Agenda item

Minutes:

The following hot topics were reported:-

 

Leader

The Leader provided an update on the Covid 19 position in Buckinghamshire as at 22 June 2021. The following statistics were highlighted:-

·             The infection rate across the whole area was 60.8 cases per 100,000 people which was in line with UK figures.

·             This compared to 10.5 in early May and 21 on 27 May.

·             There was very little prevalence in the over 60 age group but higher in younger age groups who were yet to be vaccinated.

·             Hospitalisation and death rates were low which showed that the link between the infection rate and hospitalisation had been broken due to vaccinations.

                                                                                                                             

In terms of economic recovery the Leader informed Members of the Bucks Additional Restrictions Grants which would help local businesses. As of 25 June the Council had already committed £166 million for local jobs and businesses, predominantly funded by the Government and Buckinghamshire Council had acted swiftly in distributing £20million of the grant to support the maximum number of local businesses. They were the second best Council in the Country in terms of distribution.

 

In terms of supporting High Streets the Leader had spoken to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government with regard to concerns around permitted development rights and changing retail units into residential housing. It was important to protect prime space on the high street.

 

Deputy Cabinet Member and Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing

Councillor Macpherson provided an update on new legislation which would be implemented from October pending Parliamentary approval where anyone working in a CQC registered care home in England for residents requiring nursing or personal care must have two doses of Covid-19 vaccine unless they have a medical exemption.

 

Cabinet Member for Transport

Councillor Broadbent reported that road verge cutting was underway but that some verges were being left to encourage wild flowers to increase biodiversity. However, road safety was paramount. In addition drain clearance works and gully emptying was also being carried out (additional £4million had been allocated for this purpose). As of Friday 13,100 gullies had been cleared.

 

Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change

·             Councillor Strachan referred to legacy issues with refuse collection in the South of the County. This was due to contractual performance (staff shortages) including a large increase in gardening waste. The Council were working closely with the contractor to improve performance.

·             A press release had been issued on Bucks Tidy Up which encompassed everything from enhanced delivery of ‘business as usual’ activities e.g. litter picking, sign and bin replacement, gulley cleaning, a range of street cleansing operations, renovating community play areas and skate parks, vegetation clearances, and country park maintenance, to supporting nationwide initiatives – most recently Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean. The Council had injected over £300,000 of extra funding.

·             The Council had set up a Working Group to look at celebrations for HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee 2-5 June 2022.

 

Deputy Cabinet Member for Sport

Councillor Irwin referred to the success of WhizzFizzFest in Aylesbury Town Centre and thanked officers for their hard work in making the event a success and bringing residents into the town centre.

 

Deputy Cabinet Member for Community Safety

Councillor Hussain made reference to the relaunch of the Community Boards who were starting their summer round of meetings. Their two main priorities were economic development; and environment and climate change. They were also working with the community engagement team on the BAME network and public health. Community Boards helped deliver the Council’s priorities locally and £1million had been allocated each for protecting the environment and economic recovery.