Agenda item

The following hot topics were discussed:

Leader

The Leader stated that the Council condemned the unlawful Russian invasion of Ukraine and was fully supportive of Ukraine and its people.  The Gateway Council building had been lit blue and yellow on Monday evening and the Ukrainian flag would be flown from several buildings, as a very clear and public sign of support.

The Council was encouraging people that wished to provide support to make a financial donation to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), rather than providing clothes, toiletries etc.  A link to ‘A Helping Hand for Ukraine’ and on some of the main charities supporting Ukraine during the ongoing conflict in the region was accessible from the Council’s website.

Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources, Property and Assets

Members were informed that there was an increased risk to cyber security due to the conflict in Ukraine.  Internal Comms had been sent to all staff to make them aware of the part they played in protecting themselves and the Council from cyber threats, as all UK Central and Local Government agencies had been advised to be on heightened alert.  Members of the public were similarly recommended to remain vigilant.

Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Education

The Cabinet Member advised that Ofsted had commenced an inspection of the Council’s Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) Service.  The inspection would take 2 weeks, being off site this week, and then on-site next week interviewing staff, parents and service users.  This Ofsted inspection differed to the recent inspection of Children’s Services in that the Council would not receive a judgement / rating at the end of it.  However, it was possible that a ‘Statement of Actions’ would be produced, which was the case with around 20% of local authority SEND inspections. 

Cabinet Member for Transport

(i)             The Cabinet Member advised that today’s London Tube Strike would impact on Aylesbury, Great Missenden and Amersham due to a lack of signallers.  A similar Tube strike was expected to be held on Thursday.  The strikes would also impact on some morning services on Wednesday and Friday.  People were advised to check with Chiltern Railways before travelling on these days

(ii)           Moving Traffic Offences – An upcoming change in legislation by the Department for Transport would mean that powers used previously only by the police would soon be available to a limited number of Councils.  Buckinghamshire Council wishes to be one the first local authorities to take advantage of this opportunity.  The Council was currently inviting feedback from people on these plans to take on enforcement of moving traffic offences, such as ignoring ‘no entry’ or ‘no left/right turn’ signs, driving in bus or taxi routes or other places where motor vehicles are prohibited, entering yellow box junctions without the exit being clear, stopping on school keep clears, or driving the wrong way up one-way streets.  The deadline for responses was 4 April 2022.

(iii)         The Cabinet Member, Leader and all Cabinet Members thanked staff for their recent efforts in responding to Storms Dudley, Eunice and Franklin.  This had involved responding to over 400 call outs and assisting with many clean ups, road repairs and clearing, and other actions.

Cabinet Member for Climate Change and the Environment

The Cabinet Member advised that the first meeting of the Climate Change Steering Group had been held last week.  The Group would be working to co-ordinate climate and environmental activities across the Council and between various services and portfolio areas.

Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture

The Cabinet Member advised that he had attended last night at Stoke Mandeville Stadium for the Flame Lighting ceremony for the Beijing Paralympic Winter Games.