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.

All Change – Bus Changes

Cllr Vanessa McPake checks the new bus timetables.

Cllr Vanessa McPake checks the new bus timetables.

Bus user, Vanessa McPake, says “Watch Out” as the new bus timetable comes in on 27th April. She is an active member of the MK Bus Users Group and has been checking out the changes for local residents.

No 8 bus route has a revised timetable; you may have to change in CMK if going westwards. Sunday services end earlier and will now be run by Arriva.

No 9 bus route – no change.

Nos 11/12 bus routes – some route changes with no buses to the hospital.

Where are our Pink Sacks?

The Focus Team with some well-used pink sacks!

The Focus Team with some well-used pink sacks!

Residents have been left angry, without pink sacks, after the Tory Cabinet left the system in chaos over the last few weeks.

First – the Council ran out of pink sacks just before the really busy DIY and clear-out weekend over Easter!

Second, the Tories directed outlets to “hide” pink sacks behind the counter making residents who want extra sacks queue up to get a roll!

Third, Cllr Jenni Ferrans discovered that libraries had decided it was taking too much staff time, and refused to stock the pink sacks!  Parish Councils experience far more demand as a result, and they too stopped stocking them.  Many areas of MK were left with no supplier at all!

Following pressure from Cllrs Jenni Ferrans and Chris Williams, some libraries were directed to start stocking them again, so that there are now outlets in all areas.

Cllr Subhan Shafiq exclaimed “When the Lib Dems ran the Council we introduced the pink sacks.Now this Tory budget cut is putting recycling rates at risk, costing money in staff time and risking fines! This is madness!”

Cllr Vanessa McPake, Lib Dem spokesperson on the Environment committee is now asking the new Labour Cabinet to return to free unhindered access to pink sacks. She said ” One of our important polices to achieve high recycling rates was to make FREE pink sacks readily available so that there was no barrier to recycling.   The Government is now bringing in a higher target for recycling to ensure we meet international commitments.  It’s essential that residents can get pink sacks easily to achieve that!”

Next year’s pink sacks are due to arrive in August or early September.

Verdict: Failed!

Jenni and Subhan find the dangerous steps at Kents Hill Park.

Jenni and Subhan find the dangerous steps at Kents Hill Park.

Jenni Ferrans, Subhan Shafiq and Vanessa McPake undertook a major walk around the park in Kents Hill, near Sweetlands Corner.

And what did they discover? Broken steps, litter under bushes and broken blue fencing round the pond which Vanessa is getting fixed.

“Why don’t the Tory-run MK Council do their job and get things fixed?”, asked Cllr Shafiq.

 

Litter Problems – and Success!

Jenni Ferrans has got this rubbish cleared from Kilwinning Drive roundabout in Monkston.

Jenni Ferrans has got this rubbish cleared from Kilwinning Drive roundabout in Monkston.

Question: What happens when you get bushes cut back?
Answer: You expose the litter!

That is what Jenni Ferrans found when the brambles were cut back on the Kilwinning roundabout, Monkston. She has got the litter removed and has asked for the bushes to be replanted.

Vanessa McPake at the bin near the brook.

Vanessa McPake at the bin near the brook.

 

The MK Council litter bin by Caldecotte Brook grill, Walnut Tree, has been causing problems for months with litter overflowing and ending up in the Brook or all over Parks Trust land.

After a lot of lobbying, Vanessa McPake has at last got MK Council to check it 3 times a week and empty it when needed.
“This should save us a lot of problems and ensure our area is clear of litter” said Vanessa.

Clearing our Paths

Jenni and Vanessa check the extent of bushes overgrown blocking paths.

Jenni and Vanessa check the extent of bushes overgrown blocking paths.

Jenni is leaning hard on the developer of the vacant plot near Perivale to clear the footpath in Queensbury Lane, Monkston Park so that residents can get through to school and to shop.  The path over to Oakgrove has already been cleared on the Monkston Park side after residents asked her for help.

Vanessa has asked for this bush to be pruned on Monkston Park and Subhan the one on Monkston as they block the pavement.

 

GP Problems

Cllrs Subhan Shafiq and Jenni Ferrans met Cabinet Minister Norman Lamb to discuss a GP for Walton Grange.

Cllrs Subhan Shafiq and Jenni Ferrans met Cabinet Minister Norman Lamb to discuss a GP for Walton Grange.

Cllrs Subhan Shafiq and Jenni Ferrans met Lib Dem Health Minister, Norman Lamb, to report the problems people in Walton Grange have as they are not allowed to register with their local Walnut Tree GP. Walnut Tree GP Surgery are prepared to extend to take them – but only if NHS England will award them the funding they need.  So far NHS England have not agreed.  The Focus Team are continuing the campaign.