NEWS CHANNEL
Published: 07/04/2010 09:34 -
Updated: 07/04/2010 09:42
SIR - I would like to appeal to the residents of MK to support our campaign.
Over the past few months MK defend council housing (MKDCH) has attended a series of public meetings concerning council housing.
The main theme of discussion was the current situation of council housing in MK and the privatisation of council services and how they would be funded in the future.
Some members of the public spoke of their experiences, the hardship that their children and people in housing need face in finding somewhere to live and a lack of available council housing, also the extensive use of private landlords making huge profits, it is estimated that almost 6.5 billion pounds was paid out in housing benefit to private landlord nationally. It was agreed that tax payers would get a better return on their money if it was invested in building council housing instead.
We also discussed the so called affordable housing which doesn't exist for many, people who are in housing need want a roof over their heads and any aspirations of property ownership are way down the line of their list of priorities, if on the list at all.
As a consequence of these meetings we have formed a petition calling upon MKC to:
1. Embark on a new council housing building programme with secure tenancies.
2. To stop any further privatisation and stock option appraisals relating to council housing.
3. To establish a council housing register.
So far MKC has not bided for government funding which is available in order to build new council housing, MKC has out source many of its services to profit making private companies which has resulted in higher charges and less accountability to council tenants.
Since the council done away with the waiting list and replace it with housing options many residents have complained that it is an unfair system in the allocation of council housing for local people and really promotes private renting and home ownership.
We ask people to look out for our campaign stall and petition leaflets and support us throughout MK.
Eamonn Bobey coordinator of MKDCH
The Hide
Netherfield
SIR - Each year we give the opportunity to members of the public in Milton Keynes to attend an Open Morning at the Magistrates’ Court, where you will see the courts operating, in the company of an experienced magistrate. Your guide will be pleased to talk to you about becoming a magistrate, and what is involved in the work of the Magistrates’ Court. We find that these sessions are interesting to people, whether or not they are contemplating applying to become magistrates themselves.
The dates for this year’s Open Mornings are Tuesday May 11th, Wednesday June 9th, Wednesday July 14th, and Tuesday August 3rd. Each session lasts from 9.45 am until 1 pm. Places are limited and must be booked in advance on a special telephone line, 07947 426619, or email mkmic@hotmail.co.uk
Chris Row, Bench Coordinator, Magistrates in the Community
SIR - I now know why there are so many bad drivers in Milton Keynes.
There was 'name and address supplied' who thought it was a good idea to reverse out into a main road using the footpath as part of his dangerous manoeuvre and just recently there is 'Road User' who must have read a different version of The Highway Code to myself. (are these people ashamed of giving their name?) Where does it say that the right hand lane approaching a roundabout is for going straight on, unless marked appropriately. His example of approaching the city on Dansteed Way crossing Grafton Street is a typical example of impatient and ill-informed driving. Dansteed Way is single carriageway and therefore, the left hand lane is for straight on and left and the right hand lane is for turning right only. This is clearly illustrated in sections 184-190 of The Highway Code.
If he used the right hand lane to go straight on a single carriageway road then it is not surprising that people toot and gesticulate at him as they are in the correct lane and he would be 'cutting them up' to go straight on. He should really check his facts as he is laying himself open to criticism for driving to his own set of rules which no-one else is aware of !
Derek Harpur
East End
North Crawley
SIR - I was interested in Laura Hannam's piece about clothes for Willen Hospice. I'm not surprised their intake is greatly reduced - there are so many charities delivering bags to houses for second-hand clothes. We get at least one a week and one day we got two.
I shall be having a sort-out over Easter but I do not follow fashion and will only throw away things which will never fit or are only fit for recycling.
In Stony Stratford we have the Willen Hospice bookshop. I took a load there, but was told most of them would be sent straight for pulping, as they get far too many to sell. Maybe this is another way forward?
Sheila Dipple,
Stony Stratford
SIR - I just wanted to say a big thank you for the recent piece in your paper about needing clothes donations. Lots of people have brought in clothes and said they saw it in your paper. The warehouse manager just emailed me to say they have seen a 'significant increase' in donations.
Melanie Harriss,
Willen Hospice
Sir
I am writing to peoples awareness of asthma and how severe it can be.
More people need to be aware of the condition and the effects so if
they saw someone have a asthma attack they would know how what to do
and to act quickly, we need more awarness in all schools so all
teachers know what to do in order to prevent another tragic death. I
am a fundraiser and campaingner for asthma uk and would seriously
would like everyone who is Reading this to think about the effects of
asthma and espically if you work in a school or have a employee with
asthma then strongly advise that you learn to what to do in attack as
it is vital to act fast to save the persons life.
Asthma uk is the charity dedicated to improving the health and well-
being of the 5.2 million people in the uk whose lives are
affected.they work together with people with asthma,health
professionals and researchers to develop and share expertise to help
people increase thier understanding and reduce the affect asthma has
on thier lifes.
I have had asthma all my life and know how bad it can be and how
important support and dontations can be.
I am doing a lot to raise money and help other people with asthma so
we you go to cmk medical center I would be very grateful if could
donate any money or loose change into the donation container and also
selling bagpuss toys and fundraising events. Any help would be
appreciated and all proceeds will go to asthma uk,registered charity
number 802364.
If you require any information or would like kindly sponser me then
please contact me on sineadpetworth@googlemail.com
Sinead petworth-kenny
Conniburrow
Over the past few months MK defend council housing (MKDCH) has attended a series of public meetings concerning council housing.
The main theme of discussion was the current situation of council housing in MK and the privatisation of council services and how they would be funded in the future.
Some members of the public spoke of their experiences, the hardship that their children and people in housing need face in finding somewhere to live and a lack of available council housing, also the extensive use of private landlords making huge profits, it is estimated that almost 6.5 billion pounds was paid out in housing benefit to private landlord nationally. It was agreed that tax payers would get a better return on their money if it was invested in building council housing instead.
We also discussed the so called affordable housing which doesn't exist for many, people who are in housing need want a roof over their heads and any aspirations of property ownership are way down the line of their list of priorities, if on the list at all.
As a consequence of these meetings we have formed a petition calling upon MKC to:
1. Embark on a new council housing building programme with secure tenancies.
2. To stop any further privatisation and stock option appraisals relating to council housing.
3. To establish a council housing register.
So far MKC has not bided for government funding which is available in order to build new council housing, MKC has out source many of its services to profit making private companies which has resulted in higher charges and less accountability to council tenants.
Since the council done away with the waiting list and replace it with housing options many residents have complained that it is an unfair system in the allocation of council housing for local people and really promotes private renting and home ownership.
We ask people to look out for our campaign stall and petition leaflets and support us throughout MK.
Eamonn Bobey coordinator of MKDCH
The Hide
Netherfield
SIR - Each year we give the opportunity to members of the public in Milton Keynes to attend an Open Morning at the Magistrates’ Court, where you will see the courts operating, in the company of an experienced magistrate. Your guide will be pleased to talk to you about becoming a magistrate, and what is involved in the work of the Magistrates’ Court. We find that these sessions are interesting to people, whether or not they are contemplating applying to become magistrates themselves.
The dates for this year’s Open Mornings are Tuesday May 11th, Wednesday June 9th, Wednesday July 14th, and Tuesday August 3rd. Each session lasts from 9.45 am until 1 pm. Places are limited and must be booked in advance on a special telephone line, 07947 426619, or email mkmic@hotmail.co.uk
Chris Row, Bench Coordinator, Magistrates in the Community
SIR - I now know why there are so many bad drivers in Milton Keynes.
There was 'name and address supplied' who thought it was a good idea to reverse out into a main road using the footpath as part of his dangerous manoeuvre and just recently there is 'Road User' who must have read a different version of The Highway Code to myself. (are these people ashamed of giving their name?) Where does it say that the right hand lane approaching a roundabout is for going straight on, unless marked appropriately. His example of approaching the city on Dansteed Way crossing Grafton Street is a typical example of impatient and ill-informed driving. Dansteed Way is single carriageway and therefore, the left hand lane is for straight on and left and the right hand lane is for turning right only. This is clearly illustrated in sections 184-190 of The Highway Code.
If he used the right hand lane to go straight on a single carriageway road then it is not surprising that people toot and gesticulate at him as they are in the correct lane and he would be 'cutting them up' to go straight on. He should really check his facts as he is laying himself open to criticism for driving to his own set of rules which no-one else is aware of !
Derek Harpur
East End
North Crawley
SIR - I was interested in Laura Hannam's piece about clothes for Willen Hospice. I'm not surprised their intake is greatly reduced - there are so many charities delivering bags to houses for second-hand clothes. We get at least one a week and one day we got two.
I shall be having a sort-out over Easter but I do not follow fashion and will only throw away things which will never fit or are only fit for recycling.
In Stony Stratford we have the Willen Hospice bookshop. I took a load there, but was told most of them would be sent straight for pulping, as they get far too many to sell. Maybe this is another way forward?
Sheila Dipple,
Stony Stratford
SIR - I just wanted to say a big thank you for the recent piece in your paper about needing clothes donations. Lots of people have brought in clothes and said they saw it in your paper. The warehouse manager just emailed me to say they have seen a 'significant increase' in donations.
Melanie Harriss,
Willen Hospice
Sir
I am writing to peoples awareness of asthma and how severe it can be.
More people need to be aware of the condition and the effects so if
they saw someone have a asthma attack they would know how what to do
and to act quickly, we need more awarness in all schools so all
teachers know what to do in order to prevent another tragic death. I
am a fundraiser and campaingner for asthma uk and would seriously
would like everyone who is Reading this to think about the effects of
asthma and espically if you work in a school or have a employee with
asthma then strongly advise that you learn to what to do in attack as
it is vital to act fast to save the persons life.
Asthma uk is the charity dedicated to improving the health and well-
being of the 5.2 million people in the uk whose lives are
affected.they work together with people with asthma,health
professionals and researchers to develop and share expertise to help
people increase thier understanding and reduce the affect asthma has
on thier lifes.
I have had asthma all my life and know how bad it can be and how
important support and dontations can be.
I am doing a lot to raise money and help other people with asthma so
we you go to cmk medical center I would be very grateful if could
donate any money or loose change into the donation container and also
selling bagpuss toys and fundraising events. Any help would be
appreciated and all proceeds will go to asthma uk,registered charity
number 802364.
If you require any information or would like kindly sponser me then
please contact me on sineadpetworth@googlemail.com
Sinead petworth-kenny
Conniburrow
