Kents Hill Playing Fields – More Help Needed!

MK Council have invited community organisations to bid to take over the playing fields and the pavilion at Kents Hill.
But that’s not all.  They have also included the footpath, the basketball court, and the play area!
And now MK Council is also proposing changing the use of the field from football and general recreation, to just football!

The Council says this is to ensure better community use of the facilities.  The Focus team says it’s more likely to result in the facilities being closed to the general public!

Public access to Kents Hill playing fields is threatened

Cllrs Jenni Ferrans and Vanessa McPake at the playing fields

MK Wanderers want to bid for the pavilion and playing fields – but they have no interest in the rest.
Residents want the public use of part of the playing fields to continue, as well as the basketball court, and the footpath – and MK Wanderers agree.

Cllr Jenni Ferrans says “If MK Wanderers have to take the lot – and pay for it’s upkeep, they will need to raise money.  And that could mean closing off of some of the facilities except when people pay.  And the Focus team has discovered that the footpath is not a right of way, so a future owner could close that too!  It’s important to understand that MK Wanderers DON’T WANT this!  They want to keep everything public.  They would like to take ownership of the fields and the pavilion, because that makes it easier for them to raise money for their upkeep, but they have no intention of closing anything to the public.

Help Needed
Thank you to the many people who have supported our application to make the footpath a public right of way.  The application has gone in, and we’ll let you know when the DCC committee are to hear it. If you’ve not given evidence, please sign our petition – and tell your friends and neighbours!

But we need more help.  MK Council are consulting on the Playing Fields Strategy – and that’s where they are proposing to make the fields for football only.  You can read the strategy here.  Please respond to the consultation and tell them whether you think the fields should be just for football or for general use, by 11th November – and tell your friends!

And beyond that, we need to safeguard the public use of the basketball court and the play area too.  So please sign our petition to let MK Council know how residents feel.

And please let your friends and neighbours know!

H9 Closure

Roadworks close the H9 till Spring 2015The H9 will be closed near Kingston roundabout until spring 2015 while a new underpass is constructed underneath it. The underpass will serve new housing beyond the roundabout.
The road is still open from the V11 as far as the entrances to the houses in Wavendon Gate, and the businesses in Brinklow.

The roadworks are causing queues on the V11.  Please remember to leave room for people to cross the V11 into and out of estates.  Thank you.

Pigeons Again

Pigeon mess at Brecon Court underpassPigeons are now causing problems under the bridge off Brecon Court, Monkston (above).  Vanessa McPake has added it to list of problem bridges.

Sadly the new anti-pigeon netting we had installed in Birdlip Lane and Tewkesbury Lane was vandalised.  MK Council have told us they are reinstalling it in Tewksbury Lane, and having a general clean up of all 3 sites.

Top Class Apprenticeships in MK

Since 2009 the Lib Dems have been encouraging apprenticeships – first in Milton Keynes, and then after 2010, across the country.  Modern apprenticeships provide flexible training while you earn, giving students between one and seven years of high quality training backed up by practical experience.

Now one of our local companies has contacted us asking for help publicising vacancies in Kingston.  Please contact them if you are interested.

 

Milton Keynes’ top young people needed for unique vacancy

Remit Training is offering two lucky young people in Milton Keynes an amazing opportunity to get into the automotive sector.

Remit is working alongside Sytner Mercedes Benz, based on Grey Friars Court in Kingston, to offer two young people the chance to be Sales Apprentices with the biggest retailer of prestige cars in the UK.

The roles offer the candidates a chance to gain nationally recognised qualifications and be fully-employed from day one, as well as a chance to get valuable work experience.

But this is no ordinary apprenticeship. Sytner is offering the young people who take up the opportunity the chance to earn £12,000 per year with a further earning potential of up to £3,000 bonus paid on achievement of the qualification after two years.

This is one of the highest-paid available apprenticeships in the country, and the high quality training delivered by Remit Training, Sytner, and Mercedes-Benz, will provide any young person with a CV to be proud of.

Steve Barker, Sales and Marketing Director for Remit, said: “An apprenticeship is always a fantastic route into work, not only providing you with employment, but the opportunity to build your skills, knowledge and experience, while achieving nationally recognised qualifications.

“This apprenticeship of course offers even more, with an excellent starting salary rarely seen in apprenticeship circles, and the opportunity to work for a multi-national company, with fantastic opportunities for career progression.”

This is one of the more elite apprenticeships available. Those applying for the Milton Keynes positions must have a valid UK driving licence and grades A-C in GCSE Maths and English and be educated to A Level standard which may include an NVQ, BTEC National or Diploma level qualification.

Steve added: “There will be a lot of young people in Milton Keynes thinking about their future right now, and I would encourage those who might be interested to contact us straight away to find out more.”

Remit works with more than 4,000 apprentices across the country, the majority in the automotive industry. It also works with young people in the IT, hospitality, health and social care, customer service and business administration sectors.

To apply, please contact Remit on 0845 8399 200 or visit the website: http://www.remit.co.uk/vacancies/.

 

Landscaping Must be Improved

Cllr Jenni Ferrans is pressing MKDP to prune their trees on Monkston Park

Cllr Jenni Ferrans is pressing MKDP to prune their trees on Monkston Park

The Focus team has been walking the streets to check on the bushes, grass cutting and the weeds after a number of residents have complained.

On Kents Hill, Cllr Vanessa McPake disappeared under the weeds in Tunbridge Grove!
On Monkston Park, Cllr Jenni Ferrans could not walk down Queensbury Lane because of the overhanging trees and shrubs.

They have now asked that MK Council sort out the problems.  Cllr Vanessa McPake will be pushing the new Labour-run MK Council to get the weeding done and Cllr Jenni Ferrans will be pressing MK Development Partnership to maintain their reserved sites.

Vanessa disappears under weeds in Kents Hill

Vanessa disappears under weeds in Kents Hill

Collect our Rubbish

Cllr Jenni Ferrans has asked the Council to clear up the rubbish stores at the flats in Tenterden Crescent, Kents Hill

Cllr Jenni Ferrans has asked the Council to clear up the rubbish stores at the flats in Tenterden Crescent, Kents Hill

That’s the message from the Lib Dem Focus team to the Tory-run MK Council.
Residents say, “We pay our Council tax, why is the rubbish in bin stores and from broken sacks not being collected?”

The Lib Dem Focus Team has asked the Council to inspect the store at Birdlip Lane flats, and to make sure teams clear up when sacks burst.

Graffiti Blitz

Residents have complained about graffiti being left for months at a time.
The Lib Dem Focus team reported a lot of graffiti a few weeks ago for Tory-run MK Council to remove – and finally, it has been cleared! “Why do they leave it so long?” asked the Lib Dems campaigners. These are some of the worst examples in Monkston Park and Kents Hill, now cleared.

All-Graffiti-KHParkAll-graffiti-MP-underpass

 

Broken Signs

Cllrs Subhan Shafiq and Jenni Ferrans at the leaning sign in Crowborough Lane.

Cllrs Subhan Shafiq and Jenni Ferrans at the leaning sign in Crowborough Lane.

On the case. The Lib Dem Focus team continues to report broken signs.  The Lib Dem Focus team 1st reported this one in Crowborough Lane, Kents Hill, 6 months ago!  The Council fixed all the others near by but not this one which is in danger of falling over on cars!  It was eventually fixed recently after Cllr Subhan Shafiq reminded the Council – for the fourth time!

Come on Tory-run MK Council! Fix the keep-left signs on our major roundabouts. The one on Walton roundabout was hit months ago and is still not repaired!

If you spot any road signs that are faulty please let the Lib Dem Focus team know.