Is there a secret budget the Council aren't telling the public about?

Councillor questions Conservative Council’s agenda.

“Is the Conservative group who run Milton Keynes Council being totally honest with taxpayers?” Asks Cllr Andy Maric, the Liberal Democrat finance spokesperson who represents Newport Pagnell South.
It’s after Lib Dem Councillors realised part of the consultation documents on the Councils website have been missing for months and had been separated from the original Cabinet report.

Annex E, which contains all price increases both above and below the standard 4% is absent from the consultation documents and web page.

Cllr Maric said, “Obviously the document will likely exist elsewhere in the depths of the Councils website, but I fear this has been a deliberate attempt to try and hide information from members of the public, how can people possibly provide feedback on public money and budgets if its made nearly impossible for them to access the information?

The Conservatives need to publicly apologise for this as they have wasted months of already passed consultation time, reveal anything else that’s hidden by coming clean and re-assure us and members of the public that they are not hiding anything else and stake their job that their budget is and will be 100% transparent”.

Link to consultation: http://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/mkcconsultationdetails/?ConsultationID=184

Euan Henderson & Andy Maric at Green Park School where Andy was once a pupil

57 years of service between Councillors Euan and Irene Henderson, who anounce that they are not standing for re-election on May 6th and are retiring from Milton Keynes Council after over half a century between them of representing Newport Pagnell.

Councillors Euan and Irene Henderson say “In Andy Maric, we have a committed Newport resident who wants to serve the town, he is an experienced member of the Network team, working hard alongside Douglas McCall and Mike Barry in the traditional Liberal Democrat way – giving action and service all year round.

We have no hessitation in giving them our wholehearted support. We hope you will too.

We thank you for the confidence and trust you have shown in us. Please give Andy the same trust and vote for him in the local elections on 6th May 2010″

Pictured above: Andy Maric and Euan at Green Park School, where Andy was a pupil. We started the campaign for a primary school for Green Park in 1987 and it opened in 1991. And we’ve been successful in fighting for improvements to the facilities of all Newport’s other schools.

Irene Henderson & Andy Maric at Middleton Pool where Andy learnt to swim when he was younger

Pictured right: Irene Henderson reminding Andy Maric of the history of Middleton Pool. It used to be open air but, after consultation with residents, we found the money to have it covered in 1989. We’re delighted at the recent improvements carried out by the Town Council.

Liberal Democrat Candidate for Newport Pagnell South Andy Maric says, “It’s an excellent local swimming pool used by hundreds of residents and their families each week, it is where I learnt to swim when I was younger and am happy to see the recent improvements by the Town Council.”

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!

No to a Tesco Town!

After a great turn out on Tuesday 16th April 2009 at The Swan Revived Hotel (Thank you to the local Hotel Manager Mark Bryant for the room), from the residents wanting to take further action on this campaign and please see published in this article the minutes of that meeting.

To help you, the local residents of Newport Pagnell, I have attached the Aston Martin Constraints Brief which was published by MK Council, refer to page 26 “Town Centre and Shopping”. I have also attached a amusing Tesco image and poster that you are able to use at your disposal, whether they are to be used as posters or simply amusement, I hope they can be of some help.

Please also see attached the Milton Keynes Council Local Plan, refer to pages 162 and 163 for the TC7-TC9 Policies which this application clearly violates!

The group have arranged another meeting which is to be held tonight at the Portfields Community Centre, Newport Pagnell, between 19:30 and 21:30 to come back from the previous actions and take a further step in opposing Tesco!

Further updates will follow as and when!

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• Milton Keynes Council Local Plan: local_plan_part_13

• Milton Keynes Council Aston Martin Constraints Brief: aston_martin_constraints_brief

• Minutes from meeting (14th April 2009): tesco-opposition-minutes-14th-april

• Amusing Tesco Poster: space-invaders-poster

• Amusing Tesco Image:

Image

As you will be able to see from the images below, the seats had to be removed and residents were even standing outside in the garden area of the Portfields community centre, the turn out was outstanding, thank you to everyone who took the time to turn up and voice your opinions.

Ian Carmen (Chair of the meeting) took a poll on how many residents were opposed to those in favour. As you can see from the images it was impossible to get an accurate figure however after counting out the remaining leaflets that were handed out by Andrew Maric at the start we estimate around 250 people opposed to only a mere 2 in favour.

We hope Milton Keynes Council officers in the planning department recognise this turn out and poll.

After the meeting Andrew Maric and local campaigner Ryan Pink asked residents to sign up if they were interested in taking further action by using their expertise to help oppose this build. A lot signed up and a further meeting is being held on Tuesday 14th April 2009 to discuss the best possible direction for the group.

This website will be updated with latest developments and information once it is received and also how you can get involved!