Meeting documents

Apologies were received from Mr M Appleyard, Ms R Shimmin (Mr N Gibson attended as substitute) and Ms S Ashmead (Mrs L Forsythe attended as substitute) and Mr R Ambrose (Mr R Schmidt attended as substitute).

No declarations of interest were made.

Cabinet to agree the minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 2017 as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 2017 were agreed as an accurate record and signed by the Chairman.

Cabinet attention was brought to the following:

·         three successful bids from the Government’s National Productivity Investment Fund:  £4.1m for the A40 London Road, Wycombe; £2.2m for the A418 Oxford Road, Aylesbury; and £2m to help the growth and housing fund on A404 Westhrope Way, Marlow.

·         The Early Help consultation had now closed with over 2000 responses from the public and local organisations.

·         A pilot of community organising in Totteridge, Bowerdean and Micklefield, which is taking place where local organisations and residents in the community are working together to find solutions.

·         The launch of the Council’s Budget Consultation 

There were no questions.

For Cabinet to consider the Forward Plan

RESOLVED: Cabinet NOTED the report.

RESOLVED: Cabinet NOTED the report.

For Cabinet to consider the Select Committee Work Programme

It was highlighted that the Children’s Social Care and Learning Select Committee intended to examine the work of the Independent Officer Reviewing Service and that this service provides a good check and balance to support how we look after Buckinghamshire’s children.

RESOLVED: Cabinet NOTED the report.

For Cabinet to consider the report.

Mr I Barham, Partnership Manager for the Buckinghamshire Local Enterprise Partnership, presented the Buckinghamshire Growth Strategy. He provided the background to its development and highlighting the following points: 

• The strategy addressed the aspect of growth between now and 2050.  It has been approved by the Local Enterprise Partnership Board and ready to be submitted to Government.
• The strategy has been developed in partnership with other local organisation including South Bucks and Chiltern District Councils.

Cabinet reviewed the report and discussed the following points:

• The investments required in particular relating to broadband and other digital provisions in order to meet increasing demand.
• Improvements to North/South transport links
• supported the focus to encourage more young people to remain in Buckinghamshire following their education.
• What the development of the town centre will look like and the impact this could have on social isolation.
• The importance of having the tools in place to support smaller and medium enterprises to prosper and grow.

Cabinet were asked to

·         Note the key headlines and opportunities highlighted within the Buckinghamshire Growth Strategy 2017-2050

·         Note the progress undertaken to date in sharing the strategy in initiating dialogue with government and the National Infrastructure Commission

·         Consider where the strategy can be most effectively utilised in supporting future funding bids and strategic service delivery by Bucks County Council

·         Note and endorse the proposals for developing an action plan for the delivery of the strategy based around four main themes:-

§  Infrastructure & Connectivity

§  Housing

§  Business Growth & Skills

§  Governance & Communications

RESOLVED:

Cabinet AGREED the above recommendations.

For Cabinet to consider the report

Mr M Kemp, Director of Growth and Strategy and Highways , presented the Highways Capital Schemes Development plan giving the background and highlighting the following: 

• The scheme is over a four year period. It sets out improvement works including road, drainage and street networks. It has been developed with input from Members and visible to residents.
• There is a need to have an Asset Management Strategy to provide assurances to Government
• The County Council supplements funding from central government substantially to invest in road improvements across the County

Cabinet in particular discussed the following points:

• Street lighting were a high priority for all local Members and residents.  In particular, it was felt that there was a need to ensure the swift removal and replacement of old lighting.  Mr Kemp agreed to discuss this issue with the Service Manager.

Action: Mr Kemp

• The issues of footpaths across the county and that these now needed attention, particularly as entering the winter months.
• The importance to keep residents informed of progress of works and when they will happen
• The impact of HS2 on the roads.
• The need to focus on preventative works like drainage
• There have been improvements on Bucks roads to bring them on par with surrounding areas, but it is recognised there is still a lot of work to be done to bring them up to the expectations of residents.

Cabinet were asked to:

·         Note the approach set out in this report to be used to develop the Capital Maintenance Programme to create forward programmes of schemes for all of the County’s key highway assets over a 4-year rolling period and that the Cabinet Member signs off the approach and the resulting annual capital programmes

RESOLVED: Cabinet NOTED the report

13 November 2017

13 November 2017, Mezzanine 1& 2 County Hall, Aylesbury, 10.30am

RESOLVED

The Leader suggested as there were no comments on the confidential minutes there was no need to exclude the press and public.  The confidential minutes were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

For Cabinet to agree the confidential minute.

The confidential minutes from the meeting held on 25 September 2017 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.