Agenda item

The Leader presented the annual report which noted the achievements of the organisation against the objectives set out in the Buckinghamshire Corporate Plan 2020-25.

The Annual Report highlighted achievements across the authority which contributed to the delivery of key priorities outlined in the Corporate Plan:

-          Strengthening our communities

-          Protecting the vulnerable

-          Improving our environment

-          Increasing prosperity

The draft Buckinghamshire Council Annual Report 2021-22 could be seen attached to the agenda pack as Appendix 1.

The Leader gave a presentation to Council and highlighted key pieces of work the Council had delivered on. Issues covered by the Leader included:

• The significant change in landscape from this time one year ago, at which time the Covid-19 vaccination was still being rolled out, restrictions on socialising were in place, high streets were financially struggling, and schools had not long re-opened.
• The increased demand on children’s social care with safeguarding issues having arisen throughout the lockdown period.
• Suppressed demand within the health sector throughout Covid, health waiting lists had increased, and similarly in Adult Social Care there was increased volume and complexity of need.
• The Council’s fast response to the crises in Afghanistan and Ukraine, welcoming refugees warmly. Communities and Members had provided excellent support to these individuals.
• The need to remain focused on the areas that matter to residents, which were the day to day services such as waste collection, whilst not losing sight of the overall strategic priorities.
• Partnership working with voluntary and community sector, health colleagues, Police and Fire services which remained Key for the Council to deliver its priorities.
• Achievements over the past year:
  • Delivered carriageway, footway, drainage and structures programme
  • Invested in drains and gullies work
  • Additional investment in litter clearance, with a future focus on clearing roadside verges
  • Zero tolerance on fly tipping, the Council was one of the highest in the country with prosecutions
  • Planted over 5,000 trees with a desire to greatly increase this over the coming year
  • New sustainable transport routes
  • Signed Memorandum of Intent with an organisation which would look at transforming refuse vehicles into electric vehicles
  • Being the second highest authority on issuing enforcement notices outside of London
  • The Buckinghamshire Local Plan work having commenced which would shape Buckinghamshire’s future
• The importance of protecting the vulnerable, Children’s Services had moved out of the OFSTED inadequate category and the journey to become ‘good’ was underway, focus had been placed on ensuring children were able to catch up on their education following the pandemic, and the Council had worked closely with health partners on the Covid vaccination rollout. Violence against women was a priority which officers would focus on in the coming year to ensure women felt safe across the county.
• The Helping Hands team had been developed with a team of officers who had expertise in supporting residents in very difficult circumstances. The team had done a fantastic job, having distributed around £7.2m and there was hope the Government would continue to provide financial support so that the team could continue its excellent work.
• The new Housing Strategy was signed off and delivery would commence this year, although would involve significant costs to the Council.
• There were jobs within the county that needed people and work was being undertaken to train people and assist with getting on the job ladder, and thereafter moving into well-paid employment.
• Buckinghamshire had distributed over £22m of the additional Covid restrictions grant to small and medium sized businesses. Measures had been undertaken to welcome residents back to the high streets and using local shops whilst there had also been the OMICRON hospitality leisure grant which Buckinghamshire Council had distributed efficiently to keep hospitality businesses running.
• Wycombe had secured £12m in the future high streets fund and Aylesbury, which was taking the bulk of housing growth would continue to see investment.
• Partnership working with Buckinghamshire Business First and the Local Enterprise Partnership continued, a new film office had been opened which encouraged filming in the county. The film office would act as both a great way of attracting people to the county as well as provide an income opportunity.
• Community Boards continued to be the backbone of communities investing in over 400 projects in 2021/22 that met the needs of residents in their own respective individual areas.
• Over 18,000 outgoing calls had been made to vulnerable residents to ensure they were supported throughout the Covid lockdown periods.

The Leader then looked at the challenges ahead, acknowledging it would be a challenging year due to the increasing inflation rate, rising energy costs, increases to national insurance contributions, food costs rising all of which impact residents as well as the Council in delivering its services; there was a significant complexity in need in both Adult Social Care and Children’s Services; housing affordability remained a key issue for young people and key workers; legislation changes in planning, schools and special educational needs would be seen this coming year; and further challenges may arise from the governments levelling up agenda.

The Leader concluded by emphasising that all money spent by the Council was taxpayers’ money and the focus on making savings as well as delivering income would remain and the Council would rise to the challenges ahead.

A Member recognised that financial difficulties for residents would be prevalent in the coming year and encouraged engagement with the agricultural community to support with affordable food production. The Member also highlighted the importance of addressing housing in the county to ensure that Buckinghamshire did not lose talented people to other counties where housing was more affordable. Thanks were also paid to those who had delivered vital services over the past 12 months, such as the NHS, police, teachers and fire service.

RESOLVED –

That the achievements of the Council in 2021-22 against the objectives outlined in the Buckinghamshire Council Corporate Plan 2020-25 be noted.