Agenda item

(a)         Leader Councillor Tett

The meeting was informed that if residents wished to receive updated information on council matters they should sign up to the newsletter on the council webpage.

Members were also updated on the situation with regards to the Covid position in Buckinghamshire. The infection rate had risen to 315.3 per 100,000 residents which was significantly higher than the previous month. The highest rates were amongst the under 30s age group and there were under 10 people currently that had been hospitalised in Buckinghamshire Hospital Trust hospitals due to Covid.  Additionally, it was reported Bucks had performed highly in terms of vaccination rates with over 90% in the over 40 age range having received their first dose and 83% having received the second dose.  The Leader further encouraged young people not yet vaccinated to do so.

The Leader wished to extend his thanks to all that had made the vaccination programme such a success.

A member requested that the membership of the Little Marlow Sewage group be reviewed due to some issues of concern amongst the residents. This was referred to Councillor Watson the current sole representative who could potentially look to expanding membership on the group.

Another question was asked in relation to the support that had been provided to businesses to help recovery and building of the economy due to the pandemic. It was confirmed that over £166m of grant money had been allocated to businesses with the additional restrictions grant which was applicable to medium and micro business in the county. The council was working in collaboration with Bucks Business First, to help advise businesses restarting during the recovery stage when cash flow was depleted. The Leader also stated that the overall recovery and growth proposition which had been put to the Government to raise the profile of the County and attract additional investment.

(b)         Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Health & Wellbeing (Councillor A Macpherson)

Members were urged to direct their residents to the Government guidance on how to take care during the heatwave.  This link would be circulated to all Members in due course.

A question was asked regarding the funding for Adult Social Care from the autumn. It was confirmed that this would be forthcoming, and that the council had every intention of fulfilling the statutory objectives of the Care Act 2014. It was also highlighted that the ongoing sustainability of the care market was still of great concern and that officers were monitoring the care sector very carefully. Over £9m of grants to support providers had been allocated to date. It was emphasised that the council continued to lobby Government for a swift resolution to the funding issues in this regard.

(c)          Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Planning & Regeneration (Councillor Williams)

Some staffing issues were reported within the enforcement team and reference was made to a press release which was issued regarding the £59k in costs that had been reclaimed following the demolition of a house, the land of which was in used for fly tipping. 

Councillor Lambert rose to congratulate Councillor R Khan on recently being awarded the British Empire Medal. The Cabinet Member was also asked whether there were any intentions to put into place a Local Plan for the Chiltern & South Bucks area to protect communities and the green belt from speculative development.  In addition, he was asked to write to the Secretary of State regarding the dismantling of planning policy.

He was advised that there was a desire to keep planning as local as possible and that he was working with central Government to articulate that wish. The final question related to holding developers to account. Members were informed that developers should honour their commitments and he was more than happy to meet with the Member to discuss particular developments of concern.

(d)         Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Regulatory Services (Councillor Naylor)

The Cabinet Member confirmed that the Council was continuing the work that had been undertaken during the pandemic to support rough sleepers.  Councillor Stuchbury had recently written to the Cabinet Member asking what action had been taken in regards to the Notice of Motion on ‘Buckinghamshire Council becoming a Social Housing Provider’ that had been agreed by Council on 9 December 2020.  Councillor Naylor stated that he had responded to Councillor Stuchbury and provided Members with an update on the work that was being done within the Housing and Homelessness Area to develop an overarching Housing and Homelessness Strategy for the Council.  Wider consultation, including with Members and Community Boards, would take place as the Strategy was developed.

(e)         Education & Children`s Services (Councillor Ward, Deputy Cabinet Member for Education and Skills responded, on behalf of Councillor Cranmer)

A Member raised a question regarding issues with the 11 plus examinations process and sought assurances that checks over the competence of the provider had been received.  The Member was informed that the Service Director would provide him with a full response.

Another question was posed in relation to the retention of boarding at Alfreston School for girls with special educational needs. It was emphasised that a decision on this had not yet been reached and that any changes to boarding provision within the school would be led by a feasibility study and would be in consultation and partnership with the families concerned. The Cabinet Member thanked all those who were involved with the provision of special educational needs for the children within the county. The final question related to the layout of the reports regarding narrowing the gaps in achievement levels of disadvantaged children within the education system. The Cabinet Member gave mention to a meeting she had attended with the service director which provided an in depth breakdown of information regards this and would ensure the Member was provided with a copy.

(f)           Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment (Councillor Strachan)

A member asked if the recent flooding and loss of life meant that there was currently a climate emergency and the Council’s Climate Change policy should be reviewed.  The Cabinet Member referred the Member to the Council’s current policy, and stated that it went further than that reflected in Government Policy. Members were also informed that the Council took this matter extremely seriously.

Another issue was raised regarding bin collection problems, which the Cabinet Member recognised was of great importance to the residents. Members were informed of the arrangements that were in place across the county for bin collections.

Other questions included the size of bins in Higginson Park in Marlow. In wishing to retain its green flag status the member wished to enquire whether double sized bins could be installed. It was agreed that the matter would be discussed further offline.

The Cabinet Member was requested to look at improving reporting of delays to residents when household refuse collections needed to be rescheduled, as collections within High Wycombe had been somewhat chaotic in recent months and details on the website had often been inaccurate. The Cabinet Member confirmed that the Service was working hard to ensure that the system was constantly refined.

A question was asked regarding the lack of benchmarks, milestones and financial analysis within the Council’s Climate Change Strategy. The member also highlighted the Cabinet Member’s previous comment that he had no desire to cost out reaching net zero by 2030.  The Cabinet Member informed Members that all information was contained and laid out within the Council’s Strategy.

(g)         Cabinet Member for Culture & Leisure (Councillor Harriss)

The Cabinet Member was requested to invite a range of people from the community to the opening of the new skatepark in Buckingham. It was confirmed that anyone who had been involved in the provision of the facility would be extended an invitation. It was anticipated however that there would be a delay in its opening as further safety checks were necessary. In the interim the existing skatepark would remain open for use.

(h)         Cabinet Member for Communities (Councillor Bowles)

The Member provided an update regarding the Council Charter for Town and Parish Councils.  The draft had been published last week and a launch event would be held at the end of August/early September.  The Cabinet Member emphasised the importance of the localism agenda and that the charter was an important facet of the council`s commitment and intent to work across all forms of government to deliver for its residents.

A question was asked about the arrangements in place regarding devolution of assets and services to parish councils. It was agreed that this would be answered more fully in writing over the coming days. 

(i)           Cabinet Member for Transport (Councillor Broadbent)

Members were informed that 10,500 tons of salt had now been stored in winter barns in preparation for road gritting for the forthcoming winter. Furthermore, the Council had maximised funding opportunities to install and deliver vehicle electric charging points, with 8 new bays recently installed. It was anticipated that the current number would be doubled. It was also intended that the maintenance response times would be as short as possible and that the work remained a key delivery priority for the Council.

There were a number of further questions including one which related to the implementation of ANPR to protect Marlow Bridge. It was confirmed that whilst it would take some time to procure cameras to enable the council to detect moving traffic offences Marlow bridge was already currently being tracked.

(i)           Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources, Property and Assets (Councillor Chilver)

There were no updates other than a correction to the date of the report which should have read 2020/21.

The Cabinet Member stated that information on the number of Public Works Loans Boards loans, the cash value to the public purse could be provided to the Member. It was confirmed that interest rates had been lowered thus reducing the impact on the revenue position. Members were also informed that an important consideration was the purpose of borrowing and the rate of return.

A further question related to a family run business in Aylesbury Retail Park and what the Cabinet Member was doing to assist them. Members were informed that the Council was keen to support small local businesses and traders and had agreed that a maximum of a further 1 year`s occupancy be allowed in a vacant unit at the same location. However, assistance would be provided following this period to find an alternative suitable location within the town.