PRESENT:     Councillor A R Green (in the Chair)

APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Ms J D Wassell.

36.     MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 14 SEPTEMBER 2004

37.     DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

None were declared.

The Committee received a presentation from the Head of Urban Design on the Community Plan and Wycombe Development Framework. The presentation outlined the basis of the public consultations due to complete on 6 December 2004, forming Part Two of the programme entitled ‘Imagine the Future’, which aimed to bring together the views of local people and organisations into the future planning of the District.

The long-term vision contained in the Community Plan was outlined and it was explained how this would form the foundation underpinning the future development of the District. The role to be played by the Wycombe Partnership in shaping and developing the longer-term vision was explained, together with the inclusion of the results of the General Household Survey completed in March 2004. Members were encouraged to support the consultation process both in an individual capacity and by promoting the participation of residents and organisations within their Wards. The Community Plan aimed to reach its final form by May 2005.

The presentation then focussed on the Wycombe Development Framework and explained how this would set the overall strategic plan for development by defining the major areas of focus such as housing, business, education and transport, before going on to look at each area in detail. The current focus centred on the broad, overall strategy in terms of the allocation of land, which aimed to provide flexibility to adapt as needs evolved.

The issue of backland development was discussed and it was agreed that guidance was needed urgently. It was explained that studies were in progress and that a generic document was being drafted. Issues concerning the need for access to open spaces were raised and the challenges and difficult choices involved in the need to balance the diverse needs of the community with its economic/employment and environmental backdrop were discussed.

On the question of the Master Plan, the presentation compared town centre issues with the proposals for the Hughenden and Desborough areas. Specific reference was made to the Marlow/Wooburn sector and to Princes Risborough and the rural dimension. It was explained that comprehensive fact files could be found on the website.

Consultations were in progress to ensure that the themes and principles to be built in to the Wycombe Development Framework would support the future needs and aspirations of the District and the importance of these consultations was emphasised. Work in support of a Sustainability Appraisal was under way and the binding nature of the Statement of Community Involvement was explained. The presentation concluded with an outline of the South East Plan, consultations for which would commence in the new year and into which the Community Plan and Wycombe Development Framework would be incorporated. Members were encouraged to participate in the important work to gather as much feedback by the close of the current consultation process on 6 December 2004.

39.     CLEANLINESS AND CLUTTER IN THE TOWN CENTRE

Members considered a report detailing arrangements for maintaining cleaning standards in the town centre in the light of the more intensive and extended patterns of trade, the enhancements to Frogmoor and the wide-scale footway maintenance work underway.

There was concern at delays in completing the maintenance work in the town centre and, in particular, repair work to the rising bollards outside the Marks and Spencer store and the implications for pedestrian safety. It was agreed that this matter would be raised with Bucks County Council with a view to obtaining a firm estimate of the completion date for the work.

It was explained that whereas maintenance of lamp columns and bollards was the responsibility of the County, litter bins and street furniture came under the remit of the District. In addition, some plant containers were the property of the County but most flower borders were maintained by the District, with the exception of those in traffic islands, which came under the highways authority of the County. It was agreed that more effective co-ordination of the various areas of responsibility was required and that this topic should be raised with the Chairman of the Local Area Committee.

The issue of local Member involvement in local matters of concern was raised and there was discontent that Members were not always notified of incidents that occurred in their wards. It was agreed that, as a matter of course, Members should be made aware of all matters of direct concern to their wards as they occur, not only to ensure that they have information on such incidents but also to enable them to participate in any corrective proposals.

The health and safety and social problems resulting from the closure of the Lily’s Walk skate park were discussed and mention was made of the damage to heritage sites in the town centre caused by boarding and biking. There was also concern that buses passing through the town centre were used for advertising competing shopping centres. It was agreed that this would be investigated.

RESOLVED: That the Chairman of Bucks County Council Local Area Committee be approached with a view to taking forward proposals for more effective co-ordination of town centre maintenance and upkeep issues, using any existing sources of funding.

The Committee discussed a report detailing the budget for footway lighting on footpaths in private streets and for the repair and maintenance of 3 bus shelters owned by the District. The reduction in the budget made possible by administrative savings was explained, as were the separate areas of responsibility held by the District and the County and the use of funds from the Special Expenses budget. The view was held that a contribution from the Special Expenses budget towards the cost of additional lighting in the Desborough Avenue / Deeds Grove alleyway was justified and the Chairman hoped this matter would be pursued with the County Council. However, it was pointed out that some residents object to bright street lighting and it was agreed that the issue required local consultation to ascertain views before proceeding.

Concern was raised about repeated vandalism of bus shelters and it was proposed that toughened plastic rather than glass would be more appropriate for repairs. Accumulations of litter on footpaths and alleyways were also flagged for attention.

It was proposed that consideration be given to the provision of festive lighting for the Eid celebrations. It was agreed that the matter should be raised with Business Development Regeneration and with the Town Centre Manager. Whilst the current year’s budget for Christmas lighting had been fully used, it was suggested that consideration of a budget for Eid lighting should be raised with the Cabinet Member for Community.

RESOLVED: That proposals for festive lighting for Eid celebrations be pursued and that the Cabinet Member for Community be recommended to consider sources of funding.

41.    MARKET TRADERS’ CONTRACT TASK AND FINISH GROUP

The Chairman explained that the results of a survey were awaited and that the Task and Finish Group was not yet in a position to put forward recommendations. The Group would aim to align its proposals with the plans for further pedestrianisation of the town centre.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting of the Task and Finish Group on 30 September 2004 be received.

42.   CEMETERY CHARGES – RECOMMENDATION OF THE TASK AND FINISH GROUP

The Committee received the Minutes of the meeting of the Cemetery Charges Task and Finish Group held on 13 October 2004 and discussed the recommendation put forward to increase burial charges from 2005/06 with a view to achieving full recovery of costs over a three-year period.

Concern was expressed at the large increases in some charges that would result and there were fears that the Muslim community might perceive that unfair penalties were being imposed on their particular religious and cultural requirements. After discussion, it was agreed that the recommendation to achieve full recovery of costs should be endorsed but that the transitional period should be 5 years and that increased charges should take effect from 2006/07.

RESOLVED: That (i) the Minutes of the meeting of the Task and Finish Group held on 13 October 2004 be received; and

(ii)  the recommendations of the Task and Finish Group with regard to increasing cemetery charges progressively with the aim of achieving full recovery of costs be supported, as amended by the provisions of (iii) below;

(iii)  cemetery charges be increased progressively over a 5 year period commencing in 2006/07; and

(iv) Cabinet be advised that the Committee recommends increasing cemetery charges in accordance with (ii) and (iii) above.

___________________

CHAIRMAN

The following officers were in attendance at the meeting:-

Mr J B Piddington               Chief Financial Officer (Lead Officer)

Mr P Marston-Weston          Head of Leisure Services

Mr R Powell               Head of Waste, Parking and Engineers

Mrs P Tollitt               Head of Urban Design

Mrs D Davis               Committee Services