Meeting documents

The Chairman warmly welcomed everyone to the meeting, thanked them for their attendance and wished all those present a very Happy New Year.

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Honorary Aldermen: M B Oram and Mrs K M Peatey MBE. Councillors: Mrs S Adoh, M Davy, C B Harriss, G Hall, M Hashmi, A Hill, Mrs G A Jones, Mrs J Langley, A Turner and D Watson.

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 be 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.

No declarations of interest were received.

A 1 minute silence was observed in memory of Honorary Aldermen David Cox, Tony Hurst and former Councillor Derek Done, who had all sadly recently passed away.

A report was submitted which sought Members` approval to make a submission to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government regarding the modernisation of Local Government in Buckinghamshire, under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 and the s15 Cities and Devolution Act 2016.

The report stated that in September 2016, the County Council in Bucks had submitted a bid (attached at appendix 4 to the report) which had proposed the abolition of all five County and District Councils, and the creation of a single unitary council to cover the whole of the existing administrative area for Bucks.

Wycombe District Council however had jointly worked up a proposal with the Leaders of the other District Councils to establish a different model in which two new unitary councils were to be established. One would be established in the north of the existing Bucks County Council administrative area alongside the existing unitary of Milton Keynes, and another in the south to cover the area of the three southern District Councils. Also attached to the report was the jointly commissioned Strategic Options Case report which had been published in October 2016, (appendix 2 to the report) and the stakeholder engagement conducted by the District Councils (appendix 5 to the report).

The report requested endorsement of one of the two options for the future of Local Government, supporting either the previously submitted County bid or the submission jointly prepared by the District Councils.

The Leader of the Council  rose to introduce the report, stating that the issue of modernisation of Local Government in Buckinghamshire had been reignited last year following Bucks County Council`s announcement regarding its unitary proposal to seek to establish a single unitary for Bucks. She summarised the main reasons as to why this Council had considered it appropriate to provide an alternative solution to the need for change. The Leader stated that Buckinghamshire was one of the country`s best places to live and work but that we could make it even better for our residents by being radical with changing Local  Government. She stated that the Districts had taken a different approach to the County Council starting with the view that the answer was not clear and as such worked towards a strategic options case which they then consulted on.

 She emphasised the engagement which had been carried out with stakeholders, including Town and Parish Councils, local businesses, voluntary groups, and other public sector organisations which revealed that a total of 71% of those who responded [preferred a multi unitary option.

The Leader went onto say that the Districts had always demonstrated a strong track record of innovation in the face of financial challenges whilst maintaining a high quality of service provision to local communities. She specified that the 4 District Leaders and the officers had worked together unfailingly, to put together a compelling case which would secure the best outcomes for our individual communities and in doing so also saved taxpayers almost £58 million over  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.