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 Planning & Environment

D Cabinet Member for Community Engagement & Public Health

E Cabinet Member for Children’s Services

F Cabinet Member for Resources

G Cabinet Member for Health & Wellbeing

H Cabinet Member for Education & Skills

Leader

 

Mr M Tett highlighted the following updates:

• The Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) bid was essential to provide infrastructure upfront to accommodate housing growth. 
• The bid was submitted in February/ March 2019 and a result was expected by summer. An evaluation of the report would now not be given until June which would result in a delay in announcement. 
• Mr Tett had written to Homes England to draw attention to the fact that the funding was essential.

 

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

·         A formal welcome was given to Ms Julia Upton, MBE as the new High Sherriff for Buckinghamshire.

• The structural change order for the unitary council had been laid but not yet made as it still had to be debated and agreed by the House of Commons and House of Lords. 
• The councils had entered into an agreement collectively for a proposal that all Members would work within the parameters set down by government  in the structural change order. Two meetings had taken place, one of which agreed a spend protocol around new expenditure.
• Mr Tett expressed concerns that the authority was about to enter into a 10 year+ waste contract just before the formation of the unitary organisation.
• Although concerns were expressed over financial pressures due to the high figure of elected Members in the new authority, it was hoped that this would encourage diversity in  the election of new Members.
• The Shadow Authority would come into effect when it was passed through parliament.
• Buckinghamshire County Council(BCC) recognised the need for a bypass for the Ivers and the Aylesbury area to provide for a link around Aylesbury to accommodate the high levels of traffic caused by high housing growth.  This supported the argument for the importance of HIF.  BCC would champion that the bypass be dualled from the beginning as opposed to a single carriage way.

 

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Transportation

 

Mr M Shaw highlighted the following updates:

• A new contracts manager for Ringway Jacobs had been recruited.  Ms Louise McCann would be joining the organisation from Northamptonshire County Council. 
• A Modern United Nations debate would take place at The Oculus the following day. This would include 150 young people and would be on the topic of extremism.

 

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

• Regular meetings were being held with HS2 who were being pushed to disclose information on HS2 traffic numbers.
• Mr Shaw had accepted an invitation to visit the south of the county and view the newly implemented parking sensors following Mr A Collingwood’s disappointment in the system.
• In response to concerns raised on damage to footways caused by utility companies, residents were encouraged to contact BCC to report damages so that licenses could be checked.
• Reassurance was given that outstanding road schemes from the previous year would be reinstated and delivered.
• Mr Shaw gave apologies to Mr Lambert and Ms Glover for distress caused to residents due to the rising bollards in their divisions.  The bollards had been vandalised and were overly sensitive causing them to malfunction.  Ongoing issues had been reported and raised multiple times via Fix My Street and select committee.  Mr Shaw had raised the issue with Ringway Jacobs and was awaiting a response.  This response would be shared with Mr Lambert to pass on to parish councils and residents.

ACTION: Mr Shaw

• Mr Shaw would also confirm  if faulty lamps in Coldharbour were due to an electrical malfunction or if they were broken down.
• In response to praise over how well Fix My Street was working , Mr Shaw highlighted that it had been nominated for a national award.  It was also highlighted that newly recruited Depot Manager, Ms Rosie Taylor, had been nominated for a national award as the only female depot manager in the country.

 

Cabinet Member for Planning and Environment

 

Mr B Chapple had no further updates to add to the report.  In response to Member questions, Mr Chapple highlighted the following:

• Mr A Collingwood felt that the Environment Agency (EA) had not delivered on their promise for the flood elevation scheme in Marlow.  They needed to return and complete the work properly so the field could be opened and used by children.  Mr Collingwood would email Mr Chapple so that the issue could be escalated to the EA.

ACTION: Mr Collingwood

• Thanks was given to Mr Chapple for help provided with responding to residents who were dissatisfied with the changes to the household waste recycling centers, but it was highlighted that residents struggled to understand how the administration costs would not outweigh the revenue gain.
• Julia Wassell would email Mr Chapple regarding resident concerns over a footpath which had the potential to disrupt local wildlife. The County Local Wildlife Officer would get in touch with Julia to advise on this.

ACTION: Julia Wassell

• The decision to implement the charges in the household waste recycling centres had not been easily made, but failure to do so would have resulted in the closure of more sites.
• Mr Chapple highlighted that flytipping would be kept under review and closely monitored.  Most cases of flytipping were executed by commercial companies as opposed to law abiding residents.   In response to concerns of Members and residents that the newly implemented charges would result in an increase in flytipping,Mr Chapple assured Members that it was very unlikely that there would be a direct correlation between the two. 
• A meeting would take place the following week to confirm the charges of the recycling centres.  The charges would be tweaked if necessary. 
• There was funding in the capital programme to make improvements to Rabans Lane to accommodate increased traffic caused by the recycling centres. 
• An issue regarding Aylesbury Town Council being turned away from the recycling centre had been resolved. 
• The staff onsite at the recycling centres were trusted, but measures to monitor best practise were in place to ensure that staff were not exploiting residents in return for cash payment.  Cash payments were not accepted on the site. 
• Members praised the efforts of flytipping staff in the organisation.
• It was felt that harsher punishments on flytippers such as points on licenses and the seizing of vehicles would see a reduction in the offence.  Mr Chapple highlighted that flytipping is currently the responsibility of the County Council in partnership with the District Councils and that most people realised the negative impact that having a criminal record could have on their lives. Mr Chapple would include this the next time he writes to the Secretary of State. 

ACTION: Mr Chapple

• Letters of exception would be given to town/ parish councils and charities who had taken part in a clean-up of the area. 

 

Cabinet Member for Community Engagement and Public Health

 

Mr N Brown highlighted the following updates:

• A successful event held to educate people on the negative effects of domestic abuse. 
• The benefits of the Street Associations project.  This had been taken up to a national level.
• Thanks was given to Mr P Irwin for his radio broadcast on mental health.

 

In response to Member questions, Mr Brown highlighted the following:

• Work on Marlow Library was an ongoing project.  Updates would be given when possible following the move into unitary.
• In relation to the EU settlement scheme, library staff would be given support to help members of the public with the home office process.  An update would be provided to Mr Christensen on what work was being done.
• In response to concerns raised over vulnerable young people joining gangs, Mr Brown highlighted that the government had failed to make youth service a legal requirement.  Lack of funding had resulted in a struggle to keep some youth clubs running.  PCC had gained funding that had been targeted towards the prevention of knife crime and gangs.  This was in the process of being developed.

 

Cabinet Member for Children’s Services

 

Mr G Williams, Deputy Cabinet Member highlighted the following updates:

• The service was hoping to host a children in care celebration event in August.  Potential sponsors were being sought..

 

In response to Member questions, Mr Williams highlighted the following:

 

• In response to concerns over the recruitment and retention of social workers it was highlighted that positive changes were being made, with an increasing confidence across the manager ranks.  Members were asked to spread the word of the benefits of working for Buckinghamshire County Council.
• Thanks were given to Members for their support of the opening of the new children’s home which had been rated as "good" by Ofsted. 
• The pressures of an increased demand on the service while experiencing budget cuts were highlighted.

 

Cabinet Member for Resources

 

Mr J Chilver highlighted the following updates:

• Congratulations were given to all winners of the "Workplace Heroes" awards.

 

In response to Member questions, Mr Chilver highlighted the following:

• Praise was given over the selection of an appropriate land contractor and sub-contractor and how the concerns of residents had been taken on and addressed. 
• There had been no further update on the previous contribution by charities for Seeley’s House.  A response from the Legal team was being chased.
• There had been a delay in works on the Old Wycombe Library due to asbestos but it was hoped that staff would be able to move in later in the year.
• Members were pleased with the renovations to the former police station in Aylesbury, with a Japanese restaurant due to open in May 2019.
• Praise and thanks was given to IT and Democratic Services for the changes in IT access for Members.  Clarification was needed of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) statement.  Mr Chilver would consult officers and report back on this. 

ACTION: Mr Chilver

• Regeneration plans for the Old County Offices were high on the property agenda.  There were plans to convert these into 50 town centre apartments which would be a great contribution to the regeneration of the town centre.  The building plans had been through two changes and there had been delays from the planning authority.

 

 

Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing

 

Ms L Hazell highlighted the following updates:

• The Better Lives transformation programme had been shortlisted in the MJ awards. 

 

In response to Member questions, Ms Hazell highlighted the following:

• Members would be engaged in the planning phase of the short breaks consultation where possible.
• Three organisations had expressed an interest in taking over the space of Thrift Farm. This was being worked through.
• Thanks were given to senior managers and teams for providing effective and immediate assistance for two specific local families. 

 

 

Cabinet Member for Education and Skills

 

Ms A Cranmer, Deputy Cabinet Member, highlighted the following updates:

• Bucks Learning Trust (BLT) had ceased trading in March.  All school improvement services were taken in house.
• A new school had opened in Berryfields with 76 students and 720 projected.  A teacher recruited at the school, Ms C Imbriano had been nominated for outstanding new teacher of the year.
• 91.5% of children in the county attended schools rated as "good" or "outstanding" by Ofsted which was above the national average.

 

In response to Member questions, Ms Cranmer highlighted the following:

• A reorganisation of the Special Educational Needs (SEN) department would help to address the problem of outstanding SEN assessments.
• More praise of local schools was needed, regular updates could be included in local newsletters.
• Interactions with schools were taking place to address the closure of Burnham Academy by E Act.  This had caused a lot of distress to pupils and parents.

·         The goal for the department was to have 100% of children enrolled in "good" or "outstanding" schools.  There was still a lot of work to do especially in urban areas.