WOBURN SANDS. Dear resident,

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1 WOBURN SANDS TOWN woburn sands t o w n COUNCIL Winter Ne wslet ter 2017 c o u n c i l Dear resident, It looks as if 2017 will be every bit as busy for the Town Council as last year, but we will continue to do our very best to keep Woburn Sands the wonderful place it already is for us all to be fortunate enough to live in. memorial hall, 4 high street, woburn sands, milton keynes, mk17 8rh clerk: mrs l.j. stapleton telephone (24hrs) e.mail l.stapleton@wstc.org.uk

2 inside this issue Pg 2/3 planning matters Pg 4 council tax Pg 5 under 6 sunday football Pg 6 sands singers Pg 7 a big thank you pg 8 snippets & diary woburn sands t o w n c o u n c i l a busy year ahead on the planning front and future of transport networks The public consultation on this is due to run from March to May. It covers the period It includes a number of strategic sites for future growth, one of which will directly affect us. (see map). It is very important that when the period of consultation begins, you respond, and we will tell you more via our next newsletter, Hogsty End handbook and our website www. woburnsands.org.uk so keep your eyes open, please! Network Rail: We have regular meetings with Network Rail to keep up to date on the latest plans for our station here and the level crossing. The current phase of the EastWest Rail project runs to 2024 by which time it should be possible to (map of South East Strategic land site) travel from here to Winslow, Bicester and Oxford (in one hour) and on to Reading as well as to Bedford. When this service opens, sometime between 2022 and 2024, there will be two trains each way across our level crossing Page 2 2 WOBURN SANDS TOWN COUNCIL

3 instead of the present one each way per hour. In addition, as now, there will be some freight trains. However, any further developments beyond Bedford and electrification of the line are not prospects for the foreseeable future. Network Rail will be holding a series of consultations in May which will give more details on the changes to crossing points along the line, work which will commence in 2019, but will not affect the level crossing. (map of east west rail lines) Oxford-Cambridge Expressway: this latest improvement to transport networks was announced by the Government towards the end of last year. The route of this highway has not been decided but three options put forward, two of which pass through Milton Keynes. You will not be surprised to read that one of them would follow the East West rail route closely and would thus impact upon us here in Woburn Sands. It is uncertainties about this route which are likely to hold up major planning applications affecting us here for a while. Major Planning Applications: As you have no doubt already heard, the application by Wavendon Properties to build up to 203 properties in the area between Cranfield Road and Newport Road behind Deethe Farm, Hillway, Parkway and Wyevale was refused by Milton Keynes Council in December. The case for the refusal was forcefully put forward by Julian Shreeve and David Jenner, local residents and by Cllrs Jacky Jeffreys and David Hopkins. Uncertainties about the progress and routes of the two transport networks referred to above was a significant factor in the decision by Development Control, and with the publication of Milton Keynes Site Allocation Plan which should update the current failure to produce a 5 year housing land supply within the Borough, it is to be hoped than any subsequent Appeal against the decision can be refused. The Town Council has had presentations in recent months from other developers with possible future applications on the field opposite the Wavendon Arms, and a much larger one for the Aspley Guise Triangle, ie land between the motorway, the SLA development south of the A421 and the outskirts of Aspley Guise and Wavendon/Woburn Sands periphery. Needless to say, no encouragement whatsoever was offered by way of support by Woburn Sands Town Council! WOBURN SANDS TOWN COUNCIL Page 3 2

4 Council tax You have probably picked up in the local press that Government cutbacks to Local Councils mean that Milton Keynes will have to cutback some front line services. It has to cut about 22m from its budget in the year, despite the big savings over the past couple of years and it will mean a reduction in some services to Woburn Sands. A rise in Council Tax is inevitable. When you get your Council Tax bill you will see the amount Milton Keynes receives, plus that taken by the Police and the Fire service. Our own precept to run the services of the Town Council are also in this bill. At the time of writing, we do not know exactly which services Milton Keynes will no longer provide for us, but it is likely over the next couple of years to withdraw landscaping contracts and street cleaning from parishes. Accordingly, we feel it prudent to try to establish some reserve funds for the Town Council so that we are in some way ready to take on those services needed. This will, unfortunately, mean a further rise in the amount of precept we ask from you. planted outside your house, in summer and times of drought, go out and give it a drink of water. Don t rely on the council doing that. Everybody should have responsibility for looking after the trees in their neighbourhood. Councils are under a lot of pressure with tight budgets and there is a tendency to valueengineer everything out, particularly landscape maintenance. We can help by watering, weeding and keeping an eye on landscaped areas near our homes. You can also help by sweeping up fallen leaves from the pavement and popping them in your green bin, and picking up any rubbish. All your help in keeping Woburn Sands attractive will help us keep the precept bills lower over the next few years. In a recent article in the national press, the head of The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew wrote: If a new tree is ALWAYS LOOK ON OUR WEBSITE FOR INTERESTING & UP TO DATE INFORMATION Page 4 2 WOBURN SANDS TOWN COUNCIL

5 Under 6 Sunday Football Coaching Sessions (photo and article from Robert Hill) One of the area s largest and longest established FA Standard Youth Football Clubs is launching a programme of coaching sessions aimed at girls and boys aged under 6 years. Commencing January 29th 2017 at the PowerLeague in Milton Keynes, they will run every Sunday from 11am till 12 Noon (during term time) for 12 weeks. The sessions will then switch to one of WWFC s grass pitch locations. The aim is to provide a safe and fun environment for children of all abilities to develop skills, techniques and experience whilst making loads of new friends. This will be a direct feeder into the Club s Under 7 teams and the MK & District Development League for next season. FA qualified WWFC coaches will guide and control all sessions. They have full Safeguarding & DBS certification, placing the care and protection of children first. The Club places huge importance on these sessions, ensuring that youngsters and their families enjoy a safe, fun-filled introduction to grassroots football that will set in play years of excitement and achievement commented Robert Hill, Club Chairman. Spaces will be limited, so please contact Ian Williams to secure your place. Mob: ian.williams@connectedness. co.uk WOBURN SANDS TOWN COUNCIL Page 52

6 Sand Singers Since its formation some six years ago, many local residents have found the benefits and enjoyment of just singing, no matter how good or not so good they are! Some can read music, many cannot, but all are most welcome to give it a go. The Musical Director since its inception has been Jerry Breslin and he has devoted enormous time and energy into this project our very own Gareth Malone to whom we owe a great debt of gratitude. Jerry feels it is time now for a new Musical Director, and as soon as one is found, he will stand down. However, the Sands Singers will continue to meet each week on a Friday evening at 7pm for a couple of hours in the Memorial Hall, and absolutely anyone, irrespective of your perceived singing ability is welcome to come along. This term started on 6 January, but feel free to simply drop in any Friday and see if you think this community choir is something you would enjoy. It is not too late to apply for the post of Musical Director. Are you the next budding Gareth Malone? Our established community choir, Sands Singers, Is seeking an experienced enthusiastic Musical Director with the right skills and personality to Take over from our retiring director. We are looking for someone who has: *A fun, exuberant and motivational nature *Dedication and passion for community-based music *An ability to continue to train the choir in singing Music of different genres and to inspire and develop their choral skills. Experienced of choral direction and performance would be helpful. The choir has members of mixed ability and a small, strong committee. We meet one evening each week in Woburn Sands for three terms a year. For further information about the position and selection process please contact Carol on carol@colefamily.me.uk closing date 14th February Page 6 2 WOBURN SANDS TOWN COUNCIL

7 A Big Thank you To... The Christmas Fayre Committee and to Woburn Sands Band. On behalf of all our residents, we would like to thank these two local groups for making Christmas such a special time in Woburn Sands. The Christmas Fayre on the last Sunday in November each year, is run by a local group of just 8 volunteers and a couple of councillors and planning for this year s Fayre on Sunday 26 November is already underway, but more assistance on the committee or any exciting new ideas are most welcome. Here is the committee s report: We are pleased to be able to donate nearly 1000 to the Town Council as a contribution to the cost of maintaining, renewing and installing the Christmas lights on the lamp posts this year in addition to supplying the shop front trees and the large focal point tree which the Methodist Chapel kindly agree to allow us to place in their grounds. The public s generous support on the day and our raffle permitted a further donation of 500 towards equipment for the children s holiday club run by Churches together. The Fayre committee is proceeding with an ambitious plan to install permanent power sources for the shop front trees and would very much welcome a project manager to see this through to completion. Please contact us on woburnsandschristmasfayre@gmail. com or speak to John Barber, chairman on Christmas Eve sees the now traditional hour of Carols and Christmas songs performed on Mowbray Green by the Band. This year more than ever attended estimate at least 500 people.and we owe an enormous debt of gratitude to their leader Len Jenkins and all the performers who, despite very cold conditions, play at both the Fayre and on Christmas Eve. See photo on front page. ALWAYS LOOK ON OUR WEBSITE FOR INTERESTING & UP TO DATE INFORMATION WOBURN SANDS TOWN COUNCIL Page 7 2

8 snippets & dates STATION UPKEEP. If you travel anytime on the Bedford to Bletchley line, you may have noticed flowers, plants and other attractive features at some stations. These stations have been adopted by a local group who seek to improve the station s appearance. There may be some funding available from the Community Rail Partnership to get a group started here and if you think you would like to be part of our station adoption group, please contact the Town Clerk. We are planning to be involved in at least a couple of events connected with this celebration. One will be a Music Festival to be held in the Recreation Ground and nearby halls on 15 July which will include songs from the 60 s, popular when Milton Keynes began. A small organising group has been set up, but more members would be welcome. Please contact Cllr Gill Bunker on if you would like to be involved. We are also proposing two guided walks of our Heritage Trail which will take place during MK Heritage weekend in September. OAK TREE This newly planted oak tree on Mowbray Green is from an acorn picked up by local resident, Penny Goodwin, from the cemetery in woodland in Belgium where her great uncle s body lies along with 3,174 others who were killed in a battle of the First World War. She has grown it from that acorn and hopes it will serve as a memorial, not only to her great uncle, Cpt the Honourable Henry Simon Fielding, but also to all the soldiers from Woburn Sands who died in that War. DEFIBRILLATOR AVAILABLE. Fulbrook School has recently installed a Defibrillator just by the side of its front door which is available any time for anyone to use if needed. It is in a green box and can be a life-safer for anyone undergoing a cardiac arrest. There is also one on Aspley Guise and Woburn Sands Golf club building. We hope you need neither! KEEP RECYCLING! Please keep filling your green bins as much as possible, especially until the end of Feb, as increased usage could see a financial reward coming to the Town Council. So sweep up the leaves from the pavements near you, clear the garden of unwanted plants, put all your food waste into that green bin. We are told that Woburn Sands is one of the best parishes in Milton Keynes for recycling already, so well done everyone, but keep going.. THE SPRING COMMUNITY MARKET will be held on Sunday 12 March in the centre of the High Street. COMMUNITY BUS TRIPS will resume 15th March to Peterborough and 19th April to St. Albans, tickets via the Clerk. ANNUAL TOWN MEETING, to which everyone is invited, will be in The Memorial Hall at 7.30 on Thursday 27th April. AND FINALLY, GOOD BYE, CHRIS. It was standing room only at the Carol service in St Michaels, a fitting tribute to the inspirational and energetic leadership of our parish church for the past eight years by Canon Chris Beales. After the service, a presentation was made to him following a very lengthy round of well-deserved applause, and we wish him and Angela a long and fulfilling retirement, though we doubt Chris knows the meaning of the word! Page 82 WOBURN SANDS TOWN COUNCIL