Strategic Reserve Area Plans In

The Supplementary Planning Document has been approved and the first detailed planning applications for the strategic reserve area, for Eagle Farm and Glebe Farm have been submitted.

The SPD includes a single carriageway extension to the H10, with Britten Grove acting as a road link but closing the footpath.  What do you think?

If you want to know more please contact: Cllr. Jenni Ferrans: [email protected]

 

Europe for Jobs!

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.

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.

Can’t DIY? Try the HandyPerson

DIYThe 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NB apologies for the incorrect information in the Focus – an out of date leaflet was supplied to us.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.

Rubbish Day

Reminder: do put your rubbish out by 7.00am on the day of collection, or late the night before.  Please don’t miss your collection day! The rubbish bags can be attacked by wildlife and can attract rats.

If you’re not sure what can go in the different containers, or need a new blue box or green bin, the details are on the Council website at http://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/waste-recycling.

Bad Buses

Vanessa McPake checks the reliability of the no 12 bus.

Vanessa McPake checks the reliability of the buses after lots of complaints

Ever since the Conservative run MK Council cut the bus subsidy by nearly £1/2 million, your local Lib Dem team has been concerned about the quality of the service.

Bus user, Vanessa McPake, has been keeping an eye on the bus changes in our area since the new timetable came into force.  She has been contacted by residents about the nos. 8 & 9 services not running on time.

Do tell Vanessa by providing: the date location of bus stop time the bus was supposed to arrive time it did arrive.

She will then take up the problems with Arriva who run these services

Broadband – Any Broadband – for Walton Grange!

Walton Grange needs broadband – that was the message from residents recently as you told us about speeds of only 0.5mbps on supposedly 10MB connections.

“The problem is that Walton Grange is about as far as you can get in MK from the local telephone exchange – and that means slow broadband.” said Cllr Jenni Ferrans.  A number of solutions have been tried over the years, but the best is to get fibre-optic cables laid.  That’s less dependent on distance, so even low speed connections would work far faster, and superfast connections would be available.

However, BT insists that it’s not economic to connect Walton Grange – despite connections to neighbouring estates only 100m away!

“BT have made their position clear.  We are campaigning now to get Walton Grange included on the Council’s government-funded programme to connect up the uneconomic areas“, says Jenni.  “Please email the Council on [email protected]  if you want faster broadband.”

The Council will make the decision about which areas to go for in August or September.