Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Smith and Maz Hussain

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 26 September 2023

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the previous meeting held on  26 September 2023 be confirmed as a true record.

To receive any declarations of interest

No declarations of interest were received

John Callaghan

A report was submitted which set out the local allocation of CIL funding available to be allocated as part of the Council`s medium term financial plan. Members were requested to recommend the schemes/projects to be funded

The report stated that during 2022/23 a total of CIL expenditure of over £76,000k had been drawn down from the local allocation of CIL, and that no further amounts had been drawn since 1 April 2023. The present funds available were highlighted in table 1 along with a summary of commitments and funds available in table 2. In updates to the report it was mentioned that Councillor Wassell as local member had requested that £1,211 continue to be available to the East Wycombe Walkway project as this would support two pending bids for external funding (although Councillor Wassell’s preference was that additional local allocation CIL funding be made available). It was also noted that not all of the £52,000 commitment remining for the cemetery would be required and £25,000 could be made available for other purposes.

Members noted that if there was little public demand for residents parking schemes the full budget for the on street parking review might not be required and this could release funding for other projects but this would only become clear with time.

During extensive discussions, there was some disagreement by a member as to the purpose for which the Local Centres Public Realm improvement funds had been allocated and agreement previously reached regards funding for improvements to Arnison Avenue shopping parade. It was therefore deemed appropriate that the matter be resolved outside of the meeting with the relevant officer and that the conclusions reached following that discussion be brought back for information to the next meeting. Concern was also raised over two blocked drains at the shopping parade which had become damaged beyond repair during resurfacing work, now requiring new replacement drains.

A query was raised as to whether the costs cited for play areas were current. It was accepted that these may have been overtaken by inflation but were the latest available. Ther was an option to recommend a contingency sum be added, but it would be better if this was informed by more recent cost estimates nearer the time.

In considering which schemes should be funded there was some concern that priority should be given to schemes that were the direct responsibility of the Town Committee.

In considering the report, Members turned their attention to table 3 page 15 of the report, which provided a summary of the funding requests which had been received. As such they collectively expressed their view as to which should go be recommended for funding.

RESOLVED: That the following projects be recommended for funding from the local allocation of CIL:

(i)                  Play area replacement (Booker Rec). £168k

(ii)                Pedestrian crossing on Bellfield Rd £106k

(iii)            Any remaining funds to be allocated to replacement of the play area (Totteridge Rec)

Nick Graham

Councillor Green provided a brief update on what had been discussed at the most recent meeting of the working party.

 It had been agreed that the most sensible options relating to this were either to maintain the status quo or to ensure that the whole of the unparished area become parished.  It had also been agreed that there was a need to promote consultation as widely as possible to help achieve an all- encompassing view. The discussions relating to this were ongoing and would be considered further at the next meeting.  

RESOLVED: That the report be noted

Fiorella Mugari

A report was submitted which showed the revenue forecast position for 2023/24 ,10and its impact on working balances at the year end. The net forecast outturn position was £507k with a slight £2k adverse variance in the forecast. The table on page 3 of the report highlighted the detail at activity level.

It was brought to Members` attention that a slight underspend on expenditure in the cemeteries was primarily due to anticipated underspends in grounds maintenance. The underachievement on the income forecast was primarily due to the lack of rental income from the HW Cemetery Lodge.

It was also mentioned that there had been over £4k worth of community grants issued as highlighted within page 4 of the report with a current working balance of £656k forecast subject to end of year accounting. It was reported that this amount was set aside as an earmarked reserve and therefore ring fenced for the High Wycombe Town Committee.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted  

RESOLVED: That the work programme be noted and the following items be included on the next agenda.

(i)                  Maintenance of public footpaths in the unparished area

(ii)                Markets update

(iii)              Medical Examiner`s update

(iv)              CIL update     

23 January 2024

The next meeting was scheduled to take place on Tuesday 23 January 2023