10 minute read
MK COUNCIL
Pete Marland Leader of Milton Keynes Council
Meet the council-backed Car Club
Standing with Ukraine We have all been shocked and saddened by the recent events that have unfolded in Ukraine. Putin’s cruel and unjust invasion of the country has threatened democracy and left people fearing for their lives.
Milton Keynes Council stands with Ukrainians in their fight to maintain self-determination, and that is why, at March Full Council, councillors came together–cross party to affirm the Council’s commitment to do all it can to support that goal. The Council will ensure that there is no pathway left for opaque Russian investment and provide any reasonable help to Ukrainian nationals living in Milton Keynes.
I know that this offer help has also extended throughout the community, with residents coming together to donate items and money for Ukrainian people. Those who would like to support several UK charities in their appeals to fund humanitarian work in Ukraine can donate via The Red Cross, Unicef, and the UN.
Tackling litter bugs We all want Milton Keynes to be greener, cleaner, and safer. Overall, residents are passionate about the place that they live in and treat it well – but unfortunately there is a small minority who drop litter and fly-tip in our public spaces. The Council is continuing its crackdown on litter bugs and fly-tippers, and recently we have seen great success. Within the last year, the Council’s Environmental Crime Unit has issued 77 Fixed Penalty Notices to fly-tippers and have submitted 25 flytipping case files for prosecution.
In January, the Council’s five new litter wardens started work patrolling across the city, issuing warnings and on-the-spot fines to offenders who drop rubbish. On day one, the litter wardens issued over 60 notices. And now, at the time of writing, they have handed out over 1,600 fines. We take a zero-tolerance approach to litter and fly-tipping, as not only is it dangerous and harmful to the environment but cleaning the borough costs around £3.5m each year. This money could be spent providing other core services, and I hope that these measures will continue to deter people from scattering their rubbish across the community.
Providing green transport There are lots of alternative ways to travel throughout the city, such as our extensive redway network and demandresponsive transport system, and now people can use the forward-thinking and eco-friendly council-backed Car Club. This means users of the Car Club will have 24/7 access to a fleet of low emission vehicles without the financial burden of owning a car. The car sharing scheme will help people and businesses reduce their carbon footprint and will help us achieve our goal of being carbon neutral by 2030.
Those who wish to trial the car club can use the promo code ‘MK1010’ to get an annual membership for £10 and receive £10 driving credit, which is usually £60. Full information is available at www. getaroundmk.org.uk/.
IainStewart MP for Milton Keynes South
Ihope you have been keeping well. As always, it has been another busy month as your MP. Firstly, I want to take this opportunity to voice my support for Ukraine and its people against the Russian’s invasion. It was a moving experience being in the Chamber and clapping the Ukrainian Ambassador, who was in the gallery. It was also a powerful and historical moment listening to Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, address the House of Commons. I wholeheartedly agree with the Prime Minister, Putin must fail. My team and I have also been assisting a number of Ukrainian’s who live in Milton Keynes and have family still in Ukraine.
Queen’s Green Canopy – It was an honour to plant a cherry blossom tree to be part of The Queen’s Green Canopy outside my constituency office. The tree will be a lasting legacy in honour of The Queen’s leadership of the Nation. By encouraging the planting of trees across the United Kingdom, The Queen’s Green Canopy will benefit future generations and aid in the fight against climate change.
Age UK Milton Keynes – I visited Age UK Milton Keynes in Peartree Bridge to hear how they have managed throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and how they have adapted their services to continue helping their service users. I was particularly pleased to hear of the women’s over-55s walking football team that has been set up, in preparation for the Women’s Euro 2022 coming to Stadium MK later this year. It was an opportunity to discuss how I can work with Age UK to tackle digital exclusion and reduce poverty in Milton Keynes. Age UK Milton Keynes are on the lookout for more volunteers, if this is something of interest to you, please do get in touch with them on info@ageukmiltonkeynes.org.uk or 01908 550700.
Milton Keynes Theatre – Also, I visited Milton Keynes Theatre to learn more about them being a tier-1 destination for musicals, productions and performances, attracting some of the biggest names including the upcoming Les Misérables. Having not long finished the pantomime season, I was impressed knowing that the Milton Keynes’ pantomime was not cancelled once, and that confidence grew for people to return and watch performances. I heard how MK Theatre are helping youngsters in Milton Keynes to develop their performance skills through their Creative Learning teams, giving individuals a safe space to express themselves and explore different ideas.
AFGolf – Another visit was to the newly opened golf store AFGolf in Bletchley. I had a tour of the shop to learn more about their business and understand what they are offering to local golfers of all abilities. On the tour, I even had the opportunity to go into the studio and get some help on my golf game play from a PGA coach. The studio is equipped with technology that tracks a range of statistics and details of the player to help them improve and fine-tune their game. To get in touch with them, you can give them a call on 01908 476177.
Chemetall Ltd – I also visited Chemetall Ltd in Bletchley to meet with Wayne Brown, managing director, and Dr Geoff Mackey, sustainability director. It was an opportunity to learn about Chemetall and find out how things have been for them during the pandemic, as well as how they are coping as we bounce back from Covid-19. I was pleased to hear about the success Chemetall have been having not only in the United Kingdom but across the world. Whilst having a tour, I was impressed at the facilities and laboratories that have been heavily invested in following their move to this new location.
If you would like to showcase your business, organisation or group, please do get in touch with my office on the provided contact details to find a suitable date to meet face-to-face.
Iain and Ben Everitt MP at Age UK Milton Keynes
Iain with Ben Everitt MP at AFGolf
CONTACT DETAILS: Tel: 01908 686830 Email: iain.stewart.mp@parliament.uk www.iainstewart.org.uk CONSTITUENCY OFFICE: Suite 102, Milton Keynes Business Centre, Foxhunter Drive, Linford Wood, Milton Keynes MK14 6GD
BenEveritt MP for Milton Keynes North
This is my first MK Pulse column since the invasion of Ukraine, so I wanted to say my thoughts continue to be with the people of Ukraine who are suffering at the hands of Putin’s deplorable war machine. We must continue to make sure Russia feels the pain for its actions and I welcome the significant amount of sanctions announced by the UK Government so far. I know the people of Milton Keynes stand with Ukraine and I have seen first-hand the incredible amount of donations received across the city.
It has been an extremely busy time both in Westminster and in Milton Keynes and I was pleased to welcome Sixth Form students from Oakgrove School for a tour of Parliament followed by a Q&A. Tours of Parliament are a fantastic opportunity for young people to learn about democracy in the heart of democracy so I would encourage local schools to pay a visit.
Finally, I want to wish everybody a very happy Easter. I hope we get some good weather and you have a wonderful time with your friends and family for our first normal Easter in two years.
Apprenticeship Opportunities In MK I recently visited FCDO Services at Hanslope Park who run an exciting apprenticeships scheme where they provide opportunities in everything from engineering to marketing as they work to protect national security in the UK and overseas. The latest FCDO Apprenticeship Scheme has recently opened and they are looking for local people who would be interested. You can find out more by visiting: www.fcdoservices.gov.uk/apprenticeship-opportunities-2022
Working To Tackle Knife Crime Following the recent horrific stabbing in Milton Keynes, I arranged to meet with Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber to discuss how we can prevent knife crime in the city. On a neighbourhood walkabout in Oldbrook we discussed the recruitment of new officers, ensuring strong deterrents against carrying a knife, the work of the Violence Reduction Unit and much more. While on the walk we actually bumped into the Thames Valley Police Mounted Section on a patrol through Oldbrook. I also raised the issue with Policing Minister, Kit Malthouse in the House of Commons and will be writing to the Home Secretary, Priti Patel highlighting the problem.
I am determined to make sure everybody feels safe on our
streets and will continue to work with the relevant parties to do this. I’m encouraged by the fact we now have 61 more police officers stationed in MK than we did two years ago and that number will continue to grow.
Meeting With Rail Minister To Discuss GBR HQ As you will probably know by now I am absolutely determined to bring the home of the brand new Great British Railways to Milton Keynes. With Iain Stewart I recently wrote to the Transport Secretary outlining the reasons I believe MK is the perfect place for the new HQ and I have now also met with Rail Minister Wendy Morton to discuss the plans for GBR. From the Royal Train at the world’s longest continuously operating rail works in Wolverton Works, to Network’s Rail’s operations centre at The Quadrant, to the future expansion of East-West rail to MK, we are already at the heart of the UK’s rail industry, so it just makes sense that GBR should be based here as well.
Over the last month I also… ▸ Planted a tree with Milton Keynes South MP Iain Stewart at our constituency office in Linford Wood for the Queen’s Green
Canopy as part of Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations ▸ Welcomed the news that the number of rough sleepers in
Milton Keynes is currently at an eight year low, and I will continue to work to end homelessness in the city ▸ Met members of our local Jewish community at the Milton
Keynes & District Reform Synagogue in Giffard Park and we discussed the importance role of volunteering in the community.
Ben on a neighbourhood walkabout with Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber and Inspector Lee Brace
Ben met with Rail Minister Wendy Morton to lobby the Government to bring the home of Great British Railways to Milton Keynes
Unit 6B, Pineham Farm, Haversham, Milton Keynes MK19 7DP Retro • Collectables • Ephemera • Vintage • Furniture • Glass • Jewellery
Antiques • Books • Film, TV & Theatre Props • Vintage Clothing
Unit 6B, Pineham Farm, Haversham, Milton Keynes, MK19 7DP Do you have any interesting items to sell? If you are clearing out a house,
attic, garage, shed or barn and think you may have found something old, vintage or just amusing, then give us a call and we’d be happy to come and take a look. CONTACT DETAILS: Tel: 01908 686830 Email: ben.everitt.mp@parliament.uk www.beneveritt.com | Facebook: beneverittmk
