News

Visitors to Buckinghamshire’s Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) are being reminded that from Tuesday 1 October, opening hours at all 10 centres across the county will be switching to the winter hours of 9am to 4pm.

The change in opening hours occurs every year, in line with shorter days bringing fewer visitors to the sites after 4pm.

Thomas Broom, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment said: “During the winter months we find far fewer residents visiting our HRCs after 4pm therefore we change the regular opening hours to reflect this.”

Thomas continued: “All other site opening arrangements remain unchanged, so centres are open on the same days, it is just the hours that change between the beginning of October and the end of March.”

To find out which days your local HRC is open and also further details of what can and cannot be taken to a centre, visit: buckinghamshire.gov.uk/waste-and-recycling

If you are worried about the site being busy you can check ahead and view live webcam footage via the council website and plan your trip accordingly.

Thomas added: “Don’t forget, any items such as furniture, garden equipment, bicycles and household equipment in good condition that you are looking to get rid of, can be taken to any HRC where they are collected for reuse.”

Items donated are sold on by South Bucks Hospice which runs the reuse shops in High Wycombe and Aston Clinton HRCs. Items for resale can be taken to any of the 10 sites and will be transported to the reuse shops.

Buckinghamshire Council is pleased to announce this key infrastructure project is progressing well, with a new contractor now appointed to complete the remainder of the biggest section of the scheme.

The South-East Aylesbury Link Road (SEALR) is being built in two sections with work well underway. The two sections will link to form 1.1 miles of new dual carriageway, including three new roundabout junctions and a new bridge across the railway line to London. Both sections are well on track and due to complete within the next two years.

The Lower Road and Wendover Road roundabouts, part of the longer section of new road, are progressing well with constructors Galliford Try now appointed to complete the remaining works for this phase; namely the section between Wendover Road and Lower Road including the bridge over the railway. It’s anticipated that that this link should be open during the latter part of 2026. The section linking HS2’s new Stoke Mandeville Relief Road to Lower Road is expected to be open sooner, during the next 12 months.

Once complete, the South-East Aylesbury Link Road will form a crucial part of a new Orbital Link Road around Aylesbury providing a new route around the town, significantly easing congestion through the town centre and delivering new cycling and walking routes.

Leader of Buckinghamshire Council, Martin Tett said:

“This is an incredibly complex project which has involved bringing many different elements together and overcoming some hurdles along the way. It is brilliant news we now have a contractor in place to complete the rest of the work on the main section of this new road which will go a huge way to easing the traffic problems regularly experienced in Aylesbury. It really is a critical piece of infrastructure that will bring huge benefits to residents and business – reducing congestion, improving the environment and facilitating housing and job growth in and around Aylesbury. We urgently need the right infrastructure in place in Aylesbury and this is a key part of that, being directly delivered by the council.”

For more information on SEALR and to sign up to regular e-bulletins, visit: www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/sealr

Later this month, visitors to Aylesbury and High Wycombe will be able to enjoy new Sunday Markets which are starting up in the town centres.

Buckinghamshire Council has joined forces with specialist market organisers, Saunders Markets, to set up the new events which will be starting with ‘soft launches’ in High Wycombe on 22 September and Aylesbury on 29 September.

Buckinghamshire Council has been looking at new and innovative ways to evolve markets within the county, putting plans in motion to grow the existing general markets in Aylesbury and High Wycombe and create new speciality markets, start-up business opportunities and linked events as requested by local residents.

The two new Sunday Markets will operate from 10am to 4pm in High Wycombe on Sunday 22 September and Aylesbury on Sunday 29 September. Stall holders will include artisan makers, bakers, creators, specialist food and drink producers. In addition, other local independent businesses will be able to take advantage of special rates on pitch fees.

Rachael Matthews, Buckinghamshire Council’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Town Centre Regeneration said: “We were excited with the ideas that Saunders Markets bring to the table as these mirror our ambitions to evolve the market offer and I am looking forward to this soft launch of ‘The Sunday Market’ this month.

“We are keen to see these markets grow and develop over time. There are also lots of other plans in the pipeline. I am going to keep quiet on those for now but we want residents to know that these will be worth waiting for!

“Small scale projects like this sit alongside the larger physical regeneration ambitions the Council has for Aylesbury and High Wycombe. We anticipate the increased footfall that events like these specialist markets will bring to the area will also help to support our wider town centre businesses so it’s good news all round.”

Nicolas Saunders from Saunders Market said: “We are looking forward to bringing our experience of operating general street markets and more bespoke specialist markets into Buckinghamshire and creating new offerings for High Wycombe and Aylesbury.”

The council is keen to hear from local artisan businesses who would like to take part in The Sunday Market. Businesses can register an interest with the council’s Economic Development Team to be kept informed on the other initiatives that are being worked on.

The aim is to establish The Sunday Market as a regular monthly fixture. Behind the scenes preparations are already starting for The Christmas Craft & Gift Fair that will take place in Aylesbury on Sunday 1 December and in High Wycombe on Sunday 15 December. Local artisans who would like to be part of these can register their interest by visiting: Trader Enquiry | Saunders Markets

Keep up to date with latest developments by following the High Wycombe Market and Aylesbury Markets Facebook pages.

Helping Buckinghamshire’s residents to live healthy, happy lives for longer is the commitment set down in the council’s Healthy Ageing Strategy (2024-2029). As the programme enters its second year, people are once again being asked to share their opinions on what is most important to them to help shape priorities for the coming year.

In 2023, based on the feedback received in the first consultation, the key priorities of ‘participating in society’ and ‘outdoor spaces and buildings’ were identified as being of most importance to those who took part in the survey. In response to this, in partnership with Heart of Bucks, the Healthy Ageing Fund has been set up, supporting 11 projects to increase social connectedness of older people across the county. A range of Age Well activities have also been delivered as part of the Healthy Libraries programme.

Zahir Mohammed, Deputy Cabinet Member for Public Health said: “We really want to hear from people about what is most important for them to enable them to live well as they grow older so we can move forward with our aims for the coming year.

“To really make an impact we need to understand what is most important to our residents so we can target our efforts.”

The survey is open to people aged 40 years and over who live, work and/or study in Buckinghamshire. It runs until 4 November 2024. To take part visit: https://yourvoicebucks.citizenspace.com/public-health/ageing-well-2024/

To celebrate the International Day of Older People on Monday 30 September, council partners, Age UK Bucks and Bucks Older Peoples Action Group are organising an event to promote the variety of activities available to older adults in Buckinghamshire. It will feature live demonstrations of chair yoga, bowls and Tai Chi, with performances from local choir, Sing Your Pain Away. There will also be the chance to meet local services and groups to learn more about the activities they run, with free refreshments and goody bags. The free event takes place at Wycombe Library between 10am and 1pm on 30 September.

For more information on the event visit: BOPAG - Home

Following the government’s decision this week to withdraw the winter fuel payment from most pensioners, Buckinghamshire Council is advising residents of pensionable age and their friends and families that it’s vital they find out which government benefits they can claim to help them meet their living and fuel costs.

The winter fuel payment is now limited to people over state pension age (currently 66) who are receiving pension credit or a limited number of other benefits.

Older people over state pension age and on a low income may qualify for pension credit – which offers support for a range of household expenses including the winter fuel payment, but many are not aware and are not claiming this support that they are eligible for.

According to the government, only about 60% of eligible people currently claim pension credit countrywide. This means four out of 10 eligible pensioners are missing out on benefits of up to £3,900 a year.

The council is also highlighting that support is still available through its Helping Hand service for people who may not qualify for pension credit but who are still struggling financially. The team can offer emergency support, practical guidance or supply contact details for other organisations that provide food support or specialist advice.

Buckinghamshire Council Leader Martin Tett said:

“With the government’s decision to withdraw winter fuel payments from all except those in receipt of pension credit or other means tested benefits, the council estimates 93% of all Buckinghamshire pensioners could lose this allowance, which is so vital to many of our older households.

“A significant concern is that a number of eligible pensioners are not currently claiming pension credit, so will miss out on a winter fuel payment when they are eligible and in genuine need. Please do check if you or someone you know is eligible – it is critical that those eligible for these payments receive them.

“And if you or your loved ones aren’t eligible for pension credit, remember you can contact our Helping Hand team to discuss other potential support.”

Buckinghamshire Council is preparing its spending plans for 2025/26 and is asking residents, businesses and other local stakeholders to give their views on which services should be prioritised.

The ‘Money Matters’ survey is the opportunity for residents to have a say on what’s important to them and they you would like to see the council’s budget distributed.

Councils across the country continue to experience significant financial pressures due to rising costs and added demand on services. In particular, Buckinghamshire Council has seen social care costs escalate even further in recent months due to more vulnerable residents needing help.

With continuing pressures on household budgets after a period of high inflation and other turbulence, it’s important that residents tell the council how they want to see their council tax spent during the next financial year.

Council tax is the main way that local council services are funded – from bin collections to road repairs to looking after adults and children who need care. The council has ongoing costs to provide these services and also draws up capital spending plans too – ‘one-off’ spends on particular projects or schemes such as extra money invested into the local road network for repairs and improvements. The money received from council tax covers 79% of the cost of providing our 700 services, with the rest of our funding coming from Business Rates (13%), the New Homes Bonus (1%) and other grants (7%).

The council’s‘Money Matters’ survey is now live –and takes just 10 minutes to complete. These views are then fed into the final budget proposals which are scrutinised after Christmas in a series of special meetings. The final budget will then be voted on during February ready to ‘go live’ on 1 April 2025.

Martin Tett, Leader of Buckinghamshire Council, commented:

“Budget setting in recent times has become extremely difficult for all councils, including our own. Since becoming a single unitary council we have made significant savings and efficiencies already, totalling £75.4 million to date, with a further £41.3 million of savings earmarked for this year. This means we’ve taken more than £100 million out of our budgets over the first five years as a council to deliver efficiencies and to pay for key services for our most vulnerable residents. The cost of providing these services – namely social care, temporary housing and providing school transport for children who need it – eats up around 71% of our entire budget, leaving us with less than 30% of our expenditure available to pay for everything else that we do.

Therefore it’s never been more crucial for our residents to tell us where they want their money spent – please let your friends and family know too that they can have a say.”

The survey is accessed via theYour Voice Bucks website.

If you’re unable to complete the survey online, you can access a paper copy of the consultation inlibraries andfamily centres.

The Money Matters survey runs until 13 October 2024.

Buckinghamshire Council is pleased to announce the launch of a public consultation on its proposed Buckinghamshire Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP). This ambitious plan aims to identify priorities for enhancing and expanding cycling, walking and wheeling networks across Buckinghamshire, with the overall aim of providing increased transport choices, promoting healthier lifestyles, reducing traffic congestion, and contributing to environmental sustainability.

The council has already developed local LCWIPs for Aylesbury Garden Town, Buckingham, and High Wycombe, with each recommending ways to improve walking, cycling and wheeling infrastructure in those towns. However, there is currently no comprehensive LCWIP that covers the whole Buckinghamshire Council area.

The Buckinghamshire LCWIP aims to address this by identifying key priorities for new or improved infrastructure that will connect towns and villages, making cycling, wheeling and walking safer, more accessible, and more convenient for residents and visitors alike. The council is now seeking feedback from the public to ensure that the plan meets the needs and expectations of the community.

Steven Broadbent, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Transport, said:

"We are committed to creating a more sustainable and connected Buckinghamshire. Working with partners, we have delivered several new walking, cycling and wheeling projects in recent years. The Buckinghamshire LCWIP will help us to continue to do this, setting out a network-based plan for providing high-quality infrastructure that encourages more people to choose walking, cycling and wheeling for their everyday journeys.

"The LCWIP has so far been shaped by engagement with Councillors and Community Boards, which has helped to us to identify where new and improved infrastructure may be most needed. However, we value the input of our residents, visitors and stakeholders in shaping this plan. Your feedback will help us identify priority areas, understand local needs and deliver improvements that make a real difference to our communities.

"The delivery of improvements will require us to secure external funding. The Buckinghamshire LCWIP will support applications for funding, guide future investment and help to develop schemes that will all be subject to further development and public consultation as they are taken forward and as funding becomes available."

Key objectives of the Buckinghamshire LCWIP:

• Improving the attractiveness of walking, cycling and wheeling, with a network that links key destinations such as schools, workplaces, shops, public transport and leisure facilities.
• Giving people alternative options for travel other than by car.
• Responding to climate change and tackling emissions.
• Promoting health and wellbeing and access for all, accommodating future growth supporting local economies.

The council invites all residents, businesses, and community groups to participate in the consultation process, which will run from 2 September to 13 October 2024.

The consultation, including the printable survey and address for posting it, are available via buckinghamshire.gov.uk/LCWIP

A series of in-person events will be held to discuss the LCWIP and answer questions. Details of these events can be found on the consultation webpage.

Steven Broadbent added:

"Your insights and experiences are invaluable to us. Whether you currently walk, cycle or wheel a lot or very little, or are interested in travelling more actively, we want to hear from you. Together, we can develop a plan that reflects the main priorities of Buckinghamshire residents."

Following the consultation period, all feedback will be carefully reviewed and incorporated into the final Buckinghamshire LCWIP. The finalised plan will guide future investments and developments in walking, cycling and wheeling infrastructure across Buckinghamshire.

For further details about the LCWIP consultation or to request alternative formats of the consultation materials, please email: transportstrategy@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

The wait is finally over for thousands of students across the county, as GCSE exam results are available from schools today (22 August 2024).

Many students will travel into school to pick up their results but other secure options such as by telephone or the school’s parent portal will be available for those who cannot be there in person. Parents and students should check with their school to ensure they know what options are available.

Councillors Anita Cranmer, Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services and Joseph Baum, Deputy Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: “Well done to all those students who have worked hard and got the results they wanted. We know there may be some students who may not do as well as they hoped or expected but there is plenty of help and support available so make sure you speak to your school or college in the first instance, talk to friends or family, or go online.”

Support includes:

• The Exam Results Helpline – 0800 100 900 – free advice from trained careers advisors

• Youth Employment– helpline and advice for A-level and GCSE students on next steps, apprenticeships, universities, starting their own business, gap years and employment
• BBC support for parents – A-level and GCSE
• BBC support for students – A-level and GCSE
• A level and GCSE post results service from exam boards:
• Pearson
• AQA
• Eduqas

• UCAS support – A-level results support
• Save the student– A-level results day support

There is also a lot of support for students who may be experiencing stress and anxiety about their results and what the future holds. Options available include:

• Speak to teachers at school – both in an academic capacity and also as pastoral experts who can help with emotional issues.
• Some schools have an independent counsellor available with whom students can talk in confidence.
• Peer support networks –speaking to someone of a similar age can sometimes feel easier than speaking to an adult and can provide reassurance from someone who has recently been through the same experience.
• Charities – most now offer both online and telephone support. Speaking anonymously can make talking over problems and worries easier.

Anita and Joseph added: “Completing your GCSEs is a huge achievement, and we wish all our students well for whatever their next steps may be.”

Buckinghamshire residents are being urged to ensure their electoral registration details are up to date through the annual canvass.

All residents will be contacted during August and September and will receive an email or a letter from Buckinghamshire Council asking to confirm that the names of people listed as eligible to vote in their household are correct.

Being on the electoral register means that you can have your say and vote in future elections – plus it can also help with your credit rating. All you need to do is to read the email or letter carefully and follow the instructions on how to respond, if necessary. And don’t worry, it’s very quick and easy!

If you’re not currently registered, your name won’t appear on the messages sent. If you need to register to vote, the easiest way is to apply online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. You will still need to respond to the canvass.

Lisa Marie Williams, Buckinghamshire Council’s Director of Legal & Democratic Services, said:

“We will begin contacting residents this week. Please be assured that emails coming from ‘elections@canvass.buckinghamshire.gov.uk’ with a subject line of ‘Electoral Registration – Response Required’ are legitimate, and not part of a scam, which we know was a concern for some residents last year.

“We strongly encourage residents to respond to their email or letter promptly, and online if possible. This will reduce the amount of printing, postage, and transport usage all which impact negatively on the environment – which the council is striving to protect as part of our Bucks Climate Challenge. Additionally, it helps us to save money and nearly £25k was saved last year thanks to residents responding online to the canvass.

“Finally, I’d like to remind voters that they now need to provide an accepted form of photo identification to be able to vote in person. This includes voting on behalf of someone else as a proxy vote.”

Further information on the annual canvass can be found on the Election pages of the council’s website at: www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/confirm-voting-details

Any residents who have any questions can contact the council’s Electoral Registration team at elections@buckinghamshire.gov.uk or by calling 01296 798 141.

Eligible working parents in Buckinghamshire with children aged +9 months can apply for hours of funded childcare for use in a variety of settings, including nurseries, pre-schools and childminders.

If you are an eligible working parent, you can now apply for:

• 15 hours childcare if your child is aged 9 to 36 months

• 30 hours childcare for your three or four-year-old

You will need to apply by 31 August 2024 to use your hours from 1 September 2024. To do so, visitGOV.UK to get your code for a place in September and then share it with your childcare provider. To continue receiving the Government support, you will need to reconfirm your details every three months on your GOV.UK account.

This comes alongside other government childcare support, including Tax-Free Childcare and Universal Credit Childcare. You might be able to use more than one offer together to help with your childcare costs.

Childcare is also expanding for primary-school age children. From September, parents in England will start to see an expansion in the availability of childcare in their local area before and after school, that runs from 8am until 6pm or later, also known as ‘wraparound childcare’. If you are eligible for Tax-Free Childcare or Universal Credit Childcare, you can use the support to help pay for your wraparound childcare.

Joseph Baum, Buckinghamshire Council’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services, said:

“Childcare is the cornerstone of a thriving society and helps provide children with the best possible start in life.

“As we expand access to 15 and 30 hours of childcare for eligible working parents, we recognise the vital role it plays in supporting families and enabling parents to pursue their careers or education.

“Please visit ourBuckinghamshire Family Information Service to see what support you might be eligible for.”

Dear resident,

It is hard to believe that it is little over a week ago that we were watching the results from the General Election. The new Government, with its very large majority, looks set to be in power for at least five years. It has a determined agenda of change, which will most likely bring significant implications for Buckinghamshire.

Eligible homeowners in Buckinghamshire are being urged not to miss out on Government-funded measures to save money on their fuel bills.

Properties which meet certain criteria, including their Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating, could receive home improvements from insulation to air source heat pumps as part of the Homes Upgrade Grant Phase 2 (HUG2) scheme.

Thomas Broom, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment, said:

“In Buckinghamshire, we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and retrofitting homes is a vital part of that. The free upgrades involved in the HUG2 scheme will help residents live in warmer homes, reduce their carbon footprint and cut down on their energy bills.

“I would ask residents to please check their eligibility for the scheme and, if eligible, to apply before it’s too late.”

Funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the energy-saving measures can include insulation upgrades, and the installation of solar panels and low carbon heating systems such as air source heat pumps and more.

Households with a combined annual income of less than £36,000, including benefits, whose homes are not heated through mains gas, and those with hard-to-heat homes could be eligible.

Eligible properties will receive an assessment to evaluate and determine the energy saving measures that could be undertaken, and any improvements made are completely free of charge.

Work is completed on a first-come, first-served basis with applications closing at the end of September 2024.

To find out more about HUG2 and to check if your home is eligible, visit www.hugapply.co.uk or call Agility Eco on 0800 107 8883.

Please see the below invitation to participate in the Bucks & MK LNRS Survey, please share this survey information with your councillors and residents to respond to. The survey (runs from Monday 8th July until 18th August 2024), please see attached a communications kit consisting of an emailer, social media post and blurb, as well as A4 size and social media size posters that you can use to advertise the survey.

We are writing to invite you to take a quick surveyand share your vision for the future of nature in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes.

Buckinghamshire Council via the Bucks & MK Natural Environment Partnership (NEP), and in collaboration with Milton Keynes City Council and Natural England, are developing a Government-mandated Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) to identify how and wherenature in our area should be improved, as a healthy natural environment is crucial for supporting habitats and species.

Your input and knowledge of the local area is very valuable in determining which aspects of nature need to be improved. The LNRS will guide future funding and efforts, including local planning, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and Environmental Land Management schemes (ELMs). Taking theLNRS survey ensures you can have your say in the process!

We also request you to please share the survey with your constituents (please see below some sample posts you can use), so that local residents may also take part and have their priorities heard, as well.

Thank you for your vital support in ensuring Bucks & MK's natural spaces continue to thrive.

Kind regards,

Lorraine

Lorraine Morton

The summer holidays are nearly here and with six weeks free from lessons, homework and the usual school routines, many families will be busy planning fun things to do.

For those on lower incomes, juggling finances during the summer can be particularly hard, but Buckinghamshire Council is once again providing extra support for those who need it.

Children in Reception up to Year 11 who receive benefits-related free school meals can take part in up to 16 free holiday club sessions over the six-week break. The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme will be running in over 60 locations, offering a wide range of activities including sports, cooking, pickleball, coding and martial arts sessions. Those eligible for the HAF sessions will have received a code via an email from Holiday Activities to book places. Each session includes a healthy meal for the children taking part. For more information on HAF visit thewebsite.

Certain families are also being given a £50 food voucher per eligible child to help with the cost of providing extra food during the holiday period.

Anita Cranmer, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Education, said:

“We know that school holidays can place additional pressures on family budgets. That is why we have developed a range of support for those who need it. The summer should be a fun and carefree time for all children, and we hope this support will help ensure that everyone is able to make the most of their summer break.”

There are lots of free family events taking place over the summer months and beyond. Once again this year, Buckinghamshire Council’s hugely popular WhizzFizz is teaming up with partners to offer free fun family events in Aylesbury, Chesham and High Wycombe. This includes Wycombe Celebrates, a new festival of the senses on Sunday 8 September in High Wycombe. Visit the WhizzFizz website to find out what’s on in your local area.

The Buckinghamshire Family Information Service is a great one stop shop to find details of local things to do with your family this summer. There is also a handy directory which allows you to search for types of activities and specific locations.

Here is a reminder of some of the other free or low-cost things you can do right here in Bucks this summer:

• Explore the local countryside on foot or bike. Find details of walks and trails for all ages and abilities on our website: https://familyinfo.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/things-to-do/family-friendly-walks
• Buckinghamshire’s Country Parks have miles of scooter and buggy-friendly paths as well as fun play areas and cafes. A variety of family-friendly events are also planned over the summer. For more information visit: https://countryparks.buckinghamshire.gov.uk
• Go on an interactive adventure with Love Exploring. Download the free app and join in the fun in parks and open spaces across the county. This summer try out the new themed activities involving Tree Fairies and Butterflies and Moths: Love Exploring

• Join the 2024 Summer Reading Challenge at your local library. This year’s challenge is called Marvellous Makers and encourages children to get creative and enjoy reading during the summer. Visit your local library for lots of FREE activities this summer:2024 Summer Reading Challenge

• All of Buckinghamshire’s leisure centres will be running activities and fun family sessions throughout the summer. Check the details of your local centre online: https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/health-wellbeing-and-sports/leisure-centres-and-sports-clubs/leisure-centres
• The Discover Bucks Museum and Wycombe Museum have a range of fun events and activities taking place during the holidays. Some activities have a small fee and booking is necessary. Visit their websites for more information: https://www.discoverbucksmuseum.org; https://wycombemuseum.org.uk
• Open Weekend 2024 offers the opportunity to explore Buckinghamshire culture over one long weekend (25-28 July) with free and low cost family-friendly summer activities including: music, theatre, online events, heritage, talks, outdoor activities, and art & craft workshops. https://buckinghamshireculture.org/projects/open-weekend-whats-on

Clive Harriss, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, commented:

“Whatever the age or interest of the children or young people in your family, you really are spoilt for choice for things to do in Buckinghamshire this summer. And even better, many options are either free or low cost so everyone can enjoy them. So please go out and enjoy the available activities!"

Next week (13-19 May), is Dementia Awareness Week. The awareness week is run annually by the Alzheimer’s Society with this year’s theme being diagnosis. The week aims to help those who might be living with undiagnosed dementia to understand potential symptoms and risk factors, and to come forward for guidance and support when needing to take the next steps towards diagnosis.

In Buckinghamshire, it’s estimated that approximately 3,500 people over 65 are living with undiagnosed dementia. Risk factors such as family history and pre-existing medical conditions can increase the possibility of developing dementia in later life. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and obesity can also increase the risk.

During the week, Buckinghamshire Council will be running a series of events which are open to residents across the county to raise awareness of dementia-related conditions, so people with common dementia symptoms can find the support they need. We are also providing a dementia toolkit, including a symptom checklist, so anyone experiencing symptoms can spot and record any difficulties and discuss the symptoms further with their GP.

Angela Macpherson, Cabinet Member Health and Wellbeing, said:

“A third of people living with dementia do not have a diagnosis and taking the first steps towards one can seem like a daunting task. Even though we have come far with understanding dementia, there is still a stigma associated with it, which can cause delayed diagnosis due to fear of social judgement or discrimination.

“Many individuals and their loved ones may also not recognise the early signs or symptoms, which can prevent early intervention. With our events in support of Dementia Action Week, we aim to raise awareness and to help those facing dementia get access to the services and support they need.

“To prevent a late diagnosis, residents aged 40 to 74 can alsobook an NHS Health Check, which is a free check-up of your overall health. It is offered every 5 years and can help you to find early signs of certain health problems, that can increase your risk of dementia.”

Next week (13-19 May), is Dementia Awareness Week. The awareness week is run annually by the Alzheimer’s Society with this year’s theme being diagnosis. The week aims to help those who might be living with undiagnosed dementia to understand potential symptoms and risk factors, and to come forward for guidance and support when needing to take the next steps towards diagnosis.

In Buckinghamshire, it’s estimated that approximately 3,500 people over 65 are living with undiagnosed dementia. Risk factors such as family history and pre-existing medical conditions can increase the possibility of developing dementia in later life. Lifestyle factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption and obesity can also increase the risk.

During the week, Buckinghamshire Council will be running a series of events which are open to residents across the county to raise awareness of dementia-related conditions, so people with common dementia symptoms can find the support they need. We are also providing a dementia toolkit, including a symptom checklist, so anyone experiencing symptoms can spot and record any difficulties and discuss the symptoms further with their GP.

Angela Macpherson, Cabinet Member Health and Wellbeing, said:

“A third of people living with dementia do not have a diagnosis and taking the first steps towards one can seem like a daunting task. Even though we have come far with understanding dementia, there is still a stigma associated with it, which can cause delayed diagnosis due to fear of social judgement or discrimination.

“Many individuals and their loved ones may also not recognise the early signs or symptoms, which can prevent early intervention. With our events in support of Dementia Action Week, we aim to raise awareness and to help those facing dementia get access to the services and support they need.

“To prevent a late diagnosis, residents aged 40 to 74 can alsobook an NHS Health Check, which is a free check-up of your overall health. It is offered every 5 years and can help you to find early signs of certain health problems, that can increase your risk of dementia.”

Buckinghamshire Council is reminding residents that to vote in upcoming elections in England they will need to show a valid photo ID at polling stations.

This will apply to:

• Local elections
• UK General elections
• Police and Crime Commissioner elections
• UK parliamentary by-elections
• Recall petitions

The Electoral Commission’s website lists the accepted forms of photo ID.

A photo ID will be required to vote at a polling station for the Police and Crime Commissioner election on Thursday 2 May.

For people registered to vote by post, no photo ID will be required. This is because postal voting requires other identification checks, such as signature and date of birth verification.

Sarah Ashmead, Buckinghamshire Council’s Deputy Chief Executive and Returning Officer, said:

“You will need to show an accepted form of photo ID for the Police and Crime Commissioner election on 2 May 2024, the next General Election and any upcoming local referendums and elections.

“If you haven’t done so already, I’d encourage you to make sure that you are registered to vote. The easiest way to do this is by visiting GOV.UK.”

Find out more about accepted forms of photo ID and what to expect on polling day by visiting Buckinghamshire Council's website.

The council is urging residents to share this information with friends and relatives who may be unaware of these voter ID changes or need assistance with applying for the necessary documents. Booklets containing relevant information are also available at Buckinghamshire libraries.

Now that the weather is finally improving, the parish council have decided to extend the deadline for our photo competition to the end of May, to allow you to capture beautiful pictures of our parish in glorious spring sunshine! Cash prizes are on offer for the best photos, lets get snapping! Click the link below for details.

Communities across Buckinghamshire are being invited to take advantage of a scheme which highlights the importance of outdoor play and encourages neighbours to spend time socialising together, promoting the benefits for health and wellbeing in all ages.

Play Streets invites residents from communities across the county to apply for permission, free of charge, to close their road for a few hours at a time so that they can come together outside their homes to socialise, reduce social isolation and play safely. The scheme is part of the national Playing Out initiative and has been running successfully in Buckinghamshire for several years. Roads are closed to traffic for the duration, but pedestrian access is allowed, and residents can enjoy spending time together outside their homes.

Angela Macpherson, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “Playing with friends outside your house is something many of us may remember doing when we were younger, but it has become less popular in recent years. Play Streets seeks to bring back that simple enjoyment and allow communities to stop for a moment and spend some time together. It allows all generations, not just children to get involved, helping to boost community spirit and neighbourhood bonds.”

Play Streets is particularly beneficial to children and young people in terms of their health and wellbeing and for reducing social isolation for adults. Figures for Buckinghamshire show:

• Only 48% of children and young people are reaching recommended activity levels of 60 minutes of activity per day.*
• Over 30% of children aged 10-11 years old are above a healthy weight.*
• Children's play is vital for happiness, physical and emotional development and social learning.
• Levels of loneliness rose more in Buckinghamshire than the national average during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly one quarter (24%) of adults felt lonely at least some of the time in 2021.

Angela added: “Activities like this have a positive impact on both our mental and physical health. Encouraging children to play outside means they are getting exercise and moving around rather than sitting down in-front of a screen, and for adults, we can spend so much time caught up in day-to-day activities that we forget the boost you get having a relaxed catch up with a neighbour, and the benefits that standing up and moving around more can have.”

Many communities in Buckinghamshire have run Play Streets sessions previously and have found it to be both popular and beneficial. One resident commented: “The sense of community is definitely the best thing about it.” A child who took part voiced the simple pleasure that can be had by running an event. They said that the best part of the session for them was, “riding my bike with no cars around.”

With summer months approaching, communities are being encouraged to start applying now, to allow time for planning and paperwork to be completed. For more information visit the website: https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/community-and-safety/helping-your-community/organise-a-play-streets-session/

This project is part of the Opportunity Bucks programme, helping to improve outcomes for people in Buckinghamshire.

Dear All

This is not consultation - These works are to go ahead under the powers set out in the the HS2 Act 2017

Please find attached completed diversionary route for HS2 & associated works. These works will be undertaken by HS2 & their respective contractors.

HS2 Ltd can be contacted directly by email HS2enquiries@hs2.org.uk or by telephone on 020 7944 4908 or HS2 Freephone number 08081 434 434
If you are unable to view this link please go to one.network to view under the road and dates stated.

Please see below link

https://api-gb.one.network/downloads/tm/1016/trc-hs2-2854-marsh-lane-bishopstone_131349802_3510599_d2e67f5c42.pdf

Following a Cabinet funding decision yesterday, Buckinghamshire Council has taken another step forward in the construction of the South East Aylesbury Link Road (SEALR), with this key infrastructure project due to open to traffic in 2026.

SEALR will see the construction of 1.1 miles of dual carriageway including three new roundabout junctions. SEALR is an essential part of the Orbital Link Road which, when completed, will provide a route around Aylesbury, easing congestion through the town centre. The new link road will join the A413 Wendover Road with the Stoke Mandeville Relief Road, which is being constructed by HS2 Ltd.

The council is coordinating the SEALR scheme with the project being delivered in phases. Construction works on Wendover Road and Lower Road have already started to deliver two new roundabouts. Work will then continue to link Lower Road with the new Stoke Mandeville Relief Road and the future South West Aylesbury Link Road.

Later in the year, the council plans to start the work connecting Wendover Road and Lower Road, which will include the construction of a new bridge over the railway line.

Martin Tett, Leader of Buckinghamshire Council, said:

“Buckinghamshire urgently needs the right infrastructure in place,so it’s great news that we’ve been able to approve the delivery of the South East Aylesbury Link Road.

“The scheme is the lynch pin of the Aylesbury Orbital Link Road strategy, which will reduce the number of vehicles travelling through the town centre. It is also a crucial project that will accommodate traffic growth in the future.

“Despite price inflation for all major infrastructure projects, we now have firm contractor costs for the SEALR project. Our Cabinet decision bridges the funding gap for this complex project without any cost to the taxpayer, thanks to the allocation of external funding. We continue to remain committed to working with third parties to deliver the Eastern Link Road (South), the Southern Link Road, and the South West Aylesbury Link Road.”

For more information on SEALR and to sign up to regular e-bulletins, visit:www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/sealr

Residents in Buckinghamshire are being reminded to double check their refuse and recycling bin collection dates over the Easter Bank Holiday.

To ensure residents don’t miss their collection due to Bank Holiday changes, the council is reminding everyone to check the revised dates for their area. Collections due to take place on Good Friday, 29 March, will move to Saturday 30 March, and with no collections on Easter Monday, 1 April, all collections that week will take place one day later than usual. Please check the revised timetable online and present any bins or containers by 6:30am on the revised collection day.

Easter holidays are a great time to bond with your family and enjoy delicious food. To ensure you keep your Easter food waste and costs to a minimum, you can check out our handy online toolkit which includes a portion planner tool and recipes for Easter leftovers. Any food waste can be put in your food recycling bin and left out for collection on bin day. Most food waste can go in the food recycling bin but you can check on the council website to see what can and cannot be recycled.

Councillor Thomas Broom, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment, said: “Easter is the time to enjoy great food and the company of our loved ones while celebrating the beauty of spring. Easter eggs, like Christmas presents, can generate quite a lot of extra packaging to recycle. You can find advice on our website for what can be recycled, where it needs to go and even some handy tips for using leftovers creatively.”

In addition to the bin collection changes, the opening hours at all Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) across the county move to summer opening hours of 9am to 6pm from Monday 1 April. Please check your local site to find out which days they are open, as this varies according to each site.

For more information on all of Buckinghamshire’s HRCs please visitthe website.

Council’s Energy Doctors making a difference: 400+ Bucks homes get green upgrades

With high energy costs still on everyone’s minds it’s good to know that the council’s Energy Doctor scheme has completed over 400 visits to homes in the county (124 of which have been in Opportunity Bucks areas*) within the last 12 months. As a result of these visits, households can expect an average saving of £125 on their annual energy bills. Thanks to the introduction of water saving measures, it’s estimated that each household will also save around £13 on their annual water bills.

Over 115 tonnes of CO2e will be saved per annum because of the low-cost easy retrofit resource efficiency (LCERRE) measures that have been deployed. These include:

• portable solar generators
• draught proofing
• secondary glazing
• LED lightbulbs
• heated throws

Customers have reported a 98% satisfaction rate, which goes to show how useful the Energy Doctors have been in helping people identify ways to reduce energy and water use.

Last year Lighting and Mains Power Solutions Ltd, a local supplier, was awarded the contract to supply LED light bulbs for the ‘Energy Doctor’ scheme. They will be supplying 7,790 LED lightbulbs per annum over a minimum two-year contract.

Applications are now open for The Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) 2 initiative, which provides funding for more complex energy efficiency and clean heating measures in eligible properties that do not use mains gas for heating purposes. Insulation, heat pumps, and smart heating controls can be implemented under HUG2, and it’s envisaged that over 30 domestic properties in Buckinghamshire will benefit from it.

For those that aren’t eligible for the above, the council is delighted to announce that a second Solar Together scheme will be running in Buckinghamshire. This follows the first scheme, which was a tremendous success with over 500 solar PV systems installed. In fact, over 1,300 people have already expressed an interest in reducing their energy bills and increasing their energy security by participating in Bucks Solar Together ’24. The scheme will launch in April and further information on how to register will be available then.

Thomas Broom, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment, said:

“Our Energy Doctor scheme is making a real impact in our communities. With over 400 successful visits to homes, these households will save around £125 on their annual energy bills. And thanks to water-saving measures, we also estimate a £13 saving on supported households’ annual water bills.”

Communities have also been enjoying opportunities to plant more Miyawaki forests in Buckinghamshire, with six of these Tiny Forests being planted over the last few months – totalling 3,600 trees planted with funding the council secured from the Local Authority Treescapes Fund. Trees provide a range of ecosystem services beyond capturing carbon, which will help deliver biodiversity and climate change adaptation improvements.

To see if you are eligable for an Energy Doctor visit, please visit Buckinghamshire Council's website.

Buckinghamshire Council has pledged an extra £5 million of funding this coming year to boost investment in repairs to roads across the county, adding to the £105 million already committed to the road network over the next four years.

At the Council budget setting meeting last week, councillors voted in favour of an amendment put forward by Councillors Gareth Williams and Diana Blamires to make an extra £5m available from council reserves to address a rise in defects that have been exacerbated by one of the wettest winters in recent years.

The money will be used to fund much needed repairs across the county caused by long periods of very wet weather this winter, and councillors agreed to ‘deploy the funding as quickly as possible’.

Steven Broadbent, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Transport explained: “This money comes on top of already significant investment in our road network and recognises what a priority this is for our residents. The money will benefit all areas and will target locations of greatest need to make the highest impact throughout the county.

Winter weather always has an impact on our highways network but this year we have seen a higher than normal amount of rain and standing surface water which has caused even more problems with many of our road surfaces. As a result, we have seen surge in potholes and other road defects being reported.

Local government budgets have never been tighter and our own finances are under significant pressure here in Buckinghamshire; however, alongside the substantial savings we are making, we are currently in a position where we can allocate this extra funding from our reserves and are doing so because residents have told us this is what they want”

In total Buckinghamshire Council has committed £110m to highway repairs and improvements over the next four years. The overall investment will go towards maintaining and improving the road network across the county, including a range of works and schemes, from the so-called ‘Plane and Patch’ programme, where whole sections of roads are resurfaced, to one-off large scale projects like structural repairs and cleaning at Marlow Bridge and Stoke Road Bridge, replacing the central section of the Berry Hill footbridge in Taplow and carrying on inspecting and cleansing our 85,000 gullies.

At the moment up to 30 repair teams are out every day carrying out emergency repairs and temporary fixes to the most problem areas. During the winter, when the weather is colder and wetter, permanent fixes are not always possible. Instead, teams often have to carry out a short-term fix to make the road safe and once the weather gets warmer and drier they can return to make a permanent repair.

Steven explained: “The temporary fixes don’t necessarily look pretty and are not meant to be lasting but the important thing is they are doing a simple job of making the road safe for motorists in the short term. We do undertake permanent repairs when the road conditions allow and are also trialling innovative technology that removes excess water from potholes to allow a better repair.”

As we move into warmer weather in the spring months the temporary repairs reduce in number so longer-lasting improvement works and bigger resurfacing projects can be undertaken.

This is the second year in a row that Buckinghamshire Councillors have committed an additional £5 million of funding for the county’s roads, recognising the impact of two wet winters and what residents have asked for their money to be spent on.

Notes to Editor

If you spot a road defect please report it to use via the FixMyStreet portal – www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/fix-my-street All reports are investigated and programmed for repair according to priority.

Councillors in Buckinghamshire have approved the council’s Medium Term Financial Plan, which sets out its spending plans and how these are budgeted for over the next three years.

The budget has been set amidst a volatile economic environment and outlines where the council will make savings to balance the books over the next three years, while committing spend to the priority areas residents have asked for.

Councils across the UK are facing acute financial pressures, particularly in four key areas that support vulnerable residents; social care for both adults and children, temporary accommodation for homeless people and transport for vulnerable children to get to and from school. These services alone make up 71% of Buckinghamshire Council’s budget, leaving only 29% of the budget to pay for all the other services the council provides, from fixing and improving roads, to collecting bins and providing libraries and leisure centres.

The costs of providing some of these services have also risen well above already high inflation rates, for example, a 20-30% increase in road construction and repairs costs. With council tax funding 80% of the council’s net operating budget needed to pay for these services, councillors have agreed to raise the base rate of council tax by 2.99% with a further 2% increase in the adult social care precept. This means an overall rise of 4.99% in council tax bills, or an extra £1.69 per week for the average Band D household.

The budget also sets out how much the council proposes spending as part of its £666 million ‘capital’ programme, which is shaped by what residents have told the council they want to see prioritised.

Councillors have also voted through an amendment put forward by Councillors Gareth Williams and Diana Blamires to make an extra £5 million from Reserves available directly to address the deterioration of local roads caused by the severe weather conditions in recent weeks. It means a total of £110 million is now set aside for roads repairs and improvements over the next four years.

Overall, the final budget includes spending:

• £110 million on roads with a further £8.4 million on footways
• £26.1 million on services to support housing and homelessness, including affordable housing action plans and disabled facilities grants
• £14.7 million on climate change and flood management
• £37.6 million on town centre regeneration and economic growth

The final budget has been agreed following rigorous cross-party scrutiny of the plans that were originally put forward in January. The financial plans for each portfolio area were looked at in detail during a series of meetings last month. The final plans have also been adjusted in recent weeks after the government made some extra funding available to councils, meaning a further £5 million can now be set aside for Social Care, the majority of which has been allocated to a contingency fund for this service.

The council has also agreed to additional council tax charges on homes that have been empty for more than twelve months. While savings across the board are still being found to balance the books, this additional income has allowed the council to reverse a small number of savings measures originally put forward. For example, for now we will not need to shorten opening hours at our Household Recycling Centres and the council can continue the gully cleansing programme and reinstate a round of weed spraying and litter picking.

However, overall, the council still has to deliver considerable savings to balance the books, over and above the £75.4 million already saved since becoming a unitary council. Some of the savings measures include difficult decisions, such as allocating less money to our community boards and some local voluntary organisations.

The council has also put forward long-term solutions to reduce costs including:

• investing in additional children’s homes to reduce the heavy cost burden of external placements
• making savings in Adult Social Care through providing help for some residents, where it fits their need, to live more independently
• rationalising the council’s office space, such as closing the King George V site in Amersham
• investing in more housing and temporary accommodation units to bring down the spend on costly nightly-paid accommodation

Buckinghamshire Council Leader Martin Tett said:

“This is the by far the hardest budget we’ve ever set during my years in local government, and the challenges facing us are acute. However, I’m pleased that we can balance the books over the next three years. We remain prudently run and are not in the same position as a growing number of councils who are becoming bankrupt with some having to put council tax bills up by as much as 10%. We do our best to keep the rise to a minimum but the 2.99% increase in our basic precept and the 2% increase in the adult social care precept reflects the reality of the situation we are in with council tax covering 80% of our net budget. I urge anyone who’s worried about paying their council tax bill to contact our team in the first instance to discuss options.

"A key part of this budget is about managing the considerable risk and continuing turbulence, which is why we’ve put most of the extra funding we have had from government in recent weeks into our adult social care contingency pot. We’re making some tough choices to deliver the savings we need to balance the books and we’re also closing under-used office space and examining the best ways to maximise efficiencies from our activities overall – but there really is very little room for manoeuvre indeed as we’ve been finding savings year after year already.

"It's a tough but realistic budget and as we cannot run in deficit like central government, I truly believe this is the best we can do, that continues to deliver for our residents.

"This budget underpins our over-arching priorities of protecting the vulnerable, strengthening our communities, improving our environment and increasing prosperity.”

Great and Little Kimble cum Marsh Parish Council are running a photo competition and are looking for residents to showcase their amazing photography skills.

We are looking for photos of our beautiful Parish in Spring 2024, whether it be the beautiful scenery or a landmark.

Photos should be taken between 15th March and 15th April 2024.

Competition is open to all ages but please do read the below rules.

All entries will be displayed on the Parish Council Website www.kimblecouncil.org.uk

Entries should be submitted to clerk@kimblecouncil.org.uk

Between 15th March and 15th April 2024

Rules:

1. Submissions must be emailed to clerk@kimblecouncil.org.uk by the deadline of 15th April 2024

2. You may submit as many entries as you wish however, the photo must have been taken by the entrant and must not contain any materials owned or controlled by a third party.

3. Please provide a description for your photo i.e., where it was taken.

4. Photos must not be enhanced in any way it must be the original photo.

5. Participants of all ages are welcome.

6. By entering the competition, the entrant agrees that the council may use the image for any purpose in the future.

7. All entries may be displayed on the Parish Council website and social media. Please state when submitting your entry whether you are happy for your name to also be displayed.

8. All photos must have been taken within the boundaries of Great and Little Kimble cum Marsh.

9. All participants must live within the Parish of Great and Little Kimble cum Marsh.

Judging:

1. Great and Little Kimble cum Marsh Parish Councillors will judge the entries and the judge’s decision will be final and binding.

2. The winner will be announced at the Parish Council meeting on 10th April 2024

The Prizes:

1. The following prizes will be allocated following the judge’s decision: 1st Prize: £250, 2nd Prize: £100 and 3rd Prize: £50

Buckinghamshire Council today launched a consultation on a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) that, once finalised, will inform the planning and development decisions for RAF Halton near Wendover once it ceases to be a military base in 2027.

RAF Halton was identified as a site for growth in the Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan 2011-2031 (VALP) which was adopted in 2021. Buckinghamshire Council has worked with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (part of the Ministry of Defence) to develop a clear framework and principles for the development of the site as it transfers from military to residential use. These are set out in the SPD, which expands on the objectives previously set out in the VALP.

Peter Strachan, Buckinghamshire Council's Cabinet Member for Planning & Regeneration, said:

"The closure of RAF Halton offers an excellent opportunity for the development, largely on brownfield land, of a high-quality residential neighbourhood with associated infrastructure, services and facilities including a primary school, a new local centre and enhanced green spaces.

"This Supplementary Planning Document sets out in detail the expectations and requirements for the development. It will allow us to ensure that the new neighbourhood meets the needs and aspirations of both new residents and people living in the surrounding area. But this is still a draft document, so I’d like to invite individuals and organisations with an interest in this local area to take part in the consultation and give us their views and suggestions. These will be used to help us draw up the document’s final form."

The consultation is open from now until Monday 4 March. To take part, please go to: buckinghamshire.gov.uk/raf-halton

You’ll no doubt be aware that the heavy rain overnight has added to already saturated ground which has caused a number of flooding incidents across the county and a lot of standing water on the road network.

There are currently 2 flood warnings and 9 flood alerts in place in Buckinghamshire. You can see the detail of this on the Environment Agency website.

The council is keeping residents up to date with the latest information via its social media channels. We wanted to let you know of the best information to pass onto residents if they’re concerned or are experiencing impacts of the poor weather conditions.

• To find out if there any flooding warnings or alerts are in place in your area, use the Environment Agency website, and follow the advice on their pages

• To find out about severe weather alerts, use the Met Office website

• These two websites are the best sources of information for residents

• If residents need to alert the council to an emergency or significant incident, they should use the emergency numbers for the Highways Team – they can assist with sandbags if there is an immediate and significant threat that homes or property might flood. These numbers are 01296 382 416 and 01296 486 630 out of hours

• Please be advised that residents should not use Fix My Street to report emergencies out of hours, as this is used for routine ‘in hours’ reporting and may not be seen

• There is some generic advice and information on the council’s website about how to be prepared for severe weather and what to do if you’re worried about flooding – please use the link www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/flooding

We will keep you informed as this situation develops and hope that the above information is useful.

After the clearance of any overnight fog, tomorrow looks like it will be mainly fine and dry although one or two showers are possible, especially later in the day across western parts of Hampshire and the Thames Valley. Sunday will see a mainly cloudy day with showers, isolated heavy, spreading east during the day, clearing early evening.

Councillor Peter Martin, Buckinghamshire Council’s Deputy Cabinet Member for HS2, has expressed his extreme disappointment at the decision by the Planning Inspector to allow an appeal by HS2 Limited, who were seeking consent for development next to Sheephouse Wood in Charndon, Buckinghamshire.

He said, "We believe HS2 Limited is unnecessarily damaging Sheephouse Wood, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and Ancient Woodland. The Planning Inspector’s decision is desperately disappointing and yet another kick in the teeth for local people and the environment severely impacted by the construction of the rail line."

Back in March 2023, Buckinghamshire Council became aware of HS2 cutting back trees in Sheephouse Wood and asked them why this was happening. HS2 stated that the works were needed for safety/technical reasons, to protect both the Bat Mitigation Structure they had decided to construct, and the railway line when it became operational.

The Council served a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) to protect trees at risk from being cut down. The TPO ensured the trees were not touched for up to six months, giving us more time to discuss with HS2 why they believed such brutal action was needed, find alternative options and to mitigate the impact of their works. HS2 continued to say that the removal of the trees was necessary.

Despite us asking for more detailed information from HS2 Ltd, about the proposed work to the trees, the flood risk associated with the construction of the Sheephouse Wood ‘Bat Mitigation Structure’ (SWBMS), and a footpath underpass, HS2 Ltd chose to appeal the Council’s ‘non determination’ of the application.

The Council submitted a robust case to the Planning Inspector asking HS2 Limited to amend its application in the interests of avoiding harm to Sheephouse Wood. The key aims of the Council’s case included:

• limiting the tree loss within Sheephouse Wood
• limiting the potential for flooding
• ensuring the Bat Mitigation Structure design met high quality design standards
• ensuring the earthworks and fencing were sensitive to the area

The Planning Inspector upheld HS2 Limited’s appeal so consent has been granted and development will now go ahead. In granting consent, the Inspector has deemed that tree management, including felling, is necessary and can start. This removes the protection afforded by the TPO. HS2 Ltd must, however, ensure that any works to trees is undertaken with great care and avoids harm to nesting birds. The Council will check activity to ensure proper methods and safeguards are followed.

The Council still considers that the work being done at Sheephouse Wood is avoidable harm, so we are pleased that the Inspector has applied a condition to the planning consent that ensures further scrutiny by the Council on the appearance of the SWBMS; and improved landscape design of the watercourse that runs through the site.

RAF Halton was identified as a site for growth in the Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan 2011-2031 (VALP) which was adopted in 2021. Buckinghamshire Council has worked with the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (part of the Ministry of Defence) to develop a clear framework and principles for the development of the site as it transfers from military to residential use. These are set out in the SPD, which expands on the objectives previously set out in the VALP.

Peter Strachan, Buckinghamshire Council's Cabinet Member for Planning & Regeneration, said:

"The closure of RAF Halton offers an excellent opportunity for the development, largely on brownfield land, of a high-quality residential neighbourhood with associated infrastructure, services and facilities including a primary school, a new local centre and enhanced green spaces.

"This Supplementary Planning Document sets out in detail the expectations and requirements for the development. It will allow us to ensure that the new neighbourhood meets the needs and aspirations of both new residents and people living in the surrounding area. But this is still a draft document, so I’d like to invite individuals and organisations with an interest in this local area to take part in the consultation and give us their views and suggestions. These will be used to help us draw up the document’s final form."

The consultation is open from now until Monday 4 March. To take part, please go to: buckinghamshire.gov.uk/raf-halton

I am writing to update you on our work to improve safety at Marsh Lane level crossing between Aylesbury and Little Kimble stations in Buckinghamshire.

As you will be aware the level crossing has been closed for upgrades since 19August 2023, to facilitate HS2 construction works. In the summer last year, we realigned 2km of the existing railway, to make space for the new high-speed line to run beneath.

We’d hoped to deliver the enhancements at Marsh Lane by Spring 2024, however a delay to our programme means that the crossing will now remain closed until August 2024. The existing road diversion will be kept in place throughout the extended closure.

Due to the extensive engineering work involved with the realignment of the track last year, we couldn’t complete the level crossing work at the same time as the railway closure. The realignment works required continuous access for engineering trains through the area to help facilitate moving and replacing the track.

Upgrading a level crossing isn’t just installing new barriers, over the coming months our teams will be installing a number of new signals (the traffic lights of the railway) that will control the level crossing, in addition to higher capacity power cables and object detection technology.

Work of this complex nature unfortunately cannot happen in isolation and needs to be coordinated with other planned signalling improvements in the region. Control of the level crossing’s new signals will need be updated at Marylebone signalling centre, a process that can only happen at certain intervals to allow for the new software that’ll control the level crossing to be extensively checked and ‘settle in’. Following work to retime our work, we’re now confident we can deliver the much needed safety improvements at Marsh Lane by summer 2024.

I would like to sincerely apologise for the delay in reopening the level crossing and assure you that it’s not a decision we take lightly. I understand the disruption this will cause to the local community. We’ll be writing to local residents next week to update them about the delay and with information on a planned community drop-in session in February. This will give local residents the opportunity to ask members of our project team questions about the work.

A man from Desborough in High Wycombe, who admitted to illegally dumping a mattress on a residential street, has been fined after being caught in the act on CCTV.

The man was spotted on private camera footage leaving his property and carrying the mattress down the road with another man. The same mattress was later found dumped nearby, on the corner of Green Street and Upper Green Street, High Wycombe.

Buckinghamshire Council officers investigated and interviewed the culprit who claimed he ‘did not know’ he wasn’t allowed to leave the mattress there.

The man chose to pay a fixed penalty of £300 for admitting the offence and to avoid court prosecution. Buckinghamshire Council has since increased its fixed penalty rate for fly-tipping to £1,000, in line with Government changes which were introduced in 2023, as part of a crackdown on the illegal dumping of waste.

Buckinghamshire Council investigates the on-street fly-tipping of waste wherever evidence allows. If a fixed penalty is issued and the offender chooses not to pay it, cases can progress to court where the offender risks a much higher fine, court costs and a criminal record.

Gareth Williams, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment said: “Buckinghamshire Council has a zero tolerance to dumping offences of any kind. There is no excuse for fly-tipping. There are excellent recycling facilities for residents seeking to dispose of bulky items, either by taking them to one of our Household Recycling Centres or arranging for a bulky waste collection via our website.”

Gareth continued: “We are grateful to the resident who provided us with the CCTV footage and gave us permission to use it to help bring this culprit to account. Sadly, the dumping of items like this is an ongoing problem in many of our residential areas. Not only does it create a real eyesore, it also has a cost to the council and ultimately taxpayers, in terms of the financial burden of having to fund the clear up and disposal. This incident happened before our rates increased but anyone issued with a Fixed Penalty for a similar offence now will be looking at paying more than three times the amount so I hope that will be a stark warning. We have eyes and ears everywhere – don’t chance it – dispose of your waste lawfully and ethically.”

If you have evidence showing an offence taking place and you are willing to provide a witness statement, please contact the council’s Enforcement Team at: SCRAPflytipping@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

To report fly-tipping anywhere in Buckinghamshire visit: www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/fix-my-street

Buckinghamshire Council has published its medium-term financial plan which details how it will balance its budget for the next three years.

In an acutely challenging financial context for local government, the council has worked hard to identify the savings needed to balance the books until 2027 and where spending reductions will be needed over the next three years. It’s also produced a detailed budget proposal for 2024/25 including how much it’s proposing to spend on major projects and services, following consultation with residents.

With many local authorities increasingly unable to produce balanced budgets, we are not yet in that position in Buckinghamshire. We have already made considerable savings from becoming a single unitary authority in 2020. The council forecasts that by 2027, it will have saved a total of nearly £172 million from both savings and additional income.

However, the council is still facing very significant extra financial pressure because of rising costs and demand particularly for services that help the most vulnerable, such as social care, providing temporary accommodation for people who have become homeless and home to school transport (particularly for children with special needs). All of these are critical services that people depend on, and which are statutory, meaning the council is legally obliged to fulfil these services.

It means that to balance the budget, the council has put forward solutions to ultimately reduce costs, including:

• investing in additional children’s homes to reduce the heavy cost burden of external placements
• making savings in Adult Social Care through providing help for some residents, where it fits their need, to live more independently
• rationalising the council’s office space, such as closing the King George V site in Amersham
• investing in more housing and temporary accommodation units to bring down the spend on costly nightly-paid accommodation

Residents were asked their views during the autumn on where they wanted the council to prioritise spending the budget and this feedback is now reflected in the financial plans.

The budget proposals include spending the following amounts over the next four years:

• £105 million on the highways network
• £25 million on supporting housing and homelessness
• £14.7 million on climate change and flood management projects
• £37.6 million on economic growth and regeneration projects

Overall, the plan proposes that the council spends £656.4 million on capital projects over the next four years.

The council raises the money needed to pay for these projects and services through grants and income streams. The biggest of these by far is the income from council tax, which makes up 80% of how council services are paid for. Because the cost of providing services has risen so significantly due to added demand and high inflation, the council can only balance the budget by raising council tax again next year. The budget proposals put forward a 2.99% rise in the base rate of council tax, with a further 2% rise to be spent on Adult Social Care, meaning a total rise of 4.99% - or an extra £1.69 per week for the average Band D property.

Underpinning this overarching financial plan are a number of key principles, including how it will allow the council to keep delivering on the priorities residents have asked for, while not making over-ambitious savings or excessively using reserves in the process.

Buckinghamshire Council Leader Martin Tett said:

“Council budgets are under extreme pressure everywhere and it’s been very challenging to produce a balanced budget that takes us through to 2027. This won’t come without pain and a reduction in some services that people may notice and feel.

Overall though, this Medium Term Financial Plan shows how we can maintain core, frontline services, and still put some further investment into those areas residents have asked us to prioritise, within the threshold of current council tax rate rises that are allowed without holding a referendum to increase council tax further.

I know it will not be welcome news to our residents that bills will rise again from April, but we simply have no choice. Council tax makes up some 80% of the funds needed to pay for our services and with costs and demands rising, despite large savings, so must our income. I know that this might cause worry for some households so I urge anyone who is worried about paying their council tax bill to get in touch with our team in the first instance as there is help and advice we can offer.

As an organisation, we have an overarching plan that supports four key principles; strengthening our communities, improving our environment, protecting the vulnerable and increasing prosperity and we are still in a position to fund services and projects that deliver on these priorities.

These are difficult times and it’s harder than ever to pay for the services we all value. I really hope our residents can understand the thinking and planning behind these proposals which I want to be fully upfront on. The budget will go through a rigorous scrutiny process during the second week of January so I invite people to look at the plans in detail and put forward any questions or comments they have on these plans so this feedback can be considered during these important meetings.”

We continue to make big progress on road repairs across Buckinghamshire and have now completed over26,000 road repairs since our new Buckinghamshire Highways contract began on 1 April. These repairs are on top of our annual resurfacing programme.

We have 21 teams working on road repairs, including potholes, some round the clock, seven days a week. Alongside this we continue to roll out our programme of bigger improvement works, with over 200 larger resurfacing, drainage and road safety projects on specific sections of the highways.Since April, our projects have included cleaning almost 62,000 gullies, fixing 2850 streetlights and completing 12 grit runs.

As part of Buckinghamshire Council’s £105m investment in roads across the county over four years, work is taking place at the following locations through Buckinghamshire Highways' Strategic Highway Maintenance Programme.

The works are part of a rolling programme of countywide work and some activities are extremely weather dependent, therefore dates shown are subject to change at short notice. These dates may also be subject to change depending on the availability of materials and unforeseen circumstances out of our control. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused.

Footways resurfacing works

Craigwell Avenue, Aylesbury (Monday 13 November to Monday 22 January)

Footway resurfacing works using a footway closure and give and take traffic management. In operation between 7am to 7pm.

Drainage Works

Brudenell Drive, Marsh Lane and Lower Road, Stoke Mandeville (Monday 27 November 2023 to Friday 12 January 2024)

Drainage works using both a lane management and give and take traffic management. In operation between 8am and 5pm on Brudenell Drive, 7am and 7pm on Marsh Lane and 9:30am and 3:30pm on Lower Road.

Street Lighting Works

• Marlow – various locations – upgrade of LED lanterns
• Aylesbury – various locations – upgrade of LED lanterns
• Various Locations – upgrade of illuminated signs and bollards (located on central traffic islands and roundabouts)
• Various Locations – upgrade of damaged street lighting columns and removal or damaged stumps
• Bourg Walk Bridge –upgrade of lighting to LED lanterns along the Bourg Walk using partial closure (cyclist please dismount)

Road worker abuse has increased this year – please respect our workforce while they make improvements to Buckinghamshire’s Highways.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Amidst all the seasonal plans and celebrations, Bucks residents are being reminded to take note of changes to bin collections during the festive period and to remember to recycle as much of the extra waste that accumulates at this time of year as possible.

Did you know that households produce around 30% more waste during the holiday period? From cardboard boxes to bottles and food wrappers to Christmas cards, much of the extra waste that is generated can be recycled. Cardboard boxes should be folded and flattened and placed securely next to your recycling container if it is full. You will also need to remove any other packaging such as tape and polystyrene. Glittery wrapping paper and Christmas cards with embellishments cannot be recycled and so need to be put in your regular waste bin.

With extra food and drink for parties and gatherings, it can be easy to buy more than needed. To ensure you keep food waste and costs to a minimum, check out our handy online toolkit which includes tips on storing food and making it go further. Leftovers and food waste can be put in your food recycling bin and left out for collection on bin day. Most food waste can go in the food recycling bin but you can check on the council website to see what can and cannot be recycled.

There are lots of other ways to be more environmentally friendly at Christmas, such as donating unwanted gifts or food and recycling old Christmas cards and ornaments into gift tags and decorations. Find out more on our website: https://www.recycleforbuckinghamshire.co.uk/christmas/

Due to the bank holidays, normal bin collections will be operating to a revised timetable. Make sure you check the amended dates in the below table and leave your bins out for collection by 6.30am on the morning they are due to be collected.

Residents who subscribe to the garden waste collection service should note that the service is currently suspended for winter and will resume on Monday 22 January 2024. As a garden waste subscriber, you can dispose of your Christmas tree, wreaths, holly and mistletoe in your garden waste bin after Christmas. Simply remove any decorations, cut the tree into smaller pieces and place them in your garden waste bin. If you are not subscribed to the garden waste collection service, you can either take your tree to your nearest Household Recycling Centre or see if there is a local charity collection nearby.

Buckinghamshire’s Household Recycling Centres will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. On all other days over the Christmas period the sites will operate the usual opening days and hours (9am-4pm). Check online before you visit to confirm opening hours and avoid the queues.

Gareth Williams, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment said: “There are lots of ways we can all make an effort to be greener at this time of year and every small thing that we do makes a difference. From being creative with your leftover food to donating unwanted gifts and recycling Christmas cards and wrapping paper, there are some great and cost-effective ways to be environmentally friendly over Christmas so be sure to give it a go.”

Residents in Buckinghamshire will be able to dispose of small amounts of DIY waste for free at Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) from 31 December 2023.

The changes have been brought in by central government and will make it easier for people to freely dispose of small amounts of waste created at home from DIY projects such as re-tiling, renovating a bathroom or digging a pond in the garden.

Today (Tuesday 12 December), Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet voted in favour of necessary changes to the council’s Waste Access & Acceptance Policy which sets out rules and procedures for the county’s 10 HRCs, to reflect the new legislation.

Following the change in law regarding the disposal of household DIY waste, the council is reintroducing a digital e-permit for DIY waste. From 31 December, any resident wanting to dispose of household DIY waste at a HRC will need to have an e-permit printed out or on a portable device, such as a mobile phone or tablet, before they visit. This only affects residents who wish to bring household DIY waste.

The DIY e-permit will allow residents to dispose of one load of DIY waste each week for free. One load of DIY waste is no more than 100 litres of loose DIY waste, or one large item no bigger than 2m x 0.75m x 0.7m such as one bath tub, one door or one kitchen unit. Staff will scan the permit and check the resident’s address, after which the e-permit will expire. It can be renewed after seven days, to allow residents to dispose of another load of DIY waste for free. Anyone wishing to dispose of more than one load of DIY waste in a week will be able to do so but will be charged, using the same price list which has been in place for the past four years.

Gareth Williams, Cabinet Member for Climate Change & Environment said: “We know these government changes will be welcomed by residents, but in order for us to manage them effectively, we are reintroducing a DIY e-permit system like we have used previously. This may be an extra step for residents, but it allows us to ensure that everything will run smoothly and will deter commercial traders from abusing the new system which is for residents only.”

Gareth continued: “We don’t want people to be held up in queues at the HRCs while the new system is bedding in, so we are looking to give people as much notice as possible of the changes and the need for them to download their e-permit before they visit the HRC from 31 December. We will be promoting the new process widely and would suggest people check our website and social media channels for the most up to date information. The whole process is very simple and straightforward and should become second nature to everyone once it has been up and running for a few weeks.”

The changes will only apply to DIY waste. Residents bringing garden waste, electricals, general and other types of waste commonly brought to HRCs will not be affected and can continue to use the sites in exactly the same way as before.

Commercial traders, landlords and residents disposing of waste produced by traders will still need to pay for commercial waste disposal.

For more information on the changes visit the council website.

When temperatures plummet, Buckinghamshire Council’s trusty fleet of gritters rolls into action, salting key roads across the county, to make them safer for motorists. But did you know that the council also provides salt bins for people to freely use to make their roads and pavements safer during cold and icy weather?

The bins are filled with salt and are available at multiple locations across the county for drivers and pedestrians to treat public roads and pavements in their local area. The bins are filled and topped up during the winter season with a mixture of salt and sand. They are located in targeted areas known to be affected by icy conditions which the gritting routes don’t cover.

Salt bins are provided for residents to use on public roads and footways only, and should not be used to clear private drives.

Steven Broadbent, Cabinet Member for Transport explained: “Our gritters treat miles and miles of priority routes across the county, including all A and B roads but clearly, we cannot treat every road. These salt bins provide a handy way for residents to self-serve and make their local area safer if the weather conditions cause concern and so are hugely valued by many communities.”

Residents can request a salt bin for their local area and all requests will be considered. If the request is granted, the council will pay for the installation of a salt bin and will refill as needed throughout the winter while stocks allow. Where a request is not granted, communities have the option to pay for a bin to be installed and for the ongoing delivery of salt stocks.

Visit the council's website to request a salt bin.

Steven added: “We grit our priority routes when road surface temperatures – which can be up to 5 degrees cooler than the air temperature - are predicted to drop below 0.5 degrees Celsius. Remember to still take extra care when driving as roads may still be icy; temperatures can drop after rain or the salt that has been spread can be blown away by wind or washed off by rain. Bear in mind too, that if temperatures drop below -8 C even gritted roads won’t be able to stop ice from forming.”

To check which routes are gritted, visit the council’s website at www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/gritting. And for updates when gritting is taking place, follow @buckshighways on Facebook or @bucks_highways on X.

Buckinghamshire & Surrey Trading Standards is cracking down on telephone scammers this festive season by encouraging people with vulnerable family or friends to support them in applying for a free trueCall device, which prevents scam and nuisance calls.

The compact trueCall device screens incoming phone calls and blocks calls from unknown and unsolicited phone numbers.

Each year, a significant number of Buckinghamshire residents fall victim to fraudsters who employ deceptive tactics to steal sensitive data. Among the most prevalent methods used is cold calling, where fraudsters impersonate legitimate representatives of businesses or financial institutions.

Mark Winn, Cabinet Member for Homelessness and Regulatory Services, said:

“Our Trading Standards team helps to protect the vulnerable from telephone scammers year-round by providing these easy to plug in home devices. Once fitted, they enable all known contacts to dial straight through, with anyone else being screened on the various settings available.

“Christmas is a great time for getting together with friends and family and having conversations with the more vulnerable about cold callers. These conversations could help identify individuals who may benefit from having a trueCall device fitted in their homes. A great gift for any vulnerable person in Buckinghamshire, they are provided free of charge to those in need, so please do encourage people to contact us if they believe they could benefit from having one of the devices.”

Alarming statistics shared by the trueCall team reveal that the proportion of nuisance calls identified as scams has surged from 21% to 40% in the past two years. Furthermore, one-third of scam victims fall prey to a second scam within a year, with single older individuals being three times more susceptible than those living with partners. Vulnerable individuals are also targeted with approximately 40% more scam calls compared to the general population.

To date, Buckinghamshire & Surrey Trading Standards has successfully installed 547 trueCall devices. Over the past year alone, these call blockers have prevented over 48,000 scam and nuisance calls. It is estimated the use of these devices has prevented £600k being taken by deception from Buckinghamshire residents.

To apply for a free call blocker device, interested individuals should contact Trading Standards via email at ts.prevention@surreycc.gov.uk or call Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133. The devices are provided on loan for as long as they are needed – ensuring ongoing protection against fraudulent activities.

Any incidents of suspected fraud should be reported to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice consumer service on 0808 223 1133.

As the festive season comes into full swing and people plan activities and shopping, Buckinghamshire Council is asking residents to get into the true spirit of Christmas and think about what they can give back to their local community to ensure everyone has an enjoyable festive season.

From donations to your local food bank or community fridge to volunteering time to support a local community initiative, there are lots of easy ways people can do something small that can make a real difference to those less fortunate.

There are many ways you can help:

• Donate gifts or money to collections such as the Inspire Bucks Christmas Gift Appeal which distributes new toys and gifts to local children and young people in need
• Donate items to your local food bank or community fridge
• Donate to the Heart of Bucks together against poverty appeal
• Volunteer your time to a local initiative. Community Impact Bucks runs a volunteering matching service that allows you to match your skills and time commitment to the volunteering opportunities available, including those within Opportunity Bucks areas.
• Become a Buckinghamshire Food Champion and collect Christmas donations for your street or local area - Set up a food collection point on your street (Food Champions) | Buckinghamshire Council

There are lots of other ways you can help others. Take a look at the council website for more information: How you can help others | Buckinghamshire Council

Arif Hussain, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities said: “Christmas is traditionally a time for giving and so we are asking all those who are able, to think about what they can do to give to support others in their community. The smallest act can make such a difference. Just looking in on an elderly or vulnerable neighbour can give a lift to someone living on their own. We know that Buckinghamshire has a strong community spirit and with cost of living pressures still impacting people, it’s important that those of us who are in a position to help, try to do what we can to support others, so everyone can enjoy the festive season.”

If the cost of living pressures are affecting you visit: www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/cost-of-living

As the weather is exceptionally cold, if you see anyone sleeping out on the streets of Buckinghamshire, please contact StreetLink via https://www.streetlink.org.uk or phone 0300 500 0914, who will notify our dedicated Outreach workers.

If you see anyone you believe to be under the age of 18 and/or are concerned about the health or welfare of anyone that you see sleeping rough, please call 999.

A warm area will be available in Buckinghamshire Council offices at Walton Street, Aylesbury, Queen Victoria Road, High Wycombe, and King George V Road, Amersham.

During office hours you can contact our housing teams on the following numbers:

• Aylesbury Vale Area: 01296 585168

• Chiltern and South Bucks & Wycombe Areas: 01494 421212

Kind regards,

Mark Winn

Cabinet Member for Homelessness & Regulatory Services

Buckinghamshire Council

Dear Resident,

There is an NHS survey that you can take part in to share your views on primary care services across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West (BOB).

The local NHS wants the public/patients to tell them about their experiences of using primary care services in the region to inform a strategy the local NHS is developing to transform these services. more info see here

Newsletter text and link to the survey below.

https://x.com/nhsbobicb/status/1728368223211466771?s=20

Buckinghamshire’s high streets are brimming with Christmas cheer, ready and waiting to welcome customers in the lead up to the holiday season. With free parking in towns and villages on select days in December and reduced bus fares, it’s easier than ever to take advantage of local shops and businesses overflowing with gifts and fresh produce to help celebrate the festive season in style.

Shop Local this Christmas, that is the message Buckinghamshire Council is sending to residents who are getting ready for their festive celebrations. Towns and villages across the county have been decorating high streets with lights, trees and decorations, ready to welcome customers onto their pavements and through their doors.

Rachael Matthews, Deputy Cabinet Member for Town Centre Regeneration, said: “The Christmas period is an important time for our local high streets. They rely on the loyalty of local customers to ensure they enjoy a successful festive season, so we want to remind people how important it is to shop local.

“You really don’t need to venture far to get everything you need to enjoy your celebrations and by supporting businesses in your local town or village, you are helping to ensure they can continue to run successfully and add value to your local area which benefits everyone.”

To make it even easier to visit your local high street to do your Christmas shopping, the council is offering free parking in its car parks that support local high streets on Saturday 9 and Saturday 16 December. To check which car parks are included visit the council website:www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/free-xmas-parking.

Or shoppers can let public transport take the strain by doing their Christmas shopping by bus, taking advantage of the extended £2 cap on single journey bus fares, now extended by the Government until next autumn.

Steven Broadbent, Cabinet Member for Transport said: “Whether you choose to travel by car or by bus, you can save money on your journey before you hit the shops. We know many people need a helping hand this Christmas, so the council is playing its part to give communities and high streets a festive boost.”

Buckinghamshire Council will also introduce a temporary pause on scheduled roadworks in some areas of the county in weeks leading up to the festive break. Steven explained: “To make it easier for people to travel and maximise trade, Buckinghamshire Highways will introduce a widespread postponement of roadworks in and around town and village centres in the run up to Christmas. Although we don’t have the power to stop emergency utility works that need doing, pausing planned roadworks will reduce possible delays.”

Many local businesses in Buckinghamshire are taking part in Small Business Saturday on Saturday 2 December, offering another chance for people to support their local shops and businesses and take advantage of special discounts and promotions. Find out which Bucks businesses are taking part in this year’s event: https://smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com/small-business-finder

One place to take your pick of independent and unique gifts sold by local artisans is the Aylesbury Christmas Craft & Gift Fair, taking place in Market Square, Aylesbury, on Sunday 3 December from 11am to 4pm. There are also lots of other Christmas themed events and fairs taking place across the county over coming weeks. Take a look at the Buckinghamshire Family Information Service website to find out what’s on near you: https://familyinfo.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/things-to-do/things-to-do-this-christmas/

Christmas is a magical time for children. Whatever their age, every child is excited to find a present under the tree with their name on it. Sadly, not all children are guaranteed a gift to open on Christmas morning, but that is where residents of Buckinghamshire are being asked to assist, if they can.

Local charity, Inspire Bucks, is once again running its Christmas Gift Appeal which aims to ensure that some of the most disadvantaged local children and young people get at least one gift to open this Christmas.

The appeal seeks donations of new toys and gifts for children and young people ranging in age from babies to care leavers aged up to 25. Those who prefer can give a monetary donation which will be used to buy suitable gifts for the children and young people.

The gifts are given to local children and young people in need, including those in care and others whose families are facing severe financial difficulties and simply cannot afford to spend money on toys and gifts. Inspire Bucks works closely with council social workers, schools and food banks to identify recipients and everyone will receive at least one gift.

Last year the appeal helped provide a Christmas present to nearly 3,500 children in Buckinghamshire. Anita Cranmer, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Education said: “Every year we are overwhelmed by the generosity of local people who donate to the Gift Appeal. This support makes a huge difference to so many disadvantaged children across the county. I know we are all still facing high cost of living pressures but I would ask those who are able to support this cause, to contribute with either a gift or monetary donation. Every gift and all the money donated goes directly to the children and young people to help give them the Christmas they deserve.”

Anita added: “This year the appeal will also include young people who are leaving the care system to take the next steps into their adult lives. We want to make sure these young people, who may not have families of their own, don’t miss out. A specially chosen gift just for them will bring a smile to their faces and show them that they are cared for which is what Christmas is all about.”

To find out more about where to drop off gifts or how to make a monetary donation, visit the Inspire Bucks Gift Appeal website.

Gifts are needed for all ages. If you are unsure what is suitable, Inspire Bucks have put together an Amazon gift list which enables you to purchase something direct.

You can also donate a monetary gift via the charity’s Just Giving page: Inspire Bucks Christmas Gift Appeal 2023 - JustGiving

Work has just finished on the installation of a new footway alongside the A4010 (Risborough Road) at Ellesborough and this week, some of those involved in making it happen got together to mark the occasion.

The new path runs for 350 metres, connecting existing footpaths which run north from the Fremantle Court Nursing Home into Stoke Mandeville, and south along the Risborough Road. The scheme provides a safe footway for pedestrians between the nursing home and the nearest shop, which is located within the service station at the junction of Risborough Road and North Lee Lane.

The works were carried out by Buckinghamshire Highways using the HS2 Road Safety Fund, which was made available by the Government to leave a legacy of safer roads for local communities impacted by HS2 construction. Ellesborough Parish Council’s successful application to that fund to improve access for residents and Fremantle Court visitors enabled the creation of the new path. Numerous additional projects have been completed in other locations around the county, all helping to improve road safety.

Steven Broadbent, Cabinet Member for Transport said: “We are delighted to have been able to respond to the local community and to bring about this improvement for local residents and visitors to the Fremantle Court Nursing Home. The A4010 is a very busy road which, together with adjoining roads in the area, has been heavily impacted by HS2 construction in terms of increased HGV traffic, road closures, diversions and traffic management. This scheme, which joins two existing footpaths, will enable residents and visitors to walk to the nearest shop in safety, while also extending the existing footpath from the Terrick roundabout along Risborough Road and into Stoke Mandeville. We know the changes will be welcomed by everyone in the local community.”

Steven added: “The disruption caused by the ongoing HS2 works on our doorstep continues to be a real headache for many local residents but with access to this limited funding, we are at least able to address a range of road safety concerns that might otherwise not have been possible so we can continue in our efforts to improve road safety for everyone across the county.”

Buckinghamshire Council is asking residents to think twice before throwing food waste in the bin and to recycle it instead.

Currently around a third of the waste thrown in the regular rubbish bin in Buckinghamshire is food waste. This equates to around 28,000 tonnes of food every year, an average of 2kg per household per week. It is enough to fill Big Ben more than one and a half times each year. Not only does this cost local taxpayers more than £600,000 a year in disposal costs, disposing of food waste in this way also damages the environment as it produces double the amount of carbon emissions compared to recycling food waste.

As part of a renewed drive to encourage more people to recycle their food waste, over the next few weeks the council will be delivering leaflets, putting stickers on rubbish bins, and letting people know about the many benefits of food recycling. Attention is particularly being focused on areas where there is more scope to increase food recycling rates.

Gareth Williams, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment, said: “We know lots of people already recycle their food waste and we appreciate their efforts, but we want to encourage more people to do it. Recycling your food waste is much better for everyone and it really couldn’t be easier. With our weekly food waste collection service, all you need to do is put your food waste in your dedicated food recycling bin rather than your regular bin. Leave it out for collection on your usual weekly bin day and we will empty it.”

Even residents who are keen recyclers might not know they can recycle some food waste. Many people don’t realise they can recycle mouldy bread or out of date food – once the packaging has been removed of course. Even tea bags and coffee grounds, which you might not think of as food waste, can be recycled.

Home composting is another way of recycling some food waste which can be transformed into soil improver for gardens. Cooked food waste is not suitable for composting however and should instead be put into the kerbside food recycling bin for collection.

Gareth continued: “By recycling any food that can’t be eaten instead of throwing it in the bin, you will be helping to save money which could be spent on other essential council services. The food that is collected for recycling across Buckinghamshire is delivered to facilities near Aylesbury and turned into energy to power our homes. It also produces a high-quality fertiliser for use on agricultural land. Did you know, recycling just six tea bags will generate enough energy to boil a kettle to make another cuppa?”

The recycling process for food is called anaerobic digestion. It uses micro-organisms to break down food waste in the absence of oxygen, inside an enclosed system. As it breaks down it gives off methane, which is collected and converted into biogas and used to generate electricity. It also creates a nutrient-rich digestate that can be used as a fertiliser for agriculture and in land regeneration.16,000 tonnes of food is recycled from Buckinghamshire homes each year.

You can find more information on recycling food at home and also tips on how to reduce your food waste on:www.recycleforbuckinghamshire.co.uk

Buckinghamshire Council is encouraging residents to help them fight fraud as part of International Fraud Awareness Week (12-18 November).

The council's Fraud Team tackles housing benefit cheating, council tax scams, cybercrime and more. Losses from fraud cost taxpayers thousands of pounds yearly.

Recent action by the Fraud Team includes a joint operation with Parking Services aimed at targeting Blue Badge misuse. Investigators caught several people using expired badges or overstaying time limits in disabled parking bays. Offenders were issued a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) for their parking contravention and sent warning letters.

Commenting on the operation, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Steven Broadbent, said:

“Blue Badge misuse is not only fraud, but also a serious problem for our most vulnerable residents who rely on the scheme to access essential services and facilities. By parking in disabled bays without a valid badge, offenders are taking away spaces from those who really need them, causing them unnecessary inconvenience and stress.

“The recent successful operation by our teams to identify those who misuse Blue Badges – whether they are expired, stolen or used by someone else – sends a clear message to anyone who thinks they can get away with this dishonest and selfish behaviour: we will find you and we will take action.

“Suspected abuses of the Blue Badge scheme should be reported to us via our website.”

Nationally, fraud costs the public sector £50 billion annually – that’s around £1,000 per household. And of all crimes committed in the UK, fraud is estimated to account for 40% of them.

John Chilver, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Accessible Housing & Resources, commented:

"We do not tolerate fraud in Buckinghamshire.

“We take all fraud allegations seriously and investigate them thoroughly. We urge anyone who spots anything suspicious to report it. If needed, this can be done anonymously.

"Fraud harms all Buckinghamshire residents by diverting funds away from essential services. Which is why we should all be vigilant – your tip-off could stop the cheats."

Frauds, scams or other suspicious activity in Buckinghamshire should be reported via the council’s website.

Tips and advice on becoming ‘fraud aware’ are available on the Action Fraud website.

Network Rail, HS2 and Chiltern Railways are thanking passengers and local people this week after the railway between Aylesbury and Princes Risborough reopened as planned this morning (Monday 30 October) following major work to prepare for HS2.

What work has been completed?

During a 12-week closure of the line, a damaged culvert was repaired to the south of Aylesbury station in August. Immediately after this work was completed, almost 2km of track was replaced and installed across a brand-new embankment built by HS2’s contractor, EKFB (a team made up of Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial Construction and Bam Nuttall).

The new section of track will provide smoother and more reliable journeys for Chiltern Railways' passengers as well as vitally allowing HS2 to construct new high speed lines which will pass beneath a new 100m steel bridge carrying the existing railway. To the north of the new high speed route HS2 have installed a further bridge structure which will allow the proposed South West Aylesbury Link Road to also pass beneath the route between Aylesbury and Princes Risborough.

We’ve worked hard to reduce the impact of our work on the local environment by delivering most of our materials by rail, including 11,000 tonnes of railway ballast (stone). This has helped us to remove over 800 lorry movements from the local and national road network.

Marsh Lane level crossing closure

As part of our work to realign the railway, Marsh Lane level crossing needed to be closed to the public during the railway closure to allow our engineers and engineering trains safe continuous access to the work site.

Now our track realignment work has been completed, a project to upgrade Marsh Lane level crossing is required to make it safer and bring it up to modern safety standards. Work will take place to install a full barrier level crossing in 2024 and then it will reopen to pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. We’ll keep you and the local community updated about this project.

Thanking passengers in Aylesbury

On Tuesday 31 October, staff from Network Rail and Chiltern Railways will be thanking passengers in person for their patience at Aylesbury and Princes Risborough stations between 3pm and 6pm. As a thank you gesture, passengers will be offered special edition cakes and vouchers for use at both of the stations’ cafés.

Please use the QR code on to take the survey on the future of All Saints Church, our beautiful 13th century church. 

Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 18C of the Representation of the People Act 1983 Buckinghamshire Council (the Council) is to carry out a review of its polling districts and polling places. Relevant information and mapping regarding the current arrangements and proposals for changes can be found on the Council’s website www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/polling-feedback, or can be inspected at The Gateway, Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP19 8FF. The (Acting) Returning Officer (ARO) for the Parliamentary constituencies of: • Aylesbury • Beaconsfield • Buckingham and Bletchley • Chesham and Amersham • Mid Buckinghamshire, and • Wycombe will comment on the proposals. Those representations will be published on the Council’s website and will be available for inspection at The Gateway, Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP19 8FF in accordance with the timetable set out below. Electors within the Council area or within a UK Parliamentary constituency which has any part in the authority may make a representation. We invite comments from all electors regarding the convenience of voting at polling stations currently used for elections and would welcome suggestions for alternative sites. The Council would also welcome the views of all residents, particularly disabled residents, or any person or body with expertise in access for persons with any type of disability, on the proposals, ARO’s representations or any other related matters. Anybody making representations should, if possible, give alternative places that may be used as polling places. Comments and representations may be submitted as follows: By post Polling District Review Consultation, Electoral Services, The Gateway, Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP19 8FF By email elections@buckinghamshire.gov.uk By completing the online feedback form www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/polling-review All representations must be made by no later than Monday 4 December 2023 Timetable Date 2 October 2023 Formal notice of review 6 November 2023 Publication of (Acting) Returning Officer’s comments 2 October 2023 Commencement of public consultation period 4 December 2023 End of public consultation period 18 January 2023 Final proposals considered by Standards and General Purposes Committee 1 February 2024 Publish revised register of electors The outcome of the review will be published by the Council in January 2024 and will be available for inspection on the Council's website and The Gateway, Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP19 8FF. Anybody making representations should be aware that, upon completion of the review, all correspondence and representations received must, by law, also be published. Dated: Monday 2 October 2023 Rachael Shimmin Chief Executive Buckinghamshire Council

Buckinghamshire Council is preparing its spending plans for 2024 to 2025 and is asking residents, businesses and other local stakeholders to give their views on which services should be prioritised.

The consultation period will close at midnight on Sunday 15 October 2023, so this is your final opportunity to have your say on how your council tax is spent.

The council is committed to ensuring that their budget for the next financial year is allocated in a way that meets the needs of the community – including funding for essential services such as education, social care and waste management.

There have already been a significant number of responses to the consultation from across Buckinghamshire, but it's not too late to give your views. You can provide feedback on the proposed spending plan by visiting the council's website and filling out theonline survey.

Martin Tett, Leader of Buckinghamshire Council, said:

“Budget setting in recent times has become extremely difficult. While we are seeing some more stability and a slowing of inflation, we have also seen very significant rises in social care costs, with many more people coming through the door needing our help. It means we’re already spending more than we budgeted for this year on services like social care and temporary accommodation, and if this trend continues, it puts even more pressure on our overall budgets.

“I have to level with people and explain that we will have to take some really tough decisions to balance our books. We know residents have been experiencing ongoing cost of living pressures, so we face very difficult choices on how we provide some services going forward.

“All this means it is crucial that we build up a clear picture of what residents, businesses and local stakeholders want us to do.

“With the Money Matters survey, we’ve made it as quick and easy as possible for you to give us your views – it really will be ten minutes well spent if you can take part. Your views will then be fed into our final budget proposals which will be heavily scrutinised just after Christmas in a series of special meetings. The final budget is then voted on during February, ready to ‘go live’ on 1 April 2024.”

You can find more information about Money Matters and have your say by visiting Buckinghamshire Council'sMoney Matters webpage.

Buckinghamshire Council Leader, Martin Tett, reacted to Wednesday’s announcement of the cancellation of the Birmingham to Manchester section of HS2, by saying that, having ‘suffered all of the pain without any gain’ from Phase 1 of the project, Bucks should now receive significant compensatory investment.

“I was absolutely delighted with the decision. It is undoubtedly right that this ill-conceived and vastly expensive scheme is finally cancelled. My regret is that it is thirteen years too late. Here in Buckinghamshire, we have suffered the devastation of our beautiful county and environment. People’s lives have been destroyed, businesses closed, and our fabulous countryside and ancient woodlands torn up. I dread to think how much hard-pressed tax-payers’ money has already been wasted.”

“Sadly, I fear that it is too late to cancel the HS2 line through Buckinghamshire. The damage is already done. What I am demanding is that the Government commits a fraction of the £36bn saved from both de-scoping Euston and cancelling north of Birmingham to help repair the damage already done in Buckinghamshire. I am writing today to Mark Harper, the Secretary of State for Transport putting the case that Buckinghamshire deserves to share significantly in the national benefits of cancellation. We have an environment that needs restoration and key transport schemes that need funding. These should be priorities for the Government now that it has finally seen sense.”

From Sunday 1 October, all 10 of Buckinghamshire’s Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) will switch over to the usual winter opening hours of 9am to 4pm.

The days each centre is open will remain unchanged but the change in hours reflects the fact that as it gets closer to the clocks going back at the end of October and over the winter months, the number of visitors to the sites decreases rapidly once it starts to get darker earlier.

Gareth Williams, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment explained: “This is something that we do every year at this time, but we want to make sure that everyone is aware of this important change to winter closing times of 4pm from 1 October, so please take note.”

To find out which days your local HRC is open and also further details of what can and cannot be taken to a centre, visit: buckinghamshire.gov.uk/waste-and-recycling/

Did you know you can also view live webcam footage via the council website, to check if the site is busy and avoid having to wait in a queue? If you are unsure about the best time to visit, take a look at the cameras and plan your trip accordingly.

Don’t forget, any items such as furniture, garden equipment, bicycles and household equipment in good condition that you are looking to get rid of, can be taken to any HRC where they are collected for reuse. Items donated are sold on by the South Bucks Hospice which runs the reuse shops in High Wycombe and Aston Clinton HRCs. Items for resale can be taken to any of the 10 sites and will be transported to the reuse shops.

Gareth continued: “We would encourage anyone who wants to get rid of good quality household and garden items to donate them to the hospice reuse shops. You can combine your donations with a regular trip to the tip so it couldn’t be easier. The items you no longer want will be snapped up by someone else who needs them and by donating in this way you are helping raise much needed funds for a local charity, so everyone is a winner.”

That is the question the Safer Buckinghamshire Board is asking residents and other interested parties as it launches its Safer Bucks consultation.

The Safer Buckinghamshire Board is the local multi-agency community safety partnership that brings together experts from the police, fire service, probation health and social care services.

Following last year’s community safety survey, the new Safer Buckinghamshire Strategy 2023-26 was developed. The strategy outlined the five key priorities for improving community safety and fear of crime in the area. To help deliver the next 12 months of the strategy, the Safer Buckinghamshire Board is keen to know:

• What impact crime and anti-social behaviour has in local areas
• More about people’s experiences of reporting crime
• How safe or unsafe residents feel in Buckinghamshire

The consultation is open to anyone who lives, works or studies in Buckinghamshire. It is open until 29 October. You can complete the survey online at: Community safety survey 2023: How can we make Buckinghamshire safer? . Residents can obtain a hard copy by contacting: sbp@buckinghamshire.gov.uk.

Thomas Broom, Buckinghamshire Council’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Community Safety said: “On the whole Buckinghamshire is a very safe place to live and visit but like any area, there can be times and locations where issues occur. We are really keen to hear from local residents and others about their experiences and the effect these matters have had on them. We can and do look at the statistics and background data, but this first-hand detail from individuals responding to a survey like this is invaluable in helping us to effectively target our resources and attention to make the best impact and improvement. It doesn’t take long to complete so please take a few minutes to let us know your thoughts.”

You can read the full Safer Buckinghamshire Strategy online.

On Monday, Thames Valley Police will be launching a new online portal for victims of crime. As the first police force to be using technology like this, we will be initially launching this with a trial period and wanted to provide a short briefing to you on what this portal will allow should it come up in conversations with victims of crime that you have contact with.

Last year, our force received nearly 1 million contacts from the public. Across the UK, there has been an increase in calls to 999 and 101, so it's vital we find new ways to communicate with our communities.

The new portal uses digital technology to improve our non-emergency contact to ensure we're giving victims the best possible service, and we’re able to prioritise those most in need.

Victims will be able to log in and get updates on their reports and contact the officer in charge of their case more easily, as well as having access to helpful resources depending on the type of crime they have been a victim of, and find useful information and links to other relevant agencies.

Victims have to be invited to the portal so they will receive a text and/or email if they are eligible to log in. As we are in the early stages of using the portal, it will not be available for all crime types and for the trial period will be used for crimes that we deem to be of a lower risk and for which we receive higher volumes of reports, for example theft from motor vehicles. We aim to expand the portal to incorporate further crime types in the future.

During the pilot period, the online portal will be hosted on a separate website, but once it is up and running for all crime types, we hope to link it to the existing Thames Valley police website. For now, only victims who have been invited to use the portal will have the URL to take them to the site.

You can watch a short video explaining what the portal will do at: TVP Portal animation - YouTube

What next?

So that we can effectively assess the success of the portal and where improvements may be needed, an opportunity for feedback will be made available around October time.

Whilst the portal is in a trial period, we will not be sharing proactive external communications for some time, potentially later this year, by which time we hope to have the portal embedded and be in a position to share positive outcomes from its use. We hope that you will be able to support us in sharing that content when the time comes.

Buckinghamshire Council is preparing its spending plans for 2024-25 and is asking residents, businesses and other local stakeholders to give their views on which services should be prioritised.

Like household budgets, councils across the country are also experiencing significant financial pressures due to rising costs and added demand on services. The general economic turbulence of the last year and a half has also made budget setting and forecasting even more challenging. In particular, the council has seen social care costs escalate even further in recent months due to many more vulnerable residents needing our help.

With everyone managing their own cost of living pressures, it’s really important that residents tell the council how they want to see next year’s council tax spent.

Council tax is the main way that local council services are funded – from bin collections to road repairs to looking after adults and children who need our care. The council has ongoing costs to provide its services and also draws up capital spending plans too – ‘one-off’ spends on particular projects or schemes such as last year’s decision to invest millions of pounds extra in resurfacing and repairing the county’s roads after significant winter damage.

The council’s ‘Money Matters’ survey has gone live today – this is the way residents can tell the council which areas they want prioritised in next year’s budget. The survey takes just ten minutes to complete. These views are then fed into the final budget proposals which are then heavily scrutinised just after Christmas in a series of special meetings. The final budget is then voted on during February ready to ‘go live’ on 1 April 2024.

Councillor Martin Tett is Leader of Buckinghamshire Council. He said:

“Budget setting in recent times has become extremely difficult. While we are seeing some more stability and a slowing of inflation, we have also seen very significant rises in social care costs, with many more people coming through the door needing our help. It means we’re already spending more than we budgeted for this year on services like social care and temporary accommodation and if this trend continues, it puts even more pressure on our overall budgets.

I have to level with people and explain that we will have to take some really tough decisions to balance our books. We know residents have been experiencing ongoing cost of living pressures, so we face very difficult choices on how we provide some services going forward.

All this means it is absolutely crucial that we build up a clear picture of what residents want us to do. I urge you therefore to tell us by completing the ‘Money Matters’ survey.”

The second Buckinghamshire Council Jobs and Apprenticeships Fair will take place on Saturday 23 September.

The County-wide event, which will be held at The Elgiva Theatre in Chesham, is an opportunity for employers to promote their jobs and apprenticeship opportunities to anyone looking for employment or seeking a change of job or career.

Buckinghamshire Jobs and Apprenticeships Fair will run from 10am to 3pm on Saturday 23 September and those interested in attending the free event can secure their place now at:

Buckinghamshire Jobs and Apprenticeships Fair Tickets, Sat 23 Sep 2023 at 10:00 | Eventbrite

The first hour from 10am to 11am has limited spaces for people who would prefer a quieter experience or need additional support – book early if this time suits you.

Attendees will be able to meet and talk with over 25 exhibitors and support organisations including All Spring Media, Silverson Machines, Carousel Buses, Buckinghamshire Fire, First Response, Balfour Beatty, Atkins Global, DeVere Hotels, Buckinghamshire Council and Buckinghamshire NHS Trust. Buckinghamshire Adult Learning will once again be delivering mini workshops on the day.

Exhibitor spaces are still available and can be booked by emailingjobsfair@buckinghamshire.gov.uk.

Joseph Baum, Deputy Cabinet Member for Education and Skills said:

“It has been a long-running passion of mine to help people find opportunities in Buckinghamshire, and I am proud to have played a part in organising this event. It is genuinely exciting and rewarding to be helping to lead the second Buckinghamshire Jobs and Apprenticeships Fair’.

This year the event is being supported by Opportunity Bucks, the council’s flagship programme to improve opportunities for people in Buckinghamshire.

Opportunity Bucks focuses on ten wards in Buckinghamshire where people are experiencing the most hardship, one of which is Chesham.”

The Government have announced a series of planning consultations taking place this summer. Full details can be accessed by clicking on the links below.

The first focusses on proposed changes to Permitted Development Rights this includes change of use and the use of local design codes. Thisconsultationwill run from 24 July 2023 to 25 September 2023.

The second consultation, includes a series of proposals aimed at making the preparation of Local Plans simpler, faster and more accessible in England. This consultation, will close on 18 October 2023.

The third and final consultation, looks at streamlining and enabling the faster delivery of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) including off-shore wind, transport links and other major infrastructure. The closing date for thisconsultation is the 19 September 2023.

Overall satisfaction with all ten of the county’s Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) is 100% according to the latest figures from the bi-annual Customer Satisfaction Survey.

The survey is carried out twice a year to gauge opinions of regular users of the sites and to ensure the facilities continue to meet the requirements of local residents.

The results show:

• 100% of those interviewed said they were satisfied overall with the HRCs (61% said they were very satisfied and 39% said they were satisfied).
• The layout of containers on site and the helpfulness of site staff also received 100% satisfaction ratings.
• The area of least satisfaction was with road signs to the site which received a 97% satisfaction rating and traffic queues which received a 98% satisfaction rating.
• Satisfaction with the range of materials which can be recycled has increased from the last survey.
• Customers in Burnham gave the highest number of ‘very satisfied’ ratings of all the sites.

Gareth Williams, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment said: “These results are a great indicator of the popularity of our household recycling centres. Our wish is to make it as easy as possible for people to be able to get rid of their household waste and recycling in a responsible and convenient way. It’s great to hear that the vast majority of our customers are pleased with how the centres are run and we will aim to continue this trend and listen to all the feedback to see if we can make further improvements.”

FCC Environment manages the ten HRCs across the county on behalf of Buckinghamshire Council.

FCC Environment’s HRC Contract Manager James Reseigh commented: “The recent survey results are fantastic and a true reflection of the continued hard work and dedication of the team members operating the sites. This comes hot on the heels of our High Wycombe site winning the Civic Amenity Site of the Year in the National Recycling Awards which was an amazing achievement. But it’s good to have it confirmed that our visitors feel that we deliver a great service. We are excited to continue to do so over the duration of the contract.”

The survey also asked site users about the reuse facilities at the HRC sites, gauging awareness of the reuse shops at Aston Clinton and High Wycombe HRCs and their knowledge of donating items for resale and reuse.

In 2022-23, reuse tonnage was 941 tonnes in total, the equivalent weight to more than 78 double decker buses. Staff working at all HRCs also keep an eye out for items brought to the sites to see whether they can be resold and direct residents to the reuse area. Items are taken from all 10 sites and delivered to the two shops in Aston Clinton and High Wycombe. Top selling items include furniture, garden ornaments, crockery and sporting equipment – all of which can be donated directly to one of the reuse shops which are run by South Bucks Hospice.

In the survey, over two-thirds of respondents (70%) claimed to know that all HRC sites keep reusable items separate. These items are then sold in one of South Bucks Hospice's charity shops. Of those asked, 64% said they would donate if they knew what items could be donated.

The reuse shops are open for the same hours as the HRCs and are staffed by South Bucks Hospice staff. The reuse shop at High Wycombe now has its own car park and entrance which has increased footfall to the shop. More donations are always welcome.

Jackie Ward, CEO of South Bucks Hospice, said: “Reusing and recycling has always been popular with many people but with continued cost of living pressures, even more people are looking at ways to make their money go further and reuse shops like these can be great places to find a bargain. We are finding that many items are being snapped up almost as soon as they are donated so we are always keen for people to donate more. You can combine two trips in one, get rid of your waste and donate to charity at the same time.”

To find a full list of Household Recycling Centres in Buckinghamshire, visit the council’s website.