Meeting documents

To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Honorary Aldermen: J M Blanksby, A J Hurst, M B Oram, Mrs K M Peatey and Mrs P Priesley. Councillors: M Angell, M C Appleyard, I Bates, R H W Gaffney, A Hussain JP, D A Johncock, Mrs W J Mallen, Mrs D V E Morgan, Ms J D Wassell, R Wilson and Ms K S Wood.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 27 February 2014.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 27 February 2014 be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman

To receive any disclosure of disclosable pecuniary interests by members relating to items on the agenda.  If any Member is uncertain as to whether an interest should e disclosed, he or she is asked if possible to contact the District Solicitor prior to the meeting.

Members are reminded that if they are declaring an interest they should state the nature of that interest whether or not they are required to withdraw from the meeting.

Councillor B E Pearce declared an interest in item 7, stating that he resided 100 yards from Buckmaster Road Playing Fields.

To receive such communication as the Chairman of the Council may wish to make.

(a)       Paralympic Flame

The Chairman reported that as a result of the Council’s previous efforts the Chairman of the Bucks Legacy Board had written to him, confirming that the IPC had granted Stoke Mandeville and Bucks the honour of being the first ever international element of a Paralympic Torch Relay.

(b)      Young Musicians

The Chairman stated that he had attended the Festival of Young Musicians.

(c)       Fly a Flag for the Commonwealth

The Chairman reported that this event had taken place on 10 March 2014.

Written questions may be asked of the Leader or any Cabinet Member if submitted by 12 noon on Thursday 24 April 2014.  Questions will be submitted in the order in which they are received.

Any questioner may put one supplementary question without notice.  No question or answer may exceed 3 minutes.

No questions were received.

Questions to the Leader or any cabinet Members must be submitted by Thursday 24 April 2014.  Questions will be taken first from Leaders of the political parties in order of number of Members.

Other Members will be called upon in the order in which questions have been received. Every Member asking an oral question is permitted to ask one supplementary question without notice provided that it introduces no new matter. The appropriate Member will respond to any questions remaining unanswered at the expiry of 30 minutes in writing.

Any question remaining unanswered after 30 minutes will be answered within 10 working days in writing after the meeting by the appropriate Member and appended to the minutes of the meeting.

(a)       Question from Councillor A Turner to the Leader of the Council

"Given Conservative Councillors refusal to consider the potential savings from the merging of Buckinghamshire’s County and District Councils into a Unitary Authority, perhaps the ruling clique will at least allow our residents the opportunity to comment on the matter.  In the interests of democracy will this Council agree to consult the electorate on this matter by way of a referendum which could be timed to coincide with next year’s local elections, thereby making this a very cost effective and popular public consultation?"

Response from the Leader of the Council, Councillor R J Scott

"Thank you for your question - yet another one on the subject of Unitary Authorities on which I have previously stated the council's position.  Before responding, I would just point out that we are not the ruling cliché, but the majority party democratically elected by our residents.

No, I do not agree with your question

I challenge you to provide the evidence of a strong level of interest from the electorate in Wycombe District.

People are much more interested in receiving good services for a reasonable council tax level, which is precisely what this Authority has been doing for many years. Our last residents’ survey in 2012 showed that overall satisfaction with the way Wycombe District Council runs things rose to nearly 60%, a 15% increase from three years before. The survey also showed that there was an increase in local residents' perception of the Council providing value for money, with five out of ten people agreeing that the Council is doing a good job given the tough financial climate. Nine out of ten residents are satisfied with the Wycombe district as a place to live, an increase of 6.5% since the last district wide survey in 2009. This reminds me of the saying "if it’s not broke, don’t fix it".

Any proposed change would need to demonstrate how these high ratings can be improved still further, and no case has yet been made as far as I can see.

We have had this same issue repeatedly raised in this Chamber from the opposition Members, so I will state yet again the reasons I have shared before as to why unitary government is not currently appropriate.

1.         The Government is not pursuing unitary local government at this time.

2.         There will be costs as well as savings. Past re-organisations, all Government led, have been centrally funded whereas we would now have to fund the transition costs locally through the Council Tax.  It is also important to note that the situation today is quite different, in that all councils have effected substantial financial savings over recent years, so the level of any future potential savings will not be as great as originally envisaged.

3.         Your idea of a referendum is simply not appropriate. The cost of a referendum, if held on a similar basis to the Police and Crime Commissioner election, would cost around £180,000.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 101.

(i)            Council to receive any petition from a member of the public or from a Councillor on behalf of a member of the public as notified by the deadline of 5pm on Tuesday 22 April 2014

(ii)          Council to consider any petition already received that meets the required number of signatures to qualify for a debate by Full Council. (The petition organiser will have 5 minutes to present the petition and then Council will debate the matter for a maximum of 15 minutes and decide how to respond to the petition.

Buckmaster Road Playing Field

The following petition was submitted by Councillor B Pearce.  It includes 579 signatures and in the opinion of the Head of the Head of Legal, Democratic and Policy Services, triggers a debate at Full Council on the basis that the issue affects only one ward.          

Petition Summary

We the undersigned feel very strongly about the proposal to develop the Buckmaster Road playing field, possibly for offices.  We feel strongly that this should remain an open space for children to play, people to enjoy games and sports and for dog walkers.  We believe this field is vital to act as a breathing lung for the whole area as Holmers Farm estate is a high density housing area.     

Action petitioned for

To put a stop to plans for Buckmaster Road playing field to be used for alternative purposes.

(a)            Petition against M40 J3a Junction

We the undersigned are concerned residents and citizens who urge our Leaders to act now to stop the junction impacting on local residents’ properties, local businesses and recreational areas.

The petition was submitted by Mrs Patricia Curtis, and contained 295 signatories.  In accordance with the provisions of the Council`s Petitions Scheme Mrs Curtis would receive a written response from the appropriate Cabinet Member for Planning and Sustainability.

(b)     Buckmaster Road Paying Field

We the undersigned feel very strongly about the proposal to develop the Buckmaster Road playing field, possibly for offices.  We feel strongly that this should remain an open space for children to play, people to enjoy games and sports and for dog walkers.  We believe this field is vital to act as a breathing lung for th whole area as Holmers Farm estate is a high density housing area.

The petition was submitted by Councillor Pearce.  It included 579 signatories and in the opinion of the Head of DLP triggered a debate at Full Council, in accordance with SO.9 as it was a single ward issue.  Councillor Pearce confirmed that he resided 100 yards from the playing fields under consideration.  He stated that the homes on the estate were in a high density area of social need.  He further stated that the houses possessed small gardens, and he emphasised that the field was well used, and as such the space should be kept open for public use.  The recreation ground was held with great affection and he felt that the Cressex Island developments would only add to the congestion. He informed the Council to demonstrate that it was a caring council, and as such to take local opinions into account.

The Cabinet Member responded by stating that he had attended a public meeting on 16 April, at which approximately 60 people had attended, expressing concerns regarding the possible loss of the playing fields.

It was reinforced that there were no firm proposals for redevelopment of the playing fields and that this site was one of a number under consideration to meet the forecasted increase in need for new office based employment by 2031. If development did take place, the playing pitches would be relocated.  A new local park would be created which would extend up to Holmers Farm Way.

The Council was also informed that the issue of traffic congestion and on street parking had been raised at the public meeting.  It was confirmed that the Council was working with The John Lewis Store and the Highways Authority to address the issues. 

A number of other points along similar lines were made in respect of the petition.  It was agreed that comments received would be fed into the local plan process.

RESOLVED: That the petition be considered alongside the responses submitted to the Local Plan consultation.

To receive the minutes of and consider any recommendations from the following meeting:

Standards Committee                     11 March 2014

The Chairman rose to thank Members of the committee for their help and support during her chairmanship of the committee.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 11 March 2014 be received.

To receive the minutes of and consider any recommendations from the following meeting:

Cabinet                      3 March 2014

Special Cabinet       22 April 2014            (To follow)    

Minute 95 – Allotments

A member expressed concern over the lack of allotments, and enquired as to how soon this situation could be addressed.

It was confirmed that this would be looked at.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 3 March 2014 be received.

Minute 107 – HS2 Petition

The Leader reported that there would be a slight amendment to the recommendation, following the release of further legal advice since Cabinet had met, but that there were no material changes.

A proposed amendment to the recommendation was tabled at the meeting.  This read as follows:

(1)       That in the judgment of WDC it was expedient for the Council to oppose the Speed Rail (London to W Midlands) Bill introduced into session of Parliament 2013-14.

(2)       That the Deputy Leader, Cabinet Member for Planning and Sustainability, and Cabinet Member for Financial and Commercial take steps to carry the foregoing resolution into effect that the Common Seal be affixed to any necessary documents and that confirmation be given that Sharpe Pritchard be authorised to sign the petition of the Council against the Bill.

Upon a vote being taken, there were:

In favour        47

Against          0

Abstentions   3

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Special meeting of Cabinet held on 22 April 2014 be received and the amended recommendation of minute 107 be approved and adopted together with the recommendations as set out at minutes 106, 109 and 110.

To receive the minutes of and consider any recommendations from the following meeting:

Improvement & Review Commission                   2 April 2014

The Chairman rose to thank the Members and Officers for their help and support during her Chairmanship of the Commission.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Improvement and Review Commission held on 2 April 2014 be received.

To receive the minutes of and consider any recommendations from the following meeting:

Audit committee                   27 March 2014

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Audit Committee held on 27 March 2014 be received.

To receive the minutes of and consider any recommendations from the following meeting:

High Wycombe Town Committee                         4 March 2014

Special High Wycombe Town Committee           26 March 2014                                

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the High Wycombe Town Committee held on 4 March and the Special Meeting held on 26 March 2014 be received.

To receive the minutes of and consider any recommendations from the following meeting:

Planning Committee                       19 February 2014

Planning Committee                       19 March 2014

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 19 February and 19 March 2014 be received.

To receive the minutes of and consider any recommendations from the following meeting:

Regulatory & Appeals Committee             10 March 2014

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Regulatory and Appeals Committee held on 10 March 2014 be received and the recommendations as set out at minute numbers 27 and 28 be approved and adopted.

None were received.

To receive details of any written questions submitted before the deadline of 12 noon on Thursday 24 April 2014.

None were received

A report was submitted which requested approval for a Special meeting of the Council to be held for the purpose of the enrolment of two ex WDC Councillors as Honorary Aldermen.

The report stated that a nomination had been received for Peter Cartwright and Richard Pushman.  The scheme for the enrolment of Honorary Aldermen requested that a specific resolution at a Special meeting take place to effect this, with no less than two thirds majority of those Members present.

RESOLVED: That the decision to confer the honours of Honorary Aldermen to Mr Cartwright and Mr Pushman at a Special meeting of the Council on 12 May 2014 at 6pm be approved.

The following individual decision has been published since the last meeting of the Council on 27 February 2014.

(i)            Local Government Declaration on Tobacco Control.

(ii)          Inter –authority agreement to procure a contract for the collection of dog waste.

The individual decisions published since the last meeting aof the Council were noted.