
Milton Keynes Borough. A representative attended this meeting and gave a good summary of the current position. This is quite a tale and has all been covered before by the Phonebox, both in OTC and Mercury articles, so is not covered further here. If you’re concerned about large scale local development and want to know more, Google for “Plan:MK”.
Andy Hipkin of Thames Valley Police reported that, this year, there’d been 45 (19 last year) burglaries in Olney, around half domestic, 14 (29) thefts of or from motor vehicles, 16 (20) assaults including those without injury but none classed as grievous bodily harm or worse, 18 (31) counts of shoplifting and 3 (4) sexual offences. The Police, currently low on Of cers in this area, are recruiting to replace this shortfall.
The Cowper and Newton Museum had a good year, and is aiming to make itself more self suf cient in order to ensure its long term viability. The Newport Pagnell and Olney Lions Club has around 18 members, is doing well but would welcome more – Google for “Olney Lions” if you can help. The Olney Group is also doing well, planning to signi cantly increase the range and size of entertainments and attractions at this year’s Riverfest, the new name for Raft Race.
May 2016 | Phonebox Magazine 27