Meeting documents

There were no declarations of interest.

In relation to minute 31 (Recommendations of the CIL Panel) the Chairman reported that at its meeting on 9 February Cabinet had resolved that subject to further discussion with Community Services confirming that they were suitable, the two schemes which had previously been recommended by the Town Committee but not endorsed by the CIL Panel (feasibility study for new toilets on the Rye and feasibility study for a new community facility on Shelley Road Recreation Ground), would be included in the allocation of funding.  Authority had been delegated to the Leader and Cabinet Members for Community, Finance, and Planning & Sustainability to approve the outcome of the discussions.

In relation to the action point noted in minute 34 that an item to consider the possibility of producing a town committee newsletter be added to the work programme, the Democratic Services Manager reported that following consultation with the Chairman of the Committee and Corporate Communications it had been agreed that a regular update on the work of the town committee would be included in future editions of the Wycombe District Times.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 20 January 2015 be agreed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

Chief Inspector Rebecca Mears and Inspector Tim McGirr of Thames Valley Police were welcomed to the meeting by the Chairman and invited to provide an update on policing matters within the town.

Inspector McGirr presented the performance data and reported that whilst there had been a slight increase in burglaries the overall figures for burglaries remained low.  He also reported that detection rates remained good, particularly in relation to domestic violence.

Inspector McGirr informed the Committee of several initiatives which were currently being undertaken or were planned within the town.  These included a Neighbourhood Watch stand at Sainsbury’s on 4 , 5 and 6 May to encourage people to sign up to the Neighbourhood Watch; a campaign to improve reporting of disability hate crimes; and National Cyber Crime Awareness Week (2 – 6 March).

The Committee was also updated on a proposal to implement a Public Space Protection Order within the town, with the aim of reducing incidences of begging, busking and public drinking.  In response to concerns expressed by some members that this may result in genuine buskers being removed from the town centre Inspector McGirr clarified that, if agreed, the proposal would seek to improve the management and restriction of buskers rather than prohibiting all busking.

Chief Inspector Mears updated the Committee on the progress of the priority-based budgeting exercise being undertaken by Thames Valley Police.  The Committee heard that all policing areas, command units, major crime units and civilian units were involved in the review, which was looking at how much time officers spent on various tasks with a view to assessing whether there were any areas where efficiencies could be made.  Members noted that the results of the exercise would be reported in due course.

The Chairman thanked Chief Inspector Mears and Inspector McGirr for providing the update.

The following Information Sheet is attached:

02/2015          Q3 Budgetary Control Report

** Members are reminded to give 24 hours’ notice of any questions concerning an Information Sheet to ensure an answer can be given at the meeting. **

RESOLVED: That Information Sheet 02/2015 Quarter 3 Budgetary Control Report be noted.

To note the current draft work programme (attached).

The Committee’s draft work programme, looking ahead to November 2015, was presented for review.

It was noted that an item to establish an Expenditure of Reserves Working Group had been added to the work programme for the June meeting and would be taken forward once the committee’s membership was known following the May elections.

RESOLVED: That the forward work programme be noted.

As it was the final meeting before the May election, the Chairman took the opportunity to thank all members for their contributions to the Committee over the term of the Council, and in particular Councillor Roger Colomb, who would not be returning to the Council in May.