The new Council term is taking shape. Cabinet has had its first formal meeting and other scrutiny meetings are due within the next week or so, although the first planning hearing has been cancelled due to lack of business to discuss. The new Community Boards have been constituted, and for us will be known as the East Bucks area. This will encompass the electoral wards of Ivinghoe – Bierton, Kingsbrook and Wing – Wendover, Halton and Stoke Mandeville – Aston Clinton and Weston Turville. I am delighted to have been appointed as Chairman with Julie Ward as my deputy. Michelle Parker will remain as the Board Manager. The boards will have a very different look and feel this year as there will be more focus on engagement by the managers and Chairman and fewer meetings. Work will start immediately with a proposed first meeting in September. Communities will be asked to set their own priorities and I envisage much more collaborative working between the many and varied parishes which make up our Board area. Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet holds first meeting
Buckinghamshire Council’s new Cabinet has held its first meeting (Tue 17 June), during which the council’s overall performance and stable budget position were reflected on. A number of key reports were discussed and considered by the new Cabinet, including the council’s Annual Report and a summary of its financial performance during the 2024/25 financial year. The Cabinet recognised the excellent level of achievement and firm foundations the new council has inherited following the May elections, and paid tribute to the work of the previous administration. Council Leader Steven Broadbent highlighted a number of achievements in the Annual Report, which covers the full range of services and projects delivered under Buckinghamshire Council’s four core priorities: Strengthening our communities Protecting the vulnerable Improving our environment Increasing prosperity The annual report is an update on the over-arching Corporate Plan which acts as a golden thread for all the work and services that the council delivers to improve lives and have a positive impact on Buckinghamshire and its people. The Cabinet also considered the ‘2024/25 Budget outturn’ report which documents the significant achievement in balancing last year’s budget against a context of considerable pressure and volatility. While portfolio budgets were overspent by £6.5m, primarily from Children’s Social Care, Home to School Transport and a smaller than forecast income from parking services, these were offset by overall savings made across the council’s spending. Overall, the council successfully delivered £147.1 million of investment during 2024/25 on capital schemes, progressing major projects such as new South East Aylesbury Link Road and key town centre improvements that include the upgrade of White Hart Street in Wycombe and the creation of the new ‘Pavilion Quarter’ in Aylesbury Town Centre.
Join our Self Defence Classes across Buckinghamshire
Across Buckinghamshire we have been running FREE self defence classes, supported by local Community Boards. These classes, delivered by Bucks Pro-Mai, have been designed to empower ladies (12+ – under 16’s to be accompanied by an adult) with the understanding of how to pre-empt any potential situations through pre-defence and to learn the skills of how to defend themselves if a situation does arise. What to expect on the day: Pre-defence: how to recognise and avoid potential situations, running through body language and simple skills Practical Skills: master basic self-defence techniques Q&A with trained Bucks Pro-Mai instructors Advice & Support: attendees will be provided with crime prevention leaflets and products Evaluation: to help assess the class you will be asked to complete a short evaluation at the end of the session Visit for upcoming and future events: Community Safety Events – Eventbrite Cllr’s Chris Poll and Peter Brazier.
