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| The Home Improvement Agency at Age UK MK are offering free energy assessments for people over 60 and free practical help in keeping warm during the winter.
See attached poster for full details: free draught proofing, free energy saving devices, advice on loft & cavity wall insulation.
Also a hardship fund. | |
| BTCV Railway Walk Conservation Group gives everyone a chance to be involved in supporting the wildlife of the Milton Keynes Railway Walk and enhancing its natural surroundings.
GET INVOLVED! - see attached for this quarter's events. | |
| The Milton Keynes Urgent Care Service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and makes it easier for the public to access healthcare services when medical help is needed fast, but when it's not a life threatening situation.
Milton Keynes Urgent Care number - 01908 201022
This number is also one of the ways in which you can access the GP Out of Hours service in Milton Keynes between 6.30pm and 8am Mondays to Fridays, and at weekends, though the number can also be accessed via the message on your local GP practice.
Further information can be obtained from Winter Health Section on the Milton Keynes website http://www.miltonkeynes.nhs.uk/winter.htm
Please see attached for further information. | |
| 23rd – 29th January is Electrical Fire Safety Week
Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service are offering Home Fire Risk Checks to anyone in the Community to help identify fire risks in the home, giving advice to reduce the risks and installing smoke detectors free of charge where required. Please call 01296 744477 quoting Electrical Fire Safety Week to arrange your free Home Fire Risk Check, alternatively email cs@bucksfire.gov.uk with name, address and telephone contact details.
For advice and information please view http://www.bucksfire.gov.uk/BucksFire/Community+Safety/Electrical+safety+leaflets.htm .
Home Electrical Safety Check:
The new Electrical Safety Council (ESC) app allows anyone – whether they live in the home or are looking to move into it – to do a quick, visual check, to ensure it’s electrical safety. Designed to be as easy-to-use as possible, the app highlights potential dangers in each room and explains how to resolve simple, non-technical problems. Where more serious issues are flagged, people are advised to use a registered electrician.
To download the app from an iPhone, click on the App store button and search ‘Home Electrical Safety Check’. Select the ‘free’ button, then ‘install’. The app should appear on your desktop. Wait until the download is finished and ‘Home Electrical Safety Check’ app is ready to use.
To download the app from an Android phone, go to the Android market and search for ‘Home Electrical Safety Check’. Select the ‘free’ button then ‘OK’. Wait until the download is finished and ‘Home Electrical Safety Check’ is ready to use.
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| So sorry but the GLPC web site has been off line for a week or so. The hosting company had a problem, which is now fixed, so here we are again! Enjoy!
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| If you have a cold caller come to your door contact Consumer Direct on 0845 404 0506 with as much information as possible. They will send someone out to try to locate these people and check their credentials. | |
| Rogue traders often work door to door or use flyers to approach householders. They generally offer maintenance work such as gardening, driveway repair and roofing. They quote low prices which are then inflated and provide work which is of a very poor standard. They sometimes use intimidation to 'encourage' homeowners to accept offers of work and to pay up afterwards. Rogue traders use false names and addresses and are hard to trace.
IF YOU'RE NOT SURE DON'T OPEN THE DOOR.
Thames Valley Police advise that if you don't want to speak to a caller, don't open your door to them. It can be hard to distinguish the good traders from the cowboys; it might be easier to keep the door closed. Do not allow uninvited callers into your home.
If you suspect a rogue traders contact Trading Standards on tsd@milton-keynes.gov.uk, Duty Officer number 01908 252504. The emails are checked regularly throughut the day. Again, if a leaflet/business card has been given this should be kept so that the officers can take it with them with as much information as possible such as dates/times of call, description of caller/vehicles. | |
| BE BRIGHT AND INVEST IN A LIGHT TIMER SWITCH THIS WINTER
Thames Valley Police is working in partnership with Local Authorities across the Thames Valley to keep you safe as the darker nights draw in.
People across the Thames Valley can pick up security advice from one of the Thames Valley Police twitter sites, watch a video on youtube about the importance of not leaving their house in the dark, or receive a letter from their neighbourhood team informing residents about patrols in their area.
Ch Supt David Lewis, Head of Neighbourhood Policing and Partnerships said: “People who work full time, and usually leave and return from work in the dark are more likely to fall victim of opportunist burglars.
“It is vital that we engage with these people and this year we will be encouraging people to look at our twitter sites to receive their information. Officers will be promoting the pages at train stations and bus stations by handing out business cards so that commuters can take a look at the tweets when they get on the train.
“We will also be using businesses in the area to ensure our message gets out to their staff.”
Neighbourhood teams will also be patrolling in burglary hot spot areas and leaving calling cards at people‟s homes if they come across a house in darkness to ensure the occupants receive some crime prevention tips.
If no light is on in your home, curtains are not drawn, and no car is in the drive, it‟s an obvious sign to an opportunist burglar that no-one is in. At this time of the year more than any other it pays to secure your home.
There are a number of simple and free ways to do this, all of which will help reduce the chance of your home becoming the next target. Visit a local retailer to pick up a 24 hour segment timer for under £5. The timer can be used with a lamp, radio or TV to give the impression that someone‟s home. Remember to use an energy efficient light bulb Register your valuables on www.immobilise.com its free and takes just a few minutes and if your valuables are stolen, will allow you to tell the police, your insurer, and the second-hand trade to assist in recovering your property and catch the thief Keep valuables out of sight Lock your doors and windows, if you have a UPVC door make sure you have double locked it You can also follow us on Twitter @_ThamesVP alternatively you can give us a „like‟ on Facebook (opens new window)
For regular updates on crime and disorder in your area you can sign up to Community Messaging.
For further crime reduction advice you can speak to a Crime Reduction Adviser via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505. | |
| Help make your community safer today
Crimestoppers really does work. More than 2100 local criminals have been arrested and charged in Thames Valley over the past 13 years. That means that 1 in 10 of the calls to Crimestoppers results in an arrest without one caller ever being identified. Crimestoppers is a charity and not part of the police.
Please see poster attached for full details. | |
| Have your say in the future of library services in Milton Keynes. Residents are invited to express ideas about the future of the service by completing an online questionnaire, Inviting Ideas, or joining the Citizen Review Group.
Please see attached for further details or visit the Milton Keynes council website Consultation Finder - www.milton-keynes.gov.uk. | |
| The Child Poverty Commission are asking for help from local children, young people and familes to highlight the reality of day-to-day life for people struggling on low incomes across the borough. They will use this information to help find ways to tackle child poverty in Milton Keynes.
Please read the attached document to find out how you can give your views and experiences. | |
| Changes to bus services:
There are a few changes to Arriva bus service 2, 7 and 23 which parishioners should be aware of. Details can be found on the attached document. | |
| Please note that the new sacks being delivered have been folded differently and initially appear to be single sheets of plastic instead of bags. They are not defective and they do open out into bags. | |
| From Saturday, 1st October until March 31st, 2012 the three MKC Community Recycling Centres will revert to their winter opening hours.
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| A community message from THAMES VALLEY POLICE, Milton Keynes:
Do not become a victim of identity theft! Please ensure that you shred any personal information that you put in your pink waste sacks.
Reduce the chance of your personal ID theft by using a paper shredder to destroy all documents and files before discarding them.
Paper shredders are very affordable and lightweight and come in a wide variety of price ranges. Paper shredders destroy your documents in thin paper strips. For a higher level of security, a cross-cut shredder is preferable as it shreds the documents in small chunks of paper making it much more difficult for a determined identity thief to piece together your shredded documents.
By shredding all documents with your personal identification, you are taking one of the most important steps towards protecting your personal information and to safeguard your credit.
Actively using a paper shredder reduces the chances of your personal information being taken by an identity thief. ________________________________________ If you have any information in relation to this message, please contact Thames Valley Police on 08458 505 505 To find out more about Thames Valley Police in your area - please go to our website at www.thamesvalley.police.uk.
If you have information about crime but do not want to speak to the police, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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| Groundwork’s Healing Gardens helps elderly, disabled or vulnerable people continue to enjoy their gardens tackling access problems, taming wild gardens, improving safety and making maintenance easier.
There is no cost but donations are sought, depending on financial circumstances.
Please see attached for full details.
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| Concerned residents have called Thames Valley Police [TVP] explaining how they have been contacted by an individual purporting to be representing the 'Thames Valley Police Crime Prevention Department' and inviting them to pay for advertising space.
TVP DO WORK with companies collecting research data to help improve their services.
But TVP DO NOT have any agreement with any private company seeking advertising revenue.
If you are contacted by anyone asking you to pay for advertising on behalf of TVP, take their contact details, decline their request and report this to Milton Keynes Trading Standards (01908) 691691.
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| Vandals have snapped nearly all of the trees at Downs Barn Community Orchard causing hundreds of pounds worth of damage. 41 out of the 50 apple, pear and cherry trees have been damaged.
Great Linford Parish Council are urging anyone who may have information on this mindless act of vandalism to either contact the Thames Valley Police on 0845 8 505 505, GLPC office on 01908 606613. Any information will be treated in confidence.
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| A new experimental parking scheme is coming into effect from September on Conniburrow to control the parking overspill from the City Centre. Milton Keynes Council will be sending a letter and permit application form to all residents affected by the FREE scheme which covers Conniburrow Boulevard to Portway. | |
| Battery recycling has been added to the weekly waste collections. Please see attached form for details. | |
| Thames Valley Police has launched a campaign called ASB…It’s Not a Good Look, to warn young people about the consequences of committing anti-social behaviour.
There is a dedicated Facebook page, featuring a video produced by year 10 students about the consequences of anti-social behaviour and the effects it has on other people.
Watch the Not a Good Look video and visit www.facebook.com/notagoodlook to find out what can happen to anyone who gets caught causing anti-social behaviour.
Please share the video with any teenager you know.
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| What is a Green Gym? A health initiative run by BTCV and supported by Network Rail giving people of all ages and ability the opportunity to get physically active in an outdoor environment. Please see attached posters for more details. | |
| The TVNHWA has a new website. Please see attached poster for more information. The website is under development and your comments/feedback will be appreciated. | |
| Girlguiding Buckinghamshire has seen the need for more units to provide suitable events and activities. Please see the attached to find out how you can participate. | |
| Trading Standards have joined the social networks - so if you would like to be kept up to date about scams across the city, search Facebook for ‘Milton Keynes Trading Standards’ or Twitter for ‘@MiltonKeynesTS’. And don't forget to look at the new facebook page for Milton Keynes Dog Watch - just search for Milton Keynes Dog Watch. | |
| A free public tour of MK Council’s state-of-the-art Materials Recycling Facility is being offered, to see what happens to all the recycling materials from pink sacks and blue boxes. Tours will be on the first Wednesday of every month, between 6-7pm at the facility at Colts Holm Road, Old Wolverton Road, MK12 5QD. Reserve your place by ringing 01908 252312 or email wasteeducation@milton-keynes.gov.uk | |
| The new Park and Ride coachway at M1 Junction 14, which opened before Christmas, has regular links to MK City Centre and MK Central Station. The PlatinumMK 300 service runs every 20 minutes during the day Monday to Saturday and every 30 minutes on Sunday. Parking is free and there is a special return fare on service 300 of £2 for passengers boarding at the site. Each adult fare-payer can take one accompanied child, age 15 or under, free of charge.
The PlatinumMK 300 buses is an alternative to finding a parking space in the City Centre and has low floor easy access space for wheelchairs and buggies, is air conditioned and has a free wi-fi connection.
The Coachway and Park and Ride site is also served by Stagecoach X5 (direct links to Bedford) and Arriva/Vale Travel/Z&S services 24/25 (giving a weekday daytime link to Newport Pagnell and Bletchley).
• The first bus from Coachway to City Centre is 0526 (Monday to Friday), 0626 (Saturday & Sunday), and the last bus from city centre, 2258 (every day).
• Buses drop off at the Food Centre/Theatre District, at the Point for easy access to the Centre:MK and Midsummer Place, on Midsummer Boulevard for the Hub and CBX as well as going on to Milton Keynes Central Rail Station.
• Buses return from Milton Keynes Central Station (stop 33), Midsummer Boulevard (stop R3 for the Hub), The Point (stop J3) and Food Centre/Theatre District (stop D3).
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| MK Dons MK Dons striker Gary Mackenzie recently helped launch a new project to coach youngsters, using the sports facilities of Great Linford Parish Council at Downs Barn.
Great Linford Parish Council is co-operating with MK Dons to hold evening coaching sessions for youngsters. The project was officially launched in November. Coaching sessions are held at the parish council's Downs Barn multi-use games area at Pannier Place, every evening between 5-6pm during the school term and cover a range of sports.
The project is being run by MK Dons Sport and Education Trust (SET) in-conjunction with Milton Keynes Council and Great Linford Parish Council. The cost is being met out of a £32,000 grant provided by Barclays through its Barclays Spaces for Sports, with the Football Foundation.
The project is being funded by Barclays Spaces for Sports, the Football Foundation in an effort to engage in an effort to involve young people and divert them away from crime and anti-social behaviour.
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| Houses in Multi Occupation (HiMOs) have been a concern of Great Linford Parish Council for some time and have been raised with Milton Keynes Council many times. While HiMOs have to be licensed by Milton Keynes Council, many are not. If you have concerns about a HiMO near you, you are entitled to report your concerns to MK Council’s Housing Team, on 01908 253271, or by email to: privatesectorhousing@milton-keynes.gov.uk Any reports about HiMOs are inspected and if any safety work needs to be carried out, landlords are informed. If they do not comply, a formal improvement notice is issued. Failure to comply is a criminal offence. You can report a HiMO in confidence as MK Council will not reveal how or by whom concerns were reported – and you could prevent an accident or worse from happening. | |
| Members of the public in the Thames Valley can play a greater role in bringing serious offenders to justice with the launch of a Most Wanted website for the region.
the website allows members of the public to look at pictures and E-fits and view CCTV footage of people currently wanted by the police in Thames Valley. The site is run by the independent charity Crimestoppers, which allows people to give information about crime anonymously by telephone or via the Crimestoppers website.
Launched in late 2005 the national Most Wanted site has successfully resulted in the arrest of more than 900 criminals, for offences ranging from murder, rape and drug smuggling to robbery and assault.
The Most Wanted website for this region is being officially launched at the Thames Valley Police Open Day at Sulhamstead, West Berkshire, on 4 September.
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| The thriving new Downs Barn Youth Club, run by Great Linford Parish Council with Milton Keynes Council, is moving from Tuesdays to Wednesdays, from September 8.
The club is for 13-19 year olds and is held at the Downs Barn Pavilion in Panner Place, Downs Barn (MK14 7QP) from 7-9pm. There's a range of activities, including sports, crooking, games, quizzes, arts and crafts and much more. So, don't be shy - join us and get involved. Visit www.mysaymk.com | |
| While your summer holidays may be coming to an end, for local burglars it’s been a busy old time. Thames Valley Police report that there have been a number of local burglaries over the past few weeks, while families have been away on their holidays. TVP say that many thefts have been through forced entry and recommend the following actions for any last-minute holiday trips you may have planned, or for future years: • Ensure all doors and windows are fitted with good quality, robust key-operated locks • Ask a trusted friend or neighbour to look after your home by collecting mail, opening and closing curtains, turning lights on and off and so on. Ask them also to park their car in your drive from time to time. • If you don’t have anyone to help, consider using timers to turn lights on and off at the times you would normally be home. One in a living room and bedroom is a good idea. • If you have a security alarm, always use it when you leave your property. If you do not have one, consider buying one. Trading Standards on 01908 252504 can give details, or visit their website t www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/bwc
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| They steal from your property and then drive off in your car! That’s the warning from Milton Keynes crime reduction advisers who are urging residents to make sure they secure their homes and car keys to prevent them being stolen.
The advice comes after a spate of thefts of cars from properties in Milton Keynes where burglars steal car keys from inside a property to steal the car outside. There have been 15 reported incidents since 1 April.
The crime reduction team advises people to ensure all doors are locked and to remove the keys from the door. Keep all downstairs windows shut and locked and only keep windows open upstairs when at home if there is no easy access to them via garage roofs and flat roofs.
Several of the burglaries have been committed due to front doors not being properly key locked, residents leaving keys in the inside of the door or visible through the letter box when they have been ‘fished’ out sometimes when several feet away from the letter box itself.
Ed Allington, crime reduction adviser for Milton Keynes, said: “It is vital that all doors are locked with a key every time the door is closed, even if you are inside the house. With UPVC multi point locking doors it is not enough to lift up the handle on the inside, the KEY must be used to properly lock the door and should then be taken out of the lock (but easily accessible in case of a fire). If you have a burglar alarm make sure you use it at night if possible.
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The nearest location is Winslow, yes Winslow ! This due to the structure of the Met Office geographical areas.
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| Making MK a safer place is the aim of a new partnership called SaferMK, which includes Milton Keynes Council, Thames Valley Police, Buckinghamshire Fire&Rescue Service, MK Primary Care Trust and Thames Valley Police Authority.
SaferMK works with the community to make everyone safer by reducing crime, anti-social behaviour, tackling drug and alcohol abuse and the fear of crime.
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| Keeping track of planning applications has now been made much easier, thanks to a new on-line system introduced by Milton Keynes Council’s planning department. Called Public Access for planning, the system allows the viewing of applications via the internet. All new planning applications made after November 11 will be available, including all application forms, plans, consultation responses and public representations. The Planning Department encourages people to use the system and to make comments on planning matters via a ‘Submit Comments button.’ Public Access can be found via the Planning Department’s webpage, or by going to: www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/publicaccess. | |
| A free collection service for bulky household items, including white goods, is offered by Milton Keynes Council. You need to inform MKC when items are ready for collection and they need to be left in a place that is easily accessible for the crews to collect. Goods are normally collected within 10 days. Alternatively, you have the option to pay £10 to have the item collected on your normal refuse collection day. You need to give a minimum of two working days notice for this. Payment can be made by credit or debit card or by cash at the Civic Offices. There’s a third type of collection, for goods classed as Fixtures and Fittings of your property, for which the charge is £40 or £20 if you are in receipt of a State Pension, or on Benefits. Again, two working days notice is required, but for any day you choose. For more information, contact Environmental Services helpline on 01908 252570 or visit www.mkweb.co.uk and type in Bulky Items.
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| The Citizens Advice Bureau provides free, confidential and impartial advice to help people resolve their problems. The CAB service is a registered charity and volunteers are its lifeblood. More volunteers are needed for the MK CAB to help more people. So, if you work well in a team, enjoy helping others and have good communication skills, contact Bruce Manley on 01908 545187 or email him at bruce.manley@mkcab.org.uk by October 15. Full accredited training is given to volunteers. | |
| Residents can now recycle even more of their household waste. Now, clean plastic food containers, meat, fish and ready-meal trays can be added to your pink recycling sack. Yoghurt pots, ice cream and margarine containers cans also now go into the pink bag, along with containers for orange juice, soups and smoothies and aerosols (with lids removed). The only proviso is that all containers should be rinsed and their film covers removed. For more information about recycling, log onto www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/recycling, or ring MK Council’s Environmental Helpline on (01908) 25 25 70. | |
| They’re everywhere it seems – those supermarket trolleys! Getting them recovered and returned to their proper homes is now easier thanks to two telephone hotlines. For those trolleys belonging to Sainsburys, Marks & Spencer and Waitrose, ring Trolleywise on 01633 892362 (or email: enquiries@trolleywise.co.uk). For those trolleys belonging to any other supermarket, ring (01908) 252209. | |
| Bookworms take note – Age Concern runs a thriving bookshop in Wolverton (in front of Tesco’s and near the Old Bath House). There is a huge range of second-hand books – fiction, non-fiction, hardbacks, paperbacks, text books and collectables, as well as a selection of vinyl records, all at very reasonable prices. Wolverton Books is open Monday-Saturday, between 9.30am and 4pm. Donations of books are always welcome. Contact the shop on 01908 319620. | |
| Are you concerned about a vehicle parked near you on a public highway that is unlicensed? You can report vehicles on Monday to Friday between 9am to 5pm direct to the DVLA Hotline on 0800 0325 202, giving the registration number, location of the vehicle, make and model number, or you can report vehicles anonymously on-line to DVLA by clicking http://www.dvla.gov.uk/onlineservices/report_unlicensed.aspx and follow the links.
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| A new on-line map, allows the public to see and compare Thames Valley Police crime information in their neighbourhood.
Search the map by scrolling down the list of locations
to find Great Linford North or Great Linford South in the Neighbourhood box and then double click on the area you live in [Linford North Ward or Linford South Ward] to view the total number of crimes totals in each category, the average crime level and trend comparisons.
has been added to the Crime & Community Safety list under Useful Links on this web site | |
| In July 2008, the UK’s largest domestic energy supplier warned that gas bills could rise by up to 35 per cent in 2008. This continues the upward trend in household gas and electricity costs since 2005.
As space and water heating account for around 60 per cent of the energy used in the average home, this is a good place to start. Follow these 5 tips to trim your heating bills:
Use your programmer to switch the heating and hot water on and off and set your thermostat at between 18 and 21° C. Every 1° C above this increases your heating bill by 10 per cent.
Avoid using the immersion heater to heat water. The relatively high unit cost of electricity makes it more cost effective to use your gas boiler for this.
Switch supplier or switch tariff. If you have Economy 7, time your washing machine and dishwasher to exploit the cheaper night-time tariff.
Make the most of each use of a given appliance. Wash clothes and dishes when you have a full load ready to go. Switch things off when not in use.
Insulate your home. Energy Saving Trust now estimates annual savings of £160 from installing cavity wall insulation. This is currently free to over 70s.
For advice on insulating your home, call Cocoon on 0800 8048 777. This is a free, council-supported service.
| ![http://www.parishcouncils.org/greatlinford/Parish%20Councillor%20pictures/images[1].jpg](http://www.parishcouncils.org/greatlinford/Parish%20Councillor%20pictures/images[1].jpg) |
| The Great Linford Women’s Institute (the W.I.) is alive and well and meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month (except August) at 7.45pm at Fulwell Court, St Leger Drive, Great Linford. Visitors are always welcome. Contact Beryl Hathaway , WI secretary on 01908 664409. | |
| Developed together with young people by MK Youth Service and Connections MK, Mysay.com has been created to place all information for young people --searching for activities, online forum, games, online polling, ‘agony aunt’ section and advice and information on lots of issues young people may be concerned about.
MK Council Youth Officer Hilary Solway says “ Mysaymk.com will give young people even more opportunities to have their say and perhaps get a real taste for local democracy and how to get involved in local decision making.”
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| Seek advice sooner rather than later. That is the message from The Shelter Housing Aid Centre in Central Milton to people who are struggling to pay their rent or mortgage. The Charity, which provides free specialist housing advice, has seen an increase in those facing repossession. However, Shelter says there is a lot that can be done to help people’s houses being repossessed, but it is easier to help in the early stages of the problem arising. Shelter has been successful even at the final stages as they run a County Court Advice Desk at Milton Keynes County Court.
Shelter also gives advice on other housing problems such as:
Relationship breakdown
Disrepair
Landlord/Tenant disputes
Housing Benefit
…and much more
Their service is open weekdays except Wednesday at their office in the Food Centre in Central Milton Keynes (over Iceland). Appointments are issued daily at 9.30 am on a first-come-first-served basis. To discuss how Shelter can help you, ring 0844 515 1876.
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| Great Linford Allotment Association now has a web site at http://www.greatlinford-allotments.co.uk or click on the GLPC web page Useful Links and then Parish and Community Information to find the link to the Association site.The allotment association represents any plot-holder on the five-allotment sites owned by Great Linford Parish Council. These sites are Bells Meadow, Gifford Gate, Hills Close, Larkspur Avenue and Neath Hill.
The aim of the association is to have every plot in a state of cultivation. They also encourage their plot-holders to take part in competitions and trips.
The association meets once a month at 7:30 pm on the 4th Tuesday at the Cricket Pavilion, High Street, Great Linford. All plot holders are welcome to attend.
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| A dedicated hotline has been set up to support local authorities in their new role taking over sole responsibility for stray dogs from the police. The change is from April 6 and will mean Milton Keynes Council will be responsible for collecting stray dogs out of office hours as well as during the normal working day. In the past, especially outside normal working hours when the council dog warden was off duty, anyone finding a stray dog would have had to take it to CMK police station.
Now the council will offer an improved service by collecting stray dogs direct from residents’ homes -within a few hours in most cases. The dog warden will continue to respond to sightings of stray dogs during office hours.
Also, a register of all stray dogs found will now be kept by the council instead of the police who previously had this responsibility.
It is hoped to make the register available via the council’s website to make it easier for strays to be reunited with their owners.
Environmental health team leader Simon Teesdale, who is also a Great Linford Parish Councillor said: “We are pleased to be able to offer what we see as an improved service to anyone finding a stray dog in the borough. We will be able to collect strays when they are found, hopefully within a few hours of a call to the hotline.”
The hotline number is 01908 252187 (office hours between 8am - 5pm); out of office hours on 01908 226699.
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| Reports are increasing about the use of mini motorcycles – also known as mini motos, say Thames Valley Police (TVP). Complaints range from disturbance to residents, to damage to the environment.
TVP say that many people are not aware of the legislation which applies to these bikes or vehicles. By law the only place you can use them is on a public road - not on Redways or footpaths - and you must have a driving licence, tax and insurance and wear a helmet. Even if you are fully legal, you still cannot use them on Redways or pavements, or in parks or on playing fields. Also, you have to be 17 years of age to have a motorcycle licence and 16 years to ride a moped.
Police and Community Support Officers have the power to seize any vehicle or bike that is being used in an inconsiderate manner, and can even dispose of it. Riders can also be arrested for careless or dangerous driving.
By law, parents have a responsibility for their child’s actions and can face a large fine or even imprisonment if they allow them to drive or ride in an inconsiderate manner.
Some of these bikes/vehicles are capable of speeds up to 60 mph and can seriously hurt young children or elderly people – as well as those using the bikes!
Danger to residents and the environment can be caused by illegal use of mini motos, as pictured below.
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| Home security is the best way to avoid your chances of being burgled. Many burglaries are carried out on the spur of the moment, as a burglar may see an open window or other easy point of access and take their chance.
Home Security Checklist:
• Timers on radios or internal lights can give the impression someone is home.
• Always lock all doors and windows when you leave the property even if its only for a few minutes.
• Install visible burglar alarms.
• Fit a letterbox cage to prevent attempts to open the door from the inside.
• Don’t leave keys near the door or in an obvious place.
• Don’t leave spare keys outside or in a garage or shed, and put garage and shed keys in the house and out of sight.
Distraction burglaries, where criminals use tricks to get into homes and steal, are a constant blight on communities. Bear these suggestions in mind:
• Make sure you can see any callers before opening the door, by fitting a door-viewer or door-scope.
• Fit a door chain or door bar to stop people gaining entry to the house without your permission.
• Always make sure the door chain/bar is on before opening the door.
• Always ask people for identification to check they are a professional. Then call the company they claim to work for using the number taken from the phone book. If they are genuine they will not mind you doing this.
• DO NOT LET ANYONE IN UNLESS YOU ARE HAPPY WITH THEIR IDENTITY!!
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| A new link from this website will help you to find out more about crime and what is being done to combat it. Everything from Crimestoppers, to Neighbourhood Watch, plus the ‘Thames Valley Police website, is available via the new ‘Crime and Community Safety’ link. Clicking on this will help you find out everything, from who is your local ‘Bobby’, to 24 hour a day advice on drugs, plus the latest Home Office research into crime both in the UK and around the world.
The collection of web links gives an encouraging insight into the considerable effort by a number of agencies, to make communities safer. Try it – click on ‘Crime and Community Safety’, in the left hand, section of this website, under ‘Useful Links’ (between City-wide Community and MK Ward Councillors).
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| Over the last seven years, the Great Linford Community Gardeners have established and looked after the border at the top of the High Street near the junction with Woad Lane. Children from both schools in Great Linford made the commemorative tiles along the edge of the garden.
The Community Gardeners also look after the memorial garden as well
The Community Gardeners get together on the last Saturday of every month between 10 - 11am to tidy up the area and put in new plants. Anyone is welcome to come along and help or just take a few minutes at any time to sit on the benches and enjoy this local garden.
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| THE rise in the number of planning applications to convert houses into multi-occupancy dwellings has prompted Great Linford Parish Council to devise a minimum acceptable standard, before it will agree to the conversion. The GLPC is particularly concerned that there should be no more than four habitable rented rooms, in what was previously a ‘family home’, and that any existing car parking provision, including a car port, must be retained.
The number of houses in multi-occupation (HiMOs), has grown rapidly in recent years, and GLPC has considered each application individually. By setting a consistent standard, the process of judging each application will be simpler, and quicker.
The new policy sets out the acceptable minimal size of rooms and facilities, for living, dining, bath/shower and toilet provision. Arrangements for bicycle and refuse storage are also laid down.
The new policy is GLPC’s attempt to deal with the problems created when planning applications are refused, for a variety of reasons. This has led to a backlog, with applications sometimes granted months after the conversion, and to an inconsistent standard.
Great Linford Parish Council has decided to face up to the problem, by devising a policy which clearly sets out what minimum requirements are required to convert houses into separate living units. GLPC hopes that this will help property owners to convert houses in an acceptable way, and which meet legal requirements, by making it clear what is expected. This should remove some of the uncertainties owners face in applying to convert properties. By meeting minimum standards, the conversion work, and living accommodation provided, should be of a quality that is acceptable to owners and tenants alike.
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| Thames Valley Police now have a new way for the public to contact them – by email! Ringing 999 is still the number to call in an emergency, but you can also ring 0845 8 505 505 to report a crime, or if you wish to speak to the Police abut an issue which may require police attention. Or, if you have information about a crime, you can ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Now you can also pass on information, or speak to your local officer, via email. Each area has it own unique email address. If you live on Neath Hill for example, you send an email to neathhill@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk Or, if you live at Conniburrow, the address will be conniburrow@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk - just put your area name and then @thamesvalley.pnn.police.ukThe introduction of email is designed to make it easier to contact Thames Valley Police about local crimes and has the benefit of a timed and dated copy of the email to refer to if you want to pursue any matter. Local beat officer WPC Heather Denton also holds a ‘surgery’ at the Parish Council Office every Wednesday between 10 and 11 am to which residents are welcome to come and talk to her about police-related issues. The Parish Council office is at Neath Hill Local Centre, opposite the Clocktower. |  |
| ONCE again much of the graffiti in Great Linford Parish has been removed by the “Graffiti Busters” from Milton Keynes Council. The Parish Council has congratulated Andy Hudson and his team for the reaction they provided to 50+ locations tagged in the parish on road bridges, signs, green boxes and the bridges along the Grand Union Canal. This is the second major response by the “Graffiti Busters” to remove graffiti this year.
It’s your Council Tax that pays for the removal of graffiti. As Andy reported: “I now have a rough cost of removal; the two lists have taken four days to clear (pretty good productivity I’d say) plus another day to complete the bits left – with management time on top, I’d say the cost was roughly £2,000 including VAT.”
The Parish Council takes the view that when graffiti is ignored, it becomes an engraved invitation to other criminals that chaos reigns supreme and crime is tolerated in an area. Ring the Parish Manager on 606 613, with an indication of where and when you see graffiti and we do our best to get it removed.
If you see some one tagging dial 999. Or if you know who is carrying out criminal damage ring the police on 08458 505 505 or report it to Crimestoppers free on 0800 555 111.
With your help Great Linford Parish Council will persist with its policy of eradicating graffiti and targeting those responsible.
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| MANY dog owners scoop and poop after their dogs. But carrying their mess around or taking it home, to put in the black rubbish bags, is not the nicest of things. Which is why the Parish provides dog bins. Many owners plan their dog walking routine on where they know the bins are situated. For those who need reminding about where the bins are, here is a guide to the area and location:
Tongwell Lake (off Delaware Drive)
Entry from North side of Wedgwood Avenue, Blakelands
Bottom of play area in Wedgwood Avenue, Blakelands
Downs Barn
At entrance to sports facility, Pannier Place
Great Linford
High Street at entrance to Cricket Ground
Solar Court at entrance to Cricket Ground (off Woad Lane)
Bottom of Willen Lane (off Marsh Drive)
Between Hartley and the school (St Ledger Drive)
The Green at top of High Street (Harpers Lane)
Right-hand side of the bollards at entrance to Marsh Drive sports facility car park
Pennyland
Leopard Drive (by Skeats Wharf - Downhead Park End)
Sovereign Drive (junction with Bodle Close and Sterling Close)
Sovereign Drive (opposite Health Centre)
Copies of the map, showing where the dog bins are located, are available from the Parish Council Office at Neath Hill (opposite side to Clock Tower) between 9am and 4pm.
Map below shows areas where dog bins are located and may help you to plan your dog walks. |  |
| You may have seen in the last issue of the Parish Council’s News and Views and on this website, that we have suggested you call Crimestoppers if you have information that may be of help to the Police, But why should you? Crimestoppers lets you pass on information to the Police about people who are involved in crime or who may be planning crime, without giving your name. Nobody is asked to say who they are and the calls are not traced or recorded.
There can be many reasons why someone does not want to speak directly to the police. You may not want to have to give a formal statement, appear in court as a witness - or you may be afraid of what will happen if someone finds out you have spoken to the police.
Crimestoppers removes any fear of reprisal, retribution or revenge. It’s an independent charity that has fully trained persons available as an alternative to talking directly to the police.
Drug dealers, driving offences, theft, robbery, stolen goods, burglary and many more crimes can be stopped with a call from you to Crimestoppers. The Parish has asked you to help stop illegal bikers, so if you know who the people are who are making our community unsafe, help put a stop to it by calling Crimestoppers or if you have any information that will stop crimes being committed, make that call anonymously on 0800 555 111
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