Meeting documents

To note the written report of Cabinet Members, and any written questions & responses received.

To receive any additional verbal updates from Cabinet Members on their reports, as well as provide an opportunity for any oral questions from Members.

A Leader of the Council

B Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Transportation

C Cabinet Member for Community Engagement & Public Health

D Cabinet Member for Children’s Services

E Cabinet Member for Education & Skills

F Cabinet Member for Planning & Environment

G Cabinet Member for Health & Wellbeing

H Cabinet Member for Resources

Leader

Mr M Tett highlighted the following updates:

• There had been an announcement by Highways England for their preferred route for the Oxford to Cambridge Expressway.  The corridor would be "broadly aligned" with the proposed East-West rail route from Abingdon to south Milton Keynes via Winslow and Mr Tett stated that there was a strong opinion that Central Government had chosen the wrong route.

• Buckinghamshire County Council, like many other council were facing financial pressure.  The figures for the 2^nd quarter were still to be published and reviewed by Cabinet.  Officers would be tasked with looking at what mitigations could be put in place. 

In response to Member questions, the Leader highlighted the following:

• Mr Tett confirmed lobbying efforts regarding the decision for the Oxford to Cambridge Expressway and stated that he had been in contact with the Minister for Roads and was meeting with Highways England.  Mr Tett said that their main focus was now to work collaboratively to get the best mitigation possible for Buckinghamshire.
• Mr Tett highlighted the difficulty in predicting demand into Children’s Services and therefore ensuring sufficient budget each year.
• Mr Tett stated that there was still an ambition to achieve 100% Broadband coverage for Buckinghamshire and that a significant amount of budget had been put in place to support that.  He also confirmed that he had been writing to the Central Government reminding them the undertaking that was given to the HS2 Committee to lay cables and this was something that they were not doing.
• Buckinghamshire County Council continued to support the LGA with Brexit preparations. 

Cabinet Member for Transportation

Mr M Shaw highlighted the following updates:

• The Greenway cycling and walking route from Berryfields to Waddesdon had been opened.
• Issues with bollards in Mr Lambert’s area had been resolved and would be in full working order from the first week of October.

In response to Member questions, the Cabinet Member highlighted the following:

• It was highlighted that recent closures of the A404 had resulted in illegal vehicles crossing Marlow Bridge.  Mr Shaw confirmed that any subsequent closers would have TfB officials monitoring the bridge and any monies for damages would be reclaimed from Highways England.
• Larger bollards were now protecting Marlow Bridge but further signage was needed and Mr Shaw confirmed that a request for money from the Capital programme had been submitted.
• Mr Shaw confirmed that works for structural footways scheme for Herrons Place would be carried out as part of the rolling programme.
• Following a question from a Member regarding the County Council taking over the running of wardens and the impact this had on local businesses loading and uploading, Mr Shaw confirmed that the County Council want to support local business but also need to ensure roads aren’t blocked.
• Outstanding street lighting reported but still to be fixed would be looked into.
• Mr Shaw apologised for some delays in scheduled road resurfacing and that these would be carried out in Spring 2019.
• Work had started last month on the footpath programme and this would continue into Spring 2019.
• Following the hot summer, it was confirmed that no additional works would be added into the programme this and would need to be reviewed as part of next year’s programme.

Cabinet Member for Community Engagement and Public Health

No further questions were raised.

Cabinet Member for Children’s Services

Mr Whyte highlighted the following updates:

• Promoted upcoming recruitment of Foster Carers and Adopter’s events in Aston Clinton and Wycombe.
• The Early Help review would go to public consultation shortly with a Member Briefing taking place after the Council meeting.

In response to Member questions, the Cabinet Member highlighted the following:

• Following questions from Members regarding the insufficient funding for Children’s Services, Mr Whyte highlighted that with work on the improvement plan over the summer, the team were making progress in providing a better service.  This had come at a cost with additional budgets spent on those children that most needed it.  Mr Whyte stated that there was an unpredictable demand on services.  Mr Whyte also directed Members to the webcast of the recent Children’s Select Committee meeting who had discussed Children’s Services budgets.
• Changes in the senior management team had been recognised by Ofsted.

Cabinet Member for Education and Skills

In response to Member questions, the Cabinet Member highlighted the following:

• It was highlighted that the response to the written question regarding school placements in relation to distances was not satisfactory and it was agreed that this would be picked up outside of the meeting.
• Mr Appleyard highlighted that the key success outcomes of the Education and Skills Strategy was that every child would leave school with the best possible outcomes, not just academically but personally.

Cabinet Member for Planning and Environment

Mr Chapple highlighted the following updates:

• Two successful flood fairs that had taken place in Chesham and Marlow.

In response to Member questions, the Cabinet Member highlighted the following:

• Concerns of residents were recognised in relation to the Household Recycling Centre consultation and the impact this would have on further journeys having to be made.  Mr Chapple highlighted that the consultation would be running for 8 weeks which included the preferred options in order to save £1.2m over the next financial year.  The services needed to be future proof and fit for purpose.

Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing

In response to Member questions, the Cabinet Member highlighted the following:

• Lin Hazell would contact Julia Wassell outside the meeting to confirm how the Market Position Statement is calculated in terms of supporting looked after children and housing provision when they are older.
• Mr Whyte highlighted that through Social Workers and Personal Advisors they can predict how someone would transition from Children’s to Adults.
• Mr Whyte also highlighted the recent Cabinet Member Decision to go out to tender for Additional Supported Living Accommodation.

Cabinet Member for Resources

Mr Chilver highlighted the following updates:

• Members were encouraged to take part in the consultation event for improvements to the Buckinghamshire County Council website which was part of Customer Services Week 1 – 5 October 2018.

In response to Member questions, the Cabinet Member highlighted the following:

• It was confirmed that current staff at Eastern Street were being relocated and all options for the office would be looked into.

RESOLVED: Council NOTED the Cabinet Member reports.