Meeting documents

To receive any apologies for absence.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting. 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Lesley Clarke, Matthew Davy, Mohammed Hanif, Muhammad Abdullah Hashmi and Maz Hussain.

The Chairman declared for information that relation to Item 6 (Special Expenses Budget 2018/2019), he was Chairman of the Twinning Association who received a grant. 

He remained in the meeting during the discussion and took full part in the discussion.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on the 21 November 2017 be agreed as a correct record subject to the following change:

Annual Fees and Charges Review – to read ‘Councillor A Hussain, seconded by Councillor M Hussain, proposed that the Saturday one-off burial fee should remain at £263.57, but that the proposed increases be implemented for the other areas.’

A verbal update by Inspector Robinson and Chief Inspector Hadley.

The Chairman welcomed Chief Inspector Hadley of the Thames Valley Police to the meeting and invited him to provide the Committee with an update on policing matters within the town.

Chief Inspector Hadley informed the Committee that his colleague, Inspector Robinson (the Town Inspector), had intended to attend to accompany him to the meeting but had to give her apologies on the day.

Chief Inspector Hadley presented the performance data / crime statistics and reported that domestic burglary had risen by 13% (23% in the Thames Valley) and violence excluding domestic violence in the town had increased by 6% (fourth lowest trend).  It was noted that whilst there had been no increases in grievous bodily harm there had been an increase in violent crime and knife crime was down 5% on previous years.  The Committee was informed that the Police were doing a lot of campaigning, locally and nationally, on hate crime which was currently at 19%.  It was noted that with regard to the force restructure High Wycombe was now fully migrated to the operating model and had seen an increase of 14 new recruits.  With regard to neighbourhood policing and problem solving it was noted that the Police were trying to increase the use of social media, neighbourhood action groups and world café groups (community engagement, World Café was an example of such).  It was noted that the first closure orders had been used in the town as a result of drug users causing anti-social behaviour. 

Chief Inspector Hadley went onto explain that the Police were looking at the issue of begging in the town centre and were working alongside Wycombe District Council to look at individuals profiles.  The Committee was informed that the Police could use Section 34/35 powers when it came to tackling anti-social behaviour which had to date been used on 58 occasions.  It was noted that the Police had issued 6 tickets related to the Public Space Protection Orders to date which had resulted in one arrest. 

Chief Inspector Hadley explained that in order to be pro-active there were numerous plain clothed operations underway. On one operation 114 opportunities when people had found themselves to be vulnerable were rectified.  The Committee was informed that there had been very few licensing breaches in the town which had not been the case a year ago.  It was noted that ‘Operation Rowlock’ had resulted in 5 men being sentenced to 18 years in prison after they had been found to be dealing drugs in High Wycombe.  Members were informed that Police Cadets were increasingly being used in public operations such as ‘Operation Grotto’ at Christmas time. 

The Committee was informed that Chief Inspector Hadley was unable to confirm whether crime in High Wycombe on the whole had increased or decreased. It was noted that whilst Chief Inspector Hadley had the crime statistics split by categories rather than by town but would seek to make the town statistics available upon request.

In discussion Members were informed of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

The Chairman welcomed the Major Projects and Estates Executive to the meeting and invited him to provide the Committee with an update on the Desborough Road re-development.

The Major Projects and Estates Executive informed Members that he had a detailed plan of the area which was undergoing massive re-development.  It was noted that at the town end of the redevelopment a couple of hundred residential apartments were going to be built and that at the Green Street end of the re-development discussions were still underway regarding the redevelopment of the Leigh Street factories which could potentially create 200+ new apartments. 

The Major Projects and Estates Executive went onto explain that the Wycombe District Council (WDC) were currently on the first phase of Baker Street (Aldi) and that a 30 unit small workspace scheme would start in June.  Members were informed that planning permission had been granted this week on Collins House at the bottom of Bridge Street.

The Major Projects and Estates Executive informed Members that changes had already been seen with the relocation to Dovecot MSCP of temporary long-term stay car park in Baker Street.  It was noted that there would be 90 minutes free parking at the Aldi site which would have 92 spaces and that 26 Pay & Display spaces had been kept back for patients of Riverside Surgery. 

Members were informed that the WDC had looked at the possibility of adding decking at East Richardson Street car park but it would be an extremely expensive solution which could attract anti-social behaviour. 

The Major Projects and Estates Executive informed Members that the proposed new temporary accommodation development on Desborough car park would displace 46 spaces.  It was noted that the lost spaces could largely be replaced in the last phase of the Baker Street redevelopment (on the old Grant & Stone site). 

In discussion Members were informed of the following:

• That issues with the Westbourne Street / Desborough Road highway area should be raised with the Highways Authority.
• With regard to the proposed new temporary accommodation on Desborough Road car park, it was hoped that the introduction of ANPR gateways and CCTV should help reduce criminal activities in that area.
• The suggestion that the Saunderton Lodge facility, which was felt not to be fit for purpose, should be located elsewhere be raised with the Housing team.  It was noted that the drugs and prostitution issues in that area should be raised with the Police.  Members felt that these schemes should be looked at holistically.
• Members expressed concern that the social housing on the old Bingo site at the west end of Desborough Road had not been developed.  Members asked if any pressure could be applied to request that the site be tidied up as it was felt to be an eye sore.  The Major Projects and Estates Executive suggested that Members raised their concerns through the Chairman or to the Chief Executive.  (The Major Projects and Estates Executive informed Members that it was not part of his role to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

The Committee welcomed Julia Turner, Senior Accountant, to the meeting who explained that the report set out the proposed budget for 2018/19 for Special Expenses and the impact on the precept.  It was noted that the details of the estimates for 2018/19 were attached at Appendix A.

Members were informed that the Council Tax precept was based on the tax base calculated in terms of Band D equivalent properties.  The tax base for 2018/19 was 22,670 (21,971 in 2017/18). The increase in properties meant that the precept for the unparished area of High Wycombe would increase by £12,117 if the Band D tax for Special Expenses was left unchanged, amounting to a total precept of £388,107 in 2018/19.

The Senior Accountant informed Members that there was a reoccurring date error within the report which should read 31 March 2019 rather than 31 March 2018 and these references could be found in paragraphs 2, 12, 13, 14 and 15. 

The Senior Accountant explained that the Queensway Cemetery Phase 1 fees had been approved in October which could be found on page 7 of the agenda.  

The Committee were referred to the three options for setting precept listed on page 5 of the agenda in sections 13, 14 & 15.  The Senior Accountant requested that Members bear in mind the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) work and Phase 2 & 3 of Queensway Cemetery. 

In discussion Members questioned where the bus shelters the Council had paid towards, via special expenses, were located and also who was responsible for footway lighting in private roads.  The Senior Accountant responded by stating that she was unable to answer both those questions but would ask Community & Facilities Management for a response. 

It was questioned why the Committee would want to fund BIDCO to tackle ASB.  The Senior Accountant responded by explaining that she had been advised the Committee may work with BIDCO in the future which she would investigate further. 

Members questioned why ‘maintenance to grounds’ with regard to High Wycombe Cemetery for 2016/17 equated to £8,529 and had then been budgeted for £21,900 for 2017/18 and again in 2018/19.  The Senior Accountant responded by stating that she was unable to answer the question and would need to talk to Community Officers who contract the work and set the level of the budget she would find out and get back to the Committee Member.

Members questioned how the rates with regard to High Wycombe Cemetery were worked out.  The Senior Accountant responded by stating that business rates would be calculated on the building(s) at the cemetery she would contact Revenues and Benefits and get back to the Committee Member.

It was raised that the balances for 2016/17 to 2018/19 had practically halved and it was questioned what a normal reserve balance was.  The Senior Accountant responded by stating that the minimum level of reserves was £150k but the level of reserves would depend on the Committee’s future spending aspirations.  It was noted that the Senior Accountant believed a 5-Year Medium  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

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

Members requested that an informal working group be established to look at the High Wycombe Town Market.  It was requested that the Clerk email the Committee to request volunteers for the working group and set up a scoping meeting if enough interest was received.

RESOLVED:  That the forward work programme be noted and an informal working group to discuss the High Wycombe Town Market be established, with the group reporting back to the Town Committee in due course.