Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence

An apology for absence was received from Cllr N Rana

To confirm the minutes of the Special meeting held on 1 August 2024.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the last meeting held on 1 August be confirmed as a true record

To receive any declarations of interest

A declaration of interest was made by Cllr L Clarke in relation to Special Expenses (agenda item 7). This was in her capacity of Chairman of High Wycombe Town Twinning.

(Sandra Reeves)

 10 minute presentation followed by 10 minutes of questions. 

A detailed and thorough presentation was conducted by the Medical Examiner Office regarding the various changes that had been brought about by the statutory reforms and which had been implemented on 9 September 2024.

The whole process was outlined in some considerable detail. Members were informed regarding the changes to the Medical Examiner system and death certification process. The new statutory rules now required that all deaths in England and Wales be scrutinised by a Medical Examiner prior to being registered by the registration service. The Medical Examiner would review the notes of the deceased and be in receipt of the medical certificate of the cause of death issued by the attending GP. It was highlighted that some deaths would need to be referred to the coroner.

RESOLVED: The information be noted and the presenters be thanked for their attendance.

Shabnam Ali

An update was provided on the planned activity for the £3.1m White hart Street public realm enhancement scheme. This aimed to improve commerce in the area along with environmental and social opportunities. The scheme was comprised of a 2- stage delivery with carriageway and footway improvements followed by the delivery of landscaping improvements and incorporated seating. This was highlighted at (Appendix A) to the report. 

A Member highlighted her disappointment over the scheme stating that she did not feel that her concerns had been heard or addressed, particularly regards her questions over planters, and phone boxes in the area. These had been communicated to the High Wycombe Regeneration Group.

 Another Member raised concern over how a scheme of this magnitude would be maintained and enquired as to the undertaking with regards to maintenance funding. It was felt that as time elapsed there would be a natural deterioration of the planters and as such a guarantee would be needed to ensure the replacement and maintenance of these.

A further question related to the engagement of stakeholders within the scheme to ensure that any issues or concerns were communicated and fed through directly to them. An example of dedicated mailboxes was quoted as a possible method in achieving greater efficiency in the communication process.  

Members felt that it would be useful to receive the minutes from the High Wycombe Regeneration Group meetings.

RESOLVED: That;

(i)                   the report be noted, and written responses be provided to the questions raised,

(ii)                The request to receive the minutes of the HW Regeneration Group be reviewed.

Link to Standards and General Purposes Committee meeting report on Wycombe CGR.

https://buckinghamshire.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=351&MId=18995

A verbal update was provided on the recommendation of the Standards and General Purposes Committee to Full Council at its forthcoming meeting on 18 September. It was reported that it had been agreed that a parish should not be constituted of the unparished area of High Wycombe, but instead to continue with the current governance arrangements, with a commitment to the continuous improvement to the operating arrangements to ensure that the High Wycombe Town Committee is better able to respond to local issues.

Many Members of the Committee were wholly dissatisfied with the outcome of the review though they expressed that the result had not been unexpected. It was felt they had been rendered powerless with a democratic deficit and a lack of transparency in decision making matters. It was emphasised that the recommendation of the Standards Committee which stated commitment to continuous improvement of current arrangements was a recognition of the current system as being unfit for purpose.  

However, in an opposing view another Member specified that the recommendation referring to continuous improvement could be applied to any system of government, and that all things needed to undergo that process. It was also highlighted that only 1.9% of the population had wanted a Town Council and had been prepared to pay for it, but that over 95% had not been sufficiently concerned to respond to the consultation.

The Chairman expressed his opinion on the matter, stating that as a democratically elected committee, there was easy access to higher authorities within the Council, a privilege not necessarily afforded to parishes. In addition, he felt that there were many options open to the committee whereby changes could be made for the better, providing more autonomy of finances and in the transaction of committee business in general.  

It was anticipated that such matters would be the subject of further discussions in forthcoming meetings of the High Wycombe Town Committee.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted   

Fiorella Mugari

Members were requested to consider and acknowledge the Quarter 1 revenue forecast position for 2024/25 and the impact on working balances at year end. The net forecast outturn position was £524k with no variance currently reported. The Table on page 15 of the report provided the detail at activity level.

Attention was also drawn to community grants. Three applications had been received from which one had been approved. This was summarised at (Appendix A) to the report.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.     

Members considered the work programme.

RESOLVED: that the report be noted, and the following items be included for consideration at the next/future meetings.

(i)                  Market Update (Jacqueline Ford)

(ii)                Allotments (vacancies, maintenance and numbers)

(iii)              Wycombe food hub and One can Trust

(iv)              Regeneration/ Wycombe High Street (moving of Primark) request for speaker from Wycombe Regeneration Board

(v)                Request for circulation of minutes of the Regeneration Board minutes

26 November 2024 7pm at QVR

This next meeting was scheduled for 26 November 2024 at 7pm at the QVR offices.