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22 Phonebox Magazine | April 2025Newport Pagnell Mayor%u2019s UpdateNewport Pagnell Councillor CornerYou can contact the Focus team by emailing newportsouthlibdems@gmail.com or phoning 01908 216366. Follow us on Facebook %u2013 Newport Pagnell South Ward Newport Pagnell South FOCUS Team, Cllrs Jane & Andy Carr, Tony OyakhireCouncil Tax BillsIt%u2019s that time of year again when the Council Tax bills fall through post boxes. We thought it might be useful to explain how the fi nal amounts are calculated. The total bill for a Band D property in Newport Pagnell is %u00a32,360.60 for the year. Whilst this money is paid to the Milton Keynes City Council, they do not keep it all; it is made up of a number of charges collected for other agencies. Of the total amount from each Band D property, %u00a31,759.72 will go to Milton Keynes City Council for adults and children%u2019s social care, road maintenance, waste services, social housing, planning, schools, maintaining some of our green spaces, and other services. Milton Keynes has the largest area by population within the Thames Valley policing area and hosts several specialist police services. Therefore, %u00a3283.28 of the total goes to the Police & Crime Commissioner to maintain law and order for all of Thames Valley. Similarly, %u00a384.46 is for Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Fire Authority to cover all fi re and rescue services again across the Thames Valley area, including a specialist water rescue service based in Newport Pagnell. Finally, %u00a3233.14 of the bill is collected and passed on to Newport Pagnell Town Council to cover their expenses for running the swimming pool and other sports and recreation areas, maintaining play parks, the town ranger service, allotments, dog bins, and our Youth Centre. This funding also helps to support town events, including the Farmer%u2019s Market. However, the amounts raised from Parish and Town Councils vary depending on how much each council feels it needs to cover its responsibilities. For example, a similar Band D property in Olney is %u00a32,255.16, meaning it is cheaper by %u00a3105.44 this year. For clarity, Milton Keynes City Council has raised its portion of the Council Tax by 4.99%, which is broken down into 2% for adult social care and 2.99% for all other services. The two biggest areas of expenditure are Children%u2019s Social Care and Adults%u2019 Social Care, which amounts to almost two-thirds of the expenditure. Anyone experiencing diffi culties in paying their Council Tax should contact MKCC on 01908 691691 and ask for a Discretionary Council Tax Reduction. Funding local public servicesIn March, we as householders each receive our Council Tax notice for the coming year, and in April we start paying it! The bottom of the front page explains how much of what you pay goes to each of Milton Keynes City Council, your local parish/town council, the Fire Authority and the Police. Each of those bodies provides public services, and I%u2019d encourage all residents to familiarise themselves with who does what. As Town Councillors, my colleagues and I are always happy to hear from local folk if you have a comment about the services we provide, such as sports, youth and community facilities, allotments, open spaces, and play areas.Annual meetingsOne week in March I attended the Annual Meetings of the Newport Pagnell Historical Society, of which I%u2019m proud to be honorary President and of the Bury Commoners Association. At both well-attended gatherings, I saw that small committees of highly dedicated people, supported by additional volunteers, make a huge diff erence to our town. I know these are just two of the many organisations making a diff erence, and I just want to reiterate the town%u2019s gratitude for what all such groups are doing. Our town is not the buildings; it is the community, and we are lucky to have such enthusiasm for it. I also know that the key folks at all these organisations would be helped out by more volunteers. I make this suggestion often, because I recognise the need is always there, and if you have some time you might share with others to help out, please contact me if you%u2019d like ideas about volunteering in Newport Pagnell. Volunteering is proven to be good for mental and physical health as well as a great way to meet new people. J14 - The fi nal countdown?I%u2019ve recently had confl icting dates confi rmed by MKCC and the Contractors that London Road through to Junction 14 will reopen by the end of July or the end of August. Even if the later option is only about 150 days from now, I know our townsfolk will be waiting to see which is accurate; and furious if neither promise is kept.Phonebox readers with any comments about Newport Pagnell, can contact me at pauldayMK@outlook.comLitter Pick DatesThe dates for this year%u2019s community litter picks are all at 1pm on the following dates: 26th April, meet at Station Road Car Park.28th June, meet at Poets Estate shops.30th August, meet at the entrance at Portfi elds Avenue shops.25th October, meet at Station Road Car Park.Our next councillor%u2019s surgery will be on 25th April from 10am to 11.30am at the Mead Centre, Newport Pagnell, to coincide with the Repair Shop. 200 Club Winners, February: 1st prize, Ms Salter; 2nd prize, Mr Talleck. What%u2019s onAnnual Vintage Event, Town Centre and Bury Common on Saturday 7th June from 11am%u20135pm.