The local Lib Dem Focus team has reported missing street signs in Walton Grange for Holland Drive and Harley Drive. People have moved in so where are the signs?
Jenni Ferrans and Subhan Shafiq in Holland Drive and Vanessa McPake in Harley Drive – we think!
Our Euro MEPs have been working hard for British business interests in Europe.
Key to our recovery is industrial and business innovation, and at the recent dinner at MK College, our MEP, Catherine Bearder, told the Lib Dems about the new EU research and innovation programme: Horizon 2020.
This will be the largest of its kind in the world and will see an increase of funding of almost a third compared to the current period. This means the region’s universities, partnered by businesses, could be in line for almost £1 billion worth of science funding based on the proportions they currently receive. A number of companies in MK already benefit from EU research funding, but the new research framework includes a separate £2.2 billion budget line, pushed for by Liberal Democrat MEPs, which will be specifically earmarked for small businesses. This will help MK’s small science and technology businesses who are leading the way in innovation.
Deputy Mayor, Cllr Subhan Shafiq, with South East Member of the European Parliament, Catherine Bearder and Monkston campaigner, Vanessa McPake, discussing the fact that thousands of south east jobs depend on our membership of the EU.
Liberal Democrat councillors were shocked to be told that the Conservative run MK Council is proposing to scrap grit bins altogether because they are not used! New and replacement grit bins are now being refused.
Instead, the Tories propose to dump open bags of grit on the street – AFTER the snow has fallen!
The Liberal Democrats have started a campaign to save our grit bins. Please sign up here.
www.ipetitions.com/petition/grit-bins
The Focus team are still encountering littered areas in our ward. Residents are NOT getting value for money from this service!Now at last the Council has agreed to provide details of the litter cleaning schedule, so that discussions can start on how the budget can best be used. Cllr Jenni Ferrans comments “Residents have been suffering filthy paths and play areas and we have been asking for this information for months. At last the Council is talking – but why has it taken so long?”
Vanessa McPake getting the litter collected in the Abbeydore play area in Monkston.
Subhan Shafiq and Jenni Ferrans say “Fix our Fence” on the side of a major bridleway off Kilwinning Drive, Monkston. The fence was damaged weeks ago!
Subhan Shafiq and Jenni Ferrans at the broken ascot railings near Kilwinning Drive in Monkston
The Liberal Democrats have found out that due to poor management by the Conservative run MK Council, the street light contractors have not been fixing the lights properly. This has led to countless street lights being out. Have you seen the stretch of the V10 with 5 out of 6 streets lights out? Or the entrance to Walton Grange with lights out on both sides of the road?Your local Focus team are campaigning to get to get street lights repaired, and properly, as soon as possible.
If you have a street light out on your local estate then let the Focus team know.
Just tell us the road name and the number/letter on the street light pole.
Your local Lib Dem Focus team has just learnt that the Conservative run MK Council will be cutting the Community Transport scheme next year. It looks as if 2/3rds of the current users will NOT be able to use the service.
The Liberal Democrats believe in standing up for our older and vulnerable people and will be fighting hard to stop this scandal. We want to keep the service and ensure that our older people can still get out and around to their lunch clubs, doctors and the shops.
The Conservative run MK Council has decided that they are not going to pay for any more grit bins in MK!
Worse, they won’t even let the local councillors or parish councils pay either. Many residents are left worrying that they will fall over in the first icy weather. The Lib Dems say this is a cut too far!
Vanessa McPake had asked for new grit bins in Bartholomew Close, Walton Park and Cloudberry, Walnut Tree but these will now be refused. Disgraceful! Subhan Shafiq is wondering if the grit bin in Tewksbury Lane, Monkston will ever get repaired, put back in the right place and filled with grit!
Vanessa McPake checking the existing grit bins in Walnut Tree and Subhan Shafiq finding the bits of the bin in Tewkesbury Lane, Monkston Park.
The Papworth Trust is now providing a handy-person service to do all the small jobs that you may find difficult. The charge is £12 per hour for older or disabled people or £20 for others. They also offer advice (for a fee) on getting larger jobs done. Phone them on 01908 320059 to discuss your jobs.
NB apologies for the incorrect information in the Focus – an out of date leaflet was supplied to us. These details are correct.
Your Lib Dem Focus team would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to residents of Kents Hill who took part in the recent consultations on the new houses to be built in Bedgebury Place, Kents Hill.
Jenni Ferrans is meeting the developer and planning staff to ensure that your views are taken into account before the full planning application comes to Council for approval. Issues raised included:
Photo: Jenni Ferrans at the fenced off site. The fencing has been repaired.