Supporting recycling, Andrew Maric

“I recently received a policy refresh from the Conservative Milton Keynes Council which made some suspicious statements and made me wonder if the Conservatives may start to charge you for the luxury of recycling pink sacks in Milton Keynes, it certainly doesn’t rule it out!?

It stated the following changes to the policy:
“Contribute towards the budgetary savings required, reviewing the charges for services which, to date have been provided free of charge, but where there is flexibility for local authorities to introduce charging. (S)”

Also on the back under ‘Actions for 2011-2013 are’

“…improve income and improve efficiency, including charges for services where there is the flexibility to do so…”

It not only would be political suicide for the MK Conservatives to introduce charges but absolutely outrageous to you and me as bog standard tax payers.

Maybe the Conservatives should cut back on internal red tape and senior directors before thinking about short cuts to savings by charging people money they simply cannot afford. I don’t support the plans for introducing charges for bulky waste removal either, its not only stupid but will put areas on a backwards spiral to more bulky waste being ditched on the side of the road. It’s just not worth the money they think they can generate from it. Sure its fine if you are affluent enough to afford the money, but if you barely break even each month and struggle to put food on the table, what are you going to do? Put food on the table for children and family or pay another stealth tax out of your wallet to collect your broken washing machine, which should already be covered in your taxes anyway!

In any event, this change in policy wording doesn’t protect the Newport Pagnell taxpayer in any way from future charging, if anything it opens a dangerous door for the future.”

Grit bin

Grit bins in Newport Pagnell and Milton Keynes are at risk of being taken back by the Conservative run Milton Keynes Council.

Grit bins which are already extreemely scarce in Newport Pagnell, are at risk of being ‘relocated’ to other areas of Milton Keynes.

Andy Maric said: “Residents, Groups and the Lib Dem Focus team have fought hard over the years to get what we can from the Council, and we had a plan and a promise of many more ready for the forthcoming winter. Since Lib Dems lost control of the Council, that plan has been scrapped and they now want to do the opposite and take what we already have away to put elsewhere.

Obviously what is currently in place exists for a good reason, or it wouldn’t have been there to start with, taking them away is just insulting and clearly playing silly political games. What the Conservatives really need to think about it will it be amusing when someone falls over and breaks bones because there was no grit bins to grit icy roads in Newport Pagnell, I think not, but they clearly want to learn the hard way…

We are going to work hard to defend our Grit bins in Newport Pagnell and continue to ask for and fight for more where they are needed. We would welcome your views.”

Andy Maric is serious about recycling

“Bags not Paperwork” were the calls from Andy Maric on Tuesday’s Full Council Meeting as free Pink sacks were nowhere to be seen across Milton Keynes as Libraries and Council offices have so far been depleted of stocks for nearly two weeks since the Conservatives took control of Milton Keynes Council over a month ago.

Andy made his point clear to the new Conservative administration that recycling rates which grew substantially to nearly 60% in some areas under the previous Lib Dem administration, some of the highest rates in the country, must be maintained and continue to grow.

Cllr Andy Maric told the new Tory Cabinet member that they must take recycling seriously and provide pink sacks instead of a report, which the Tory Cabinet member initially suggested.

Cllr Andy Maric said, “It’s common sense, the new Conservative Cabinet walk past these empty boxes probably multiple times each day, and have done since they’be been empty, yet still said they said they would bring me a report to another meeting the following week, and that they weren’t aware of the issue and said they would “look into it”.

It will hit tax payers hardest as not only will people be forced to use black sacks which, if you use more than your given, you have to buy extra rolls from Supermarkets, but Council’s black sack waste is fined by Government as it goes directly to landfill, all because they seem more focused on paperwork and bureaucracy than front line services which will end up hitting taxpayers pockets!

Extra pink sacks are free from Council offices and libraries throughout the Borough when they are there, as famously instigated by the previous Lib Dem Administration, the Conservatives told residents of Milton Keynes at the local elections they were up for the job of running the Council, but they really need to pull their socks up as their oversight is costing us all money, money tax payers nor the Council has spare right now…”

Please get in touch or reply to this news release with any suggestions you may have.

Andy successfully campaigned to get goalposts put up in two of Newport's green spaces, and a third is on its way

A vote for the Liberal Democrats in the elections for Milton Keynes Council on 6th May is a vote for The Network team’s record of all-year-round service and action.

A vote for Andy Maric is a vote for:

• A local councillor who is regularly available to deal with problems and complaints

• A local councillor who keeps you informed and seeks your views through regular newsletters – The Network

• A local councillor who speaks up strongly for all local people

• A local councillor who fights all year round to get things done for Newport Pagnell.

Andy Maric has lived in Newport Pagnell all his life. He attended Green Park and Ousedale schools. He works for Volkswagen in Blakelands.

He is a governor of Tickford Park school.

He is an active and hard-working member of The Network team, campaigning on issues that affect our town.

Pictured right: Following requests from young people, Andy successfully campaigned to get goalposts put up in two of Newport’s green spaces, and a third is on the way.

Things to remember:

• The Network team have helped thousands of residents over the years.
• Liberal Democrats have kept council tax well below the national average.
• Labour cannot win in Newport.
• The Conservative candidate lives in Blue Bridge, not locally like Andy Maric!
• The Labour candidate lives in Fishermead, not locally like Andy Maric!

Much less Graffitti, but help us crack down!

There is much less graffitti about in Newport Pagnell than there was 2/3 years ago, as one of Milton Keynes Council’s priorities we are seeing less and less of this around parks and the places we live!

Unfortunately its a well known fact that graffitti attracts more graffitti, there isn’t much about at the moment, but when you do see some on a hidden wall or in a place that has been missed by one of the dedicated graffitti gangs please do let the Council know or alternatively you can get in touch with either myself or another member of the Network Team in Newport Pagnell.

We don’t have eyes everywhere, that’s why with your help, we can crack down on graffitti, together!

Andrew Maric has contacted the MK Citizen to get these dumped newspapers cleared up!

Andrew Maric, local Newport Pagnell Campaigner has contacted the Citizen newspaper after being contacted by a resident about some dumped newspapers. This was a regular dumping ground and hopefully this round of newspapers will now be delivered to residents rather than the bushes!

The Citizen were quick to respond and we are happy to report that this eyesore has been cleared up!

If you see any more dumped newspapers, please do contact us so we can contact the relevant media group and also inform the council.

P.S – There was also a second round of newspapers dumped after the initial clear up, but we got that sorted too!!

Andrew Maric with fellow Newport Pagnell Network Team members - Supporting Recycling

Since taking control of Milton Keynes Council in 2002, the Liberal Democrats, with residents’ help, have consistently increased recycling rates in the Borough. This reduces the amount of waste going to landfill, which is taxed by the Government.

The previous Labour Council cut collections to fortnightly and recycling rates fell. The Lib Dems reintroduced weekly collections, with pink sacks (for paper, cardboard, cans and plastic bottles) and blue boxes (for glass).

We then introduced the “green bin” scheme for garden waste and this summer we’ve introduced the kitchen waste collection scheme, and extended the types of items that can be put in your pink sack . All of this has trebled recycling rates, thank you for your continued commitment as residents!!

Don’t forget – Try not to put your bins/bags out before their designated collection or the council could fine you! That’s something that none of us want!!

Did you know?

You can now add the following to your pinks sacks:

• Tetrapaks (Also known as drinks cartons)
• Aerosols
• Yogurt pots
• Ice cream and Margarine tubs
• Plastic containers/trays
• Aluminium foil
• Metal lids
• Tops from jam jars/bottles

This is a great improvement on an already, well established list that Milton Keynes Lib Dem Council has been able negotiate on what can and can’t be recycled!