Meeting documents

Questions to the Leader or any Cabinet members must be submitted by 12 noon on Monday 4 April 2016. Questions shall be taken first from the Group Leaders of the political parties who shall be entitled to ask one initial Leader’s question each, including the right to adopt another Member’s question from his/her Group, of which written notice shall have been given to the Head of Democratic, Legal and Policy Services prior to the meeting.

 

The order of questions shall then permit the first question from each other Councillor to be asked before any subsequent questions from the same Councillor. One question will be taken in turn from each Councillor and there shall be no consecutive questions from the same Councillor unless there are no other questions to be asked.

 

Every Member asking an oral question is permitted to ask one supplementary question without notice provided that it not substantially the same as a question that was put to a Council meeting during the past six months.

 

The appropriate member will respond to any questions remaining unanswered at the expiry of 30 minutes in writing. Any question remaining unanswered after 30 minutes will be answered within 10 working days in writing after the meeting by the appropriate Member and appended to the minutes of the meeting. 

 

 

 

(a) Question from Councillor R Raja to the Leader of the Council

 

"Will the Leader agree that the EDL is an extreme racist organisation and its sole purpose in coming to High Wycombe on Saturday, 9 April, was to stir up racist hatred against Muslims and to blame whole communities for the criminal activities of a few bad apples. Would she also tell us whether she is satisfied with the measures taken by WDC and the Police to contain this racist onslaught on our peaceful town and whether she agrees that racist organisations like the EDL have to be shown that they are not welcome in High Wycombe?" 

 

Response from Councillor Ms K Wood (Leader of the Council)

 

"Following Saturday’s very successful Thames Valley Police operation I am pleased to provide an update. 

 

The demonstrations held in High Wycombe on Saturday concluded without disorder and resulted in minimal disruption to the communities of High Wycombe.  In total there were approximately 300 people from various groups who took part in the demonstrations.  A considerable number of police officers were visible during the demonstrations as part of a comprehensive policing operation.

 

Four arrests were made in total in connection with it. Three people were arrested on suspicion of public order offences and one person was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.

 

The success of the operation was, in no small part, down to the excellent partnership work before and during the event between the police, the council, other agencies and representatives of our communities.Those who were present held a peaceful protest and police officers liaised closely with them to help to facilitate this.

 

We are proud that people who live in High Wycombe work together to create a peaceful and harmonious town. At no time do we want any group or individual trying to jeopardise that.

 

Neither the council nor the police have the power to ban public assemblies, like the demonstrations at the weekend. The police do, however, have a legal duty to facilitate peaceful protest.

 

I would like to take the opportunity to thank Thames Valley Police and neighbouring forces for keeping everyone who was in High Wycombe on Saturday safe. In addition, I would also like to thank everyone who lives and works in the town for their patience and co-operation during the demonstrations."

 

Supplementary Question

 

"That is a very reassuring answer. Having been in the town, I was pleased to note that there were no untoward incidents. It was also pleasing to note that the number of EDL demonstrators was outweighed by the number of anti EDL protestors, who behaved with commendable discipline to show that the EDL were not welcome in High Wycombe.

 

Would you not agree with me however, that it would be better for the EDL to have been allocated a field outside of the Town boundaries, to hold such demonstrations so as not to disrupt the public`s usual routine in a busy area on a Saturday.

 

Supplementary Response

 

"It is unfortunate that the light shone on High Wycombe that day, but we have a great deal to be proud of and I believe that all of our numerous achievements will outshine this isolated incident that took place on Saturday."

 

(b) Question from Councillor M Knight to the Leader of the Council

 

"In the past few weeks a number of public figures, including the outgoing CEO of Bucks County Council have been making the case in favour of a Unitary Authority for Buckinghamshire.

 

Would the Leader outline her views on Unitary Authority and agree with me that in this time of austerity the financial case in favour is now compelling, even more so than in 2007?"

 

Response from Councillor Ms K Wood (Leader of the Council)

 

"The issue of unitary government for Buckinghamshire is not a new one. Yet despite all the talk over a long period of time, there has not once been a compelling case which has been made in the best interests of the people that matter most in this, the council taxpayers and residents and businesses in Wycombe district.

 

Many different proposals for unitary government in Bucks have been mooted and so far there is no consensus. There would need to be a significant amount of detailed work undertaken before a view could be formed and so it is important to keep an open mind and not prejudge the outcome.

 

While I don’t want to enter into a debate on the unitary issue right now, what I will say on the matter is that the main driver for reorganisation seems to be a financial one, the need for one or many organisations to help plug a black hole in another.  What seems to have been lost in translation, however, is that any restructuring towards a unitary would create an entirely new council. It’s not simply a case of one organisation taking on the responsibilities of another. Experience from elsewhere in the country has demonstrated that reorganisations inevitably take longer than predicted, are more expensive to deliver than first thought, which ultimately makes finding financial savings problematic. At a time when significant sums of money have already been slashed off local government budgets, is a costly reorganisation really the best way forward? What matters to me is that services are provided for the residents, businesses and visitors of the Wycombe district at an affordable price and this is something that we are doing through joint working.

 

We are fortunate at Wycombe that, as a result of years of sound financial management, we have a sustainable future, which was shared at the last Cabinet meeting when we discussed and approved our medium-term financial plan.   Wycombe District Council continues to perform strongly and has a clear strategy to deliver our ambitious plans. We would therefore look very carefully at any proposals that come forward to ensure that any change delivers the same or improved levels of service to Wycombe District residents and businesses and that our taxpayers are not financially worse-off or subsidise other parts of the County. We would be looking to see that any change was affordable and represent value for money. So far, no proposals have emerged that satisfy these criteria and provides a compelling case for change.

 

We continue to monitor the situation and, if an opportunity presents itself that we consider is in the best interests of the Council’s taxpayers, residents and businesses, then I will of course wish to pursue that at that time. I remain to be convinced that any proposals made so far are in the best interests of Wycombe District Council taxpayers locally."

 

Supplementary Question

 

"I feel that there is a compelling case for Council Tax payers in being able to receive a more streamlined and accessible service, with everything in one place which would be better than the current system, which can be messy.

 

I believe that the final decision should be put to the Council Tax payers to see what they want. Not wait for other authorities to decide. Do you agree that there should be some form of consultation or referendum for local people regarding this?"

 

Supplementary Response

 

"There are different proposals for unitary government in Buckinghamshire, and no consensus, so it is important to keep an open mind and not prejudge the issue. There would need to be a significant amount of detailed work undertaken before a view could be formed.

 

The most recent discussions were last summer when all the Councils, working with the Bucks Local Enterprise Partnership, discussed the benefits of putting forward further devolution proposals to Government. As you know, we did not collectively in Buckinghamshire put forward any further proposals at that time, in common with many other areas in the Country, as the local benefits were not clear. There is of course the Strategic Alliance cross-County devolution proposal that is with Government for consideration, which involves our District, so we are already part of a wider devolution bid. The Government continues to negotiate devolution deals and the first of such deals in two-tier County areas was announced in the recent Budget, so we continue to monitor the situation. Personally, I think nationally the debate is moving on towards looking at the most appropriate arrangements for devolution locally to the public sector, including the Health Sector, rather than the more narrow local government unitary re-organisation debate."    

 

© Question from Councillor B Pearce to the Cabinet Member for Planning

 

"Like myself, and many residents in Booker and Cressex, I am sure you welcome the new Costco store coming to Cressex island in High Wycombe. I believe this would be a great asset to the town.

 

However there is much concern regarding the traffic and parking. I saw a presentation at the Holiday Inn last year, indicating customers would gain entry into Costco's car park from a mini roundabout in Crest Road and the existing road that runs alongside the YMCA.

 

Do you not agree with me that it would be better to have a 4 point roundabout constructed where the existing mini roundabout leads into Asda and also a slip road from John Hall Way.

 

I realise this is a Highways and County Council issue but I am sure you'll agree with me that WDC could make this a condition of the planning application?"

 

Response from Councillor D Johncock (Cabinet Member for Planning)

 

"Naturally we all welcome investment in the town and I’m sure all of us would like to see Cressex Island put to the most productive use. On the issue of whether this is Costco or some other use, I have to keep an open mind as this is currently the subject of a planning application and it would therefore be inappropriate for me as a member of the Planning committee to comment at this early stage.

 

What I can say is that the County Highway Authority has been consulted on the application and they will provide their professional advice in due course.  However, until I have seen the County Highway Authority’s recommendations, I am clearly unable to form a view on whether the proposed highway layout is acceptable or not, and in any event this is a matter for the planning committee to determine rather than me as Executive Member.

 

It is worth remembering at this stage that it is the Council’s role in the first instance to determine the application put before them and reach a view on whether or not it is acceptable or unacceptable. To that end, we consult widely and welcome comments from residents and local community groups as well as local Ward Members. I would therefore advise that you submit your comments on-line using public access to ensure that they are taken into account as part of the determination process."

 

Supplementary Question

 

"I am glad you welcome the new Costco store on Cressex Island. I have written to the Highways Authority, who said that responsibility for the matter lay with Costco.

 

Do you agree with me that it is in fact down to the Planning Authority and Highways not just Costco.

 

Supplementary Response

 

"Yes it is down to us as the Planning Authority and will make a decision as to what is right or not."

 

(d) Question from Councillor M Davy to the Cabinet Member for Economic Development & Regeneration

 

"Having visited the new sport centre, and had many residents acknowledge how brilliant it has been for people of all ages in our community, I think WDC can be very proud of providing such a contemporary facility for our whole district.

 

Can the Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration give the Council and the public an update about the progress of the demolition of the old sport centre and a timetable for future works on the hotel and others in the Handy Cross Hub?"

 

Response from Councillor R Wilson (Cabinet Member for Economic Development & Regeneration).

 

"Everyone involved should be thanked for their hard work.

 

Demolition of the old sports centre has commenced.  It will take around three months to clear the site. It is gradually disappearing. Commercial property agents – Savills – are appointed to market the commercial development sites.  Negotiations are already underway with a major owner-occupier approximately half of the Phase 3 offices.  Soft market testing has indicated several 3*+ hotel brands keen on the site.  The remainder of Phase 3 (including the hotel) and the Phase 4 (old sports centre site) are about to be actively marketed for investor/developers, and hope to get a lot of money for it.  So we are hopeful that we will see further development commencing this forthcoming financial year.  In the meantime, the Council will be progressing Phase 5 proposed day nursery/medicentre site, as a direct development."

 

Supplementary Question

 

"I look forward to seeing the works progress throughout the coming months. Can you give me an estimate for the amount of new jobs that will be created when the work has been completed.

 

 I am certain that not only will this benefit the town`s residents, but will demonstrate how WDC is taking an active role in facilitating a reduction in unemployment in our district."

 

Supplementary Response

 

"I do not have the precise figures but approximately 200 jobs will be created from Waitrose, 100 from the Sports Centre, 300-500 due to the offices and approximately 100-200 from the hotels. These are my best guesses. Employment will result as will trade increases which will ultimately trickle down."

 

(e) Question from Councillor K Ahmed to the Cabinet Member for Environment

 

"Recently an investigation carried out by the BFP revealed a major flaw with our car park ANPR system. The council's response failed to give an explanation as to why the BFP reporter managed to avoid any standard charge notice being sent to him even after failing to pay on three separate occasions. Would the responsible cabinet member please explain why this failure could have occurred?"

 

Response from Councillor Mrs J Teesdale (Cabinet Member for Environment)

 

"I will leave it to others to judge the actions of the Bucks Free Press. In our subsequent statement to the press, which was printed in full by the paper, we made it very clear that the Council does not endorse the deliberate misuse of public car parks and would strongly discourage motorists from doing so. I am pleased to report that the vast majority of people expect to pay, and do pay to leave their vehicles in a secure public car park."

 

Supplementary Question

 

"A recent BFP investigation revealed a flaw in the ANPR system. Why did WDC not provide and explanation as to why a BFP reporter managed to avoid any standard charge notice being issued despite failing to pay on three separate occasions."

 

Over 1.3 million of taxpayer`s money has been spent and wasted on such a system, which had no chance of working from the outset. Will the responsible Cabinet Member do the honourable thing and resign?"

 

Supplementary Response

 

"No I will not. I am confident regarding the information I have given you and will keep the situation monitored. All I can say to you at this point is just wait and see until the end of the year.

 

(f) Question from Councillor M Hanif to the Cabinet Member for Planning

 

"Under the Infrastructure levy Funding Strategy some fifteen projects have been earmarked for High Wycombe. Can the Cabinet Member for this responsibility provide a time scale for the completion of these putative projects. What for example are the factors which will expedite or hinder the timely completion of these projects?

 

In accordance with Standing order 11.3(g), as the member asking the question was not present at the meeting at the time the question was to be put, the question was treated as withdrawn.

 

(g) Question from Councillor M A Hashmi to the Cabinet Member for Environment

 

"Many roads and service roads in particular, are blighted by fly tipping and general accumulation of rubbish. In Bowerdean Ward a service road behind Rowan Avenue has heaps of soil, accumulated rubbish and large articles of rubbish left by either uncaring local residents or more likely the result of fly-tipping.

What is the Council's strategy to tackle fly tipping, what actions is the Council taking, (such as placing signs asking people not to fly tip) to combat this social menace? Moreover, how many people have been prosecuted for fly tipping in High Wycombe, over the last year?"

Response from Mrs J Teesdale (Cabinet Member for Environment)

 

"The service road that you have referred to in your question is in the ownership of Red Kite and they deal with fly tipping on their land. The Staff at Red Kite regularly check on their estates and service roads and get any fly tipping cleared by their contractor. If they find out who has carried out the fly tipping, they will follow this up.  Signs have been erected in ‘hot spots’.

 

Staff have been working with the joint waste team to consider ways of dealing with fly tipping, including the use of cameras.

 

With respect to Rowan Avenue, Red Kite are arranging for a litter pick and to tidy up overgrown vegetation on the service road. They are not responsible for rubbish or rubble in gardens which have access to the service road but will follow this up with tenants if it is causing a nuisance or is an eyesore.  

 

Where Red Kite officers or officers within the Joint Waste Team find evidence in fly tipped waste which identifies the source of that waste, or where witnesses report waste being dumped, County Council Enforcement Officers will investigate and consider whether there is a viable case to pursue for prosecution.  The following figures provide information in the number of convictions within the Wycombe District area over the last three years:

 

2013/14          12                    (60 county-wide)

2014/15          14                    (54 county-wide)

2015/16          10                    (46 county-wide)

 

Convictions are sometimes delayed due to court and other factors relating to the defendant and county Enforcement Officers anticipate a rise in convictions rather than the apparent fall that these county-wide figures may suggest.

 

Regarding the specific area in question, the Enforcement Team will include it within their programme to consider deployment of surveillance cameras there, but will not be able to confirm if and when camera(s) are actually installed in this location, for obvious reasons.  The Enforcement Team are aware of that area, but had not received any fly tipping reports recently.  However, they will visit and install signage (see attached) which advises ‘would be’ fly-tippers, that surveillance operates in that area."

 

Supplementary Question

 

"Many roads and footpaths in Bowerdean are in need of repairs and resurfacing. Fly tipping in these areas makes Bowerdean look grubby tacky and untidy, and create an environment for mice.

 

 Can we ask for a concerted effort from WDC to improve this state of affairs?"

 

Supplementary Response

 

"Responsibility for this matter lies with Red Kite not WDC.  Speak to the WDC representatives serving on the Red Kite Board, who regularly attend Board meetings. We have allowed this question to be asked but you should have gone to them directly for advice."  

 

(h) Question from Councillor S Graham to the Cabinet Member for Community

 

"During the consultation process about the new Wycombe sports centre, the developers had given an undertaking that the centre could be used for dances, weddings and other large gatherings.

 

However I am now told that high heel shoes and drinks are not allowed in the halls and that it would cost £30,000 for a special cover to protect the floor for any of the above activities to take place at the centre.

 

Can you tell me who took the decision not to honour the commitment made by the developers during the consultation process to provide a place at the centre for large gatherings and when was this undertaking revoked?"

 

Response from Mrs J Adey (Cabinet Member for Community)

 

"Thank you for asking me about our outstanding new Wycombe Leisure Centre, which provides a wide range of sporting opportunities for local residents.  The sports hall can be used for large events such as major sporting matches, where the public can use spectator seating areas. It has already proved invaluable as a marshalling area for the many hundreds of swimmers attending the National level swimming gala in March. Upstairs Studios 3 and 4 may be used for functions of up to 134 people including seminars, children’s parties and lunches, as was the case on the day of the Centre’s formal opening.

 

However in optimising the detailed design for sports some of the many initial ancillary options could not be taken forward. The initial conceptual view from the architects included using the sports hall and the adjacent second hall for large events such as exhibitions, conferences and banquets. However as the design was refined sports use has been prioritised as this is the key purpose of Wycombe Leisure Centre.  This has meant:

 

·         installing a modern high specification sprung wooden hall floor ideal for a range of sports; however this will be damaged by high heels and liquid spillages

·         the second hall is a dedicated Bowls Hall, which cannot be readily made multi-functional

·         a store room now houses the new bleacher seating, which means it cannot be used as an access corridor

·         a narrow external access route to the side of the sports hall due to the security fencing needed by Waitrose, which limits the ability to temporarily locate catering facilities externally alongside the hall

 

I have received significant positive feedback from users of the new Centre and Places for People Leisure report much higher levels of usage.  Our decision to replace the Centre and invest in sport and physical activity for our residents is proving to be very well placed."

 

Supplementary Question

 

Thank you but you have not answered the question. People make all sorts of promises when seeking approval and then not honouring those commitments. How can developers be held to account and forced to honour the promised made during the consultation process. What was promised was not delivered.

 

 Is this something the Council can tighten up on?"

 

Supplementary Response

 

"No firm undertaking was given. The design continued to be refined and the venue has simply become unsuitable for large gatherings."

 

(i) Question from Councillor Ms J Wassell to the Leader of the Council

 

"Would the Leader update us on the finances of the Hughenden Quarter and the current expenditure by the Council on the project? A resident has asked me to obtain this information." 

 

Response from Councillor Ms K Wood (Leader of the Council)

 

"The Council acquired the site in 2008 to secure its regeneration and to create a new ‘green corridor’ to Hughenden Park/facilitate BNU’s student village.  Since that time, approximately £4.3m has been invested by the Council on demolition (0.5m sq.ft. of heavy industrial buildings), remediation, new spine road and Hughenden Avenue junction and the green corridor, which takes up approximately one third of the main site in terms of land area and new utilities serving the development sites.

 

The Council will receive capital receipts from three disposals totalling c. £8m plus Community Infrastructure Levy, New Homes Bonus and Council Tax/Business Rates.  The District will gain by having an 260 unit ‘independent supported living village’ provided by the Extra Care Charitable Trust, together with a second phase 70 bed care home provided by the Royal Star & Garter charity. When completed, the development  of Hughenden Quarter will bring this site back to life, close to High Wycombe’s town centre and open up the Hughenden Stream to public access. There will be 172 affordable units, comprising 120 shared ownership units and 52 affordable rented units.  All of the additional housing provided through the ECCT and RSG schemes will help to release other housing to the market.

 

Overall, the site will provide purpose-built residential accommodation for around 750 people including students and older residents. The third phase is planned as a new family restaurant/ pub. The Council is retaining the ‘Upper Site’ for letting."

 

Supplementary Question

 

"Do you feel that the right balance of provision has been met in the Hughenden Quarter? Other schemes were suggested there and it is scarce land, being near the Town Centre."

 

Supplementary Response

 

"I do believe that Hughenden quarter is providing good quality affordable housing, and caters for various age groups. The capital receipts are being used to help fund the Council’s Major Projects Programme, which provides a range of schemes contributing to the economic, social and environmental well-being of the District, including affordable housing. The Community Infrastructure levy is applied in accordance with the Council’s policy, including schemes from a number of different agencies, such as Bucks County Council for Education and transport schemes. The range of schemes being funded can be found in the Cabinet agenda dated 16 November 2015. New Homes Bonus and Council Tax income is being used to support the Council’s overall revenue budget to continue to provide essential services and reduce the pressure on Council Tax."

 

Questions 10 - 16 were not put as the 30 Minutes time period had expired.  In accordance with Standing Orders, a written reply would be sent to the questioner by the appropriate Member within 10 working days, and would also be appended to the Minutes of the meeting.