Home Ground October 2010

8/8/2019 Home Ground October 2010

1/7

CampbellParkParishCouncilCaring within

the community

Working for Oldbrook, Fishermead, Springfield, Willen, Campbell Park & Woolstone

The magazine for where YOU live

HOMEGROUNDOctober 2010

Campbell Park Parish Council www.campbell-park.gov.uk MK 608559

Multiple occupancymultiple risks!Campbell Park Parish Council (CPPC) has some of thehighest concentrations of Houses in Multiple Occupations

(HiMOs) in Milton Keynes.

That is largely due to the number of three-storey properties in areas

such as Fishermead and Oldbrook.

That type of dwelling, if properly licensed and converted, can offer a

vital source of housing stock which is often the first step in families

establishing themselves on the housing ladder.

But with so many people living in a small space, it is inevitable

that there will be increased risks in terms of health and safety and

also exploitation of tenants.

Those risks are almost always significantly increased in unli-

censed HiMOs and, in the worst cases, can lead to people being

killed.

Where such a tragedy occurs locally CPPC will always call

on MK Council and other authorities to prosecute the land-

lords and owners of the offending property.

The concern of parish resi-

dents and CPPC centres on

the increasing number of

HiMOs and the resulting is-

sues around parking, rub-

bish, and noise pollution.

The government is not

helping the problem becausethey have now made it easier

for single family houses to be

converted to HiMOs by with-

drawing the need for new de-

velopments to go through the

planning process, changes ef-

fective from October 1.

At street level the chal-

lenge is how we deal with

the three major effects of

HiMOs; namely lack of ade-

quate parking, rubbish, and

noise. Take a look alongyour street any evening and

see how many cars are

parked on pavements, often

obstructing the access of

pedestrians.

At its September meeting

CPPC passed a motion call-ing on MK Council to act on:

q Strict enforcement of theHousing Act 2004 (which re-

quires compulsory registra-

tion of three-storey HiMOs)

which is essential for the

safety of people in the Parish

q Investigate properties sus-pected of being unlicensed

HiMOs

q Ensure that unlicensedHiMOs are either brought up

to standard and licensed, or

the owners prosecuted.

WHAT IS CPPC DOING

ABOUT HiMOs?

If you suspect you are living in a HiMO, or

want to report a suspected HiMO, please con-

tact MK Councils private sector housing team

on 01908 253271 or email

[email protected]

Your enquiry will be treated in confidence.

Every new report of a HiMO not known to the

team will be inspected.

What can you do?

Have your say!Contact CPPC on this subject. Write to:HiMOs Initiative

Campbell Park Parish Council

1 Pencarrow Place

Fishermead

Milton Keynes MK6 2AS

or email: [email protected]

Parked vehicles blocking both pavements

Boundary review update - p 2

Latest moves on bus changes - p 3

Summer fun days pictures p 4&5

Advice on staying safe - p 8

INSIDE

Special Report


2/7

2 CAMPBELL PARK PARISH COUNCIL working for the people of...

Graffiti BustersCall MK Council help-line 01908 252570 to

report graffiti in YOUR neighbourhood.

Or go to www.milton-keynes.gov.uk

and access a simple online report form via

the streetcare page.

Reports will be placed on a register and dealt with.

Offensive and or racist graffiti will be removed on

the first Friday following the report.

The shape of things to come

F

or the past three years, the boundaries ofCampbell Park Parish Council (CPPC) have

been under review as part of MK Councilsboundary review programme.

That council established a Boundary Review Group(BRG) and charged it with overseeing the process andmaking recommendations. Its original proposal was for:

I Central Milton Keynes Town Council (CMKTC) andCPPC to amalgamate

I To transfer Willen ward away from CPPC to GreatLinford Parish Council

CPPC consultated on both proposals. In the case of theamalgamation 88% of respondents were in favour.

An even greater percentage (99%) of those from Willenvoted to remain with CPPC and, as a result, the loss of

Willen was removed from the agenda.The BRG shifted its direction on the amalgamation, in

September last year, by accepting a proposal fromCentral Milton Keynes Town Council that rather thanbeing amalgamated with CPPC it should continue toexist and expand its territory to include CPPCs CampbellPark ward.

Needless to say CPPC strongly opposed that.

Threat on hold for now

A BRG meeting last month had been due to recommendto MKC that Campbell Park ward be moved to CMKTC.

A strong delegation of staff and CPPC councillors turnedout to make final objections but, in the end, did not need

to fight not for now anyway.

That was because, at the outset of the meeting, aproposal was accepted by the BRG that where there aredisputes between parishes, they be referred to a newreview body in 2011, after the next local elections.

Because of new legislation, that second review must becompleted within 12 months of its start date.

What does that mean?

For the time being things remain as they are. CMKTCwill still want to relieve CPPC of Campbell Park ward.

And as for Willen; even though Great Linford PCaccepted the wishes of the people and the BRG, its

representative left the meeting in no doubt that theoption will be discussed again, and it should not be asurprise if another attempt is made by that parish to takeover Willen Ward.

In light of this development, CPPC will be debating itsoptions in readiness for this new review.

If you have an opinion on these issues, or would like toattend meetings when they are discussed, please contactCPPC.

MK Credit Union

Community cohesion

Latest on Parish boundary review

Another successful social cohesion meeting has been held

between CPPC and repres-entatives from ethnic groups within the parish.

Discussions centred

on the aims and

aspirations of different

ethnic groups, and a

way to devise practical

plans which can help

bring them about.

Sport, music and

food are seen to cross

all boundaries and

unite people, and it ishoped that an event

combining those

elements can be

organised in the

future.

Write to:

Boundary Review, Campbell Park Parish Council

1 Pencarrow PlaceFishermead

Milton Keynes MK6 2AS

Email, with Boundary Review as the subject, to

[email protected]

For Campbell Park Parish Council meeting dates

call 01908 608559

An MK Credit Union community collectionpoint has opened at CPPCs PencarrowPlace, Fishermead, offices.

You can join the credit union there or get further

information about membership benefits from trainedvolunteers on Tuesdays, between 11.30am and 1.30pm.

Members can also make payments to their savings

accounts and apply for loans.

MKCU offers an alternative way of saving andborrowing, and anyone who lives or works in MiltonKeynes is eligible to join. It is a financial cooperative,owned and run by its members.

Savings are used only for the benefit of members, andregular savers become eligible to apply for loans at lowinterest rates.

To find out more call 01908 525086or e-mail [email protected]

or visit www.mkcreditunion.org.uk


3/7

A Neighbourhood Action Plan, a blueprint for the

regeneration of Fishermead, has been published and

the public invited to comment.

Meanwhile, at day-to-day level, CPPC

is working closely with the ProbationService and Community Payback

teams are dealing with more obvious

problems such as clearing litter, cutting

back overgrown hedges and restoring

path edges.

The Parish (CPPC) is in discussions with MK Council

about taking over the running of Springfield

Community Centre, Fishermead sports grounds and

Woolstone cricket field.

Both Councils want those local facilities to stay inlocal hands and to be run by, and for, the local com-

munity.

The Parish will consult the immediate local communi-

ties, about how the different facilities might be man-

aged, when the transfer is imminent.

3...Oldbrook, Fishermead, Springfield, Willen, Campbell Park & Woolstone.

In the previous issue of Homeground CPPC asked for

comments about recent changes to local bus services

and, of the responses received, 83 per cent said the

service had deteriorated while 17 per cent thought ithad improved.

The Parish is aware that, in light of public reaction,

further changes have been made in an attempt to

address the strength of public feeling.

One recent development, with regards to public

transport, is the newly created Milton Keynes Bus

Users Group (MK BUG).

Interim chairman Peter Ballantyne said: The Bus

Users Group is being set up completely independent-

ly, so that we can work with, criticise, and monitor

both the council and the bus companies.

This is a very positive move and it is important

that bus users now have a voice. The group will

endeavour to develop relationships with the providers

and ensure we get a bus service that we can be proud

of and worthy of the city.

If you want to join MK BUG or contact them with an

issue, please send an email to [email protected]

Buses get the BUG

Responding to publicdemand CPPC hasinstalled seven new dog

bins taking the total it has provid-ed to 29.

The sites are listed below.

Oldbrook: Rashleigh Place, TheOval, Hutton Avenue (the Green),Oldbrook Green youth shelter (theGreen), Boycott Avenue, Leyland

Place (the Green).

Fishermead: Falmouth Place,

Polruan Place (near playpark),

Kernow Crescent (near playpark),

Pencarrow Place (near playpark),

Penryn Avenue, Tolcarne Avenue

(near playpark), Vellan Avenue.Springfield: Stamford Avenue

(near playpark), Falcon Avenue (nearplaypark), Turnmill Avenue, Bridge85, Belsize Ave, Walbrook Avenue.

Woolstone: Marshalls Lane

(carpark), Marshalls Lane (near play-park), Newport Road (allotments),

Newport Road (bus stop beside MillLane), Newport Road (cricketground).

Willen: Granville Square, Portland

Drive (playing field), The Well, The

Hooke, Willen Pavilion.

The Parish spends 3,500 a yearkeeping the bins clear, so If you seeany of them full or overflowing, pleasecontact CPPC on 01908 608559.

Extra dog bins

Property transfer talks Estates regeneration plan

The new Coachway building is nowin the final stage of developmentafter MK Council handed it over to

the Homes and CommunitiesAgency (HCA).

Final fitting out work is nowunderway prior to opening to thepublic, scheduled for December 13.

Redevelopment of the Coachwayis part of a 2.6m partnership proj-ect by MK Council on HCA land.

The facility will be leased andoperated by the National ExpressGroup.

Funding for the project has beenprovided by the HCA and the

Department for Transport.

For more about this story, pleasesee: New Coachway set to open in

December athttp://www.miltonkeynespartnership.info/media_centre/press_releases.php?ID=167 on the Milton KeynesPartnership website.

New coachway is looking good to open for Christmas


4/7

WHETHER they were nine-

months or 90 years therewas something for everyone in

the Campbell Park Parish

Council Family Fun Days.

And despite Augusts weather

swinging between sunshine and

showers, it didnt stop people

enjoying themselves.

Face painting, arts and crafts,

play for the under 5s with the

Pre-School Learning Alliance,

toasting marshmallows onsticks and creatively re-shaping

breezeblocks with hammers and

chisels under the watchful eyeof Play Rangers were all part of

the fun.

So were bouncy castles, and

mixing record tracks DJ style

with the MKC youth workers,

along with learning to sing and

dance.

Then there was face painting,

African drumming, stories from

Awake to Know Africa, and

scary lessons from the firebrigade with their kitchen fire

CAMPBELL PARK PARISH COUNCIL working for the people of...5

...Oldbrook, Fishermead, Springfield, Willen, Campbell Park & Woolstone.

Something for everyone!

displays making everyone

jump back as flames shot into

the air.

Photo shoots with GullyMouse, designing badges with

Jane Housego, refreshmentsand games with Oldbrook

Christian Centre, and sales of

baby clothes by the young

mums of Orbit Housing were

also part of the activities on

Fishermead, Oldbrook,

Springfield and Willen.

MK Dons provided their

ever-popular footballtraining and chil-

dren and adults alike

were enthralled by

snakes, lizards, a giant

tortoise and other rep-

tiles on display.

Aday at the seaside was the high-

light, for 80 people who went to

Clacton-on-sea, of summer holiday ses-sions organised by

the Community

Mobiliser.

The activities

were run with the

help of volunteers

and various partner

agencies.

The weather was

beautiful for the

Clacton outing, on

which families

from the Parish

were joined by

some from

Bletchley and

Bradville.

Some played rounders and football on

the beach while others spent most of

the day in the sea. Others enjoyed the

fun fair and seaquarium on the

Victorian pier.

Back in Milton Keynes there were

multisports and family games on the

Willows Field every Friday in the school

holidays. Children of all ages, and par-

ents too, ran in relay races and tackled

the space-hopper assault course.

It was brilliant to see families playing

together and learning new games, such

as quick cricket and giant dominoes.

At Oldbrooks Fun Day there was jew-

ellery making organised and run by

local lady Lorraine, and Vanessa from

Craftability showed how to make button

bracelets and earrings. Another localvolunteer craft

group made and

decorated birds.

The volunteers

were all on an

organising events

and activities

course run on

Fishermead by

MK College, with

support from the

Parish and

Community

Mobiliser, as part

of MK Councils

regeneration

project.

From dominoes to a day at the sea-side

And Pebbles go up on the Downs...

Teacher and family support workers from The Pebbles Childrens

Centre took five families out for a day on Dunstable Downs.

Kite flying provided great fun, and some of the children went

walking with their parents while others loved watching the gliders

soaring so high up in the sky.

After lots of fresh air and exercise everyone had a picnic, and a

good fun day was had by all!


5/7


6/7

Following last months fatal

fire on Fishermead all resi-

dents are urged to check that:

I You have a smoke alarm fit-

ted in your home.

I It is working. It should be

checked weekly.

I Normally batteries should

be changed every 12 months

(though 10 year smoke alarmsare now on sale).

PLEASE DONT

Many people remove smoke

alarm batteries, to use them

in a child's toy or because the

alarm sounds when cooking.

PLEASE dont no alarm

means no alert if theres a

fire...a fire which could kill

you, your family and your

neighbours.

If the alarm is triggered by

your cooking it has probably

been installed incorrectly.

If in any doubt do not hesi-tate to contact the fire serviceon 01908 665567 or, if you liveon Oldbrook, 01908 263374 or

email [email protected].

They will be only too happyto send a fire crew to adviseyou as to the correct location.

They will even supply and fitone free of charge, and alsogive you invaluable informationon fire prevention.

They will advise on makingescape plans to save yourselfshould you become trapped bya fire. A cup of tea is all youneed provide them with...

Please read the fire safetyadvice on the back page.

Working with MKCouncils enforcementteam, waste officers, and

MKC councillors, the Parish has

attempted to rid various streets of

the habit some people have of leav-

ing contaminated pink and black

sacks dumped on green areas

sometimes many days prior to sched-

uled collection days.That behaviour has been a common

cause of complaint from many localpeople.

One particular Fishermead streethas been targeted with such sackssearched for evidence of the guiltyparties identities.

As a result many residents havereceived section 46 letters explainingthat they should only put their wasteout on collection days.

The letters also inform them thatshould they continue with such inap-propriate behaviour they will receivea fixed penalty notice 100 fine.

If that is not paid court actioncould increase that to 1,000.

Residents can be assured that thisaction will continue wherever such

dumping continues.In a recent incident a large amount

of flytipped rubbish was set alightand, unfortunately a large ash treewas damaged and had to be felled.

That is a typical escalation:

G Thoughtless person dumps rubbish

G Another one sets italight

G Established tree isdamaged

G Fire service has todeal with incident

G Police have to inves-tigate

G Waste services haveto clear debris

G Landscape officerinspects damaged tree

G Contractor employedto fell and clear of logs

Adding on the valueof the damaged tree,its a considerableamount of publicmoney being wasted on

one flytipping incident.

Therefore I would like to remind

residents that MK Council runs aFREE BULKY WASTE collection

service.Just call Environmental Services on

01908 252570

email: [email protected]

visit: www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/bulkywaste

Parish and its partners in grime

7...Oldbrook, Fishermead, Springfield, Willen, Campbell Park & Woolstone.

By parish warden

Mitch Mitchener

Working together to beat rubbish dumpers...

Thanks to some help from CPPC thefamilies of Woolstone are to get a much

improved play area.

Following removal of an unsafe play

area at Rectory Lane, the Parish has

assisted residents in achieving its rein-

statement.

Public consultation between resi-

dents, Campbell Park Parish Council

and MK Council led to an application

for help being made to WREN (a body

funded by a tax on waste going to

landfill).

That bid was successful, and com-

bined with further funding from CPPC

and MK Council, has enabled installation

work to get underway.

Get your out - test your smoke alarm

Disabled users of the Parishs Oldbrook

Centre and Oldbrook First School are

benefiting from recent changes to park-

ing arrangements for the neighbouring

properties.

The changes have come about with the

creation of two new disabled access bays

within the existing car parking area.

Installation of a dropped kerb has further

improved access to the buildings.

The work was completed and funded

by MK Council after Campbell Park Parish

Council had asked that authority to con-

sider the matter.

CPPC applauds the posi-

tive response from MKCouncil, and courteouslyrequests drivers to respect

the new bays.

They are for use by BlueBadge holders only.

Better parking for disabled drivers


7/7

Fire Safety in the Kitchen

Around 60 per cent of accidental firesin the home start in the kitchen,and taking a few simple steps can dra-

matically reduce your risks.

q Keep electrical leads, tea towels,

cloths, loose clothing and

anything which may catch

fire away from your oven and

hob.

q Keep ovens, hobs, grills

and extractors clean build

ups of fat and grease can

easily catch fire.

q Keep toasters clean, free of

crumbs and away from cur-

tains, towels and anythingelse that could catch fire.

q Never put metal in a

microwave or try to sterilise

dish cloths/sponges in it.

q Dont overload electrical

sockets use one plug in

each socket. If you have to,use a fused adapter and keep

the total load to no more

than 13 amps (a kettle alone

can use 13 amps).

q Make sure plugs have the

correct fuse for the appliance

being used. If in doubt, refer to the

manufacturers instructions.

q Turn off electrical appliances when

not in use, and keep them and leads

away from water.

q Use spark devices to light gas cook-

ers its safer than matches or lighters.q Never leave children alone in the

kitchen.

q Keep pan handles turned to back of

hobs and away from other gas burn-

ers/electric rings.

q Take pans off heat and turn off

hob/or grill if you have to leave the

kitchen while cooking. Make sure oven,

hob and grill are turned off when youhave finished cooking.

q Avoid cooking if you are tired, have

been drinking alcohol or are taking

medication that can make you drowsy.

Chip pans/hot fat fryingq Never fill a pan more than a third fullwith oil or fat.

q Dry chips/food before putting them in

the pan.

q If the oil has started smoking turnoff the heat and leave to cool down,otherwise it may catch fire.

q Turn off the hob if you have to leavethe kitchen (many fires start while peo-ple are answering the door or tele-phone).

If Your pan catches fire:

q Dont panic and dont take risks

q Do not move the pan.

q Never throw water or use a fireextinguisher on a hot fat fire.

q If its safe to do so turn off the

heat but never lean over the pan toreach the controls.

q Leave the kitchen, close the doorbehind you, get everyone else out ofthe house...and DO NOT go back insidefor any reason.

q Call 999.

Get a smoke alarm

Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue

Service is offering free risk checksto anyone who would like one.

That involves assessment of thefire risks in your home, carriedout by fire-fighters, and takes 20to 30 minutes. You will need youto be there to answer questions.

If they think you need them,they will also fit as many smokealarms (British Standardsapproved with sealed batterieswhich should last 10 years) asthey think necessary. In certainpremises, they may fit heat

detectors.And that is all FREE.

See page 7 for more aboutsmoke alarms and how torequest a check.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing,

they can provide an appropriate

smoke alarm system.

They will, with your consent, pass

your details to the RNID who will

arrange a hearing assessment for you.

Subject to the results of that they will

loan you a special smoke alarm system

suitable for your needs.

Stay safe and alive!

Campbell Park Parish Council www.campbell-park.gov.uk MK 608559

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H G d t d f C b ll P k P i h C il b I t di (ICS Ltd) 01908 270000 P i t d i E l d

CAMPBELL PARK PARISH COUNCIL working for you

issue of October 2010

HOMEGROUNDCampbellParkParishCouncilCaring within

the community

The magazine for

where YOU live

Deepest sympathyIt is with deep regret that CampbellPark Parish Council records the trag-ic death of a mother and child in ahouse fire onFishermead last month.

On behalf of everyoneliving in the Parish,CPPC sends its condo-lences to the victimsbereaved relatives.

DON'T PUT WATER ON FAT FIRES! This huge fireball

was caused by just half a cup of water tipped into a

burning fat frier during a CPPC Fun Day display.

Work has started on a woodlandmanagement plan CPPCs parklandarea on Oldbrook Green. It is intend-ed to safeguard and develop the areafor future generations.

An initial survey has been complet-ed and shows a diverse range ofspecies with over 400 trees in total.

The next step is to establish thecurrent condition of the trees. There

is no intention to make wholesalechanges, but to work with the bestexisting features and to see howthey can possibly be complementedand enhanced. There will be more

updates as the project progresses.

s s s

Fishermeads George Damien haswon the draw for a 25 Co-op vouch-

er in the estates regeneration com-munications survey. Thank you theCo-op for putting up the prize.

s s s

Police report a growth in burglaries inwhich car keys have been taken andthen used to steal the owners cars.

Entry is often through cat flaps and

open windows...with some thievesfishing through letterboxes to stealkeys left on hall tables.

Secure your house and hide yourkeys even when you are at home!

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Home Ground October 2010