Meeting documents

To receive any apologies for absence.

The Chairman welcomed the new clerk for the Committee to the meeting and asked Members to introduce themselves. 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mohammed Hanif and Mahboob Hussain.

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.

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 13 June 2017.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on the 13 June 2017 be agreed as a correct record.

The Committee welcomed Sarah McBrearty, Community Services Team Leader, to the meeting who explained that following reports of anti-social behaviour and crime, a public consultation was undertaken in relation to implementing a PSPO to close footpath HWU/80/1.  It was noted that the report detailed the results of the consultation and asked that the Committee recommended to the Cabinet Member for Community the making of the PSPO. 

It was noted that an estimate of approximately £3,500 had been obtained for the gates, a firm quotation would be needed.  The Community Services Team Leader explained that the footpath would need to be monitored to ensure it did not become overgrown or that the gates were not damaged.  A plan of the proposed alternative route could be found on page 12 of the agenda.   

The report outlined who the consultation letters had been sent to and Members were informed that during the consultation period letters / emails of support were received from 8 local residents and 1 local business.  It was reported that letters / emails of objection to closing the footpath were received from the Ramblers Buckinghamshire, Milton Keynes and West Middlesex Area, Open Spaces Society, Buckinghamshire Local Access Forum, Chiltern Society, a resident in Marlow, a resident of Desborough Road and a resident from an unknown location.  The Community Services Team Leader explained that the responses given to concerns raised could be found on page 10 of the agenda. 

It was reported that other options included CCTV which would cost a significant amount of money, would cause collateral intrusion and the offenders would be unknown to those viewing the CCTV.  It was noted that the footpath was within an existing PSPO area which prohibited alcohol related anti-social behaviour but that the Council was reliant on the Police patrolling the area which could be a slower solution. 

In relation to paragraph 10 of the report, specifically relating to Buckinghamshire Local Access Forum (LAF), Members noted a slight amendment to the text set out in that there were 11 out of 14 members present at the LAF meeting and they had voted unanimously against the proposal.

Main issues arising from closing the footpath included that some residents used the footpath to access parking spaces in rear of their gardens, which they were legally able to do, hence using an access code would be the preferred option to allow resident access.  In discussion Members raised concerns that the access code could end up in the wrong hands – it was suggested that this code be changed every 6-8 weeks although the Community Services Team Leader explained that a lot of external agencies such as the Fire Service would need to be updated of the new codes which would be very time consuming but would be considered. 

Concern was also raised by Members about the possibility of simply displacing the ASB to another nearby area and that closing the footpath could set a precedent for other footpaths affected by ASB. 

Members stated their sympathy  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

A presentation by Steven Bown (HIP Lead Project Officer - Bucks County Council).

The Chairman welcomed Steven Bown (HIP Lead Project Officer – Bucks County Council), Ben Fletcher (Bucks County Council) and Rebecca Hart (Urban Design Officer, WDC) to the meeting and invited them to give Members an update on the High Wycombe Town Centre Masterplan. 

The presentation covered the Phase Plan, Phase 5 – Queen Victoria Road / Easton Street, Queen Victoria Road Junction Option Comparisons, Library gardens proposal and the Abbey Way Gyratory preliminary design. 

The Committee heard that Phase 4 was about to start and that comments would be welcomed at the meeting on Phase 5 which looked at the Queen Victoria Road, Easton Street and Crendon Street junction.  Councillor Lesley Clarke stated her disappointment that she had not seen sight of the presentation before the meeting given it was in her area and that she not been consulted on the proposed changes.  Councillor Hill too stated that this was the first he had heard of the proposed changes. 

In discussion Members stated that they felt the location of the taxi rank on the High Street needed to be looked at and included at this stage (including disabled access - side and rear into taxis).  The Urban Design Officer stated that this was unfortunately outside the scope of this phase and that there was no funding available for it.  Members felt that returning the traffic flow to a two-way system in Easton Street could potentially be a good thing and suggested that a reduced speed limit could be considered. 

Members questioned when the improvement works to the High Street would be undertaken by Bucks County Council as it needed to be brought back into a good condition in order to help attract investors to the area.  The HIP Lead Project Officer explained that the issues in the High Street were considered very complex and whilst she agreed the improvement work needed to be done she did not believe it would be done anytime soon.  Members were asked to help put the pressure on to see if the improvement works could be pushed through quicker. 

It was noted that the Congestion Manager, Dave Roberts, was currently working on getting the faulty bollards in the High Street fixed / replaced.

Members were informed that Bucks County Council were suggesting installing an informal uncontrolled crossing by the Police Station with the potential for an alternative footpath through the Library gardens.  Members stated their concern at the thought of the Library gardens being reduced in size to make way for wider road lanes and a footpath running through the gardens as it could encourage misuse of the area.  It was noted that whilst the Wycombe District Council was the sole trustee for the Library gardens it should be remembered that there was a covenant on this garden.  Members were assured that the existing flower beds and service memorial would be retained and also suggested that it might be worth speaking to the utility companies to see if they might help fund parts of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

The following Information Sheets have been issued since the previous meeting:

05/2017          Q1 Monitoring 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 05/2017 Q1 Monitoring Report be noted.

The Committee’s draft work programme looking ahead to June 2018 was presented for review.

Members requested the following items be added to the draft work programme:

·         That the ‘Revive the River Wye’ recommendations be presented to the Committee before they were presented to Cabinet.

·         That Bucks County Council be asked to provide a report to a future meeting of the Committee on their future plans for the old Library building.

·         That a report on the community facilities in the town comes before the Committee.

RESOLVED:  That the forward work programme be noted and updated as above.

If circulated in accordance with the five clear days’ notice provision.

None submitted.

Any urgent items of business as agreed by the Chairman.

None submitted.