I am pleased to present my report for the year ended 5^th April 2009.
This year I propose to change the format of my report.  Rather than present a narrative of our activities, I will focus on the key elements that have been achieved over the past twelve months.  Hopefully, this will make my report more readable and a little shorter!

PLANNING APPLICATIONS

Despite the economic downturn, we continue to receive a considerable volume of applications from residents for extensions, and improvements.  We rarely object to an application.  When we do it’s always on the basis of planning rules and guidelines.  We submitted our own planning application to Milton Keynes Council for our proposed new Parish Office, which was granted without major modification.  Prior to the formal submission, we conducted a residents’ consultation amongst those living nearby the proposed development.  This resulted in no objections being raised.

YOUTH TEAM

We are proud of the work undertaken by our Youth Team, which continues to grow each year.  They now offer a range of activities including; football, basketball, young women’s sport, and a youth club at Furzton pavilion. An important part of the Team’s role in the parish is outreach work, where team members meet with young people, mostly in the evenings, on the streets.  This seeks to engage with youths, to find out what activities might tempt them off the streets.

PARISH WARDEN

How did we manage before?  Our Warden maintains the fight against litter and graffiti throughout the parish, and also assists the Youth Team.  We own and operate the largest number of allotments in the borough – currently eight, and maintaining them is one of the Warden’s responsibilities, which he undertakes with much enthusiasm!

EXTERNAL AGENCIES

I sit on a number of influential groups and committees; too many to list here, but it’s around twelve.  I was recently elected to two important groups – The Responsible Agencies Group, and The Safer Neighbourhoods Delivery Groups.

All these various agencies can directly impact on the quality of life for all residents, and as Chairman of the largest parish in Milton Keynes, it is right that our voice is heard when matters of policy are being discussed.  Thankfully, none of the groups are “talking shops”.  Otherwise, I would find something better to do!!

BOUNDARY REVIEW

The Boundary Commission is currently looking at parish boundaries in Milton Keynes.  We have offered our views.  Currently, a small portion of Oxley Park is in this parish, and we have recommended that if be transferred to Shenley Church End parish council, which is already  responsible for the larger portion.  This means that the parish‘s northern boundary will follow Childs Way.  It will be some time before this change is implemented.

PARISH COUNCIL SURGERIES

We have operated “six walk” in surgeries in the last year.  These were intended to offer residents an opportunity to raise issues with councillors, on any topic.  They were all held on Saturday mornings, here at the parish office.  Sadly, this proved to be less than popular.  Indeed, exactly no one turned up!  Poor publicity perhaps; or are residents generally happy about how this parish council performs?  We will be undertaking some research later this year to find out.

GRANTS

We awarded grants totalling £8,365 to nine community based organisations. These included:  Milton Keynes City Orchestra, Kingsmead Pre-School, and Furzton Scouts.  Grants are available, subject to simple terms and conditions, and we encourage applications from suitably qualified groups.

NEIGHBOURHOOD ACTION GROUPS

There are three NAGs operating in the parish, and your parish council provides support to all of them. The longest operating NAG is Shenley Lodge & Furzton, which will be three years old in September.  The National Policing Improvement Agency recently conferred Exemplar Status on this NAG, making it one of twelve such sites out of 3,000 NAGs in England and Wales.  It must be doing something right!

EDISON SQUARE PLAY AREA

After nearly three years, the re-furbished play area was formally opened by The Mayor of Milton Keynes, Cllr Jan Lloyd, on 4^th May.  Over 200 residents turned out in the rain to witness the event.

Your parish council was the driving force in getting this project to completion.  We now have a ‘state of the art’ facility for young people and adults, viewed by many residents as the best in Milton Keynes.

AND FINALLY, THE PARISH PRECEPT

We took the decision not to raise the parish precept for the year ended April 2010.  This decision was taken in the light of the economic slump, and was our attempt to play a small part in keeping our residents’ costs down.  We do not intend reducing the level of services provided – we’ll tighten our belts and seek cost savings where possible.
We like to think of ourselves as an active parish council, and I hope this brief report provides evidence of this.  I am personally very proud to be associated with this parish council, and would like to express my thanks to all the officers, and members whose contribution over the last twelve months has been formidable.

DAVID LIVINGSTONE
Chairman

 

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