Meeting documents

To receive any apologies for absence.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting. 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Andrea Baughan, Ray Farmer, Maz Hussain, Brian Pearce, Nigel Teesdale and Julia Wassell.

Councillors Alan Hill & Sarfaraz Raja wished it to be recorded that, in relation to Item 5 (Town Centre Masterplan Consultation Update), they were both members of the Planning Committee.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 24 April 2018.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on the 24 April 2018 be agreed as a correct record.

By Elaine Jewell (Head of Community).

The Head of Community Services, Elaine Jewell, informed the Committee that last year a petition for 24 hour CCTV had been referred to the Committee by Cabinet for consideration.  It was noted that five measures had been identified which were as follows:

1. Additional fencing on the northern footpath side - £20,000.
2. Additional planting along the eastern and southern edges – existing maintenance budget as minimal cost.
3. Installation of locally recorded CCTV at the two main gateways and on the rear entrance to the Snowdrop Garden - £3,000.
4. Installation of higher gates at the Lodge, Office and Snowdrop entrances - £9,000.
5. Permanent closure of the Hampden Road/Snowdrop entrance – no cost if combined with 4.

The Head of Community Services explained that measures 1 & 2 were currently outstanding as the fencing was to go on top of a wall that had fallen twice.  Members were informed that measure 4 was not required at present due to the CCTV that was in place.

It was noted that no issues of vandalism or damage to memorials had since been reported to the Cemetery Officer who worked and lived on the site. 

Members were informed that for a short period the public toilets on site were being used for drug dealing and that the Council had been working with the Police to stop that.  It was hoped that the CCTV cameras would provide good footage to help the Police with their investigations. 

Members thanked the officers involved in getting the CCTV cameras installed promptly.

RESOLVED: That an update report be brought back before the Committee in a years’ time with the caveat that officers could report back to the Committee before then if needed if any additional issues arose. 

A written update by Ben Fletcher (Project Officer – High Wycombe Town Centre Masterplan, BCC).

John Callaghan (Team Leader - Infrastructure and Projects, WDC) will be present to answer questions.

The Team Leader – Infrastructure and Projects, John Callaghan, informed Members that a consultation had taken place on Phase 5 at the back end of 2017 on part of the High Wycombe Town Centre Masterplan.  It was noted that the alternative road layout aimed to provide environmental benefits, improve journey time, provide benefits for pedestrians and help improve safety (with regard to reducing runaway vehicles coming down the hill).  It was noted that the one-way system would be changed to a two-way system and would not permit any right turns at the cross roads at the end of the High Street. This junction would be signalised with an all-red phase for pedestrians. Members were informed that elsewhere informal crossings would be installed and that continued provision would be given for loading / unloading, disabled bays, etc.

The Team Leader – Infrastructure and Projects explained that mixed consultation results had been received and that this subject had been brought before the Committee last October but now included some worthwhile changes.  It was noted that one of the worthwhile changes was the introduction of an informal crossing across Queen Victoria Road where it would have two lanes.  Members were informed that the introduction of a taxi rank had been considered in Easton Street, to feed the rank in the High Street, but it had been felt that this would affect the loading / unloading provision. Changes had also been made to improve vehicular access to the Police Station. It was noted that the Library gardens footpath had not been included, neither had a bus stop on Abbey Way.    

Members were informed that it was proposed to erect a compound on the Rye from 20 June 2018.  It was noted that works would start on the 2 July 2018 and should end in April 2019.  It was noted that the works would be disruptive, particularly on Queen Victoria Road. 

In the ensuing discussion the following points were noted:

• That access to Wendover Way from Marlow Hill would be via the London Road with a U-turn at the roundabout with Gordon Road.  It was believed that the alternative route suggested would not affect air pollution / air quality. 
• That subject to regular enforcement by parking attendants the loading / unloading area will remain.
• Members suggested that a pedestrian crossing between the Town Hall and the WDC offices was needed.  The Team Leader – Infrastructure and Projects explained that the crossing was further to the south because the suggested location was not a safe place to have a pedestrian crossing because the road was 3 lanes at that point, and that it would also affect the traffic flow.  It was explained that the crossing suggested in the report included a central island and road markings which was believed to be remarkably better than was currently in Queen Victoria Road.  The Team Leader – Infrastructure and Projects agreed to take this point back to BCC.
• That Bucks County Council (BCC) continued to get the best out  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

A verbal update by John Callaghan (Team Leader - Infrastructure and Projects, WDC).

The Team Leader – Infrastructure and Projects gave Members a verbal update on the progress of agreeing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to repair / renew the High Street. 

It was noted that the majority of the High Street and surrounding areas were considered to be conservation areas.

Members were informed that over the years the Highway funding had never been in abundance so had focused on Category 1 defects which they had repaired with black top patchwork.  It was noted that Bucks County Council had been responsible for the repairs made to the Town Centre and that better quality materials were used on an adhoc basis. 

The Team Leader – Infrastructure and Projects explained that what had been missing had been a more formal arrangement.  It was noted that WDC had drafted a memorandum of understanding which stated the willingness to fund repair works in the Town Centre using CIL.  Members were informed that there was £106,000 in the capital programme to use for this purpose and that BCC would be responsible for carrying out monthly inspections.  It was hoped the memorandum of understanding agreement, once signed, would ensure that the Town Centre was better and continually maintained in the future.  Members were informed that it was hoped this agreement would be completed by the end of summer / end of September at the very latest.

The Chairman invited the County Councillor for the area in question, Councillor Lesley Clarke, to address the Committee.  Councillor Lesley Clarke explained that unfortunately the change of staff at BCC had resulted in a delay with regard to the agreement being signed but that she hoped this could be done without further delay.   

In the ensuing discussion the following points were noted:

• One Member stated that he would have preferred the money allocated to changing the road layout to have been spent on making repairs to the High Street.
• That it was believed acrylic grouting would be used to make repairs in the High Street.
• The Team Leader – Infrastructure and Projects explained that the quality of the repair works being done relied on the contractors appointed doing a good job.  It was felt that improvements with regard to the quality of work had been made over the years. 
• It was suggested that a single surface be used in the Pauls Row area which would in turn help people with mobility issues.  The Team Leader – Infrastructure and Projects stated that he was unable to comment on the Paul’s Row area but that it might be a subject that was revisited in the future.  It was requested that if it was revisited that local Members be consulted.
• One Member stated that he believed the High Street needed to be decluttered from street clutter.  The Team Leader – Infrastructure and Projects informed Members that decluttering took place in 2011 when a high volume of unnecessary street signs had been removed. 

The Chairman thanked the Team Leader – Infrastructure and Projects for answering Members questions.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

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

·         Q4 Budgetary Control Outturn 2017/18

** 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 Q4 Budgetary Control Outturn 2017/18 be noted.

The Committee’s draft work programme looking ahead to March 2019 was presented for review.

It was requested that an agenda item be added for September to allow discussion on the financial information sheets.  It was suggested that an item currently scheduled for September on ‘Update from HWBIDCo’ be deferred to make space for this item.

RESOLVED:  That the forward work programme be noted subject to the request above.