Decisions

Use the search options below to find information regarding recent decisions that have been taken by the Council's decision making bodies.

Delegated decisions from legacy councils are available from the following links - BCC Cabinet Member decisions, BCC officer decisions, AVDC decisions, CDC decisions, SBDC decisions and WDC decisions.

Earlier - Later

Decisions published

20/10/2021 - Upgrades to Aylesbury Electricity Supply - Housing Infrastructure Fund ref: 627    Recommendations Approved

Decision upon progressing the Aylesbury Grid Reinforcement Project to bring forward additional electricity supply to the south west of Aylesbury Garden Town. The project uses grant funding from the (Homes England) Housing Infrastructure Fund.

Decision Maker: Leader

Decision published: 20/10/2021

Effective from: 20/10/2021

Decision:

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration, on behalf of the Leader:

 

AGREED to accept “Option A” from connection offer 8600022871 for 31MVA provided by UK Power Networks (UKPN). 

 

 

This decision is being taken under the ‘special urgency’ provisions of the constitution due to the deadline of the connection offer from UK Power Networks which does not allow time for the usual decision-making timescales

Wards affected: Aylesbury South East; Bernwood; Ridgeway East; Stone & Waddesdon; The Risboroughs; Wendover, Halton & Stoke Mandeville;

Lead officer: David Johnson


28/10/2021 - East West Rail Work In Kind (WiK) Prioritisation and Winslow Station Car Park Delivery (Decision to be taken) ref: 629    Recommendations Approved

To agree the proposed WiK Prioritisation schedule, which sets out future priorities for the council for utilising its WiK contribution in relation to EWR and the delivery option for the Winslow Station Car Park.

Decision Maker: Leader

Decision published: 20/10/2021

Effective from: 28/10/2021

Decision:

Recommendations:

1.              EWR Work in Kind (WiK) Future Prioritisation:  Approves the proposed WiK schedule, which sets out future priorities for the Council for utilising its WiK contribution in relation to EWR.

2.              Winslow Station Car Park Delivery: Delegates Authority to the Director of Property and Assets in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member and S151 Officer

(i)           to negotiate and complete the emerging Implementation Agreement with Network Rail and

(ii)          authorise the execution and financing of the Implementation Agreement to enable the delivery of the Car Park to meet the agreed delivery programme as well as the Councils previously agreed commitments based on the costed budget of £7.65m. 

 

3.              Winslow Station Land Transfer: Delegates Authority to the Director of Property and Assets in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member and S151 Officer to finalise, agree and implement the emerging land transfer agreement with Network Rail related to the future Winslow East West Rail Station site,

(i)           to facilitate the construction and operation of the new railway station;

(ii)          to identify and retain any land required to enable the Council to operate the proposed car park; and

(iii)         to assess and agree any transferred land values with those values being considered to be part of the local contribution via WiK in relation to the values being considered EWR Scheme.

 

Wards affected: Winslow;

Lead officer: Joan Hancox, John Reed


28/10/2021 - Provider Sustainability (Decision to be taken) ref: 628    Recommendations Approved

The purpose of this report is to consider the Council’s response to market changes.

Decision Maker: Leader

Decision published: 20/10/2021

Effective from: 28/10/2021

Decision:

Recommendations:

 

To make a variation to the existing contract to support provider sustainability in line with the details in the confidential appendix.

Lead officer: Tracey Ironmonger


19/10/2021 - Bus Service Improvement Plan ref: 620    Recommendations Approved

The Strategy to improve Bus Services in Buckinghamshire

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Made at meeting: 19/10/2021 - Cabinet

Decision published: 19/10/2021

Effective from: 27/10/2021

Decision:

Cabinet had received and agreed a report on 29 June, 2021, on the ‘Bus Back Better’ National Bus Strategy that required Local Authorities to enter into Enhanced Partnerships with bus operators.  Actions included agreeing a Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) by 31 October 2021 to secure long term funding for vital bus services.  An Enhanced Partnership with bus operators would have to be entered into by no later than 31 March 2022.

 

RESOLVED –

 

(1)               That the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) be approved, as set out in Appendix 1, to support long term funding for bus services.

(2)               That the submission of the BSIP to the Department of Transport by the 31 October 2021 deadline, as well as publishing it on the Council’s website, be agreed.

(3)               That authority be delegated to the Director for Transport Services, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport, to make minor amendments to the plan if required for accuracy or updating.

(4)               That the Council’s agreed commitment to entering an Enhanced Partnership with bus operators by no later than 31 March 2022 be noted, as the mechanism for prioritising and delivering measures in the BSIP.

Lead officer: Joan Hancox, Sara Turnbull


19/10/2021 - Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy ref: 618    Recommendations Approved

This report will propose the adoption of the Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Made at meeting: 19/10/2021 - Cabinet

Decision published: 19/10/2021

Effective from: 27/10/2021

Decision:

The Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy had been developed following the motion at Council on 15 July 2020 regarding climate change and subsequently approved at Cabinet in February 2021 for further engagement.

 

The Strategy set out the approach to addressing climate change and air quality across Buckinghamshire, including targets for emissions reduction from the Council’s direct operations.  Further engagement activity had been undertaken since Cabinet last considered this Strategy, the feedback from which had been supportive.

 

Members were informed that one amendment needed to be made to paragraph 3.11 of the Officers’ report to reflect the current position and for the Strategy moving forward.  As such, paragraph 3.11 should be replaced with the following text:

 

We have already made some progress on EV charging but there is more to do.  The Government are also seeking views on accelerating the provision of EV infrastructure as part of their Future of Transport consultation.  To allow us to match this ambition our strategy will look for opportunities to accelerate our own provision based on focused engagement with key stakeholders and partners.  This will ensure we increase provision of EV charging points across Buckinghamshire in a speedy manner.”

 

RESOLVED –

 

(1)               That the outcomes of the recent engagement activity be noted.

(2)               That the ongoing work being done to address climate change and reduce carbon emissions in 2020/21 be noted.

(3)               That the Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy be agreed and adopted, subject to the updated information provided on paragraph 3.11 of the Officers’ report.

(4)               That the MTFP be amended to reflect the revenue and capital budgets for the Strategy.

(5)               That Cabinet be provided with an annual update on the implementation of the Strategy.

Lead officer: Edward Barlow


19/10/2021 - Youth Justice Strategic Plan ref: 619    Recommendations Approved

Annual report

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Made at meeting: 19/10/2021 - Cabinet

Decision published: 19/10/2021

Effective from: 27/10/2021

Decision:

The Buckinghamshire Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2021-2022 provides details of progress made against agreed outcomes for Children and Young People. It outlines priorities, alongside potential future challenges for the partnership over the coming year.  It also highlights the partnership arrangements and budget position for the Youth Offending Service Partnership.

 

RESOLVED –

 

That the Buckinghamshire Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2021-22 be endorsed and Council recommended to adopt it.

Lead officer: Richard Nash


19/10/2021 - Support to the Provider Market as a result of COVID-19 ref: 621    Recommendations Approved

COVID-19 has created a number of challenges in the care market, including rising costs around staffing and PPE; a changing profile of clients for bed-based care, with clients presenting with more complexity; and disruption to the self-funder market. A specific request has been received to provide financial support during the COVID-19 crisis.
This paper requests Cabinet review and consider the recommendations as outlined in the confidential report.

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Made at meeting: 19/10/2021 - Cabinet

Decision published: 19/10/2021

Effective from: 27/10/2021

Decision:

In March 2021 a report relating to support to the provider market was presented and approved by Cabinet, which resulted in a package of financial support and a commitment to return to Cabinet with the viable options for the commissioning of services making note of the key commercial considerations.

 

The confidential report provided an update on the current position and outlined the options for next steps.  The approaches proposed aim was to provide the best foundation for managing the current care market whilst preparing for the future delivery of care and support for older people.  Core to the proposals were ensuring the delivery of good quality care, value for money and ensuring market stability in line with our obligations under the Care Act 2014.

 

RESOLVED –

 

(1)               That the update on the provider market be noted, as detailed in the confidential report.

(2)               That the Corporate Director for Adults and Health be authorised to continue to negotiate with a provider on appropriate contract variations.

(3)               That the funding request for 2021/22, as detailed in the confidential report and appendix, be approved for immediate project resource, to be met from the General Contingency budget – Economic Uncertainty.

(4)               To note that a request for additional Adults and Social Care contingency, as detailed in the confidential report and appendix, will be considered as part of the overall MTFP process, to mitigate the potential wider financial impacts in 2022/23 to 2025/26.

Lead officer: Tracey Ironmonger


15/10/2021 - Devolution Pilot (Green Street Community Centre) (Decision to be taken) ref: 615    Recommendations Approved

To agree devolution pilot schemes

Decision Maker: Leader

Decision published: 07/10/2021

Effective from: 15/10/2021

Decision:

Recommendations:

 

·       To agree in principle to transfer the management of the Green Street site to the Karima Foundation on a long-term lease of 25 years

 

·       To delegate to the Service Director for Localities and Strategic Partnerships in discussion with the Cabinet Member for Communities, the Service Director for Property and Assets and S151 Officer to finalise the lease arrangements.

Decision Maker: Leader

Decision published: 15/10/2021

Effective from: 15/10/2021

Decision:

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, on behalf of the Leader:

 

·       AGREED in principle to transfer the management of the Green Street site to the Karima Foundation on a long-term lease of 25 years

 

·       AGREED to delegate to the Service Director for Localities and Strategic Partnerships in discussion with the Cabinet Member for Communities, the Service Director for Property and Assets and S151 Officer to finalise the lease arrangements.

Wards affected: Booker, Cressex & Castlefield;

Lead officer: Claire Hawkes


15/09/2021 - Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan (VALP) ref: 590    Recommendations Approved

This report will propose to Council the adoption of the Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan.

Decision Maker: Council

Made at meeting: 15/09/2021 - Council

Decision published: 13/10/2021

Effective from: 15/09/2021

Decision:

Councillor Williams, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration introduced a report on the Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan (VALP).  A supplementary report had also been issued to amend a minor error regarding a site area, and to ask for authority to be delegated to the Cabinet Member, in consultation with the Service Director for Planning and Environment, to make further minor amendments that would not alter the implementation of the plan.

 

Following its submission in 2018, the appointed Inspector had completed his Examination of the plan and prepared his binding report setting out how the VALP should be modified in order to be sound.  To fully enact the plan, as modified to accord with the Inspector’s report, it had to be adopted by the Council.  If the plan was not adopted, it would need to be withdrawn leaving the North and Central areas of the council without an up to date Development Plan.

 

The Cabinet Member stressed that it was important for the Aylesbury Vale area of the Buckinghamshire Council to have an adopted Local Plan as it would support the delivery of 30,134 homes, including 16,000 in and around Aylesbury. Of these numbers, approximately 8,000 homes would be built to take the unmet housing needs from the southern part of the Council’s area.  An adopted local plan would allow local people and the Council to determine and decide where development took place rather than be subject to unwanted opportunistic and speculative applications from developers. Lastly, the VALP would also provide an incremental increase in the amount of green belt space in the Vale, which was highly unusual for a Local Plan to achieve.

 

The Cabinet Member responded to questions on the VALP as follows:

·                     That while 76% of the allocations in the VALP had already been completed or committed, not adopting the VALP would be unlikely to stop the planned growth at areas such as Hampden Fields or Woodlands.

·                     That as the information in the VALP regarding the expressway was out-of-date and not linked to a policy, the Cabinet Member would be looking to treat this as a factual correction, should Council give him delegated authority to make further minor amendments that would not alter the implementation of the plan.

·                     On some of the initiatives and tools in the VALP to protect biodiversity and the environment, which included adding 98.6 hectares of green belt to Buckinghamshire.

·                     On the methodology that had been used to calculate social and affordable housing numbers.

·                     That, as stated at the Cabinet meeting earlier in the week, the Council would engage with the Whaddon Parish Council at the earliest opportunity with regards to a SPD on the Shenley Park development.

·                     that the Council would continue to support Town and Parish Councils with the formation of their Neighbourhood Plans.

·                     It was confirmed that the Council would be looking to develop a new transport plan for Buckingham.  In addition, Officers had been asked to undertake a study on the A421 corridor.

·                     That some wind generation already existed at Berryfields, near Aylesbury.

 

RESOLVED –

 

(1)               That the Planning Inspector’s report, Appendix 2 to the agenda, be accepted.

 

(2)               That the Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan, as modified in accordance with the Inspector’s report (Appendix 1), and updated to amend a minor error regarding a site area referred to in paragraph 2.1 of the supplementary agenda report, be adopted.

 

(3)               That the final Sustainability Assessment report, detailed with the supplementary agenda, be noted.

 

(4)               That authority be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration, in consultation with the Service Director for Planning and Environment, to make further minor amendments that would not alter the implementation of the plan.

Wards affected: Aston Clinton & Bierton; Aylesbury East; Aylesbury North; Aylesbury North West; Aylesbury South East; Aylesbury South West; Aylesbury West; Bernwood; Buckingham East; Buckingham West; Great Brickhill; Grendon Underwood; Ivinghoe; Stone & Waddesdon; Wendover, Halton & Stoke Mandeville; Wing; Winslow;