Agenda item

The following hot topics were discussed:

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment

Buckinghamshire Council was one of the first Council’s to upcycle one of their refuge trucks (7 year old diesel) and convert it to an electric vehicle which would help the air quality, carbon emissions and support local businesses. This was undertaken by Silverstone Enterprise Zone.

Cabinet Member for Transport

Following heavy storms in the County, particularly affecting the North, the out of hours team had been working hard dealing with flash floods and fallen trees; 11 in the north of the County and two in the South. The Cabinet Member also provided an update on the ongoing maintenance programme with 3,750 defects being addressed since the start of April; there were 15 crews out undertaking works on a seven day a week basis. The Council had put in additional funding to help longer term treatment schemes; 29 schemes out of 200 had been completed this year and these schemes would make improvements across the whole County. 812 street lights had also been fixed. He also referred to the good weather and verge growth and the need for residents to report any concerns about visibility; cuts were being undertaken. The Leader also referred to the new piece of machinery being used, the Pothole Pro was a time-saving, three-in-one vehicle designed to make pothole repairs faster and jet patchers particularly helped with rural roads. 

Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services

The Council would be hosting the first Buckinghamshire School Awards celebrating teachers and school staff across the county. There would be 12 award categories with one award open to public nominations. The winning entry in each category would be announced at a celebration event, kindly hosted by Pinewood Studios, on Wednesday 21 June 2023.

Cabinet Member for Planning and Enforcement

Buckinghamshire Council’s Planning and Environment Team has been voted Local Authority Planning Team of the Year at the national Planning Awards. The awards recognised excellence and best practice in all aspects of planning and environment, including being a high performing authority for planning enforcement. One of the many reasons for the win was how Buckinghamshire had reshaped the service from the previous separate legacy councils planning functions to deliver a fully integrated and customer-focussed planning service. They were currently working on a new single local plan and were at the forefront of digital innovation in planning, also taking part in a national pilot for the local nature recovery strategy. Cabinet Members passed on their personal congratulations.

Cabinet Member for Communities

On Monday 12 June, Buckinghamshire Council’s Armed Forces Conference was held between 2pm and 6pm. There were a number of stalls and the event was also attended by businesses some of whom had signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant.

Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure

The Cabinet Member announced that the installation of a new play area in Higginson Park, Marlow, had been built in early June. The new play area would feature:

·    a large multi-play ship unit with gliding track ride

·    wheelchair accessible roundabout

·    jumper trampoline

·    ‘Cocowave’ giant rope swing

·    swings including a ‘you and me’ seat and an inclusive ‘Swingseat Mirage’

The new play area equipment included several items crafted from recycled materials.