Page 30 - Phonebox Magazine May 2016

A Message from the Mayor Councillor Phil Winsor
By the time you are reading this article my Mayoral year will be nearly at an end. On re ection, it has been an interesting and
enjoyable experience meeting many different individuals in Milton Keynes and the surrounding localities. The Mayoral Chain of Of ce was widely commented on as being a rather splendid example, which of course it is!
It has been nice to enjoy some sunshine and warmer temperatures out in the fresh air. It is good to see that the environmental improvements promised by Milton Keynes Council continue at Bury Field Common with the removal of the child unfriendly rusty barbed wire around the tree plantation at the highest point. Once the uprooted old trees etc. are removed then this aspect of the landscape can be properly enjoyed by all. Fortunately, I have been able to make a start on digging over the allotment plot, and making a raised bed for the strawberry plants. It’s nice to see the hedgerows turning green with new shoots after the barrenness of winter.
Walking through Bury Field Common, you can only just see a few of the solar panels on their frames and the associated housing units for the inverters. So its impact on the much loved common appears to be negligible. No doubt the farmer will be turning out the sheep to graze under and around all this modern technology shortly.
At the same time that the Milton Keynes Council Ward elections take place you will also be asked to vote for a Thames Valley
Police and Crime Commissioner – not a common sight in Milton Keynes, along with Town Councillors – six in the North Ward and ten in the South Ward due to boundary changes. However, the BIG decision on the 5th May for Newport Pagnell voters is deciding whether or not to support our Neighbourhood Plan. If you are an eligible Newportonian, please make use of the democratic process.
Redrow Homes, South Midlands, have now submitted a planning application for the Tesco site and we are in dialogue with Milton Keynes Council regarding the Section 106 ‘planning gain’ to Newport Pagnell through developer financial contributions. This is not an exact science, as developers will claim that the development is not nancially viable if we (and Milton Keynes Council) ask for too much. Hopefully an agreement will be reached that is fair and equitable to all parties.
JD Wetherspoon are now proposing to hold a public consultation day to outline their re-thought ideas for the ex-Robinson’s restaurant and wine bar. Once again, good arguments have caused a major corporate to stand back and re ect on their original aspirations and come up with a Plan B.
We have been advised by Milton Keynes Council that the determination of Community Asset Transfer (CAT) for the Newport Pagnell Youth Club is likely to occur in the summer 2016. Our business case has been submitted so ngers crossed.
The Annual Town Meeting took place on the 21st April. This was an opportunity for the
Mayor to tell the residents what has been going on at the Town Council to make our community thrive and have a unique vibrancy but more importantly it is a forum for residents to voice their concerns about anything. Milton Keynes Council Ward members were present so they were able to provide advice as to who the responsible authority was, and how best to get the problem dealt with.
The Swans – Newport Pagnell Town F.C. have had a tremendous season and are still in the mix for a top three nish of the United Counties league. They also made it to the Final of the Berks & Bucks Senior Trophy but unfortunately they lost 2-0 to Flackwell Heath. Things have gone from bad to worse with the MK Dons, an apparent lack of desire to win, lack of concentration in giving points away towards the nal whistle, lack of real character in the squad (too many loan players?), exacerbated by injuries and suspensions – what a sorry state, but the manager remains buoyant! So it’s looking bleak for survival in the Championship. However, an upside to relegation would bring more local derbies against Northampton Town and possibly Oxford.
Finally, the plans for the Great Battle Re-enactment of Newport Pagnell continue to be ne-tuned, it’s on the August Bank Holiday weekend, parking will be at Riverside Meadow for visitors, residents are asked to walk to Bury Field Common to the beat of the drums!!
You have been warned – the town’s beer supply may run out if the sun shines.
Enjoy the summer.
Earls Barton
Festival Of Transport 2016
And so the season of steam and transport rallies is now upon us, with Rushden Cavalcade starting things off in Northamptonshire over the May Day bank holiday weekend, and this signals the nal push for getting
everything in place for the Festival of Transport being held at Earls Barton on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th June. The event takes place at Whites Nurseries which is just off junction 10 of the A45 between Wellingborough and Northampton, and is open each day from 10am to 5pm.
They have a large array of all types of transport already entered, and there is still time to add more. You can download an entry form from their website www.festivaloftransport.net or give them a ring on 01604 811633 and they will send one to you. Forms for trade stands and craft stalls can be obtained in the same way.
They look forward to a good weekend, and hope that the weather will be kind to them, and also that you will be able to join them. They look forward to seeing you.
30 Phonebox Magazine | May 2016