Decisions

Recommendations:

That the Leader notes the comment which has been received as a result of the statutory consultation in relation to the advertising of the 30 mph speed limit on Cheddington Road, Pitstone;

The Leader approves the making and implementation of the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) as advertised, in light of the comments received.

Recommendations:

For the Leader to

(a)   agree the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment for Buckinghamshire 2023/2024 and

(b)   note the contents of the report and identified priorities prior to publication on the Buckinghamshire Council website.

Recommendations:

That the Leader notes the outcome of the objections which have been received as a result of the Statutory Public Consultation for the proposed Traffic Regulation Order on A40 High Street, West Wycombe;

That the Leader determines to approve the making and implementation of the Traffic Regulation Order as advertised following public feedback and in light of the objections.

Recommendations:

To not proceed with the proposal as advertised.

To improve the signs for the existing 7.5t weight limit in Roughwood Lane

Approval of the making and implementation of a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for a prohibition to motorised traffic in Roughwood Lane except for permit holders and access to off street premises.

That permit eligibility should extend to all residents and businesses located in civil parish council areas within one mile by road of Roughwood Lane¹

That all feedback to the statutory consultation is noted, and respondents are notified of the decision.

¹ Under current civil parish boundaries, all residents and businesses be entitled to a permit within parish administrative areas of Chenies, Chalfont St Giles, Chalfont St Peter, Chorleywood (Herts) and Little Chalfont.

Recommendation:

i)                    To enter into a £221,242 grant agreement with Thrive Homes for funds to be released upon implementation of a planning permission for the provision of 26 affordable homes on the site known as the Former Meadowcroft Surgery, Jackson Road, Aylesbury.

ii)                  To release this funding from the ringfenced s.106 in the published Capital Programme budget of £1,407,409.

The Council entered into a lease agreement with Wycombe Film Studio on 14th April 2022, which would provide revenue income for 5 years. During this lease, Wycombe Film Studio were obliged (under an agreement for lease) to pursue a planning application for a film studio development. The current tenant Wycombe Park Ltd (name changed on 21st November 2024 from Wycombe Film Studio) had been taken over by the main funder and the management of the company was being undertaken by new Directors who were also Directors of the funder. Details of the lease arrangement were within Confidential Appendix 5 of the report.

The current tenant, Wycombe Park Ltd, was unlikely to progress a film studio development, because the landscape had changed commercially and from a funding perspective. The tenant was looking into ways to extract value from the site and had taken advice from their own agents and determined that their best exit strategy was to abandon the film studio project and to enter into an agreement with the Council to sell the site for use as a Data Centre.

RESOLVED

1 That the Service Director for Commercial Property and Regeneration in consultation with Cabinet Member for Accessible Housing and Resources be authorised to:

a.  negotiate with the tenant to agree heads of terms and subsequently agree a contract, exchange and complete with the tenant for the marketing and disposal of the site jointly in accordance with the contents of this report for a Data Centre usage (Option 2 in the confidential annex to this report).

b. In parallel with recommendation a, investigations into power availability will be progressed.

c.  if required terminate the Lease agreement by serving a valid notice on the tenant, on the earliest date after the Cabinet approval, that corresponds to the Long- Stop date in the tenancy (earliest termination is 27^th December 2024).

d. negotiate with the long leaseholder of the aerodrome, to include a further 6 acres in the disposal (Site C), subject to those terms coming back to Cabinet for authority to proceed to market.

e. if negotiations with the tenant are successful, to:

i. submit a planning application to change the use of Site A (funded by the tenant) and part of the area around Site A to accommodate a Data Centre (DC) development.

ii. market the site as a Data centre development site as set out in this paper, agree heads of terms with a potential purchaser, and bring back a paper to Cabinet for authority to subsequently dispose of the site.

f.  If negotiations with the tenant are unsuccessful, Service Director for Commercial Property and Regeneration is further authorised in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Accessible Housing and Resources to explore other options to obtain power, such as appropriation of the site under section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972, and consider other options for the site disposal for employment uses.

The Climate Change & Air Quality Strategy 2023-2024 Progress Report provided an update on the significant progress made against the aims, objectives, and actions set out in the Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy during the third year since its adoption on 19th October 2021.

Details of a wide range of activities were provided, all of which delivered against one or more of the actions in the strategy. Following the procurement of renewable electricity in 2022 there had been a reduction in net emissions to 4,476 tCO2e, representing a decrease of 78.2% against the 1990 baseline. The Council remained comfortably within the first carbon budget, having used 47.1% over the first four years of the seven-year budget. This meant the Council was on track to meet the first carbon budget.

Air quality had seen consistent improvement since the adoption of the strategy in 2021. Following good progress, the council had now begun the formal process of revoking four Air Quality Management Areas (AQMA).

RESOLVED

1.               That the progress made in 2023-2024 against the aims, objectives and actions in the Climate Change and Air Quality Strategy be NOTED.

2.               That the Council is on track to meet its first carbon budget be NOTED. 

The Wycombe District Local Plan (WDLP) allocated two sites for residential development, policy BE1 – Slate Meadow and policy BE2 – Hollands Farm within the Zone of Influence of the Burnham Beeches Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Due to existing recreation pressures at Burnham Beeches SAC, the development at Hollands Farm was required to provide mitigation through the provision of a Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG). Policy RUR4 of the WDLP allocated the Little Marlow Lakes Country Park (LMLCP) for outdoor recreation to provide this mitigation.

In October 2022 a Cabinet meeting granted officers delegated authority to agree a suitable cost-neutral business plan for the area of land owned by the Council at Spade Oak within the LMLCP, and for this to be brought back to Cabinet for approval.

It was agreed not to pursue formal designation to regularise the status of the whole area allocated in policy RUR4 as a Country Park as part of the initial phase of delivery, but instead to retain a commitment to the wider Country Park as and when circumstances and resources permitted.

This report set out the business plan for the Country Park by delivering the Spade Oak SANG Option 1. The cost of delivering the SANG and 80 years’ maintenance was to be met by the developer, with the exception that the former gravel yard area within the proposed SANG was subject to restoration and these costs were to be met by the Council.

Representations were considered and discussed by Cabinet Members, from two Councillors and community groups.

RESOLVED

1.      That in principle the Spade Oak Management Plan Option 1 be APPROVED as the preferred option to create a SANG at Spade Oak and maintain the SANG in perpetuity (at least 80 years), funded by the Hollands Farm developers to mitigate visitor pressure at Burnham Beeches, and support the housing allocation at Hollands Farm.

2.      That the formal designation of a Country Park on Council owned land at Spade Oak Lake proceed;

3.      That the submission of the revised proposals to restore the Gravel Yard, which is funded from an existing, released budget in the Capital Programme, be DELEGATED to the Service Director Property and Regeneration.

4.      That the Heads of Terms be agreed with the Hollands Farm developers on Gateway costs and be DELEGATED to the Service Directors Property and Regeneration and Planning and Environment, including implementation and delivery costs; and that a further paper will be brought to Cabinet to present this.

The Draft Revenue Budget proposed was for the financial years 2025/26 – 2027/28. The financial position for the Council was extremely challenging with significant pressures, in line with those being experienced nationally. The Council discharged more than 1,300 statutory duties and was facing increasing demand pressures in key services such as Adult Social Care, Children’s Services, Home to School Transport and Temporary Accommodation. Responding to these pressures whilst delivering a balanced budget remained challenging and once again this had only been achieved through a significant programme of additional savings and income.

The Council had a strong track record of delivering savings with £116.8m of income and savings currently delivered since 2020-21. Further savings and additional income of £115.6m have been required as part of the 2025-26 Draft Budget. This took the total value of savings required by 2027/28 to £232.4m, or 52.8% of the Council’s first budget in 2020/21.

The draft budget proposed was built on the proposed Council Tax base and assumed a 2.99% increase in basic Council Tax and a 2% increase for the Adult Social Care Precept, giving a total increase of 4.99%. This was the maximum allowable without triggering a local referendum.

The draft budget was based on estimates consistent with the Autumn Budget and Local Government Funding Policy Statement. This set out a new deprivation-based approach to the allocation of additional funding in 2025/26 which the draft budget reflected. The government had also reconfirmed their intention to implement a full reform of local government funding from 2026/27 though multi-year settlements.

The Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement was published on 18 December 2024 and provided details of provisional central government funding allocations for 2025/26. Given the timing of this announcement it had not been possible to fully consider the implications of these figures for the draft budget, however they would be fully reflected in the Final Budget.

Whilst this budget provided the best available estimates for the 2025/26 - 2027/28 financial years, there was significant risk around future income, cost and especially future Local Government funding projections. The external environment was continuously monitored, and significant and material changes would be reported and included within the final budget presented to full Council on 26th February.

The Capital Programme was presented for 4 years as many schemes span multiple financial years. In total the programme includes £612.5m of projects. As with previous years it was proposed that a recommendation was made to Council in February for delegation to be given to Cabinet to add up to £100m worth of schemes to the capital programme, to be funded through prudential borrowing, subject to a robust business case being approved. This would enable additional priorities, such as regeneration and housing projects, to come forward and be added to the capital programme once positive business cases were fully developed.

The Council Tax Resolution report would be presented as a separate report as part of the final budget in February and would contain the final information from the other precepting authorities leading to the total Council Tax for the area, which full council was required to approve.

This report did not include special expenses budgets. Discussions were ongoing with the relevant committees to agree special expenses budgets for 2025/26, and these would also be presented alongside the final budget. The level of precept charged in Special Expenses areas formed part of the Council tax referendum threshold calculation, so final Council Tax levels could be finalised until this matter was agreed.

A review of Fees & Charges had been undertaken as part of the development of the budget proposals included in the report. The starting assumption was that Fees & Charges should be uplifted by 5%. Portfolios had reviewed the options to achieve a balance to increases in fees & charges, and the results were reflected in the Revenue budget proposals presented.

Charges for Traded Services to other organisations (including Schools) were not included in this schedule, however it was proposed these should also be increased by 5%.

Whilst every effort was made to ensure the budget proposals were robust, deliverable and support financial sustainability there were significant risks identified in the proposed draft budget, both in terms of delivery of proposed savings and also in managing future demand pressures.

The Council had changed its approach to managing risk and no longer held budget risk contingencies. The revised financial risk management approach focused on ensuring budget estimates were robust, enhancing the Council’s approach to in-year action plans and ensuring that immediate risks could be covered by risk reserves and provisions.

Balanced against risks were the level of reserves including the General Fund (non-allocated) balances which was held at a level of approximately 10% of Net Operating budget. These balances were held against the risk of unforeseen events and provided a strong buffer against unexpected events. Close management of these risks was required to ensure the sustainability of the Council.

RESOLVED

1.               That the draft revenue budget and capital programme for 2025/26 be APPROVED. 

2.               That the outcome of the budget consultation (Appendix 1) be NOTED. 

3.               That the Schedule of Fees and Charges for 2025/26 (Appendix 2) be AGREED. 

4.               That the current risks associated with the draft budget proposals be NOTED. 

5.               That the proposal to seek delegation from Council to Cabinet for up to £100m of new capital schemes to be added to the capital programme, through Prudential Borrowing, and where robust financial business cases have been made, be supported. 

6.                That it be noted that a supplementary report, the formal Council Tax Resolution, would accompany the final budget submitted to Full Council. 

The Local Authorities Calculation of Council Tax Base (England) Regulations 2012

prescribe rules for the calculation of the Council Tax base.

On an annual basis, all local authorities are required to calculate a Council Tax Base which is used to set the level of Council Tax. The process is governed by the Local Authorities’ (Calculation of Tax Base) Regulations 1992.

In 2025/26, the tax base for the year was proposed at 233,267.79 which was 0.91% higher than 2024/25. The Collection Rate remained unchanged at 98.4%. The estimated Council Tax surplus was £8,266,617 as detailed in section 4 of the report.

RESOLVED

1.                That the Buckinghamshire Council Tax Base of 233,267.79 for the year 2025/26 be APPROVED. 

2.                That the Buckinghamshire Council estimated collection rate for the year 2025/26 of 98.4% be APPROVED. 

3.                That the estimated surplus as at 31 March 2025 in relation to Council Tax of £8.3m and shared between the Council, Thames Valley Police and Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service as detailed in section 4 of the report be APPROVED.

As part of the Council’s agreed budget, the library service had a Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) savings requirement of £555,000 to deliver by Financial Year (FY) 2026/27. Work had taken place to consider options and identify an innovative model that would increase opening hours, maintain the library service offer and ensure a sustainable and resilient service that would deliver the required savings.

On 18 June 2024, Cabinet considered a report setting out the options, including proposals for a new model called ‘Library Flex’, and agreed that a consultation exercise be undertaken to seek feedback on these proposals before a final decision was made on how to deliver library services in future.

This report provided detail of the consultation findings and how the insight had informed the changes that were now being recommended to Cabinet for implementation which were as follows:-

·         To implement the ‘Library Flex’ model and an increase in opening hours across eight county libraries (Amersham, Aylesbury, Beaconsfield, Buckingham, Chesham, Hazlemere, Marlow and Princes Risborough), including piloting significantly extended opening hours at Amersham Library: specifically, to increase opening hours and access to these sites through self-service technology, and to focus staffed hours to the times of greatest customer need. Across these libraries, there would be an average 26% reduction in staffed hours, but an overall increase of 23% on the current opening hours, with potential to significantly increase unstaffed opening hours in future in line with customer demand. For the new Amersham Library in the Chilterns Lifestyle Centre (CLC) there will be an enhanced opening hours pilot, with early opening and late closing seven days a week, representing a 129% increase in opening hours.

·         To modify the layout of High Wycombe Library and to open on a Monday instead of a Sunday, to better meet customer needs (there would be no overall change in the number of opening hours and no reduction in the range of services available).

·         To reduce the opening hours for Burnham Library from 38 to 27 per week, to ensure delivery of a sustainable service, since there is insufficient volunteer capacity to maintain the current hours.

Cabinet was also asked to agree the release of the required capital investment of £500,000 to implement the above recommendations, in order to secure the £555,000 MTFP savings requirement. If agreed, then procurement would take place for the works to alter buildings and install the self-operated technology, and a formal staff consultation on restructuring would commence during January 2025, with the new model anticipated to launch in June 2025.

Cabinet Members agreed that they should receive a report on progress six months after the implementation of library flex.

RESOLVED

1.               That the findings from the recent consultation exercise to inform the future service design for the Council’s libraries service be noted.

2.               That the implementation of Library Flex and an increase in opening hours across eight county libraries, including piloting significantly extended opening hours at Amersham Library: plus, changes to High Wycombe Library opening times and a reduction in opening hours at Burnham Library, to deliver the budgeted MTFP savings and associated benefits as detailed in this report be AGREED.  

3.                That the release of the existing associated capital budget of £500,000 from the Council’s agreed Capital Programme be APPROVED.

Recommendations:                               

To agree the change request to release capital budget of £895k for the accelerated delivery of the new permanent walkway and temporary car parking, into phase 1 of the Pavilion Quarter Project in Aylesbury (former Gala Bingo Hall).

To provide delegated authority to the Service Director for Commercial Property & Regeneration in consultation with the Deputy Cabinet Member for Town Centre Regeneration for the following:

To undertake a procurement exercise for a contractor and to subsequently enter a construction contract to advance the installation of the new permanent walkway and temporary car park works with the preferred contractor and to enter into any necessary agreements with adjoining landowners to facilitate the delivery of these works.