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.

 

You’ve Done It! Fibre is Coming!

Cllrs Jenni Ferrans and Subhan Shafiq - walton Grange will now get fibre this summer.

Cllrs Jenni Ferrans and Subhan Shafiq – Walton Grange will now get fibre this summer.

Months of arguing by the Lib Dem Focus team and lots of lobbying from residents in Walton Grange has finally paid off.
Walton Grange will get fibre broadband this summer!

BT announced this week that they will upgrade cabinet 88, which serves the whole of Walton Grange, to fibre optic cables this summer in phase 1 of the BDUK project. With the very short distances across the estate, most households will be able to get almost the full 70mbps speed at their homes if they pay for the high speed contract. (Walton Grange at present is limited to about 0.25 mbps!)

Lower speed fibre contracts from BT that will give reliable broadband at around 30mbps currently start at £10 per month once you’ve got a landline. Other providers may start offering fibre contracts a few months later. Contracts for Fibre to the Premises should also be available after that – currently giving 140 mpbs.

Cllr Jenni Ferrans said “This is great news for the estate – an end to the misery of super-slow connections that cut out every 5 minutes! And it will be available for EVERYONE – flats – houses – original residents – new arrivals – everyone who wants fast
broadband, not just those who moved into houses early.”

Thanks for helping get the message across to BT. They were really aware of the message they were getting from residents!

Jenni said; “Now we need to work on other ‘not spots’ locally. Please see our guide to what’s proposed and contact us if you need fibre broadband and won’t get it under the current plans”.

300th Celebration!

300 editions and going strong! The Focus in Monkston ward

300 editions and going strong! The Focus in Monkston ward

The local Liberal Democrat team of Subhan Shafiq, Vanessa McPake and Jenni Ferrans celebrated the 300th edition of Focus with a tea party. Focus is delivered by local volunteers right across your area. The Lib Dems use Focus to tell you what’s going on and to ask your views. Thank you to the volunteer deliverers and to all those residents who tell us they enjoy reading Focus.

Did you know:

  • There have been Liberal or Liberal Democrat councillors in most of the ward continuously for the last 34 years.
  • They have all issued Focus all year round, not just at election times like some other parties.
  • Over the years, the Liberal or Liberal Democrat councillors have worked hard to get you schools, local play areas, clear up the litter and graffiti, stop flooding, fight for your broadband, get you bus stops and litter bins and much more.
  • The current Lib Dem Focus team are standing for election on 22nd May. Please vote for them to ensure they can keep helping local residents. Look for the bird on the ballot paper.

On 22nd May vote for the Lib Dem Focus team – the best people for the job.

Don’t leave it to others – they may be leaving it to you!

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.