Archives: Local News

Ivinghoe Parish Council provide the following additional information:

• The works will be from 09:30 – 3:30 on each day
• The traffic lights are likely to be there for 24hrs per day.
• The works will effect where the Marsworth bus will drop off and pick up
• Parking will be severely restricted especially on the Ivinghoe side of the works.
• The last time there was works in exactly the same position there were long queues of traffic on both sides, so if possible to use alternative routes.
• The queueing traffic will severely hamper the ‘school drop off zone’ so therefore allow more time.

Mobile Library Service Consultation Poster A4 Portrait

Mobile Libraries consultation 2017-1

Please find attached details of a Bucks County Council consultation on their mobile library service, including a proposal to discontinue the service from May 2018.   You are able to submit comments until 31 December 2017.

This consultation will also be discussed by Pitstone parish council at their meeting on 30 November 2017, where residents are welcome to attend and make representations.

Are you ready for winter?
As the nights get colder and darker, the chances of severe weather increase. Storms, floods and other extreme conditions can cause damage to
network infrastructure and disrupt your energy supply.
That’s why the UK’s gas and electricity network companies have come together to launch the Be Winter Ready campaign. The campaign aims to
help the public better-prepare for power cuts and gas emergencies that may result from bad winter weather.
To Be Winter Ready, you should:
• Know your free emergency numbers – in a power cut dial 105 or, for a gas emergency, dial 0800 111999.
• Prepare your home – keep a torch handy and get your appliances serviced by a Gas Safe registered engineer to prevent carbon
monoxide poisoning. Vulnerable households can get extra support by signing up to the Priority Services Register. Contact your gas or
electricity network to find out more. Visit www.energynetworks.org to find out who your network operator is.
• Keep your eyes open – keep an eye on the weather forecast and, if you have a power cut or a gas emergency, check on your
neighbours.
In recent years the chances of unplanned problems with electricity and gas supply have reduced dramatically. Since 1990, network companies
have invested £80bn in improving the reliability of local energy networks in the UK. As a result, on average, electricity customers have a power
cut just once every two years and gas distribution customers will have their gas supply interrupted without advance notice just once every 40
years.
Despite this, our gas and electricity networks can be affected by natural events, with severe winter weather potentially causing significant
damage. The gas and electricity network operators are urging the public to Be Winter Ready. Make sure you’re prepared in case you have a
power cut or gas emergency.

AVDC VALP key facts Info Connect Poster – Final Oct 2017

Please click on the link below to read the latest ‘Inform’ magazine published by the Community Noise department at Luton Airport.

This edition includes info about their community noise monitoring, how to report aircraft noise issues and the delayed landing gear deployment trial.

Their Flight Operations teams will also be holding a surgery for the general public at Ivinghoe Old School Community Hub on 18th January 2018 – so if you have any queries about air traffic or noise, please make sure you pop along and speak to them.

Inform October 2017 Version 1

As the darker evenings approach, with trick-or-treaters preparing for Halloween, Thames Valley Police are offering tips for a safe and fun Halloween and are reminding residents to take basic home security measure to keep their home safe as the clocks go back on Sunday (29/10).

Detective Chief Superintendent, Richard List, said: “While Thames Valley generally has low crime rates, a house in darkness indicates that there’s no one at home and it could be an invitation to a burglar. There are a lot of simple measures you can do, which don’t have to be expensive, such as using a timer so that a light automatically comes on while you are out.

“Making sure your doors and windows are locked is a deterrent for an intruder. Many burglaries are opportunistic crimes, where the offender has identified an open window or insecure door and has easily let themselves into your home.”

Last year saw a 34% increase in residential burglaries in winter compared to summer (summer months include June 2016, July 2016, August 2016 and winter months include November 2016, December 2016 and January 2017).

“Many people only think about home security after they have been burgled. We want to encourage people to review this before they fall victim to crime. Similarly, valuables left on view on car seats provide an ideal opportunity for a smash and grab.”

Top tips to reduce the chance of your house being targeted:

• Invest in a timer light switch and vary the time it comes on each day to make it look more natural. It can also be used with a radio or TV to give the impression that someone’s home
• Consider installing a fake/simulated TV device which lights up a room like a real TV
• Keep valuables out of sight and mark them with your house number and postcode using a UV pen, or consider buying a forensic property marking system
• Register your valuables via immobilise and keep an inventory list. It’s free and takes just a few minutes
• If you have jewellery at home, photograph it for insurance purpose and consider storing it in a suitable safe
• Lock your doors and windows, if you have a UPVC door make sure you have double locked it by lifting the handle and locking it with the key. Make sure the key is removed from the lock and out of reach
• If you’re going away, remember not to post details of your holiday on social networking sites, cancel any milk or newspaper deliveries and if you have a burglar alarm, make sure it is set before you leave
• Look out for your neighbours’ houses, especially when they’re not at home and call the police if you see anything suspicious on 101 or 999 in an emergency.

Offering tips for a safe and fun Halloween, Detective Chief Superintendent, Richard List continues: “Whether you are a taking part in Halloween celebrations, or not, we want everyone to have a safe and fun evening.

“If you don’t want trick-or-treaters to knock at your door, you can put up a ‘no tick-or-treaters’ sign and close your curtains. Download a sign from our posters section of the Thames Valley Police website.

“If you don’t know who is calling at your door, you don’t have to answer it. Look through a spyhole or window before opening the door if you’re unsure, and have a chain in place if you do answer. If you feel threatened in your home, call 999.”

If your child is going out trick or treating, make sure they:

• Go out in a group and are accompanied by an adult
• Have a route planned and agree on a time they will be home
• Are respectful of other people’s property
• Have their mobile phone and a torch
• Are careful when crossing roads
• Know not to talk to strangers on the street or accept lifts
• Know not to go inside anyone’s house

You can also watch our Halloween safety video.

For further crime prevention advice, visit Thames Valley Police website.

http://www.ourwatch.org.uk/knowledge/news-read-latest-e-newsletter/

Council has approved the Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan (VALP), paving the way for a final public consultation before it goes before a planning inspector.
The decision was taken at the council meeting held last night.
Prior to the vote, there were presentations by a planning and a legal expert who praised the officers’ and members’ hard work to achieve a plan that stands a good chance of being approved. The presentations were followed by a discussion and explanation of technical issues, and then deliberation by the councillors.
Cllr Carole Paternoster, Cabinet Member for Growth Strategy, said after the meeting: “VALP is a vitally important document that will manage and direct growth in the Vale until 2033. Without it, we would be at risk of further uncontrolled growth.
“An enormous amount of work has gone into the plan, and this very welcome decision means we can move forward to the next stage and invite the public to comment, before submitting the document to government in the new year.”
The public consultation will run from Thursday 2 November to Thursday 14 December. In the new year the plan, along with any comments submitted in the consultation and all the evidence, will be sent to the planning inspector for examination.

Further information about the VALP and the consultation can be found at www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/localplan
The council meeting was broadcast live and the recording can be viewed, for the next six months, by going to www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/webcasts

Rennie Grove hospice charity would once again like to be able to bring their Santa Float to Pitstone as they have done in previous years, but desperately need volunteer Santa’s, elves (donation collectors, no need to dress up) and drivers.   The float is always so popular with local children, so please help if you can.

The dates and locations are as follows:

The float will be out for around 2-2.5hrs depending on the route. Feel free to ask friends or family who may want to join in to help us to raise money and light up the faces of the local little people!

If you are able to offer your help, please contact:

The Community Team on the following email / tel number:

community@renniegrove.org

01442 890222

Rennie House, Unit 3, Icknield Way Industrial Estate, Tring, Herts, HP23 4JX

People across Buckinghamshire are being asked to help the County Council make important spending decisions about next year’s budget, in a consultation launched today (Wednesday 18 October).

The online consultation, which runs until Sunday 19 November, aims to get local people involved in helping to decide on which areas of the Council’s work future spending should be focused.

The short survey, which takes only a couple of minutes, can be completed at:  https://tinyurl.com/bucksbudget18

Noel Brown, Cabinet Member for Community Engagement and Public Health, said the Council’s services touched the lives of everyone in the county.

“It’s only right that we should want to ask residents to tell us what’s important to them, to help us decide where to focus our finite funding, and I’d urge people to take part,” said Noel. “Allocating our budget gets more and more difficult each year, with pressure on our vital services to vulnerable older people and children.

“Difficult decisions lie ahead. There are things we have to do, which mean there are more limited choices about the things we’d like to do.”

The coming year, 2018/19, will be the first in which the Government gives Buckinghamshire nothing in revenue support grant funding, putting further pressure on the budget, said Noel.

The amount the Government pays the County Council has fallen rapidly in the past few years, from £60.8m four years ago, to zero next year.  Along with Dorset, Buckinghamshire will be the first county to receive no revenue support grant from Whitehall.

Noel said the County Council would be submitting a consultation response about next year’s funding settlement and lobbying the Government for more money.

People who don’t have access to the internet or a computer can take part in the County Council budget consultation at any library, where staff can help them to complete the survey.

TfB work will continue on the Horton Road, Horton scheme during w/c 16/10/17. We have identified a requirement for remedial works further along the closed road, and rather than have to return early next year to carry out these works we are looking to minimise disruption to residents by carrying out this work  in the current scheme.

This additional work will be undertaken using a night time road closure between 19:00hrs and 06:00hrs until the 21^st October 2017.

The 24 hour closure currently in place will be lifted from this Saturday morning with the road open to traffic over the weekend,  and the night time closure will begin at 19:00hrs on the 16^th October 2017.

The diversion route will remain in place for an additional week, with the intention to route overnight traffic away from the villages.

Remembrance Day Service

Pitstone Memorial Hall

12pm Sunday, 12^th November 2017

On Sunday 12^th November 2017 at 12pm, following the service at Ivinghoe Church, the first Service of Remembrance for Pitstone will take place in the foyer at Pitstone Memorial Hall.  The Reverend Adrian Manning will conduct the service.

Wreaths shall be laid by: a member of the Royal British Legion, representatives of the Parish and County Councils and the Memorial Hall Board of Trustees.

All members of the community are invited to attend and remember those from Pitstone who have given their lives in the service of this country.  The flowerbed outside the Hall will be available to plant a cross to remember friends or relatives.

The Memorial Bar will be open immediately after the service for a reception and all members of the community are welcome.

Residents across Bucks are able to give their views on the Household Recycling Centres as the annual customer satisfaction survey is launched. The survey has is run annually in October to find out what works well, what could be improved, and how residents are using the Household Recycling Centres in Bucks.

Survey staff are on sites during October and talking to residents who use the sites, which gives Buckinghamshire County Council a snapshot of the service. Over 2,000 responses are sought across the ten sites asking residents questions which include which site they prefer, how often they visit, and whether they are familiar with the permit scheme.

For the first time ever, residents will also be able to complete the survey from the comfort of their own home. An online version has been created this year, to increase the number of responses, and capture the thoughts of those people who maybe do not visit the site as much. The survey is open until Tuesday 31 October and can be completed by any Buckinghamshire resident.

Once completed, the survey responses will be collated and reviewed to help the Council make the services offered at all ten Household Recycling Centres the best they can be, whilst keeping costs down.

County Council Cabinet Member for Planning & Environment Cllr Bill Chapple OBE said “The annual survey is a great chance for residents to have their say, and tell us what they like about the service. Last year 99% of those who responded to the survey were satisfied with the service, and we’d like to get to 100%. Millions of visits are made to our Household Recycling Centres each year, so we want to know where we can improve and how our residents are using the sites. Having an online option is a great chance to listen to more of our residents’ views.”

Link to online survey – https://goo.gl/AQ6zex. Closing date Tuesday 31 October.

Santa’s Parade set to bring festive cheer to Aylesbury

Aylesbury town centre’s hugely popular Santa’s Parade is back this year, taking place on Sunday 26 November.

Last year’s spectacular parade reached record numbers, with over 300 people taking part. The festive parade welcomes local dance groups, professional entertainers, bands, local businesses and organisations to escort Santa to Friars Square Shopping Centre. The parade gathers from 10am, and will make a start from 10.45am at Upper High Street. It will then travel through Market Square and onto the Friars Square Shopping Centre, bringing festive cheer to the town centre. The parade finishes by 11.30am, but the fun will continue with activities throughout the town until 3pm. These include go-karts, a small fun fair, a bouncy castle and donkey rides.

The Town Centre Team is now calling for local businesses and non-profit groups to join the parade.

Participants are encouraged to bring along balloons or goodies to hand out, and all attendees must wear Christmas fancy dress. (However, there can only be one Santa at the parade – so no Santa costumes are allowed.) Local business and non-profit groups can participate in various ways, such as putting on dance shows, handing out tasters, or running activity stalls. Non-profit groups can also participate in the parade for free.

Aylesbury Town Centre Manager Diana Fawcett said: “The Christmas parade is one of the most popular events in the town, and we are delighted to be hosting it again this year. We have lots of exciting professional acts lined up and we urge the local community to get dressed up and have some fun!”

Local organisations wishing to get involved in the parade should email Diana Fawcett: dfawcett@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk

Please find below a link to the new publication from the Police and Crime Commissioner outlining the five strategic priorities for policing and crime for the next five years in Thames Valley.

PCC_Plan_SUMMARY_2017_final

Aylesbury Vale District Council has launched an affordable, efficient skip hire service with 12 and 6 yard skip options.  They can collect recyclables, residential, industrial, gardening and building waste.

To celebrate the new service the first five customers to hire a skip in October will receive a £20 high street shopping voucher.

For more information or to book your skip call 01296 585353 or visit the website via this link:

https://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/avdc-skip-hire

The arrival of October means that Buckinghamshire County Council’s Household Recycling Centre services are moving to their winter opening hours of 9am-4pm, seven days a week.

All the Household Recycling Centre services usually on offer are still available seven days a week, which means residents can still drop off unwanted items to be re-used by the South Bucks Hospice Shops, or dispose of their garden waste and other items. All ten sites will see the opening hours change on Sunday 1st October and the sites will close at 4pm until April 1st when they go back to the summer opening times of 9am-6pm

A burglary has been reported on Windsor Road, Pitstone, between Wednesday morning (27/9) and Friday evening (29/9).

Offender(s) entered the rear garden, either by a side or rear gate and broke the glass in a rear door. They then unlocked the door, using the key that had been left in the lock.

A search was made of the upstairs of the residence. It is not yet confirmed what has been stolen, but is likely that jewellery is among the property taken.

DC Bruce Wilson from Aylesbury, is investigating this burglary. He would like to hear from anyone that might have seen or heard anything suspicious in the area between these dates.

If you have any information please call DC Wilson on the 24 hour number 101.

If you don’t want to speak to the police or give your details you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or report it online.

Householders in Aylesbury Vale are doing a great job recycling – and are being encouraged to do even better over national Recycle Week (Monday 25 September to Sunday 1 October).
Aylesbury Vale District Council residents recycle on average 52% of their waste each year – well above the national average of 44%.
Cllr Sir Beville Stanier, Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste, said: “I would like to say thank you to all of our residents who put in the effort and recycle regularly.
“For Recycle Week it would be great to see an even bigger effort, especially from those who haven’t really gotten into the recycling habit yet. Everyone doing their bit will help England reach its target of 65% by 2030.”
There are some handy hints about what (and what not) to recycle at www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/section/recycling-and-waste

You said, we’re listening

We are now mid-way through our consultation on improving early help services for children and families. Thank you to those of you who have already replied. Feedback so far shows that more detail about the proposal would be useful. We have added further information about the current services and how these would change with the proposed new service.

If you have already responded but now wish to add more, please complete the survey again. Responses already sent in will still be included. The consultation will now close on 16 October to allow as much time as possible for responses.

We want your views on changes to services for children and young people aged 0 – 19, and their families in Buckinghamshire

We need to make changes so we can support the families who need it the most and build a service fit for the future. We want to hear from you to help us make the right decisions for the future of early help services for children, young people and families in Buckinghamshire.

To save the council money we would encourage you to give your feedback online. You can also complete the survey online in one of our libraries. However, if you do require a version of the consultation in an alternative format please contact communications@buckscc.gov.uk.

Complete online survey

The consultation closes on 16 October 2017

For full details, please click the link to the BCC website: http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/care-for-children-and-families/improving-early-help-services-for-children-young-people-and-families/

Aylesbury Vale District Council (AVDC) will be sending out annual voter registration reminder forms today and is asking residents to respond as quickly as possible in order to help save money.
All properties in Aylesbury Vale received a ‘Household Enquiry Form’ in early August, but so far over 27,000 households have yet to respond. Residents are required by law to confirm or update the details of anyone at their address who is eligible to vote in the UK.
The forms are pre-printed with the names of the occupants currently registered to vote at each address. A response is required, either to update their details if there are any changes, or to confirm that the information is still the same. Even residents who voted in the General Election will need to respond.
Peter Brown, AVDC Electoral Services Manager, said: “Although the canvass response rate to date has been encouraging, over 30 per cent of homes in the Vale have yet to respond. We have to undertake a number of prescribed steps to follow up on non-responding properties. Those households who do not respond to the reminder have to be personally visited, which is an expensive exercise. We are urging residents to help us save money wherever possible by responding to their reminder form promptly.”
Residents can respond online using a unique 14 digit reference number which is printed on the form. The online process also allows people to add the names of any new occupants as well as remove names of those who no longer live at the address, or request a postal application.
For further information, visit www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/canvass or call 01296 585701

This is the first of a series of quarterly bulletins that I intend to write as the local police area commander for Aylesbury Vale. I hope that these messages will offer a flavour of what Thames Valley Police has been doing, together with partners and often with the help of the community, to keep the district safe. I won’t be able to cover everything, but will focus on what I see as highlights and issues of interest.  I may sometimes focus on particular crime theme or to highlight a particular piece of work that we have been doing with our partners, and which they often lead on. I’m always open to feedback, so do let me know if you’d like me to change the focus, or include different things.

Key current issues can be summarised as follows:

• Drugs:

The pernicious impact of illegal drugs on society is well documented. Apart from the harm that drugs can cause people, and the associated health costs, a significant proportion of other crime is committed by people either to fund their habit or because of the chaotic lifestyles they lead as a consequence of addiction. Drug users are vulnerable to exploitation and are often the victims of crime, because of the positions they find themselves in and the people they come into contact with. This enduring challenge is a priority for my team and we are working hard with partner organisations to address this issue.

Drug dealers from outside the district persist in trying to develop and take over the local ‘drugs market’. This phenomenon is common to a number of other parts of the country and has come to be referred to nationally as ‘County Lines’ activity.  I’ve put additional resources into targeting this type of drug dealing, and we have arrested and convicted a growing number of dealers. We will continue to focus on that problem, and are particularly concerned by the fact that children have been approached to get involved in dealing on behalf of the groups, and that vulnerable adults have had their homes taken over so that drugs can be dealt from the premises. We have been very proactive in dealing with these issues as they arise, but I would ask for you to contact the police, either on 101 or direct to your neighbourhood policing team, if you have concerns about any individuals or families who you think may be being exploited (because that’s what it is) by drug dealers. We need to keep things in perspective and remember that Aylesbury and the Vale continue to be safe places to live, but we can never take it for granted, and must continue to work together to protect our most vulnerable people.

• Modern Day slavery

Modern day slavery is an insidious form of criminality that involves people from the UK and abroad being forced to live and work in squalid conditions and for very little, and sometimes no pay. This can involve incredibly long hours and can include a range of activities from car washes, fruit picking to prostitution. Many victims believe that they are being made legitimate offers of employment or accommodation only to find that they are forced to live and work in these dreadful conditions. Thames Valley Police and partners are committed to identifying and taking action against those involved in this criminality and safeguarding victims. Whilst we have not really seen this form criminality in Aylesbury Vale it is something that is very much a priority not only for the Force but also central Government. As such we regularly take part in initiatives to identify modem slavery, investigate and safeguard. If you suspect that this is taking place please do call us on 101, or in an emergency 999 as every piece of information is analysed to see if we can take action.

• Burglary

As most people will know, burglary remains a priority for Thames Valley Police. We have focused our staff and resources on preventing and deterring this type of criminality and have recently seen a number of successful outcomes. As a consequence, we anticipate a number of lengthy prison terms following a series of arrests. Whilst we acknowledge this good work we also recognise that burglary has slightly increased across Aylesbury Vale this year and we cannot become complacent. To this end, we ensure all of our teams, being emergency response, neighbourhood and investigation are well briefed and tasking to patrol in the right areas. I meet with my team daily to discuss burglaries and with senior officers from across the police area and partner organisations every fortnight to ensure we stay on top of this issue.

I urge everyone in Aylesbury Vale to ensure they make our area as hostile to criminals as possible by ensuring windows and doors are locked when houses are empty. It is also important to remain vigilant at all time both in terms of your property but also that of your neighbours. If you see anything suspicious then please call us on 101 or 999 in an emergency.

The prevention of crime is most effectively achieved through activity that involves residents, our local authority, local businesses and the police. Our neighbourhood teams will soon be starting a burglary prevention campaign to coincide with the darker nights so I would ask that you look out for this and consider any advice to help us all keep our property safe.

Lastly, if you want to take a more active part in crime prevention then please think about joining, or even forming a Neighbourhood Watch. If you need to contact your local neighbourhood policing team you can do this by visiting our website page: http://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/yournh.htm

• Theft from vehicles

Unfortunately we continue to see a number of thefts from motor vehicles. These include property left inside vehicles, tool and sometimes number plates. I have recently commissioned some intelligence work to be done around this as I do not underestimate the impact this has on victims. This is an area of criminality that I will be asking your local neighbourhood team to focus on through high visibility intelligence led patrols and some less visible police operations.

Again however would like to take the opportunity to remind everyone to not leave personal items out on display. We will off course do what we can to prevent crime and catch those responsible however I would appeal to you to either secure personal items in your vehicles out of sight or to take them with you, we believe most of this crime is opportunist meaning those involved in car crime will target vehicles based on what they see when they walk past so please take a moment to move things out of sight or better still, remove them from the vehicle. It is of note that many of the thefts occur overnight from unlocked cars.

• Anti-social behaviour

Anti-social behaviour (ASB) continues to be of high importance to both myself and my staff. I am fully aware of the blight that persistent ASB, caused by the few, can bring to a community. I am fully committed to ensuring that my locally based neighbourhood police teams continue to use their problem solving skills to address your concerns in these areas. I have an experienced and dedicated ASB police officer who is co-located with colleagues at Aylesbury Vale District Council who effectively employs the powers conferred to us under the Anti-social Behavior, Crime and Policing Act. This officer forms part of a wider Problem Solving Team whose work goes in hand with the local neighborhood officers and PCSOs. These local teams are committed to engage with and make themselves visible to local communities in an effort to develop the type of resilience that builds lasting foundations we can all feel really proud of.

To finish I would just like to say how happy I am to have been posted to Aylesbury Vale as the Local Police Area Commander. My priorities as your police commander will largely continue on from my predecessor, Superintendent Olly Wright, which are to safeguard the vulnerable, to prevent and reduce crime and to provide the best possible service to victims. I am passionate about policing which to me means keeping people as safe as we can.

Whilst there is always work to be done, I am reassured that whenever I look at our crime data or review the incidents that we deal with, I can see that Aylesbury Vale is a safe place to live, work and visit. And when crime does occur, we have teams of police officers and staff who work together to deliver the best possible service to victims of crime and do all they can to identify and then bring offenders to justice.

I look forward to the coming months and the challenges that policing the Christmas and New Year period will bring. Since arriving I have set time aside to meet not only those who work inside our police station but also partners who play their part in preventing crime keeping us all safe. In the coming months I’m hoping to be able to spend some time out on patrol with our teams and perhaps meet some of you in person.

Superintendent Tim Metcalfe

Aylesbury Vale Local Police Area Commander

Thames Valley Police

Chilterns Walking Festival Programme Autumn 2017 – low res

Please click the link above for full details of the program.  There is also an interactive map on the Walking Festival website where you can search for walks and events happening in your patch.

The festival invites experienced and novice walkers alike to explore the landscapes, locations and legends of The Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. There is a fantastic selection of 70 walks and events which are now live and bookable on-line.

Highlights include:

• A fascinating walk taking in Chequers and The Ridgeway National Trail, combined with meeting the local farmer, refreshments and a visit to Buckmoorend Farm Shop.
• A private tour of the Lacey Green windmill restored by the Chiltern Society, followed by a beautiful circular walk around the Lacey Green area with stunning views, passing through quiet valleys.
• Brakspear beer, beechwoods and brewing walk through classic beech woodlands and along ancient drovers routes followed by a free tour of the micro-brewery at the end of the walk
• Meander through the Chiltern Open Air Museum’s woodland landscape, learning more about the Museum’s hidden meadow, and exploring the Museum and its rescued historic buildings.
• A series of three HS2 walks – in Wendover, Misbourne and Denham – offering walkers the opportunity to view this part of the Central Chilterns landscape before it changes forever.
• Sketching walks led by a wildlife artist and Countryside Officer

Click here for more information and to book walks or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ChilternsWalkingFestival

The 30 hours free childcare scheme will be available for 3 and 4 year olds from September 2017 in Buckinghamshire. The scheme aims to help eligible families to get back into work or extend their working pattern by offering an additional 15 hours free childcare per week.  We have put together a guide to help parents, carers, childcare providers and professionals understand the eligibility criteria and sign up process which we hope you find useful.

Further information can be found on our website at www.bucksfamilyinfo.org/30hours.

Aylesbury Vale Community Partnership issues warning to off-road motorbike and mini-moto users Aylesbury Vale Community Safety Partnership is warning people not to risk injuring themselves and members of the community or falling foul of the law when using off-road motorbikes or mini-motos.
Aylesbury Vale local policing area is receiving regular calls from concerned members of the public about these vehicles being used with no regard for other people.
The public is reminded that it is only legal to ride an off road motorbike on private land with the land owner’s permission. Areas owned by the council, such as parks, play areas and pavements, are not classed as private land.
An off-road motor bike was seized under Section 59 Police Reform Act 2002 on Edinburgh Playing Fields, Aylesbury on Saturday (29/7).
Aylesbury Vale Neighbourhood Policing Inspector, James Davies said: “When off-road motorbikes and mini-motos are used in a public place they often create danger for both the rider of the bike and the people around. We often get reports of people riding bikes at high speed on narrow tracks causing problems for children playing and people walking their dogs or just generally enjoying the area.
“We are regularly patrolling areas that are most affected to stop and deal with those illegally using off road bikes and mini- motos and where appropriate seizing vehicles and prosecuting those involved.
“We urge parents of those young people who own off-road motorbikes or mini-motos to ensure their children are using the machines appropriately and in the right areas. Failure to do so could result in the expensive machines being seized, risk huge fines or even a court appearance – but more importantly your loved one being seriously injured.”
AVDC Cabinet Member for Communities, Cllr Angela Macpherson, said: “It is not acceptable for riders to put themselves or other people at risk by riding motorbikes or minimotos in our parks and play areas, or on pavements. Our message is clear – if you ignore the law you should be prepared to have your bike seized by the police.”
Aylesbury Vale Community Safety Partnership is urging the public to report any information about off-road motorbikes causing a nuisance or being used unsafely (including who is riding the bike, what type of bike it is and where the bike is being ridden) by calling 101. Alternatively you can call the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

This month Aylesbury Vale District Council (AVDC) will be sending out annual voter registration forms and is asking residents to respond as quickly as possible in order to help save money.
From 8 August, around 80,000 properties in Aylesbury Vale will receive a ‘Household Enquiry Form’. Residents are required by law to confirm or update the details of anyone at their address who is eligible to vote in the UK.
The forms are pre-printed with the names of the occupants currently registered to vote at each address. A response is required; either to update their details if there are any changes or to confirm that the information is still the same. Even residents who voted in the General Election, will need to respond.
Peter Brown, AVDC Electoral Services Manager, said: “Aylesbury Vale residents have always been excellent at using the automated systems to confirm their details and this year we hope to receive even more responses by text, phone or through the dedicated website. Canvassing every property in Aylesbury Vale is a legal necessity, however, it is costly, and so we are urging residents to help us save money wherever possible by responding to their Household Enquiry Form promptly. This will reduce the need to send unnecessary reminder letters and forms, which would be a waste of taxpayers’ money.”
Residents can respond online using a unique 14 digit reference number which is printed on the form. The online process also allows people to add the names of any new occupants as well as remove names of those who no longer live at the address, or request a postal application.
For further information, residents can webchat at www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/webchat or call 01296 585701

From september the 1st Ivinghoe & Pitstone Scouts are re-opening a beaver coloney, so below is the up to date information Beaver, Cub and Scout information along with details of how you can add a child to the waiting list.

1st Ivinghoe and Pitstone Beavers (5 3/4 -8 year olds)
Monday 6-7pm with Tom as Watermill Coloney leader
Tuesday 6-7pm with Jakki as Windmill Coloney leader

1st Ivinghoe and Pitstone Cubs (8-10 year olds)
Wednesday 7-8:30pm (Dan) Akela as Windmill Pack leader
Thursday 6:30-8pm (Rob) Shere Khan as Watermill Pack leader

1st Ivinghoe and Pitstone Scouts (10 1/2 -14 1/2 year olds)
Friday 7:30-9pm Andrew as Troop Leader

For any enquiries or to join the waiting list please contact us on ivinghoe.pitstone.scouts@gmail.com
Or our Group Scout Leader, Keith Steers on Keithsteers@gmail.com or 07899 696722

The Scouts are also raising money to rebuild the village a purpose built scout hut and are selling bricks to supporters for £10 each. Please email the above address for details.

THE BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL (Vicarage Road, Pitstone) (TEMPORARY PROHIBITION OF THROUGH TRAFFIC) ORDER, 2017 BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL has made an Order, which will temporarily prohibit any vehicle from proceeding, except for access, in that length of Vicarage Road, Pitstone, which commences outside Moat Farm The alternative route for vehicles affected by the closure will be via Upper Icknield Way, Tring Road, Church Road, High Street, Marsworth Road, Vicarage Road and vice versa. The closure is required whilst BT Openreach works take place and it is anticipated that the works will commence on 24 August 2017 and will take approximately 2 days between 0930 and 1530 each day to complete. The Order will come into operation on 24 August 2017 when the appropriate signs are lawfully displayed and will continue for a period not exceeding eighteen months or until the said works have been completed whichever is the earlier. Penalties for not observing these restrictions will be as prescribed by the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and the Road Traffic Act 1991. Dated 2 August 2017

The Great Brickhill, Wing and Ivinghoe Neighbourhood Policing Team (NHPT) would like to hear from any local residents in the area,that might be interested in being part of a new Community Forum.

The Community Forum, which will be independently chaired, will look at setting priorities for the area and work on how to solve any issues identified.

The Community Forum will represent the local community and will actively involve the community.

The first Community Forum is being held at Wing Library, on Wednesday 2^nd August, between 7pm and 9pm

If you are interested in finding out more, or would like to be involved in this new forum please email the Great Brickhill, Wing & Ivinghoe NHPT or contact them on the 24 hour Police Enquiry Centre number 101.

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/events/2017-07-30-free-guided-canal-walks

Play in the Park returns to Aylesbury’s Vale Park on Wednesday 2 August for a family play day extravaganza from 11.00am – 4.00pm! The event is suitable for all children up to the age of 12 and has a fantastic variety of activities on offer.
Organised by Aylesbury Vale District Council to celebrate National Play Day, Play in the Park is the perfect event to help keep the kids entertained this summer.
See them scale the climbing wall, race on motorised go karts, hone their skills on the Umbanda drums and tackle the bouncy castles. Let their creative side run free in the arts and crafts tent and watch them learn a trick or two in the skate park.
The ever-popular Colonel Custard will wow the crowds with his circus skills plus Bucks Fire and Rescue will be attending with a fire engine in tow!
If that’s all too much, why not try the great food on offer at the event’s BBQ and refreshment stalls then relax in the park and soak up the atmosphere.
Cllr Angela Macpherson, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “Play in the Park is all about giving children across Aylesbury Vale the opportunity to enjoy a fun day out with their friends and families. This event encourages children and their families to keep fit and active whilst having fun. We’ve a great range of activities lined up and hope to see you there!”
Entry is free along with some activities, whilst other activities cost between £1 – £3. Tokens can be bought on the day from the designated token booths.
Find out more at www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/playinthepark

AVDC are responsible for street cleansing throughout the district (adopted highway only) and the grounds maintenance of AVDC land.

Should you have an enquiry regarding please report these through our website. There are a number of online forms available with a map that allows you to pin-point the exact location of the incident.

https://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/section/report-it

This can be done by clicking on the “Report It” link as shown below.

If your query does not fit one of the categories, please contract us via our mailbox: streetscene@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk

However, should it turn out that a different organisation is responsible for resolving your query, for example; VAHT or Bucks County Council, we will advise you of how best to contact them.

NEW for 2017/18!

NHB Micro Grants up to £1,000 are now available for voluntary and community sector organisations as well as parish and town councils!

An exciting development sees the introduction of a new NHB Micro Grant Funding Scheme which is open to voluntary and community sector organisations operating within a parish, as well as parish and town councils.

Easily accessible micro grants up to £1,000 are available for a variety of purposes such as the refurbishment of village halls, buying new equipment, running costs, rent etc. and will be assessed on a monthly basis.

It is not necessary for the project to link to growth, although those that do may score more highly. Projects to be put forward for funding must evidence consultation at parish level and the application form must be endorsed by the relevant town or parish council prior to submission.

The closing date for applications is the 15th of each month and the first round closes on 15th September 2017.

For more information and how to apply, please read the Information, Criteria and Guidance Notes available on visit the AVDC website at:

https://www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/new-homes-bonus-funding-scheme

Or contact the Grants Officer, Jan Roffe: jroffe@ayelsburyvaledc.gov.uk

Alliance led by South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust awarded the contract for new Thames Valley 111 Integrated Urgent Care Service   ‘The new front door to urgent care’

Patients across the Thames Valley will be opening a new front door to urgent care services from September 2017.

South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS) has been awarded the contract for the new Thames Valley 111 telephone service by the 10 Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) across the Thames Valley. SCAS leads an alliance set up to deliver the service, which also includes Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust and Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

The alliance brings together the relevant skills and expertise from local NHS providers needed for patients to access a wide range of medical disciplines.

Thames Valley 111 will now offer patients a seamless 24/7 urgent clinical assessment and treatment service – bringing together NHS 111, GP out of hours and other clinical advice, such as dental, medicines and mental health.

A team of clinicians will be available on the phone when needed, and will be linked into a new NHS Clinical Hub – a group of healthcare professionals who can help get patients the right care, at the right time, in the right location.

A thorough and rigorous procurement process took place involving clinicians, specialists and NHS managers from across the Thames Valley in the decision-making.

The focus was on selecting a provider which will work across all CCGs to support the development of an integrated 24/7 care service on a local basis.

Sam Burrows, the senior responsible officer for the procurement process, said: “We are pleased to announce that the Thames Valley 111 Partnership, led by SCAS, has been awarded the contract. This is an exciting time and one which is going to improve patients’ experience by getting people to appropriate care more efficiently by this integration of urgent care services.

“We undertook a comprehensive procurement process, which included engaging with clinicians, patients and members of the public to identify issues, address them and design a new integrated urgent care service which will revolutionise the experience for those calling 111. The Thames Valley region will be an early adopter of this new approach which will be rolled out throughout England by 2020.

“During the summer of 2015 the 10 CCGs in the Thames Valley undertook widespread public engagement with key stakeholders, as well as a review of feedback from existing users of the current 111. This gave us a picture of patient experiences and desired improvements to NHS 111, as well as gaining an understanding of public knowledge of urgent care services.

“I would like to thank all those local residents, stakeholders and clinicians who took the time to give their views and feedback during the engagement process. Your valuable contribution will help shape this integrated service and confirms our commitment to ensuring that patients are at the heart of the services we commission.”

Philip Astle, Chief Operating Officer at SCAS, said “We are delighted to be at the heart of these exciting developments of the NHS 111 in the Thames Valley. SCAS has a strong track record of working with healthcare partners to deliver outstanding care to the people of the Thames Valley, and this transformation of NHS 111 will enable us to build on that record.”

A detailed mobilisation plan is now being implemented; working towards the launch in September 2017.
The national Commissioning Standards for Integrated Urgent Care published in 2015, describe an ambitious model of care for the future in support of the Urgent and Emergency Care Review. Commissioners across Thames Valley are committed to delivering a regional service that meets the full potential of these standards.

I am delighted to share with you our June issue of Inform.

Inform is released every other month to help keep our local communities up-to-date with the work that the Flight Operations team are conducting. Our aim is always to work constructively with the local community and all of our partners to strike the right balance between minimising the impact of aircraft noise while maximising the positive social and economic benefits of a successful airport.

Please feel free to share this with friends, family and neighbours..

Yours Sincerely,

Nicole Morris
Community Noise Officer

Inform June 2017

Help us plan for tomorrow’s lorry traffic

Residents and businesses are being invited to help plan how to handle tomorrow’s rail and road freight in Buckinghamshire.

Heavy lorries make up between 10% and 20% of traffic on main routes through the county, and with a steady increase in freight forecast over the next decade, County Council transport planners want to prepare for the future.

They’re asking people to help them identify local problem areas, explore untapped opportunities, and pinpoint solutions. A ten-minute online snapshot survey will run for the next fortnight at www.buckscc.gov.uk/freight to allow residents and businesses to feed into their thinking. The results will inform a draft strategy for full consultation later in the year.

Paul Irwin, Deputy Cabinet Member for Transport said his team needs to chart how things have changed with the way freight is transported, as Buckinghamshire has developed in the past decade, and prepare a blueprint for freight for the future.

He said nearly a quarter of what comes into the county by lorry is what residents eat and drink. As the county grows, so will the volume of that essential goods traffic.

“Shopping on line has really taken off over the past decade and now accounts for 14% of what we buy,” said Paul. “In the next three or four years, that’s forecast to grow to around 22%, which will add to the number of delivery lorries driving around the county.

“We’re working with residents and businesses on this critical question now so they have an early opportunity to influence the development of a new strategy that will make freight work for Buckinghamshire without imposing inappropriate costs on them or our unique environment. We want to keep Buckinghamshire thriving and attractive.”

The survey is available in Buckinghamshire County Council’s website ‘have your say’ section at www.buckscc.gov.uk/freight

The survey closes on July 6^th and should take around 10 minutes to complete.

Across Aylesbury Vale and other districts, BT has been working in partnership with Buckinghamshire County Council to deploy fibre broadband infrastructure through the Connected Counties Programme.  There are some communities within Aylesbury Vale that don’t have access to fibre broadband from BT, either because there are other networks that are offering a fibre service, or because no provider is currently providing or planning to provide access.  We understand that many communities have been left concerned about getting access to the rollout of faster broadband to their area and would like to invite residents and businesses to meet us to understand how we can help through our Community Fibre Partnerships programme.

Our programme is a co-funded initiative where Openreach invests alongside the community in line with their commercial model, and the community self-funds the remaining ‘gap’.  By being connected to the national Openreach fibre network, communities have the widest choice of internet service providers to choose from to buy a fibre broadband service, giving competitive prices and new channels such as Sky Sports or BT Sport.

We’re holding two events where you can meet us and find out more information about our Community Fibre Partnerships programme.

The dates are:

Monday 10^th July 2017

7.00pm  at Little Horwood Village (Recreation) Hall. Church St, Little Horwood, Milton Keynes, MK17 0PF

And

Thursday 13^th July 2017

7.30pm at Chearsley Village Hall, Winchendon Road, Chearsley, Buckinghamshire, HP18 0DP

Please extend our invitation for these events to friends, neighbours and other residents in the parish. I do hope that you can join us, please do ask anyone wishing to attend to register their details in advance on a simple form on our website: https://www.communityfibre.bt.com/aylesbury

With best regards,

Giles Ellerton, Regional Partnership Director,  BT.

(CAA) is currently consulting on a new decision making process for all future airspace changes.

This consultation ends on June 30.

 The rules, regulations and technology that underpin the UK’s airspace and network of flight paths have remained largely unchanged despite the growing increase in demand for air travel in the UK.

As a result, London Luton’s ability to modify and improve flight paths is not only restricted by conflicts with routes from other London airports but also by a slow and inefficient airspace change process.

The guidance the CAA has drafted defines what will happen in the new process, including each stage a sponsor of an airspace change, such as LLA must complete; the stakeholders we must engage with at each stage and the expectations of that engagement; and how the CAA assesses proposed changes.

London Luton Airport is submitting a formal response to the consultation. However, we believe it is vital that everyone has the opportunity to contribute to the process of airspace modernisation.

Details of the consultation and how to respond can be found on the CAA’s website: https://consultations.caa.co.uk/policy-development/draft-airspace-design-guidance/

We would urge all interested parties to take part before the deadline.

Whilst we can never eliminate aircraft noise entirely, we always aim to work constructively with local communities and our partners to strike the right balance between minimising the impact of aircraft noise while maximising the positive social and economic benefits of a successful airport.

This is a message sent via Thames Valley Alert. This information has been sent on behalf of Neighbourhood & Home Watch Network
(Please do not reply or forward this email directly; please use the Reply, Share buttons at the bottom of this message)
Message sent by
Lisa Parker (NHWN, Register Administrator, England & Wales)

We’re Neighbourhood Watch – the largest grassroots crime prevention movement in England and Wales.

We’re celebrating National Neighbourhood Watch Week (June 17-25) with a bumper edition of our bi-monthly e-newsletter Our News.

Click here to read it and find out how Neighbourhood Watch is helping to connect and protect communities:

http://www.ourwatch.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/NNWW-Our-News-newsletter-JUNE17-online.pdf
Best wishes from the NHWN team

Neighbourhood Watch is proud to be supported by the Co-op Insurance and ERA Home Security

Police have been investigating reports received, of two men attending addresses in Aylesbury Vale purporting to be delivering leaflets.

Police have been investigating reports received during the month of May and early June, of two men attending addresses in the villages and towns to the north of Aylesbury Vale purporting to be delivering leaflets.

Residents have raised concerns that mail and other items have been stolen from their letter boxes following these visits. Of particular focus has been properties with letter boxes located on external walls or gateways.

Witnesses describe two men, both black and in their 20s wearing fluorescent jackets, driving a white, Vauxhall Corsa derived van. Investigating Officer Det Con Lucie Roberts from Aylesbury police station said, “We’re grateful to the residents of Aylesbury Vale who have contacted us with their concerns about these leaflet posters.

“I’d encourage anyone who may have seen them during the last few weeks, or has information about their activity, to please call us on 101.

“Personal details taken through mail box theft can be used for fraudulent activity. It is always advisory to check your accounts or credit sources to ensure all is in order.”

Police have the following information for anyone concerned about unsolicited callers attending their property:

• make sure your back door is locked before answering the front door
• use a door chain when opening the door
• ask for identification and check it carefully before letting anyone in
• ask them to come back when someone else is at home with you 
• direct people asking for help to a nearby shop or other public place, don’t let them in
• keep all valuables and keys out of sight and out of reach of doors and windows
• don’t leave spare keys in obvious places such as under doormats or plant pots
• consider joining or forming a Neighbourhood Watch scheme

In the case of letter box security:

• don’t leave keys in mailbox locks
• allow letters to fall through the letter box and avoid collecting them in cages attached to the door.
• if you are away for a number of days, consider asking a neighbour to collect newspapers/letters from your mailbox during your absence

Please note that Safran have an event at their site on 24 June, which will cause disruption and vehicles parking along Westfield Road on 22-24 June 2017.

Please take extra care when utilising this road during this time.

Thank you.

#AylesburyThursdays children’s events busting summer holiday boredom
Aylesbury’s Market Square and Kingsbury will play host to an amazing array of different fun activities for the kids to enjoy over the summer holidays. Try exciting new activities each Thursday – from caving and tunnelling, bouncing to ball pits, laser quest to bungee runs, human football to obstacle courses, arts and crafts and so much more.
The events run every Thursday from 27 July until 31 August inclusive, between 11am and 3pm. Enjoy up to 4 hours of fun for just £2.50 (except on 3 August, where the amazing caving experience will test your skills for £2.50 per go). Each event will have a small ball pit for our younger visitors so that they can share in the fun.
Town Centre Manager Diana Fawcett said: “We are delighted to have such an amazing array of exciting activities on offer in Aylesbury this year. Whilst in town take the time to enjoy one of our many independent cafes and coffee shops and extend your day out with a visit the museum, cinema, theatre or Roald Dahl gallery.”
Thanks to contributions from town centre organisations and businesses, Aylesbury Town Centre Partnership has fantastic #AylesburyThursdays events planned every Thursday during the 2017 Bucks County Council school holidays. Watch out for details of these and other events and attractions including the Roald Dahl Gallery, Aylesbury Library, Aylesbury markets and Bucks County Museum in the new Aylesbury Live Guide or visit www.visitaylesbury.co.uk

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