WINTER 2015 ISSUE 62
LET there be light. BFSTC prepare for the big christmas lights switch on Callers are invited to visit the offi ce at any time to meet and speak with a member of the staff . The offi ce hours are Monday - Friday 10am - 3 pm. If your query is specifi c, you are advised to make an appointment to ensure angela.kennedy te staff [email protected] @bfstc.co.uk the appropria member is available to deal with your enquiry.
There is a Councillor Surgery on the fi rst Saturday of the month and the Ward Councillor Surgery is also on the fi rst Saturday of the month. richard.graham samantha.browne @bfstc.co.uk @bfstc.co.uk The Town Council has a number of monthly meetings. All meetings are open to the public Mark Short so please feel free to come along and see how 6 Esk Way, Bletchley MK3 7PW your Town Council works. Agendas detailing [email protected] the items to be discussed are displayed on our 07803340122 01908 640790 noticeboards and website at least three days [email protected] prior to the meeting. Every meeting includes time for the public to ask questions.
COMMITTEE STRUCTURE
FINANCE COMMITTEE Chair: Councillor Angela Kennedy
REGENERATION COMMITTEE Chair: Councillor Michael McDonald
COMMUNITY & GRANTS COMMITTEE Chair: Councillor Samantha Browne Christopher Bell [email protected] christopher.bell @bfstc.co.uk HUMAN RESOURCES COMMITTEE Chair: Awaiting new chair
PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE Chair: Councillor E’Amonn O’Rourke michael.mcdonald @bfstc.co.uk We have three vacancies available for Fenny Stratford.
For more info on these vacancies please Linda Reeves contact the BFSTC offi ce at [email protected] 74-76 Queensway, Bletchley MK2 2SA on 01908 649469 eamonn.orourke @bfstc.co.uk or email [email protected]
Alex Wells 07794 861186 [email protected] [email protected] Hello All, welcome to this winter edition of Council and has now been brought into The Neighbour. legal effect, for more information on this AS THE EVENINGS
please see page 13. It’s been a busy time at the Town Council GET DARKER as we are embarking on a big change The Town Council is due to work on the AND WINTER
within the Council to ensure that we are Fenny Stratford Neighbourhood Plan in able to deliver services to meet the needs 2016 so this can also give residents their APPROACHES WE of residents and the community. We hope chance to put forward ideas for the area. ARE PREPARING FOR to bring news of these changes in the New Dates of meetings will be posted in the “ “ Year. New Year so please get involved. THE CHRISTMAS
On 8th November I attended the LIGHTS SWITCH ON Remembrance Sunday service held in IN BLETCHLEY AND
THIS IS PART OF THE front of Knowles School where the local WOULD ENCOURAGE LOCALISM ACT TO war memorial is located. This for me is
always a very moving and emotional time RESIDENTS TO ENABLE RESIDENTS due to family losses within the Bletchley and Fenny Stratford area. The service ATTEND TO HAVE A SAY ON is done respectfully and in a touching THE FUTURE OF “ way for all of the locals who attend, “ going forward this service will be held at ANGELA KENNEDY THEIR AREA THIS 9.30am from next year. CHAIR
PLAN HAS NOW As the evenings get darker and winter BEEN ADOPTED BY approaches we are getting prepared for the Christmas Lights Switch On MILTON KEYNES in Bletchley High Street and would COUNCIL encourage residents to attend. There will be lots for everyone to see and do for this event. Please come along and support this event as local children will be doing Recently the Neighbourhood Plan for a lantern parade which is always so lovely the Lakes Estate went to a referendum to see. Please see details on page 10. in September and was voted by residents to approve the plan. This is part of the I would like to take this opportunity to Localism Act to enable residents to have a wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a say on the future of their area. This plan Happy New Year has now been adopted by Milton Keynes
WELCOMEOUR NEW RECEPTIONIST CAROL Having lived in the Milton Keynes area Bletchley Park; I love problem solving and permanent position on reception I really all my life I have many fond childhood going home feeling that perhaps I might couldn’t resist; memories of Bletchley from the magical have helped at least one person during Father Christmas in The Co-Op to the day. I have really enjoyed queuing for the latest blockbuster at The meeting everyone who Studio cinema. I originally came to work at Bletchley & has popped in and look Fenny Town Council as a Temp and have forward to getting to On leaving school I spent many years been back several times over the last year. know you all in the working at The Benefi ts Agency at When the opportunity arose to apply for a future. TREE-MENDOUSLY GENEROUS RAY DONATES FOR TOWN CENTRE PIECE letchley Market Trader Peter Ray of Enigma Car and Van Sales has Bbeen very generous this month and given Bletchley and Fenny Stratford Town Council £150.00 towards the Christmas tree for Stanier Square. The Christmas tree is always beautifully decorated with handmade pictures from the local schools and helps to create a focal point when switching on the Christmas Lights.
BFSTC would like to say a big ‘Thank You’ to Peter for his wonderful contribution!
For more information on sponsoring and donations please contact tracey.jenkins@ bfstc.co.uk or call 01908 633785
BUILDBASE TO THE RESCUE This project was born out of a great need to nationally who are in the same position as our we’ll be there with a crane and staff in half support and give hope to people who want volunteers. an hour! And that is exactly what they did, I to work but through illness, depressions, The project was given space via the Cry of the was in fl oods of tears with relief and joy, it was addiction and homelessness but have not had Homeless, an amazing space in Lloyds Court surreal! They packed up everything, lifted onto the opportunity to. but unfortunately Box Gardens had to leave lorry by crane and have kindly stored it until the premises too. Box Gardens fi nd a permanent home. The Box Gardens (Community Interest Company) guys were so professional and really cared. is a self-funded non-profi t support group who Box Gardens were stuck! With nowhere to BUILDBASE saved our project, they did create opportunities to supply and empower store their fully equipped workshop and no exactly what thier advertisements say ‘Yes We volunteers, raise self-esteem, give hope and means of transport Box Gardens spoke to Can’ ... Box Gardens are so thankful to all the make them feel as though they belong and Tracey Jenkins, Community Engagement staff at BUILDBASE Bletchley, you are our are part of a society. Offi cer at BFSTC who supplied them with super heroes and without a doubt ‘Yes You some fantastic advice and reassured the Did’... The project was awarded Pride of MK, Care in concerned volunteers before they knew it the Community last year. They also have the Gordon the manager from BUILDBASE with If anyone can help Box Gardens fi nd a privilege of making recycled and reclaimed his big community heart, stepped in to help. permanent home to continue their fantastic wood hampers for Costa Coff ee who in turn Debbie Murray of Box Gardens said “I couldn’t work please contact us via BFSTC on 01908 donates them to help charities and people believe it! Without hesitation, Gordon said 649469 for which they will be very grateful.
POLICE PLEA letchley police Inspector Iain McIlwain has asked members of the public to please report instances of drunken-related Bbehaviour in the Queensway, and any poor parking on double yellow lines, so that the police and parking wardens are able to respond.
Offi cers are available on the non-emergency number 101, or they can be visited on Tuesday afternoons 12 midday- 2pm at the Bletchley Town Council offi ce in Queensway. For alternative ways of contacting the police, please visit the Thames Valley Police website. One good news stories recently includes Thames Valley Police’s work with MK Council housing in relation to a man who was constantly harassing women. An injunction was obtained banning him from the MK1 shopping centre area for two years.
Longer-term, the Bletchley Neighbourhood Team is also working with the Town Council, collating evidence regarding drunken anti-social behaviour which will be used to apply for a town-wide Personal Space Protection Order (which have replaced Drinking Control Zones) , which would allow police to deal with drunken behaviour throughout Bletchley rather than the specifi c areas which the police currently contend with, which are just the Queensway and all the park areas. This has proved diffi cult to police. Drinking Control Zones/Public Space Protection Orders give the police specifi c powers to seize alcohol and other items if used in connection with anti-social behaviour”.
To complete an Anti-Social Behaviour form please feel free to visit the Town Council offi ces and ask at the front desk
St. Frideswides Christmas Concert for Willen with the Orphean Singers – Monday 14th December at 7:30pm.
Christingle Service – Sunday 20th December at 3:00pm
Carols by Candlelight - Sunday 20th December at 6.30pm
Café Carols – Thursday 24th December at 6:00pm
Midnight Communion – Thursday 24th December at 11:30pm
Holy Communion – Friday 25th December, 9:00am
Christmas Morning Family Service - Friday 25th December at 10.30am
Joint Service of Lessons and Carols – Sunday 27th December at 10:30am
BFSTC ALLOTMENTS ver the last few months the Parish Rangers have worked tirelessly to repair broken fences and gates, Oclear and dispose of overgrowth and rubbish, and redefi ne the ridings and walkways on allotment plots over the current three sites in the Bletchley and Fenny Stratford Parish. All three sites are key to health and wellbeing as well as creating social cohesion across varied generations.
If you’re interested in having a plot at one of our sites please contact [email protected] to be placed onto our waiting list. BFSTC currently have a number of plots available to rent. For more information please visit www.bfstc.co.uk/local-services-allotments A GRAND REOPENING FOR THE REST CENTRE
he Rest Centre on Westfi eld Road recently hosted a grand reopening after Thaving considerable development works. Bletchley and Fenny Stratford Town Council fantastic day and everyone enjoyed The event saw many local residents turn and the WREN community funding and themselves, thank you to everybody who up in support for the good cause including were the main attraction of the re-opening. attended” Milton Keynes Mayor Keith McLean, Milton The grand opening also saw the new Keynes Ward Councillor Mohammed Khan fl ooring being used for the fi rst time and The next project for the Rest Centre will be and Central Bletchley Councillor Richard all those present thoroughly enjoyed the the purchasing of new chairs to give some Graham. fresh hot food provided by Cllr Mohammed much added comfort to those who visit the Khan as well as freshly made cakes donated centre. The day went off without a hitch and the by those who attended as well as the nice new toilets were offi cially opened with a hot tea and coff ee – perfect as it had been For more information drop in next door ribbon cutting by Mayor McLean. The three raining all morning. to the Bletchley Library on Monday to newly refurbished toilets were funded by Chairlady Shirley Rolfe said “It was a Saturday 10am – 12midday FENNY STRATFORD R/A fter our AGM in May our newly elected committee have been very proactive in our area. We , as I am sure you will all agree, have a Azero tolerance attitude towards any anti social behaviour and have been working extremely closely with MKC offi cers and TVP to eliminate any problems as quickly as we can. Unfortunately as everything is evidence based which takes a while to organise not everything happens as quickly as we would like but we get there in the end.
The very fi rst Boat Festival was hosted by us on August 16th and was a roaring success . I do have to admit though the weather was defi nitely on our side. The Mayor and Mayoress came to see us and even purchased a fountain pen from the Pen Boat and the Cheese Boat sold out. All the boat traders want to return next year so we will be looking for Ward funding again to help with this. This year’s event was funded by the ward budget allowance from David Nash who also gave us a huge amount of support and advice all of which we were very grateful for. Sadly David is no longer our ward councillor so we will be looking for funding for next year’s festival so we are able to make this an annual event. The Grand Union canal is a huge part of our history and we were lucky enough to have Roly Doggett (a local historian), give talks about the history of the local area and its connection with the canal using a beautifully presented display information board.
The committee of the R/A would be delighted to welcome you to our meetings which we hold on the 2nd Monday of each at George Street Community Hall George Street Fenny Stratford starting at 7.30pm. We will always endeavour to help with any issues that you may have but please remember, we don’t have a crystal ball.... So if you don’t tell us what the situation is we can’t try and help to solve it.
On that note I will close by wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year from all at Fenny Stratford Residents Association and will look forward to meeting you next year. REGENERATION COMMITTEE t has been a productive year for the Alison Kennedy who has strongly taken up whilst we eagerly wait for the start of East/ Regeneration Committee, and my the role is currently Acting Regeneration West Rail between Bedford and Oxford. Ithanks have to go out to all the staff and Offi cer I’m sure she will guide us into a Councillors who have helped to contribute great 2016. As you all may be aware the old Co- on what has seen some big changes over Op building has undergone works and the year. Firstly there was the culmination This year we have also been addressing refurbishment over the last year under a of many years work for the the Lakes Estate the high streets of Bletchley and Fenny Section 215 notice from BFSTC and Milton Neighbourhood Plan, the Consultation Stratford, with many projects to improve the Keynes Council and we are hoping that the document was presented to Milton Keynes area, including the setting up of a Futures New Year will provide us with some new Council after years of public consultation group to lead ideas. We have also been able shops. and after going through to the referendum to get the bandstand moved to the more it was voted in! During October it was prominent location of Stanier square and Once again a big thank you to all involved, discussed at the Milton Keynes Council set about a plan to boost the market. 2016 and let’s hope to make 2016 great for Cabinet meeting and was fi nally adopted should also see projects, such as opening Bletchley and Fenny Stratford. and has been brought into legal eff ect; this up the road at Elizabeth square in order to will now be used to determine planning improve the fl ow of traffi c and increasing For more information on any of the above applications and to guide planning decisions parking spaces. Aylebury Street should also mentioned projects please contact Alison on the Lakes Estate. see improvements to the road and parking. Kennedy on [email protected] or visit www.bfstc.co.uk Extra thanks go to Barbara Sullivan our ‘Fixing the Links’ has been a focus that I would like to end by wishing you all a very previous Regeneration Offi cer, who has will see an improved connection between Merry Christmas and a happy new year. moved onto pastures new, and indeed to Bletchley rail station and the centre of town, Councillor Michael McDonald
BEFORE
AFTER ON THE RIGHT PATH Volunteers from Ringway Milton Keynes assists Friends of Fenny Stratford
Volunteers from Ringway Milton Keynes communities and deserves our praise.” responsibility policy, we are committed to assists Friends of Fenny Stratford providing all Ringway employees two days Volunteers from Ringway, Milton Keynes Suzanne Seaman, Ringway Business each year that can be spent volunteering Council’s highways contractor, recently Manager, said: “It was great that we are for charities or helping with local spent a day uncovering an area of able to assist Friends of Fenny Stratford community projects.” overgrown pathway in Manor Fields, part with this project. As part of our corporate of the Fenny Stratford Linear Park for Friends of Fenny Stratford.
Ringway were approached by Friends of Fenny Stratford to assist with the path as the section had become overgrown where it had never been maintained properly and was causing issues for those wanting to make the most of the area. The pathway forms part of the Fenny Stratford Linear Park circular walk which normally takes an hour to complete and takes in the canal towpath, community orchard and the edge of Caldecotte Lake.
Martin Westley, Friends of Fenny Stratford, said: “We are pleased to thank the Ringway volunteers on behalf of residents of Fenny Stratford who use this section of the green waymarked walking route through the Fenny Stratford Linear Park for their assistance in re-establishing the full width of this section of pathway. We have volunteers who litter pick the route but this was physical labour and volunteers for such tasks are much harder to fi nd! This is a great scheme to assist Planning and Environment Chair Report Having been para-dropped into the position wise to phone on the day of the meeting as of Chair of the Planning & Environment plans come into the offi ce every day; just Committee I was looking forward to because they’re not on that meeting agenda progressing forward. doesn’t mean that it won’t be discussed at that meeting. Having spent most of my working life in the construction industry and reading drawings The decision on whether an estate should (which you might think is a strange thing be built or not, despite the infrastructure to say but it may not come as a surprise being in place or not is really for the to you that a lot of councillors that’s Regeneration Committee or Full Council; Borough as well as Parish can’t) I enjoy it should only come to Planning when the looking through the current plans. If you’re fi nal drawings are coming in at full design considering building an extension or single stage and before any shovel goes into the dwelling it’s often recommended to turn ground. There have been many changes to up for the planning meetings at the Parish the building regulations and as volunteer Council and often at MK Borough Council. unpaid Councillors we do our best to keep Another reason for attending both is that up to date with them. the committees don’t always come to the same decisions because of the reasons I For more information on Planning and have outlined above. When waiting for your Environment in the BFSTC area please drawings to go before committee it’s always contact [email protected]