Meeting documents

Written questions may be asked of the leader or any Cabinet member if submitted to the Head of Democratic, Legal and Policy Services no later than 12 noon on Monday 3 October 2016. Questions will be submitted in the order they which they were received.

A questioner will have a maximum of 1 minute to ask a question and the answer shall not exceed 3 minutes. Any Questioner may put one supplementary question without notice within a maximum time of 1 minute and the answer may not exceed 2 minutes.  

(a)Question from Mr J Hoggett to the Leader of the Council

"The Town Council model is one that has given many more urban towns a greater say in their own affairs given that the needs of a town and a district-at-large can often be very different. The model gives citizens more devolved powers in order to have a greater say on more specific issues with in their communities. Will the Leader of the Council look in to establishing a High Wycombe Town Council?"

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

"Thank you for your question Mr Hoggett. There are many ways of securing devolution with strong democratic representation without the need to establish a High Wycombe Town Council. The democratically elected members of the unparished area here in High Wycombe already come together and meet as the High Wycombe Town Committee to consider and take action on behalf of the residents of our Town."

Supplementary Question

"Clearly people have different socio economic needs. If you cannot consider establishing a Town Council for High Wycombe, perhaps you could consider changing the status of the High Wycombe Town Committee from an advisory body, to one that has a veto over Cabinet decisions on matters relating to High Wycombe Town." 

Supplementary Response

"The people of High Wycombe are understandably concerned regarding services and facilities available to them. The District Council provides many of these functions, with a strong track record of delivering improvements across the whole district. I do not believe the Town has suffered from not having a Town Council. We are one Council for one community."

(b)Question from Mr D Chandler to the Cabinet Member for Community

"Six years ago, on 30th September, my eight year old daughter Olivia tragically died from an asthma attack. A week ago, on the anniversary of her death, my wife and children visited her grave together at High Wycombe Cemetery. We were very upset to discover that many personal items had been removed from her grave. We know that other families have also had the graves of loved ones vandalised in this way. Can you tell me what security is already in place to keep the cemetery safe and secure and what else could be done to prevent other families experiencing the same distress that we have?"

Response from Councillor Mrs J A Adey (Cabinet Member for Community).

"We appreciate how distressing it is for friends and family when the grave of a loved one is damaged or vandalised. Over the years we have fortunately had very few acts of vandalism and, while we know of complaints about cemetery maintenance practices we are not aware of any on-going issue of vandalism within the Snowdrop Garden or other parts of the cemetery.

We periodically remove items from graves as stated on the signs clearly displayed in the Cemetery and this is likely to be the reason some items have been removed from your daughter’s grave. The Cemetery is largely maintained as lawn sections kept free of permanent obstacles other than permitted memorials. This is so we can maintain a high standard of grounds maintenance across the site and create a welcoming and attractive place for the bereaved to visit to remember their loved ones. 

We remove old flowers, which obviously deteriorate over time, as well as other items as they succumb to the weather or where the number of items on a grave becomes so excessive as to prevent maintenance or intrude on an adjacent grave. We try hard to strike a balance between maintaining an attractive and tranquil environment and respecting that the bereaved seek to remember their loved ones with a variety of floral tributes and other mementoes.  We leave items on a grave for as long as we can until they detrimentally affect the appearance of the cemetery or affect other mourners, particularly in the Snowdrop Garden and children’s areas which we appreciate are particularly sensitive. Most items are held at the Cemetery Office for 4-6 weeks should people wish to collect them.

The Snowdrop Gardens and the cemetery grounds are surrounded by walls and fencing, and the gates are locked every night. We investigate every concern raised with us to understand what can be done differently.  We encourage any visitor to the Cemetery to report any concerns they may have to the Cemetery Officer at the Council."

Supplementary Question

"Could something definite be put into place to increase security? For example Marlow cemetery does have CCTV cameras, the cemetery could be locked earlier in the evening and public footpaths could be diverted so as not to cut through the cemetery.

Could a report on security options be presented to Cabinet in order to protect all graves?"

Supplementary Response

"CCTV cameras will not work unless the trees are felled around the area. In addition there would need to be around 15 cameras at a cost of up to £20,000 with call out service costs on top.

We will continue to closely monitor the situation. It may be that one incident is vandalism whilst another may not be."

(c)Question from Ms N Rana to the Leader of the Council

"In August of this year, the House of Commons issued a report identifying Muslim women as the most 'economically disadvantaged' group in the UK. Unemployment, family culture and prejudice were just three of the reasons given for this.

What steps can Wycombe District Council take to promote opportunities for this group of women?"

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

"Thank you for your question.  The report you mention covers the whole of the UK and I would like to note that Muslims are not a homogenous group.  It actually describes Muslim women as more likely to be economically inactive rather than disadvantaged.  There are, as you say, a whole range of reasons for this.  The data does not relate to Wycombe specifically and the District has a low unemployment rate.  I am sure that Muslim women who would like to enter or return to the workforce will find many opportunities to do so.  In the meantime I am happy to support the Government’s work in this area."

Supplementary Question

"At the present time, how would you better engage with this group of women in the community?"

Supplementary Response

"It is a countrywide problem. The Government needs to help in enabling them to access language and education and to work independently. Furthermore Mosques can play a role in promoting opportunities for Muslim women. The Equalities Office should create specific national outreach programmes to promote female role models and the Department for Work and Pensions should also consider integrating peer to peer support into their support package." 

(d)Question from Ms T Kershaw to the Cabinet Member for Community

"The purpose of a PSPO is to deal with a particular nuisance behaviour. Would consistent illegal and dangerous parking outside schools included in the proposed area be deemed as ‘nuisance behaviour?

Response from Councillor Mrs J A Adey (Cabinet Member for Community).

"Thank you for your question.  Public highways are the responsibility of Bucks County Council, which has the power to take out a public space protection order to combat persistent and unreasonable behaviour that is detrimental to the quality of life in an area.

I am happy to pass on your query to the County Council if you so wish"

Supplementary Question

"If you do pass on the query what help are we likely to receive in stopping illegal parking outside the school."

Supplementary Response

"It is the school that is best placed to interact with the parents and will have greater influence in seeking long term parking solutions."