5.

UPDATE REPORTS

5.1

CONTROL OF ROOSTING PIGEONS

(a)

On the advice of the Pigeon Control Advisory Service, it has been suggested that a 'nesting box' scheme is commenced in the Town Centre. Nesting boxes would be provided for the pigeons in suitable locations and any eggs laid would be removed and destroyed. In this way the size of the flock is permanently reduced, compared to lethal control where the flock replaces any losses. The boxes would also require periodic cleaning.

(b)

It was decided to pilot this scheme at All Saints' Church, with their cooperation, as they nest boxes provided. Unfortunately, this scheme has not progressed at the present time as the Church is planning some roof repair work and the nest boxes can only be installed after this work has been completed. It is therefore considered appropriate that the Town Centre Partnership should progress this scheme once the repair work has been completed and the new Town Centre Manager is in hoped to improve the bird proofing at the Church, which would encourage the pigeons to move to the post. If the pilot scheme is successful and a full project implemented, it is likely to involve liaison with private property owners and the Town Centre Manager would be well placed to do this. In the meantime the Council has erected signs in the Town Centre to discourage the feeding of pigeons.

5.2

CHEWING GUM CLEARANCE

(a)     Street washing is an integral part of the Street Cleansing Contract in High Wycombe and covers the main retail areas of the town, including Desborough Road, where the type of paving allows for the use of street washing machines. Different methods are used dependent upon the surfacing materials: it may be high pressure / low temperature or low pressure / high temperature, both methods are successful but have differing impacts upon the surface, the joints and the structure of the footways.

(b)

Included within the street washing specification is the removal of chewing gum, pigeon mess and other stains from the paving. The contractor is required to wash the streets and remove stains throughout the year unless weather conditions make the operation dangerous, such as freezing. The work is generally carried out in the early hours of the morning. Work is not normally carried out later than 8am. This is to prevent pedestrians being inconvenienced or getting wet from the process.

(c)

In addition to using the street washing machine, cleansing staff have sometimes been deployed to carry out removal of chewing gum using long reach scrapers, this is very time consuming and labour intensive and not as effective.

5.3

CHARITY/SURVEY/CANVASSERS USING THE HIGH STREET AND GUILDHALL/LITTLE MARKET HOUSE

(a)

Members have asked for an update of the activities of the various groups and canvassers that frequent the High Street in High Wycombe town centre.  Quite often, their attentions are unwelcome by members of the public and cause a minor nuisance.  However, there is a need to distinguish between the registered market research companies who hire the Guildhall or the Little Market House, the charity collectors, and the charities and other organisations wanting “direct debit” signatures.

(b)

All bona-fide market researchers have to be registered with the Market Research Society and have specific codes of conduct when undertaking research. Very often, they ask respondents to accompany them to one of the Council’s public halls. These companies pay the Council’s Halls Service a commercial rate for their bookings and rarely book more than a month in advance.  This means local community groups always get their bookings and the market research companies book space, which would otherwise remain unsold.

(c)

From 1st April 2003 to end of February 2004 income of £13,563 at the Guildhall and £1,493 at the Little Market House has been achieved.  This amounts to some 98 bookings at the Guildhall and 17 in the Little Market House. Clearly this income is very important for the Halls Service in achieving their annual income targets and the Service would struggle to find alternative commercial income.

(d)

The “direct debit” collectors and charity canvassers do not hire the public halls and just use the High Street to conduct on street interviews with members of the public.

(e)

The Environmental Services Division grant permits to those charities collecting money in collection boxes.  Permits are only granted for market days and only one charity is allowed to collect in any one area at a time. The charities and their representatives who persuade the public to donate by direct debit are outside the control of the Council, as this method of collection is not controlled by the legislation at the present time. Any control of these groups can only be by voluntary agreement.

(f)

However, in September 2003 the Home Office issued a consultation paper on 'proposals for a new local authority licensing scheme'. This suggests a complete review of the existing House to House and Street Collection legislation, and includes the suggestion that collections by direct debit and electronic transfers would be covered by a new system. The paper also suggests clarifying the places where collecting would require a permit, such that shopping centres would be included which they are not at the moment.  No timetable has been suggested for the review of responses to the consultation paper or the implementation of new legislation. Members will of course be updated if this is legislation is forthcoming.

5.4

HIGH WYCOMBE TOWN PLAY AREAS

(a)

The three Play Areas are sited in the Totteridge Recreation Ground, Shelley Road Recreation Ground and Booker Recreation Ground. Since the mid 1980’s these have been funded from a recharge made each year against Special Expenses to the Ranger Service budget (General Rate Fund) to cover general maintenance, including litter clearance, inspections, routine repairs and emergency repairs. The cost in this financial year is £47,800.

(b)

Refurbishment works have taken place at Totteridge and Booker sites, involving site relocation to allow greater access.  Shelley Road is located in a difficult location between a hedge and the corner of the football pitch and does not allow extension in its present position.

(c)     Major refurbishment of the play area at Booker Recreation Ground was carried out in 1995/6 at a cost of approximately £33,500 as part of the Capital Programme.

(d)

Major refurbishment of the play area at Totteridge Recreation Ground was carried out in 1997/8 at a cost of  £34,700.  In addition, further work is being carried out in March 2004 to replace a damaged item of equipment at a cost of £4,000 and seating is being enhanced following requests from the local community.

(e)

In 2002, small items of equipment to the value of £5000 were installed at Shelley Road Recreation Ground, as wear and tear replacements.  An improved play area would benefit local people should a suitable location on the field become available.

(f)

It should be noted that the notional capital interest charges fall on the Ranger Service GRF budgets and not to Special Expenses. There is no Capital Budget for Play Areas raised by Special Expenses and any capital improvements have previously been funded by the Council’s Capital Programme.  A full report on all the Council’s play areas was presented to the Environment Improvement and Scrutiny Committee on 21st January 2002.

6.

YOUTH AND COMMUNITY ISSUES

i)

The appointment of a Youth Services Officer for 2004/05 and 2005/06 has been authorised and this is being progressed.

ii)

Capital provision has been made to allow for an expansion/continuation of the NETA/LETA programme.

iii)

Grant aid has been allocated to assist voluntary youth organisations locally.

iv)

A comprehensive corporate action plan on Youth has been developed and agreed.

v)

This Council’s Officers have played the lead role in developing the first Countywide Youth Strategy.  This is going through the committee process at present.  (See Executive Summary at Appendix 6)

vi)

The Lane End Youth and Community Centre has been completed to time, cost and quality targets.

i)

The Wycombe Partnership (LSP) has approved the Countywide Youth Strategy.

ii)

A local Wycombe Youth Organisations Forum has been very successfully established (includes Wycombe Youth Council representatives) and is developing an Action Plan which is complementary to the themed approach taken by this Council.

iii)

A meeting of Wycombe Youth Council partners took place in January 2004 and a number of possible improvements are being developed.

i)

Report to SISC meeting on 22 March 2004 reference progress against the Service Improvement Plan for the Best Value Review of WDC’s Services for Young People.

ii)

Appointment of Youth Services Officer to assist delivery of WDC’s ambitions in this area.

iii)

Countywide Youth Strategy to be further considered by Cabinet, SISC, culminating with Council approval on 19 July 2004.

iv)

Integration of the Councils Youth Action Plan into the 2004/05 Business Plans and performance management frameworks of all Directorates.

v)

Development of Youth Fact Files for Wycombe to assist appropriate targeting of services.

vi)

Ongoing partnership working at a local and countywide level.

The Committee is invited to receive the following position statement regarding the introduction of a Community Warden Scheme across the District.

(a)     At an informal meeting of Cabinet Members in October 2003 a paper was submitted by the Community Safety Manager recommending that consideration be given to a Warden Scheme across the District.  It was agreed at that time that Wycombe District Council would not move forward on the proposal to develop a Warden Scheme across the District but that a scheme in Chesham (Chiltern District Council) would be used as pilot across Bucks with a view to other Local Authorities considering such a proposal at the end of an evaluation period.

(b)     At present a team is being set up across the County to develop and monitor this work in conjunction with the Police.  There is no timeframe yet agreed for this work.

7.

WYCOMBE TRADERS ASSOCIATION – RENEWAL OF CONTRACT

7.2

To note the current situation and consider issues concerning the renewal of the contract from September 2005.

·

The sale of food for immediate consumption i.e. ice cream, jacket potatoes.  Currently the Market is prevented from letting stalls offering food for immediate consumption but it would like to be able to do so.

·

Removing the Market from the areas under both the Guildhall and Little Market House.  It has been suggested that these areas could be used for other things, such as entertainment, seating for coffee shops etc.

·

The market traders have worries about the viability of the High Street and the future of the market once the redevelopment of the Town Centre starts.

·

The possibility of extending the Market permanently to the area in front of the Church, subject to planning consent and any other approvals.

·

The quality of stalls and products sold is an issue (visual impact and draw).The emerging Town Centre Management Company will wish to take an interest in the future of the market.

8.1

To receive details of the current Pedestrianisation of the High Street.

8.2

To note the current situation and consider possible options for further Pedestrianisation in conjunction with Bucks County Council.

8.3

The current ‘pedestrianisation’ in the High Street and Church Street took place in 1998 as part of the overall Town Centre Enhancement Scheme that was implemented at that time. This has brought about much safer and more attractive conditions for those visiting and shopping in the town centre. However, over the past 5 years there has been a significant increase in the amount of Sunday trading, together with an upward trend in the number of food and drink premises. It is therefore felt that the present arrangements should be reviewed by exploring the options available for extending the hours of pedestrian priority and/or widening the areas covered.

(a)     From the junction with Corporation Street, the High Street and Church Street are closed to traffic (except Permit holders) from 6am to 6pm Monday to Saturday. In addition, only buses are permitted to turn into Corporation Street. A traffic signal controlled “bus gate” operates in both directions in Church Street to enable buses to access the public transport interchange in Frogmoor/Oxford Street and to allow passengers to be dropped off in the town centre.

(b)

During these hours of operation traffic is prevented from entering the pedestrian priority areas by incorporating the use of rising bollards located at the eastern entry points to the High Street and Church Street. To enable deliveries to take place in the High Street the bollards are controlled with the aid of a CCTV camera linked to the Control Centre at the District Offices. It should be noted that the bollards have experienced a number of problems in terms of their reliability.

(c)

Outside these hours (i.e. after 6pm and on Sundays) a “One Way” system is in operation in a westerly direction that allows traffic to enter the High Street and exit at either Oxford Street or through Frogmoor. Parking bays are provided along the High Street for use during the evenings and on Sundays.

(d)

White Hart Street and Queen Square are also pedestrian zones where access for delivery vehicles only is allowed. The present situation in Frogmoor is that traffic is allowed to enter at all times from the north and exit to the A40 via Oxford Street. At this point, access along Oxford Street in a westerly direction to the town centre is restricted to buses and delivery vehicles only.

8.5

The Traffic Regulation Orders to support the above arrangements were made by the highway authority, Bucks County Council, who would be responsible for implementing any future changes to the regime.

8.6

Improving conditions for shopping and visitors to the town centre is a key factor in maintaining the vitality of the town centre. Not only does it provide a safer, cleaner and more attractive environment but also encourages the use of public transport. It is understood that there are many other demands on road space to be taken into consideration and, as a result, it may not be possible to create pedestrian zones that are entirely traffic free. Issues such as deliveries, the market, parking for the disabled and providing easy access for buses and taxis all have an important part to play. However, the introduction of further pedestrianisation could contribute to making a visit to the town centre a more attractive prospect.

8.7

Suggestions are therefore invited from Members on options they would like to pursue in partnership with the County Council. Members may wish to consider the following:

·

High Street/Church Street – extend the existing pedestrian priority hours, either later into the evening or for 24 hour continuous operation to include Sundays.

·

Frogmoor/Oxford Street – reduce the amount of general traffic entering this area by extending the current town centre pedestrian priority zone.

·

A combination of these.