ePetition details

We the undersigned petition the council to speed up the redesign and renewal of the Buckingham skate park for young people. There is dedicated money available (from housing developers / s106) and it is NOW time this money* was spent!

The children and young people of Buckingham and beyond greatly value this facility but are keen to see it being updated and made even better than it already is. Every month and year that has gone by has deprived young people of the pleasure and exercise that a renewed skate park would bring. The time is NOW to get on with the job!

We implore the Buckinghamshire Council to work with the young people, their parents and carers, youth services, the Town Council and others to shape what happens next. And for this to be done over the remaining part of 2020 such that a renewed park can be installed by the Spring of next year (2021).

*The money has been agreed YEARS ago!

s106 agreement
HAMILTON PRECISION, TINGEWICK ROAD
16/02641 AVDC
£135,590
31/01/2029 (use by date)
SPORTS AND LEISURE CONTRIBUTION

This ePetition ran from 11/09/2020 to 09/10/2020 and has now finished.

225 people signed this ePetition.

Council response

The Cabinet Member for Sports & Leisure has responded as follows:

Thank you for submitting this petition which has highlighted the importance and popularity of Buckingham’s skate park to the local community as well as their commitment to see a new improved facility provided at the earliest opportunity.

We are aware of the variety of benefits that skateparks provide, including physical and mental health plus social interaction between young people and the wider community and agree it is time for a new improved facility.

Section 106 (S106) developer contributions towards the new skatepark were received in February 2019 and Buckingham S106 projects (which included the skate park) were agreed between Buckingham Town Council and the previous Aylesbury Vale District Council in February 2020, after which the initial skatepark project enquiries commenced alongside the delivery of committed projects throughout the new Unitary process and COVID-19 pandemic.

However, in light of your petition we have prioritised this project and I am pleased to inform you that a Request For Quotes (RFQ) to consult on, design and install the new Buckingham skatepark was released via the Buckinghamshire Council procurement portal on Friday 9 October 2020 with quotes due back by 9 November 2020 for evaluation.

Subject to awarding the contract, Environment Agency or Planning approval and any COVID-19 related restrictions, our aim is for the new skate park to commence installation in the spring of 2020.

I hope that this response is satisfactory and the young people and community of Buckingham and the surrounding area can benefit from this resource in the not too distant future but please do contact me if you wish to discuss further.

Yours sincerely,

Cllr. Clive Harriss
Cabinet Member Sports & Leisure