Milton Keynes City Council have announced plans to extend a ban on anti-social drinking in some public spaces in the city.
The Public Space Protection Order (PSPO), which specifically tackles anti-social behaviour connected with drinking alcohol, will be renewed pending a city council decision to be made next week.
The option for people to drink responsibly is unaffected, while MK City Council stated that the PSPO is there to support the city council, The Parks Trust, and Thames Valley Police to work together to tackle anti-social behaviour and support community safety.
Earlier this year, the city council asked local people their views on its proposals, along with evidence provided by Thames Valley Police and other partners.
The City Council reported that over 400 responses were received, with 96% of respondents saying they supported the extension. Following the feedback received, the PSPO will be extended for three years, with the ban now covering 15 parishes in the city, including the new addition of Great Linford. A full list of areas can be found on the city council’s website.
The PSPO allows police or other authorised officers to be able to ask someone causing anti-social behaviour to stop drinking and hand over their alcohol or be issued with a £100 fixed penalty notice if that person does not comply.
Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Cllr Amber McQuillan, said, “Extending the PSPO gives us and other relevant authorities to continue to take on alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour. We have always been clear that this specifically targets people who are drinking irresponsibly in public areas and causing nuisance for others. My thanks go out to everyone that responded to the consultation and I look forward to working with partners to continue our work to ensure everyone can enjoy our public spaces.”
MK Dons’ campaign in the EFL Trophy began with a 2-1 defeat by fellow League Two side Colchester United.
Stephen Wearne had put MK Dons in front, scoring the Dons’ first away goal in any competition so far this season, but goals either side of half-time by Anthony Scully and Fiacre Kelleher won the day for the home side.
Defeat was the Dons’ second in Essex this season, having lost at Colchester in the league in their first away game of the season last month.
The team chosen by Mike Williamson featured 8 changes from the one beaten by AFC Wimbledon in their previous game, with the match coming on a night when rumours emerged from multiple sources linking the Dons’ Head Coach with the vacancy at fellow League Two side Carlisle United.
The reshuffled Dons side included first starts for late signings Sonny Finch and Joe White, as well as a first appearance of the season for Brooklyn Ilunga after an injury absence.
MK Dons took the lead with 34 minutes on the clock, when a deep cross by Jack Tucker found Wearne to glance a header into the Colchester net.
But Colchester would equalise seven minutes later after the referee ruled Dean Lewington fouled Mandela Egbo and Scully scored the penalty.
Colchester then took the lead after the break when Kelleher beat Harness to the ball when a corner was flicked across the goalmouth, and the Colchester man was able to poke the ball home.
Home goalkeeper Tom Smith made saves to keep out efforts by Joe Tomlinson and Tommy Leigh but the home side would see the job through. Kelleher was denied by Harness late on, but it was the U’s who started their EFL Trophy campaign with the three points.
MK Dons’ next assignment in the competition will come on October 8th, when they welcome an Arsenal U21s side to Stadium MK.
Milton Keynes City Council have announced themselves as one of multiple parties creating a service giving extra help to patients discharged from hospital.
The MK Integrated Discharge Hub has been set up as a collaboration between Milton Keynes University Hospital, Milton Keynes City Council, and Central and North West London (CNWL) NHS Foundation Trust.
Milton Keynes has been recognised for prompt discharge of hospital patients who are ready to go home with the support of social care, having previously being ranked by an independent body as number one in England for doing so.
The three organisations have been working together over the past year to develop this initiative to make the experience of leaving hospital even easier for patients and their families.
Under the new scheme, a diverse team of specialists will work 365 days a year to secure the necessary support for patients leaving the hospital and provide a smooth transition for them.
The team includes a dedicated Housing Officer to ensure suitable housing is considered at the earliest opportunity whilst a Voluntary Sector Co-ordinator will connect patients with community organisations that can help them maintain their independence at home.
Local partners such as Age UK and Healthwatch will work alongside the hub to offer practical support to families as well as gathering feedback from patients.
By combining services, the hub will act as a central point of contact which simplifies the process, reduces duplication, and minimises the likelihood of delays caused by moving between services – a common issue across the country.
MK City Council’s Cllr Donna Fuller, Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Health & Communities, said in a statement, “We’ve been working with our partners at Milton Keynes University Hospital and CNWL to develop this enhanced service which will make the process of leaving hospital as seamless and supportive as possible. This co-ordinated approach to discharge will benefit healthcare professionals and the people under their care. Milton Keynes has always had a good reputation in this area, and we believe the hub will enable us to continue delivering a high level of personalised care as the city expands.”
Ian Reckless, Chief Medical Officer at Milton Keynes University Hospital, added, “The launch of the MK Integrated Discharge Hub represents a significant step forward in how we can tailor our help and support for residents on discharge from hospital. By working closely with our partners, we can ensure that patients receive the comprehensive support they need to transition smoothly from hospital to home. There will be fewer delays – which are frustrating for all – and a real sense of ‘one team’ working with residents and their loved ones.”
Karen French, CNWL’s Deputy Director for Milton Keynes Community Services, also said, “It’s a really exciting step to bring together the expertise of all of the teams from across various organisations for the benefit of the patients and their families and carers. Being discharged from hospital can be a scary prospect for some and so our new Integrated Discharge Hub team will be key to improving the patient experience by getting people home safely and in a timely way.”
Anyone seeking more information about the MK Integrated Discharge Hub would be able to do so by contacting [email protected]
A show by explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes scheduled to take place at Milton Keynes Theatre has been cancelled.
The legendary 80-year-old explorer and writer was meant to appear in a one night show at Milton Keynes Theatre on Sunday 22nd September as part of his Mad, Bad and Dangerous tour.
The show was scheduled to see Fiennes recount tales chronicling a life that has seen him climb Mount Everest, run seven marathons on seven continents in seven days and break multiple endurance records.
But the theatre announced the cancellation in a brief statement yesterday (17/09).
The statement read, “Due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, we regret to announce the cancellation of Sir Ranulph Fiennes: Mad, Bad and Dangerous.
“We apologise for the inconvenience this may cause. All ticket holders are being contacted today.”
MK Dons have confirmed Neil Hart as the club’s new Chief Executive Officer.
Hart joins MK Dons after leaving his role with League One side Bolton Wanderers, having spent three years with the Lancashire-based club.
Before Bolton, Hart had enjoyed a nine year stint as CEO of Burnley, including during spells where the Clarets competed in the Premier League, and had spells in the boardroom at Watford and Luton Town.
Hart’s appointment is part of the changes at MK Dons following the club’s recent takeover, with a Kuwaiti consortium lead by Fahad Al Ghanim taking over the club in a deal announced in the week before the first game of the new season last month.
In a statement to the official MK Dons website, Hart said he was very delighted to make the move to Milton Keynes and would be looking to work boost the club’s off-field potential.
He said, “I’m absolutely delighted to be taking on this role at such an exciting time for the football club. Having spoken at length with Fahad, the vision he has, not just for MK Dons, but for Milton Keynes as a whole, really excited me. The potential for the football club, with its phenomenal infrastructure, is there for all to see. Now, it’s for us to go and realise it.
“While we all want to see MK Dons rising up the league tables, there is also scope to add to the matchday experience, amplify the club’s commercial opportunities and of course build on the fantastic community work of the MK Dons Sports and Education Trust. I can’t wait to get started and am sincerely looking forward to meeting staff and supporters over the coming weeks.”
MK Dons’ Chairman Fahad Al Ghanim added, “Neil’s record in football speaks for itself. He is undoubtedly a top-level CEO with a wealth of fantastic experience across both the EFL and the Premier League. His community work in particular is second to none, and I know he’ll bring that same tenacity to deliver meaningful opportunities in the community to Milton Keynes.
“My experience in business and sport have taught me that a unified approach is crucial to success, and I’m confident Neil is the person we need to bring everyone at the club together as we enter this new era. I thought long and hard about this appointment, and am absolutely thrilled Neil has chosen to join MK Dons.
