Please note that this meeting has been cancelled.
The next Community Board meeting is provisionally scheduled for 20-9-22 in Wing.
Agenda and papers will be available from the BC link below one week prior to the meeting.
https://buckinghamshire.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=863&MId=17750&Ver=4
Free training sessions being offered by the Environmental Records Office, see flyer for full details.
More and more people seem interested in wildlife watching and identifying the species which visit their gardens or favourite local places. Unfortunately, not many pass on this valuable information to special interest groups and Local Records Centres.
At BMERC (Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Environmental Records Centre) we often receive enquiries about the wildlife people are seeing, how to improve their skills at its identification, and increasingly how they can make the information available publicly as a record of what they have seen. To help answer many of the more common questions we have created a two part online course, open free to anyone who is interested. Comprising two x 1hour sessions online, the course seeks to fill in some of the gaps and help share understanding of what we can record, and how.
The course is FREE and is now open to bookings.
The two courses are designed as a pair. They are free to all but you will need to sign up in advance to get access to them, they are booked using the Everbrite platform and will run via Zoom on the day.
Bookings are now open, they are grouped into a ‘collection’ which can be located at https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/make-your-wildlife-observations-count-webinars-971289
Or individually at
We are keen to get as many people to attend as possible so please do sign up. NB you will need to register for both courses separately.
Network Rail has advised that between 21.00 and 06.00 each night from Monday 8 August 2022 until Friday 12 August 2022, that they will be removing overgrown plants and trees that are covering their signals and growing into the overhead line equipment, from the stretch of line that runs from Tring Station to the Pavilion.
Some of the equipment includes mobile working platforms, chainsaws and lights. They apologise for any noise and light disturbance.
For more details you can visit: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/living-by-the-railway/ or call 03457 114141
Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet has this week approved a new programme aimed at promoting opportunity for all in the county. ‘Opportunity Bucks’ aims to help all residents access the fantastic opportunities on offer in Buckinghamshire where education, skills, work, living standards and health are concerned.
Following the government’s ‘Levelling Up’ White Paper earlier this year, Buckinghamshire Council has carried out extensive work to draw up a local approach to promote better opportunity for everyone. The result is our new programme “Opportunity Bucks – Succeeding for All.”
The approach will vary by area depending on what is most important locally and will initially focus on creating action plans for ten wards where outcomes for residents are poorer than in other parts of the county. The ten wards are in parts of Aylesbury, High Wycombe and Chesham.
This is a long-term piece of work and importantly is a partnership approach with other key stakeholders in the local areas such as housing associations, local businesses, voluntary and community groups, schools, and charitable organisations. Activities will be locally led by neighbourhood Community Boards along with local councillors
Planning enforcement success for Buckinghamshire Council
Buckinghamshire Council has issued the highest number of planning enforcement notices outside of London according to the latest national data. A planning enforcement notice is issued when an individual or developer is found to be in breach of planning control – it might be that someone has carried out works without planning permission when it was needed, or that they’ve done something that wasn’t within the granted permissions.
It’s a key priority for Buckinghamshire Council to clamp down on breaches of planning control – the process exists to make sure any work or development is appropriate and legal within nationally set planning laws. In Buckinghamshire we’re serving notices and taking early action against any breaches of planning control which is part of the reason we’re standing out for taking action. The aim is to intervene at the earliest opportunity to seek a remedy for the planning breach as quickly as we can.
Buckinghamshire Council has also served the highest number of ‘breaches of condition’ notices in the whole country – this is where individuals or developers have failed to adhere to conditions set out when planning permission for their project was granted.
Buckinghamshire Council to hit 25% renewable electricity target
As part of its commitment to tackling the climate crisis, Buckinghamshire Council is pleased to announce that from October of this year, 25% of the electricity it uses will come from renewable sources. We have finalised the details of how we will procure the energy for council buildings and assets like streetlights.
Buying renewable energy is one of a number of ways we’re tackling climate change in Buckinghamshire and is directly related to action 33 in our Climate Change and Air Quality Action Plan. It helps support the renewable generation sector, reduces emissions of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants, and our dependence on fossil fuels. The extraction, processing, and transportation of fossil fuels has various negative environmental impacts so this purchasing decision helps improve the Council’s environmental performance overall.
We will also be increasing the number of places where we will generate our own energy- we have twenty solar photovoltaic system installations so far and more are planned for the future.
Charity offers free tennis sessions for Bucks residents
Inspired by the recent Centre Court action at Wimbledon? Fancy yourself as the next Cameron Norrie or Emma Raducanu? Now could be the perfect time to find out what tennis is all about, as national sports charity, Tennis for Free, with the support of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), is serving up an ace for local communities in Buckinghamshire, with the launch of a new venue, in High Wycombe, offering free coach-led tennis sessions for adults and children aged 12+.
In an exciting partnership with the council, the LTA and Tennis for Free will now provide free tennis sessions for individuals, families and carers at three locations in Bucks:
The aims of the scheme are to get more people playing tennis and improving the physical and mental wellbeing of members of the local community. Schemes have been running in Aylesbury since 2019 but the venue in High Wycombe has just started.
Tennis For Free Co-founder Patrick Hollwey explained more, he said: “Together with the LTA, we are helping to make tennis more accessible to more people by removing the cost barrier that some sections of the community face, so that the entire community can play and benefit physically, mentally and socially.”
“We have created specially designed programmes to welcome families, carers and people of all ages and any ability, Tennis improves people’s mental health and TFF playing group games enhances this further. The beauty is that each session is led by qualified tennis coaches who will ensure people develop at their own pace.”
Town and Parish Charter
In line with the establishment of the new Buckinghamshire Council, we wanted to take the opportunity to strengthen our relationship with all councils across the county. I recognise the important role local Town and Parish councils play within the communities we all serve. You are key partners for us, sharing many of our own ambitions to improve our communities.
There has been an ongoing programme of work in the last few years and, following discussion and consultations on earlier iterations, we have developed a charter that demonstrates and articulates our commitment to work and communicate effectively with you, which we hope in turn will help cement strengthened relationships.
The charter has been published on our website and will be shared widely across the council. You can view the charter online or download a PDF copy.
Alongside the charter itself, we have produced an action plan that will enable us to deliver and embed our outlined commitments.
The charter will be subject to an annual review which will of course be done in consultation with you all. Cabinet Members and senior officers will be accountable to the Localism and Communities Select Committee to ensure that the commitments made in the charter are upheld. We hope you enjoy reading it and we would be interested to hear your thoughts and comments on it.
New Guardian’s Guide website launches
Buckinghamshire Council has launched a unique website to support people who may be taking on the role of a Special Guardian in a child or young person’s life. The innovative ‘Guardian’s Guide’ website – makes it easy for guardians and parents involved in Special Guardianship Orders to gain access to a variety of helpful information, advice and support.
A special guardian is a person who looks after a child or young person who cannot live with their birth parents or who isn’t suitable for adoption. The child can maintain a relationship with their birth family, but the guardian – usually a family member – is responsible for looking after the child and all day-to-day decisions until they are 18.
In Buckinghamshire the number of children being cared for by special guardians is rising every year. The number of Special Guardianship Orders being granted for Buckinghamshire children is currently outstripping the number of Adoption Orders, so having easy, accessible information for people new to Special Guardianship is vital.
Council employs green technology to repair dama
The programme of work started earlier this month. In three phases, it will tackle some of the ‘failing roads’ where the filling and refilling of potholes is not enough to maintain the road surface to an adequate standard. These are generally more rural roads, originally simple tracks, that were never designed to carry the amount of traffic they now do. As traffic levels have increased over the years, the road surfaces have deteriorated and foundations subsided to such an extent that normal plane and patch repair work is not enough.
The works form part of the council’s £100m, four-year, Investing in your Roads programme. The council’s highways engineers identified the locations for this latest programme following technical assessments on site, in combination with identifying those roads which will not be tackled by external organisations as part of their work, such as HS2 or East West Rail. The technical assessments were used to rank all the roads previously highlighted as needing attention, into an order. Those receiving the highest scores were given priority to be included in the first phase of works.
The repair work is carried out using a process called Regen. It has been trialled previously in other parts of the county. Crews break up the existing road surface. These materials are then pulverised on site, spread out and compacted to create a level surface. A small amount of cement mixed with water, binds the materials together and creates a solid structure. The surface is then covered with bitumen and stone chippings, sealing it to prevent water getting in. The process is specifically designed for rural roads with a relatively low volume of traffic and would not be suitable on bigger roads with higher traffic flows.
The use of the new technique has multiple benefits:
Councillor Derek Town
| |
| Buckinghamshire Council has developed a new and easy way for people to report incidents of anti-social behaviour and community safety concerns. The online form allows people to instantly record the details, whatever time of day or night. The information is then forwarded directly to the council’s Community Safety team who can assess how to progress it. Steve Bowles, Cabinet Member for Communities, explained: “We know that a lot of people are not sure of the best way to report anti-social behaviour, who they need to speak to or what information they need to provide. This form makes the whole process quick and easy, and the details provided can help us ensure it is forwarded to the right team or agency to deal with.” Anti-social behaviour describes a range of behaviours or actions that can cause nuisance, annoyance, harm or distress to a person. It can include excessive noise, harassment or intimidation and abusive behaviour such as shouting or swearing. The Community Safety team works closely with partners including the police, probation service and voluntary sector organisations to tackle issues such as anti-social behaviour, working with individuals and communities to take action where needed. The new reporting form can be found on the council’s website. Housing tenants who wish to report anti-social behaviour linked to their property should do so direct via their social landlord. If anti-social behaviour is happening now, you should call the police on: 999 if someone is in immediate danger or there is a situation that could become violent 101 if it is not an emergency For further information on safety and crime in your community visit: www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/community-and-safety |
Click the link to go to the Government new web page for help and advice for a variety of help for households: https://costoflivingsupport.campaign.gov.uk
Cheddington Road, Pitstone, Buckinghamshire
21 July – 22 July
Roadworks, Delays possible
Traffic management: Traffic control (multi-way signals)
Responsibility for works: Trooli
Current status: Planned work about to start
Works reference: UY001AC-CHEDDINGTONRD2
Pitstone Road, Cheddington, Buckinghamshire
21 July – 22 July
Roadworks, Delays possible
Traffic management: Traffic control (multi-way signals)
Responsibility for works: Trooli
Current status: Planned work about to start
Works reference: UY001AC-PITSTONE
Old Farm, Pitstone, Buckinghamshire
22 July – 26 July
Roadworks, Delays unlikely
Traffic management: Some carriageway incursion
Responsibility for works: Trooli
Current status: Planned work about to start
Works reference: UY001ASTC-OLD-FARM
| With Buckinghamshire braced for extremely hot weather during the weekend and at the start of next week, Buckinghamshire Council wants residents to be aware of potential impact to council services. The forecast for Monday and Tuesday (18 and 19 July) currently predicts temperatures to be around 35-37c, potentially making it unsafe for waste collection crews to carry out their work during the hottest part of the day. In line with other local authorities and health and safety guidance, we will be starting collection rounds earlier all week to get more done before the hottest part of the day. It also means some rounds may have to finish early, before completion. This is because the bin crews have to wear heavy duty protective clothing and their work is very physical meaning it could pose a risk to health in very hot weather. All waste collections will start at 6am for the whole of next week (Mon 18 – Fri 22 July inc) so please leave your bins out no later than 6am each day for the whole week or put them out the night before. If your bin isn’t emptied on your normal collection day please leave it out as we may be running slightly behind due to the heat. Councillor Gareth Williams is Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change. He said: “Obviously we don’t want bins being left on hot days in an ideal world, but we have to put the safety of our crews first and if it gets too hot for them to work, we may fall slightly behind our usual schedule. We hope to minimise this by starting early every day next week (w/c Mon 18 July). If your bin is not collected when expected, we will pick it up at the earliest opportunity. It’s pleasing to see cooler temperatures forecast further into next week so we hope any delays are kept to an absolute minimum – and we will do our best to catch up as quickly as possible if collections are held up. I’m sure residents appreciate the need to put the health and wellbeing of our crews first and we thank them for their patience and understanding.” |
Two more criminals caught fly-tipping in Buckinghamshire have been brought to justice thanks to efforts by Buckinghamshire Council’s enforcement team. In both cases the offenders could have brought the majority of their waste to one of the council’s Household Recycling Centres free of charge, but instead chose to break the law and paid the price.
Council gives green light to outline plan to create more affordable housing
The aspiration of the outline planning application is to use Council-owned land to help deliver housing that is affordable and accessible to benefit the community. The potential development would include a minimum of 30% of affordable housing.
Using council land provides an opportunity to provide affordable housing in excess of the levels that are set out in planning requirements. The aspiration is the development will also include a number of homes for clients of adults and children’s services. If an outline planning application is successful, a detailed development scheme will be considered by Cabinet at a future date and a detailed planning application will follow.
It’s a win-win situation when you play Buckinghamshire Lottery
Sign up and support a good cause today – not only will you be in with the chance of winning weekly cash prizes of up to £25,000, but if you enter before Saturday 25 June, you will be in with the chance of winning a £1,000 Staycation with Forest Holidays, all for just £1 a week!
Buckinghamshire Lottery is a lottery for the people, by the people. It’s a fun way to help good causes without giving up precious time.
Tickets are just £1 in the weekly draw, and you can choose exactly which cause you would like your money to go to. More of your money goes to your chosen cause than with any other major lottery – you can see the exact breakdown of where every penny goes on Buckinghamshire Council’s website. If you enter before 25 June and are in a need of a summer getaway, you can also enter to win a luxurious cabin escape in the forest, where you can kick back and relax in your very own bubbling hot tub!
If you are a local charity or community group looking to boost your fundraising and are interested at joining Buckinghamshire Lottery, further information can be found on the website. There’s no risk, no admin, and best of all, there are no fees. You’ll also receive year-round, free marketing materials and support to help you in your quest for fundraising.
Sign up today at: www.buckinghamshirelottery.co.uk
Wider call for sites opens as the Local Plan for Buckinghamshire begins to take shape
As Buckinghamshire Council continues its work on the Local Plan for Buckinghamshire, it is widening its search for land across the county that is suitable for different kinds of future development. This will ensure that the people of Buckinghamshire have the homes, infrastructure, economic opportunities and sustainable natural environment they will need in the years to come.
As part of this, the Council is opening a third call for sites suitable for future development. After two previous calls for brownfield sites, there is now a wider call for sites, which may include land not previously developed as well as a continued emphasis on re-using brownfield land whenever possible.
Let’s send illegal tobacco up in smoke
Residents in Buckinghamshire are being warned of the dangers of illegal tobacco in a new public awareness campaign being run by Buckinghamshire Council.
The council’s public health team is working alongside Buckinghamshire and Surrey Trading Standards to stamp out the rising trend in illegal tobacco.
Illegal tobacco includes:
The teams will be taking to the road throughout the summer to promote the See It, Report It, Stop It campaign which encourages people to stay away from illegal tobacco and to report sales of it anonymously. Typically illegal tobacco will be sold ‘under the counter’ in a similar way to drugs or in informal settings such as market or street stall like other counterfeit goods.
Jubilee memorabilia wanted!
Buckinghamshire Archives is collecting mementos from the historic occasion of HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and needs your help to create a record for future generations.
Archives are looking for records from the local area such as posters, invitations, flyers, photographs and residents’ newsletters from the Platinum Jubilee weekend that you would be willing to donate to Buckinghamshire Archives.
Examples of items collected in previous years are currently being displayed at the pop-up Archives Jubilee Exhibition, which is on show at libraries across the county this month.
Your submissions could help to tell the story of how Buckinghamshire celebrated the Platinum Jubilee to people hundreds of years in the future.
Buckinghamshire & Surrey Trading Standards win two national awards
Buckinghamshire & Surrey Trading Standards has been awarded two national awards by the Office of Product Safety and Standards (OPSS). The team won the national award for service excellence and the Business Team Manager won a national award for leadership.
With the award, the OPSS recognised how the whole service benefits local businesses and residents in Buckinghamshire and Surrey – while also achieving a significantly wider reach for consumer protection and business support.
Fun, free summer holiday clubs on offer to Buckinghamshire children
Buckinghamshire Council has teamed up with local organisations, schools and charity groups to provide thousands of places for eligible children and young people to enjoy a variety of exciting and interesting activities and experiences in their local area throughout the summer holidays – for free!
Whether your child is interested in art, football, technology, music or something else, there is an activity for every age and interest. For some children, these sessions will allow them to expand on a pre-existing interest and further develop skills they may already have; for others, the sessions will provide them with the opportunity to learn something completely new.
These places have been made available as part of the Government’s national Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme. Available for children and young people who receive benefits-related free school meals, each session includes a healthy hot meal, as well as the opportunity to make new friends, have fun and maybe even develop a new skill or a hobby!
Details of the full range of activities available and how to secure a place, can be found on the website. Book early to avoid disappointment and to secure your choice – the take up is expected to be high!
Councillor Derek Town
Between the 1st of June 2022 and the 30th of June 2022, there were 14 incidents reported to Police in Pitstone. Of these 14, 3 of these were of note and a summary of these incidents is as follows:
Parking Issues:
Parking was de-criminalised some years ago and this now falls under the remit of Buckinghamshire Council. The Police still have the power to enforce “Unnecessary Obstruction” – If a vehicle is fully blocking the highway (including the grass verge) or a dropped curb. If you would like to report a parking issue, please follow the link below:
Report a highways problem | Buckinghamshire Council (buckscc.gov.uk)
We have seen a slight increase in thefts of Motorhomes again across the Aylesbury Vale and wider areas. We will be doing some Crime Prevention work around this across the area.
We are currently advising residents who own a Motorhome the following:
The Neighbourhood Team will be arranging Have Your Say meetings around the area. Some of these will be planned and some will be “Pop Up” type meetings when they are in the area. We will inform you of any dates of any planned events.
Please let us know of any community events/fetes you have planned on your area and if we are able to attend then we will. We are trying to attend as many as we can as we have not been able to during Covid.
Please click the link for full details
We are working to create a Design Code for Buckinghamshire. This is a set of rules and design principles for buildings, streets and public spaces which developers will need to follow. We need your input to help us to create the design code, which will contain design rules for:
| Street design Walking and cycling Green spaces and trees Spaces for water and nature Cycle storage Storage for waste and recycling containers E-car and e-cycle charging Car parking Safe streets and public spaces |
Once we’ve completed the Buckinghamshire Design Code we will test it before we conduct a formal public consultation. We will then consider formally adopting the Design Code as the official guidelines we will use to help us determine planning applications.
It’s quick and simple to get involved. Please visit https://www.bucks.place and follow these three steps:
Tag
Find your local area on our interactive map. Zoom into the street, public space or building you want to talk about, or key in the postcode in the search box. Then click +Tag and follow the instructions on the screen to add your idea, comment or suggestion.
Type
Tell us what you think by typing a few words. We’re interested to know:
| Is this a good place for children to live? Are there enough places for children to play in this area? Could I get around easily in a wheelchair? What obstacles are there if you were pushing a pushchair? Is it easy to cross the street? Are there enough trees? Do children have a safe walking route to school? Are there obstacles for people who are walking and cycling such as missing pavements? How could new developments in this place be better in the future? |
Snap
You can also upload a photo directly from your smartphone or computer (optional).
The Home of 2050
We would also like to know how you think the Home of 2050 could respond to changing lifestyles and climate change. You can find some ideas and share your thoughts online on the Home of 2050 page (https://www.bucks.place/index.php?contentid=97).
Thank you for taking part in this important work for shaping the new Design Code for Buckinghamshire
During Refugee Week 2022 (20-26 June), local charity Community Impact Bucks is promoting a new initiative which provides volunteer community interpreters to hosts and community groups in the county on a task-by-task basis.
Available through the Volunteer Matching Service, the volunteer interpreters are available to help in a community setting for example, interpretation at a coffee morning or interpreting on behalf of a host to help settle a family into the home. Both Ukrainian or Russian interpreters are available. For more details, visit Community Support for Ukrainian Refugees.
The charity has also recently appointed Tania Orlova as its Ukrainian Community Liaison Officer to coordinate community support for Ukrainian refugees in Buckinghamshire. If you are a host, refugee, or part of a voluntary group providing help to refugees and would like to be kept up-to-date on latest news and opportunities, contact Tania Orlova on tania@communityimpactbucks.org.uk/ tel 01844 617308
Diversion in operation:
| Buckinghamshire nears top of the table in planning enforcements |
| A recently published table shows that Buckinghamshire Council is the second most active council outside London and the seventh most active in the country in issuing planning enforcement notices. The table, produced by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) monitors and ranks councils by the number of planning enforcement notices they issue. It reveals that some areas are more active than others in issuing legal notices for contravention of planning rules and that 35 councils issued no notices at all. A planning enforcement notice is a legal document which is issued when there has been a breach of planning control that cannot be resolved through negotiation and is so serious that it requires formal action. It sets out what steps need to be taken to resolve the breach. In 2021 the team at Buckinghamshire Council investigated 1,675 new cases and issued 65 planning enforcement notices. In the last year, breaches in Buckinghamshire have included unauthorised residential extensions, changes of use, untidy land, airport parking and illegal works to listed buildings. |
| Bucks residents offered discounted home composting equipment |
| Buckinghamshire Council is offering residents discounts of up to 40% on home compost bins, hot composters and food waste digesters. Many of these items are made from recycled plastic and all of them are made in the UK. Composting is an inexpensive, natural process that transforms your kitchen and garden waste into a valuable and nutrient rich food for your garden. Compost is easy to use and a home composting bin can divert around 150 kg of organic waste per year from disposal per household. Inspired by International Compost Awareness Week (1-7 May), Buckinghamshire Council is also offering an ‘Introduction to Home Composting’ webinar hosted by UK charity Garden Organic. During the free one-hour webinar, residents will find out the: Benefits of home composting Composting process Bin types and methods Uses of compost in the garden Benefits to the environment Answers to common composting questions The webinar will take place on three dates: Session 1: Friday 6 May at 1pm Session 2: Wednesday 25 May at 7pm Session 3: Thursday 16 June at 7pm You can also pick up a discounted composter or food waste digester at our Recycle for Bucks website.” For more ways to reduce your carbon emissions and to help the environment, please see the Bucks Climate Challenge webpage. |
| Play Streets scheme launches in Bucks |
| Children across Bucks are being given the opportunity to play safely outside on their doorstep through a new scheme that’s been launched by Buckinghamshire Council. Neighbours can now apply for a Play Streets session to close their road for a few hours at a time, so that communities can come together and children can meet up and have fun outdoors. Play Streets already take place in many other areas across the UK and have proved very popular, encouraging children to get active in the fresh air and also helping to tackle social isolation by connecting neighbours. The scheme first started in Bristol through the national organisation ‘Playing Out’. Two trial events took place in Aylesbury and High Wycombe and children enjoyed being able to scoot and cycle on their street, while adults chatted and got to know each other. Gareth Williams, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration, commented: “We’re delighted to bring Play Streets to Bucks. Many of us will remember playing out on the street when we were younger, but lots of children just don’t have that opportunity now. Play Streets gives them that freedom again, to grab their bike or skipping rope and make friends outside their front door.” Emma Bornebroek organised the Play Streets trial event in High Wycombe and found it really helped bring her neighbours together. She said: “Our road can be quite busy with traffic and so it’s not possible for children to play on the street. Being able to close it for a few hours made a huge difference and the kids had a fantastic time playing. It was also great for adults to meet up and connect with people they hadn’t met before or seen for some time due to the Covid pandemic.” Residents can apply to see if their street is suitable for a Play Streets session on Buckinghamshire Council’s Play Streets webpage – and there is more information about the scheme on the national Playing Out website. |
| Buckinghamshire Council announces fresh financial support package for residents in need |
| Buckinghamshire Council has finalised a new package of support for residents facing financial hardship and who are struggling with rising bills and costs. The Council has already announced additional measures it’s put in place on top of the government’s national council tax rebate scheme. As well as that help, today Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet has finalised how it will allocate a further £2.4 million of funding from the Government’s Household Support Fund, to help residents struggling to pay bills and buy food. Residents facing severe financial hardship can contact the council’s Helping Hand service which can: help with energy, cooking, lighting and water bills support with food costs through vouchers pay for household essentials such as sanitary products, boiler servicing, warm clothing costs £880,000 of the funding has been allocated to provide food vouchers to families in need, including covering children’s meals during school holidays if they are eligible for free school meals during term time. These digital food vouchers will also be available for Afghan and Ukrainian families who’ve arrived in Buckinghamshire as a package of wider support for these families under Helping Hand. The Household Support Fund package is designed – through Helping Hand – to help families with children, pensioners and other vulnerable households who are struggling with paying for the basics of food, clothing and heating. This new wave of Helping Hand funding comes on top of extra support the council is giving to residents who may not be in crisis but who are still struggling with the sharp increase in household bills. The £150 council tax rebate is now being paid to eligible households (council tax bands A-D) across Buckinghamshire as part of the national scheme to offset the cost of energy bills – the Buckinghamshire scheme has been designed so the funds can be issued as quickly as possible and this is now happening sooner than in some other council areas On top of the national council tax scheme, the council has introduced its own scheme and is making £150 payments to eligible residents who live in Bands E-H who are in receipt of certain benefits such as Employment and Support Allowance Under a further strand of Buckinghamshire Council help, the council is also topping up payments under both schemes through the Helping Hand programme, meaning some residents will also be eligible for an extra £25 payment on top of the other payments. The council is also providing extra support for families during the school holidays through its HAF (holiday activities and food) scheme, ensuring families have access to quality food and care outside of term-time. We are working closely with a number of local organisations to ensure support is there for all who need it, from general financial advice, to those who sadly have been pushed into severe hardship. We know people need different levels of help at the moment, that we’re all feeling the pinch and our aim is to help as many Buckinghamshire households as possible who are experiencing varying amounts of financial pressure.” For the full breakdown of how Buckinghamshire Council is allocating the Household Support Fund, please go to: https://buckinghamshire.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s42765/Government%20funding%20supporting%20Buckinghamshire%20Residents%202022-05-10%20v1.3%20-%20Cabinet.pdf For Helping Hand queries please call 01296 531 151 – this line operates Mon – Thu 9am – 5:30pm and Fri 9am – 5pm. You can also use the online contact form on the Helping Hand webpage: www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/helping-hand. For information on the council’s HAF (Holiday Activities and Food) programme please go to www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/haf For general advice on money matters, go to www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/backontrack Buckinghamshire Council takes steps to secure more affordable housing in the county Buckinghamshire Council is taking proactive steps to tackle the challenges around delivering enough affordable housing in Buckinghamshire. As a key priority for the council, the council’s Cabinet has, this week, agreed an affordable housing position statement and committed to some specific actions. These include exploring the viability of piloting of an affordable housing development on disused council owned sites to help increase the delivery of affordable housing. Over the next 12 months, as well as exploring the piloting of an affordable housing development using one of its own disused sites, Buckinghamshire Council will: work closely with house builders and use planning obligations to maximise delivery of affordable housing on all new sites. Developers who apply for planning permission for homes have to supply a percentage of affordable homes within their development. On average, this system has delivered 643 new affordable homes in Buckinghamshire each year. work closely with Registered Social Landlords to support them to deliver their development plans and also use s106 funds and other enabling grants to make nomination rights for affordable rented accommodation available to those on the Bucks Home Choice system. engage with private house builders to explore the viability of acquiring homes to accommodate key workers. Provided this is a viable option, the Council will deliver at least one scheme in 2022. review and catalogue empty homes in Buckinghamshire and explore if these can be brought back into use. Council Tax charges for persistently empty homes will also be reviewed. Councillor Nick Naylor, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Regulatory Services said: Having a safe and secure home is a basic need we all have a right to, so we’re looking at a suite of options to secure greater numbers of affordable homes across the county. Buckinghamshire Council has also set out how the Government’s First Homes scheme will work in Buckinghamshire. The scheme is designed to help local first time buyers and key workers onto the property ladder, by offering homes at a discount of at least 30% compared to the market price. This could save each buyer a significant amount of money, making deposits and mortgages more affordable. The discounts will apply to the homes forever, meaning that generations of new buyers and the local community will continue to benefit every time the property is sold. The council has set local eligibility criteria restrictions so that First Homes have the best chance to be sold to local people and key workers. |
| Buckinghamshire Council offers free events in support of Dementia Action Week |
| To mark Dementia Action Week 2022, which runs from 16 to 22 May, Buckinghamshire Council is running a series of events in the county. The awareness week is run annually by the Alzheimer’s Society, with this year’s theme being diagnosis. Diagnosis rates for dementia have fallen to a five-year low and the Alzheimer’s Society is encouraging those experiencing common dementia symptoms, such as memory loss, personality changes and changes in behaviour, to seek guidance and support in understanding those symptoms. Research by the Society indicates that the biggest barrier to those seeking a diagnosis is the misconception that memory loss is a normal sign of ageing. This year’s Dementia Action Week aims to help those who might be living with undiagnosed dementia to understand potential symptoms, to come forward for guidance and support, and to feel empowered to take the next steps towards diagnosis. 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. Tuesday 17 May Aylesbury – To celebrate the Platinum Jubilee, Aylesbury Town Council and Aylesbury Library will be hosting a FREE event as part of our dementia friendly initiative in Dementia Action Week. Buckingham – Free drop-in session at Buckingham Library 10am – 1pm. Wednesday 18 May Adult Social Care Commissioning Virtual Post Diagnosis Information session. This session is for anyone who has had a diagnosis of dementia and their carers and would like to find out more about the condition, how to manage symptoms and live well and find out what support is available. It’s also an opportunity to ask questions to the Dementia Advisors. The session runs from 10:30am – 12pm. In addition to the above, Virtual Dementia Tours – organised by Buckinghamshire Council’s Community Boards and local Dementia Action Alliances – will be available to interested residents. The Virtual Dementia Tour is a life-changing experience and the only scientifically and medically proven method of giving a person with a healthy brain an experience of what dementia might be like. Enter the world of a person with dementia and understand the simple changes you can make to your practice and to the environment to improve the lives of people with dementia. The Virtual Dementia Tour is taken by over 200,000 people per year in the UK and is the benchmark training used by multiple NHS Trusts, HSE Trusts, care homes, nursing homes, families and more. Available dates and locations for the Virtual Dementia Tour are: Monday 16 May – Burnham Park Hall Interactive Dementia Awareness Experience – Monday 16 May, multiple times | Eventbrite Tuesday 17 May – Beaconsfield Town Hall, Penn Road, Beaconsfield, HP9 2PP – Interactive Dementia Awareness Experience – Tuesday 17 May, multiple times | Eventbrite Wednesday 18 May – Lace Hill Manor Care Home – Virtual Dementia Tour Session 2 Buckingham Tickets – Wednesday 18 May at 10:30am | Eventbrite Thursday 19 May – Bourne End Community Centre, Wakeman Rd, Wooburn Green, Bourne End SL8 5SX Friday 20 May Risborough Community Centre, Wades Park, Stratton Road, Princes Risborough, HP27 9AX – Interactive Dementia Awareness Experience – Friday 20 May, multiple times | Eventbrite There are four sessions available on every day, each with nine places, including an interactive experience on the specially designed vehicle followed by a group debrief. |
| Council asks for residents’ help in tackling the costly problem of food waste |
| It’s a priority for Buckinghamshire Council to take local action to reduce food waste, and to do this it’s asking local people to share their experience in an online survey of why almost a third of the food we buy never makes it to a plate. The results will be used to plan projects and positive campaigns which help local people reduce food waste. Food waste is a serious issue – for the average family, wasted food costs £720 a year, at a time when the cost of living is increasing at a rate not seen for many years. Nationally, 4.5 million tonnes of edible food is wasted every year. And globally, wasted food not only contributes to serious food scarcity, but plays a major part in causing the carbon emissions that are behind climate change. That’s why Buckinghamshire Council is working hard to address the problem at a local level. To better do this, the Council’s waste team wants to find out more about the day-to-day reasons why food goes to waste, and they want to hear from you. The online survey just takes a few minutes at yourvoicebucks.citizenspace.com/communities/food-waste-survey-2022 and a completed survey means you get to enter a £250 prize draw! |
| Whatever your excuse, there’s no excuse for speeding |
| “I was late for work.” “I didn’t see the sign.” “There was no one else on the road!” All these excuses are commonly heard when people are stopped for speeding. Buckinghamshire Council’s road safety initiative, Travel Safe Bucks is launching a new campaign to remind people that whatever the excuse, there’s no excuse for speeding. Managing speed is something a lot of drivers and riders seem to struggle with, for many and varied reasons. The ‘No Excuses, No Speeding’ campaign looks to remind people of all the excuses that may be used to justify their speeding and all the ways these excuses can be challenged. Managing speed is about knowing the speed limit for the road, planning and concentration. It’s important for drivers and riders to plan their journey to allow plenty of time to get to their destination, as being late is an excuse frequently used as a justification for speeding. It’s also important to keep an eye on the speedometer, especially when leaving faster roads and to look out for road signs when turning into a new road. It’s not just about tackling the excuses for speeding, but also about reminding people that the speed limit depends on the vehicle you’re in and the type of road you are driving on. For example, vans and lorries may have different speed limits on some roads compared to cars. |
| Senior political appointments confirmed at Buckinghamshire Council |
| Senior political appointments have been confirmed by Buckinghamshire Council following its Annual General Meeting today (18 May) held at The Gateway offices in Aylesbury. Martin Tett continues as Leader of the Council with his own set of portfolio responsibilities covering financial strategy, economic development, skills and employability, strategic infrastructure, policy and communications and the recovery plan for Buckinghamshire. Two deputy leaders, Angela Macpherson and Gareth Williams, will continue to provide support in addition to their own cabinet responsibilities. Taking up the important ceremonial position of Chairman of the Council for the forthcoming year is Dev Dhillon, with Patricia Birchley supporting him as Vice-Chairman of the Council. Martin also announced his new Cabinet appointments, together with deputy cabinet member positions. The full list is: Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Angela Macpherson – Cabinet Member and Deputy Leader Zahir Mohammed – Deputy Cabinet Member (Public Health) Climate Change and Environment Portfolio Gareth Williams – Cabinet Member and Deputy Leader Jilly Jordan – Deputy Cabinet Member (Environment) Planning and Regeneration Portfolio Peter Strachan – Cabinet Member Rachael Matthews – Deputy Cabinet Member (Town Centre Regeneration) Gary Hall – Deputy Cabinet Member (Enforcement) Homelessness and Regulatory Services Portfolio Mark Winn – Cabinet Member Carl Jackson – Deputy Cabinet Member (Regulatory Services) Education and Children’s Services Portfolio Anita Cranmer – Cabinet Member Joe Baum – Deputy Cabinet Member (Skills) Transport Portfolio Steven Broadbent – Cabinet Member Peter Martin – Deputy Cabinet Member (HS2/EWR) David King – Deputy Cabinet Member (Transport Delivery) Accessible Housing and Resources Portfolio John Chilver – Cabinet Member Tim Butcher – Deputy Cabinet Member (Resources and HR) Culture and Leisure Portfolio Clive Harriss – Cabinet Member Communities Portfolio Steve Bowles – Cabinet Member Arif Hussain – Deputy Cabinet Member (Community Safety) |
| Please remember the right way to recycle electricals |
| Buckinghamshire residents are being given a timely reminder to take note of the right and responsible way to recycle electrical items, following a recent fire on one of the council’s refuse vehicles. The recycling collection truck was on rounds in Amersham when it caught fire last week. Luckily the quick-thinking crew spotted the fire and acted promptly to contain it, calling on the Fire Service to attend. Once the fire was extinguished, the vehicle returned straight to the depot where the contents were tipped out and monitored to ensure no further fires broke out. The cause of the fire was found to be a laptop and battery, which had been placed in a recycling bin for collection. No-one was hurt in the incident and the vehicle was undamaged. Across Buckinghamshire, batteries can be recycled at the kerbside if placed inside a standard carrier bag and left on top of the resident’s recycling bin. They will then be collected by council crews on the day they normally empty the bin. Small electrical items (broadly categorised as anything with a plug, battery or charger) should be taken to a local household recycling centre. These items include: Hair dryers Hair straighteners Electric toothbrushes Games controllers Mobile phones and chargers Small electrical power tools If an electrical item is larger than a shoe box (for example, microwave ovens and car batteries) it will need to be taken to a local Household Recycling Centre. Alternatively, residents can arrange for items to be collected, for a fee, using the council’s bulky waste collection services. For more information visit the Recycle for Buckinghamshire website. |
Councillor Derek Town
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| Bin collections across Buckinghamshire will be operating to a revised timetable over the Spring and Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday. Collections due to take place on Thursday 2 June (Spring Bank Holiday) will move to Saturday 4 June. Collections due to take place on Friday 3 June (Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday) will move to Monday 6 June. All collections the week commencing Monday 6 June will take place one day later than usual for this week only. Collections will return to normal from Monday 13 June. Please check the revised timetable and present any bins or containers by 6.30am on the revised collection day. Wednesday 1 June – no change Wednesday 8 June – moves to Thursday 9 June If your re-arranged collection day falls on the day your road is closed over Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend, please leave your bin out for collection and we will do our best to collect it early or return on Monday 6 June for collection. A friendly reminder that Buckinghamshire’s nine household recycling centres are open as usual. All sites will remain open for their usual operating hours over the Bank Holiday weekend. Check online before you visit to confirm opening hours and avoid the queues. Visit our website for all the latest Household Recycling Centre information. With lots of community street parties and Big Jubilee Lunches planned to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, please also remember to reduce, reuse and recycle. Consider choosing sustainable and/or environmentally-friendly party tableware (including reusable straws and paper table cloths), don’t let any leftover lunch go to waste and remember to recycle any celebratory cans of pop and bottles of bubbly. Find out more about how to keep your celebrations as eco-friendly as possible on our website: Jubilee | Buckinghamshire Recycles (recycleforbuckinghamshire.co.uk) For more information including how to check your Bank Holiday bin collections, where to find your nearest household recycling centre, and useful recycling tips, visit: www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/bank-holiday-bins Please also follow @BucksCouncil to keep up-to-date with the latest recycling & waste and bin collection information on our Facebook and Twitter pages. |
| Play Streets scheme launches in Bucks |
| Children across Bucks are being given the opportunity to play safely outside on their doorstep through a new scheme that’s been launched by Buckinghamshire Council. Neighbours can now apply for a Play Streets session to close their road for a few hours at a time, so that communities can come together and children can meet up and have fun outdoors. Play Streets already take place in many other areas across the UK and have proved very popular, encouraging children to get active in the fresh air and also helping to tackle social isolation by connecting neighbours. The scheme first started in Bristol through the national organisation ‘Playing Out’. Two trial events took place in Aylesbury and High Wycombe and children enjoyed being able to scoot and cycle on their street, while adults chatted and got to know each other. Gareth Williams, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration, commented: “We’re delighted to bring Play Streets to Bucks. Many of us will remember playing out on the street when we were younger, but lots of children just don’t have that opportunity now. Play Streets gives them that freedom again, to grab their bike or skipping rope and make friends outside their front door.” Emma Bornebroek organised the Play Streets trial event in High Wycombe and found it really helped bring her neighbours together. She said: “Our road can be quite busy with traffic and so it’s not possible for children to play on the street. Being able to close it for a few hours made a huge difference and the kids had a fantastic time playing. It was also great for adults to meet up and connect with people they hadn’t met before or seen for some time due to the Covid pandemic.” Residents can apply to see if their street is suitable for a Play Streets session on Buckinghamshire Council’s Play Streets webpage – and there is more information about the scheme on the national Playing Out website. |
Please see below for details:
| Buckinghamshire Council and FCC Environment unveil bug hotel to celebrate new Household Recycling Centre contract |
| On 1April FCC Environment begins a new five-year contract to manage the nine Household Recycling Centres across Buckinghamshire and to celebrate the milestone, the council and its contractor have teamed up with a local Men in Sheds group to create bespoke bug hotels to encourage insect life and diversity at all of the sites. The sites already attract over a million visits a year and handle more than 60,000 tonnes of waste. The new contract is worth £15 million over five years rising to £28.5 million over ten years if the contract is extended. Peter Strachan, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment, commented: “It’s been a privilege to take part in the new contract celebration and open the new bug hotel at Aston Clinton Recycling Centre. FCC Environment have consistently demonstrated their dedication to improving reuse, repair and recycling across the county. Buckinghamshire Council looks forward to building on this success over the duration of the new contract.” Steve Longdon, FCC Operations Director, said: “We have operated the facilities in Buckinghamshire since 2012 and we have worked hard during this time to deliver an exceptional service, so we are delighted to have secured the new contract to provide the ongoing management and operation of the nine Household Recycling Centres. “The new contract will enable us to continue our relationship with Buckinghamshire Council and South Bucks Hospice to embrace new ways of working focusing on the waste prevention, repair and reuse agenda that is vital if we are to meet our Net Zero targets as a nation.” Jackie Ward, South Bucks Hospice Chief Executive Officer, said: “South Bucks Hospice are thrilled to continue operating the reuse shops at Aston Clinton and High Wycombe Recycling Centres working with FCC Environment to ensure even more of Buckinghamshire’s waste is reused. The new contract not only benefits the environment but also supports the fantastic work of the hospice to provide end-of-life care and family support.” Residents have recently expressed their happiness at the level of service provided at the recycling centres. During November/December last year 2,238 visitors took part in a customer satisfaction survey. The report was conducted across the nine sites during peak and off-peak times and outlines overall customer satisfaction ratings, what items were brought to the centre, the frequency of customer visits, and key performance indicators such as site cleanliness, queuing, website information, safety advice and procedures. 100% of those interviewed said that they were either satisfied or very satisfied with the site staff and service provided at the Household Recycling Centres |
| Bucks Lottery celebrates two years of supporting local good causes |
| The Buckinghamshire Lottery is celebrating its second birthday. In the last year, it has raised over £125,000 for the local community and over £27,000 has been given away in prizes. So far more than 350 local good causes in Buckinghamshire have signed up as a fun and effective way to raise funds for their valued services in the community. Any local charities or not-for-profit groups such as parent teacher associations and sports clubs, looking to fundraise can register free of charge at any time to take part in the Buckinghamshire Lottery. One of the best things about the Buckinghamshire Lottery is that supporters are able to choose the good causes that matter personally to them.” We would advise other causes thinking of joining the lottery to sign up, it’s free and really easy to get started. There is a huge amount of support given as well as advice and tips on fundraising. Supporters can win weekly cash prizes of up to £25,000 for just £1 per ticket and if you enter before Saturday, 23 April 2022 you will also be in with the chance of winning the national prize, of a £1,000 B&Q gift card. Visit our website to see which good causes you can support, and buy a ticket today online at: https://www.buckinghamshirelottery.co.uk/ At least 60% from each ticket sold goes directly to the cause of your choice. Unlike larger lotteries, the majority of your ticket purchase comes back into the community and the odds of winning a prize are much better, at an amazing 50:1. It really is a win-win scenario. Even if you don’t win a cash prize you can be content in knowing that you are making a real difference in your local community!” Good causes that have been supported via the Buckinghamshire Lottery include: Bucks Carers, PACE, Thames Valley Air Ambulance, BucksVision, South Bucks Riding for the Disabled, Aylesbury Homeless Action Group, Autism Bucks, Medical Detection Dogs, Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Service for south Buckinghamshire (previously known as Rape Crisis), Age UK Buckinghamshire, Bucks Search and Rescue, Cancer Care and Haematology Fund, Child Bereavement UK, Chiltern Carers, Chiltern, High Wycombe and South Bucks Cats Protection, Citizens Advice Bucks, Chilterns MS Centre, Parkinson’s UK Aylesbury Branch and Thames Valley Adventure Playground. |
| 70 Trees for 70 Years – one month to go! |
| It’s the final countdown for the 70 Trees for 70 Years campaign – you have one month left to nominate your favourite trees and woodland in Buckinghamshire to be included in our Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. This year we have been taking part in The Queen’s Green Canopy tree planting initiative, planting trees for the Jubilee to create a lasting legacy for future generations. Alongside this, we would like to celebrate the beautiful trees and woodland we already have, so we have been inviting residents to nominate their favourites. We have received some fantastic nominations so far, which have highlighted how important trees and woodlands are to us for our mental health, our physical health and our enjoyment of our surroundings. Cllr Peter Strachan, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment, said: “We are very lucky in Buckinghamshire to be surrounded by so much natural beauty, and as part of Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year, Buckinghamshire Council is looking to celebrate this with our 70 Trees for 70 Years campaign. “The nominations we have already received have been really touching, demonstrating just how important our natural environment is to us, and how many memories are evoked by special places. “One couple nominated a tree where they had their engagement photoshoot, and someone else nominated trees in a park where they had enjoyed picnics with friends after the first lockdown lifted. We’ve also had people nominating woodlands because they have memories of walking in the woods with loved ones who have since passed away. “Whatever the reason, if you have a tree or woodland in Buckinghamshire which you think should be recognised on our Platinum Jubilee list, please send us a photo before 1 May.” To take part, take a photo of your chosen tree or woodland, tell us where it is and why it is meaningful to you, and send it to us via social media @BucksCouncil or 70trees@buckinghamshire.gov.uk. Nominations close on Sunday 1 May 2022. Visit https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/news/70-trees-for-70-years/ for more information. |
| Buckinghamshire Adult Learning shortlisted for 2022 Family Learning Awards |
| The Family Learning Team at Buckinghamshire Adult Learning have been shortlisted for this year’s Family Learning Award. The awards show how organisations are using imaginative, innovative and inclusive ways to deliver learning opportunities which help families in their communities. The awards, organised by education charity Campaign for Learning, celebrate learning activities that supported families during lockdown and beyond and supported health and wellbeing. As to be expected, some of the top priorities for organisations were focused around the significant changes to how learning is delivered beyond the pandemic, keeping families connected, boosting mental health and ensuring everyone can access opportunities to learn. The Buckinghamshire Family Learning team developed a full, interactive online course programme during the pandemic for families, while addressing current learning needs as well as those identified or amplified by recent world events. They supported parents to access online learning as well as developing their own digital skills. All information is shared through a Google Classroom so everyone receives the same information and time for reflection. Learners use the Classroom to communicate with each other and support each other following the session. Parents have given excellent feedback on the Family Learning courses, stating that they have helped build their confidence, reduce their social isolation, develop their language skills and realise the importance of play. One parent said: “The courses have given me confidence to explore more play options to encourage my son’s learning. It has also been great to have someone to talk over any worries I have as a parent.” The Early Years are particularly important as they lay the foundations for lifelong learning, behaviour, and health. The Family Learning in the Early Years Award shortlistrecognised organisations that best demonstrated innovative approaches to delivering family learning aimed at families with children aged between 0-5. The shortlisted organisations are: Adult and Community Learning, Warwickshire Buckinghamshire Adult Learning Learning Unlimited The Whitworth Art Gallery |
If you are a parent or carer of a child in the county who hasn’t yet discovered our free, online Family Learning courses, then I would encourage you to see what’s on offer by going to: www.adultlearningbc.ac.uk/family-learning
Chiltern Beechwood Special Area of Conservation – CBSAC
CBSAC or Ashridge Estate/Woods as we locally refer to the area of the Chilterns including the Ivinghoe Hills and Wendover Woods. These areas are suffering significant damage as a result of increasing leisure usage. This has become ever more a problem over the past 6 or 7 years and even more so as a result of Covid 19 encouraging outdoor activities.
The Chiltern Beechwoods (Ashridge) are adversely impacted by ramblers, joggers, bikers and visitors. Obviously increased local population will increase the adverse impact so measures are to be taken to mitigate this.
2 500m exclusion zones have been identified by Dacorum’s Local Plan and endorsed by Natural England. Both zones extend into Bucks.These do not impact Cheddington but will impact areas close to Tring. There is a presumption against any net increase of new homes within these 500 metres of the Special Area of Conservation.
Further, 12.6 kilometres and 1.7 kilometres Zones of Influence have been created which extend throughout the Ivinghoe Ward. The Habitats Regulations are clear that development proposals in the zones of influence must not give rise to adverse effects on the integrity of the Special Area of Conservation either alone or in combination with other plans or development proposals. If it is likely, or even where it is uncertain that a significant adverse effect will occur, then measures must be secured to either avoid or mitigate the impact. If it is not possible to avoid or mitigate an adverse impact, then planning permission will be refused. This will cause delays to all applications for additional housing, especially large scale, but should not affect extensions or replacement houses.
Any new application for development in Pitstone will now have to incorporate mitigation measures, clearly that will take time and prove difficult.
Further information can be found on the Buckinghamshire Council and Dacorum Borough Council Web sites, this included maps and FAQs.
| Helping to give taxi drivers the keys to success with their English language skills |
| From September 2022, anyone who renews a taxi licence in Buckinghamshire will need to pass an English language test to ensure all drivers can speak and understand English at an appropriate level. Taxi drivers are in a unique and ideal position to spot and report safeguarding issues by being able to identify when a passenger is being pressured into doing something or is being taken somewhere against their will. Previously, all taxi drivers needed to have a good standard of English, but this was not always assessed in an independent test. Now, the government has introduced new requirements, which mean anyone renewing a licence will need to show that they have a standard of English that enables them to identify potential exploitation to protect children and vulnerable adults. If drivers do not pass the test, they will not be able to renew their licence. In Buckinghamshire, taxi licences are renewed every three years, so those who had a licence issued or renewed three years ago will be the first drivers who need to pass the assessment from September 2022. Drivers who have already passed the test or hold an equivalent qualification do not need to take the test. |
| Queen’s Award for Enterprise – Buckinghamshire winners announced Six businesses recognised |
| The awards are the most prestigious awards for UK business. They are designed to recognise and encourage outstanding achievements in the fields of Innovation, International Trade, Sustainable Development and Promoting Opportunity (through social mobility). The 2022 award winners in Buckinghamshire were successful in two categories: International Trade and Innovation. Five of the six businesses received their award in the International Trade Category which recognises substantial growth in overseas earnings and in commercial success (for their business size and sector) through either outstanding achievement over three years or continuous achievement over six years. Medical Research Network Ltd, Milton Keynes Turville Valley Wines (Rafine Ltd), Haddenham M&M Supplies (UK) PLC, Milton Keynes Focusrite Audio Engineering Ltd, High Wycombe G&L Scientific Limited, Marlow In the Innovation category achievements are assessed for: invention, design or production of goods; performance of services; marketing and distribution; or, after-sale support of goods or services, that have realised outstanding commercial success over two years or continuous commercial success over five years. The award has been given to: Dawson Group Plc, Milton Keynes |
| Buckinghamshire Council becomes the first local authority in the UK to support AWorld |
| On Earth Day 2022, which took place on Friday 22 April, Buckinghamshire Council will become the first local authority in the UK to support the AWorld app. AWorld is the official platform in support of ActNow, the United Nations campaign for individual action on climate change and sustainability. The AWorld app guides users towards living sustainably. It does this by showing you how much energy or water you can save by making small changes to your daily life and creating new habits – such as putting the washing machine in eco wash mode or unplugging your charger as soon as your phone is fully charged. Download AWorld for free to see the difference small changes can make. Once you’ve logged into the app, you can also join the Bucks Climate Challenge team, so you can be part of the county-wide effort in reducing carbon emissions and living sustainably. Promoting the app is just one of the ways that Buckinghamshire Council is helping everyone to reduce their carbon emissions and lead Bucks to a net zero carbon goal by 2050. The Council is inviting residents to join them on this carbon reduction day to see how much energy they can save by turning things off. |
| Council Tax rebates being paid to Buckinghamshire residents |
| Buckinghamshire residents living in homes under Council Tax bands A-D will begin receiving their £150 rebate payments from next week (w/c Mon 2 May). This is part of the national scheme to off-set the rise in energy costs. Some residents who live in homes in Bands E-H who receive certain benefits such as Employment and Support Allowance will also be able to claim money back on their Council Tax under Buckinghamshire Council’s own scheme, which aims to provide extra support for those who need it but who don’t qualify for the national Bands A-D scheme. Buckinghamshire residents who pay Council Tax by Direct Debit, and whose home is in Band A to D or who qualify for the Buckinghamshire Council scheme under Bands E-H, will automatically get the £150 back in their bank account in the next few weeks. If residents pay by another method, they will be contacted directly by letter about how to claim the payment. The Council is also topping up payments under both schemes through its own ‘Helping Hand’ programme, meaning some residents will also be eligible for an extra £25 payment on top of the other payments. Overall, the Council Tax rebates and £25 ‘top ups’ are designed to help as many residents as possible as households face rising fuel and energy prices and increases in other living costs. Bucks Council wanted to go above and beyond the national scheme to offer extra support to Bucks residents, hence designing our own scheme under our ‘Helping Hand’ programme. This means we can offer additional payments to a wider number of residents. BC have taken an approach here in Buckinghamshire to get this money out as quickly as possible, avoiding lengthy application or means testing processes. We want as many people in need as possible to be able to access this cash at a time it’s really needed, hence linking our own scheme to those already in receipt of certain benefits. Overall, it is hoped around half of all Buckinghamshire households will be able to claim payments under these schemes, which I hope will make a difference. I don’t lose sight of how squeezed household bills are at the moment so please reach out and access support if you are worried about money and the cost of living, whether you qualify for these schemes or not. Our Helping Hand programme is there to offer help and support to all residents who need it. |
Councillor Derek Town
Bin collections across Buckinghamshire will be operating to a revised timetable next week.
With no usual collections on Monday 2 May (Early May Bank Holiday), all usual collections that week will take place one day later than usual. Please check the revised timetable and present any bins by 6:30am on your revised collection day.
As the weather continues to improve, it’s likely that BBQ season will be fast approaching in Buckinghamshire. Remember all foil drinks cans, plastic and glass bottles can be recycled at home. If you use a disposable barbecue, please make sure you’re disposing of it safely and responsibly after use. For helpful hints and tips, please take a look at our online Waste Wizard.
All of Buckinghamshire’s nine household recycling centres will remain open over the Bank Holiday weekend, including Monday 2 May. Before making a trip to the tip, please check the Council’s website for all the latest household recycling centre information.
For more information including how to check your Bank Holiday bin collections and where to find your nearest household recycling centre, go to www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/bank-holiday-bins.
Bin collections across Buckinghamshire will be operating to a revised timetable over the Easter Bank Holiday.
Collections due to take place on Good Friday, 15 April, will move to Saturday 16 April, and with no collections on Easter Monday, 18 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.
Residents who might be using the Easter Bank Holiday to get started on some spring cleaning are reminded that on 1 April, Buckinghamshire’s nine household recycling centres moved to their summer opening hours: 9am – 6pm. All sites will also remain open over the Easter bank holiday weekend, including Good Friday and Easter Monday. Please check the website before you travel.
For more information including how to check your Easter bank holiday bin collections, where to find your nearest household recycling centre and top recycling tips for this Easter, visit, www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/bank-holiday-bins
Please also follow @BucksCouncil to keep up-to-date with the latest recycling & waste and bin collection information on Facebook and Twitter.
April 22 edition below:
https://assets.neighbourhoodalert.co.uk/images/site_images/88409_April_2022_OUR_NEWS.pdf
Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity’s annual Midnight Walk returns to Aylesbury for the final time after a two year hiatus on Saturday 16th July.
Since it began in 2010, the Midnight Walk has seen hundreds of men and women come together and take to the streets of Aylesbury, walking over 50,000 miles and raising over £650,000 for the charity over the years. But this will be the last opportunity to take part in the event.
The charity is hoping its local community will support their Farewell Midnight Walk, with walkers joining them to remember loved ones and support their local hospice as they walk the final miles for one last time.
Walkers can choose from 5 mile or 10 mile circular routes – both starting from Aylesbury College at midnight on Saturday 16th July, with refreshments at pit stops along the way. Each walker will also receive a commemorative Farewell Midnight Walk 2022 T-shirt, as well as a Finisher’s medal and complimentary breakfast at the end of the walk.
For more information and to sign up, please visit www.fnhospice.org.uk/midnightwalk or call 01296 429975
| Over 2,000 nominations received for Buckinghamshire’s Local Heritage List |
| More than 2,000 sites and assets have been nominated by local people for inclusion on Buckinghamshire’s Local Heritage List. Using funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), Buckinghamshire Council is working to improve the quality and extent of its Local Heritage List. The Local Heritage List seeks to identify locally significant assets and celebrate their contribution to local identity and character. These assets can include historic buildings, archaeological sites, landscape features, historic parks and gardens and more. To date, over 2,000 assets have been nominated for Buckinghamshire’s Local Heritage List, including clock towers, road signs, post boxes, bridges and lamp posts, as well as the usual historic buildings, heritage assets and archaeological sites. The Local Heritage List Project Team is now seeking volunteers to help identify and assess assets important and local to them. If you have an interest in heritage, particularly that of Buckinghamshire, and some spare time on your hands, this could be something for you! For more information on the Local Heritage List or to register your interest in volunteering visit: Home – Buckinghamshire’s Local Heritage List (local-heritage-list.org.uk) or email localheritagelist@buckinghamshire.gov.uk |
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| More Bucks children offered first choice secondary schools places this year Nearly four out of every five pupils in Buckinghamshire have been offered their first choice of secondary school in this year’s allocations. Figures for Buckinghamshire show that 78% of the 6917 children who applied for a school place were given their first-choice preference. This compares to 74% in 2020. A total of 99% of children in Buckinghamshire who applied in this year’s process received an offer of a school place on Tuesday 1 March. The school system we operated in Buckinghamshire can sometimes cause complications but I’m so pleased that we have been able to support the majority of our families in finding the right school for their child, to help them continue their education in the school of their choice. Just over 10% of applicants received their second-choice placement and 4% were offered their third choice. Only a handful of children, (0.0187%) have not yet been allocated a place. The reasons for this include late applications and preferences for schools far outside catchment or not meeting individual schools’ entry requirements. Offers must be accepted by 11.59pm on Monday 14 March. Families who wish to appeal their allocation can do so by following the guidance given on the Council website. Free grants for energy improvements to homes We are reminding residents of the free Government funding available to help them improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Not only does better energy efficiency have a positive impact on the environment and our collective bid to tackle climate change, it also helps reduce energy bills and at a time when costs are rising rapidly this can only be welcomed. The scheme is run by our partner Warmworks and is available to households on low incomes in both private and rented properties. Please help us promote the scheme in your local communities so residents can benefit. The deadline for applications is fast approaching at the end of this month. warmworks.co.uk/greenhomesgrant New licensing policy adopted for Buckinghamshire Buckinghamshire Council has adopted a new policy that sets out how it will consider applications and issues relating to licensing. Under the Licensing Act 2003, the new Licensing Policy for Buckinghamshire replaces those that were previously being used by the former district councils. The policy sets out how the Council will consider applications for licences for alcohol sales, entertainment provided at large scale or late night events and late night food take-aways. It also explains the Council’s approach to dealing with problems at existing licensed premises. The law requires that the Council produces and publishes this policy at least every five years. Before the policy was approved, the Council consulted with a wide range of people and organisations who might be affected by it, including the police, licence holders, members of the public and residents’ associations. All of the comments received were considered and some changes were made to the final policy as a result. The policy includes elements that reflect how licensing can support the Council’s core aims of strengthening our communities, improving our environment, protecting the vulnerable and increasing prosperity. Applications for permanent licences, and any significant changes to current licences must be advertised at the premises and on the Council’s website. Anyone who might be affected by the proposed activities, or changes, can object if they think that any of the licensing objectives are likely to be undermined. These objectives are: the prevention of public nuisance, public safety, the prevention of crime and disorder and the protection of children from harm. Existing licences can also be reviewed and action taken where activities are causing a problem. Are you caring for someone else’s child? Buckinghamshire Council is urging residents to get in touch if they are aware of children living apart from close family, as this informal arrangement could be what is known as Private Fostering and if so, by law, the council needs to be informed. Children under 16 (or under 18 if they are disabled) who are living away from their parents or close relatives (such as aunts and uncles, grandparents, siblings or step-parents) for more than 28 days are classed as being in a Private Fostering arrangement. By law, the council must be told of this. Private Fostering arrangements are completely legal and can often be the best solution for the child. There can be lots of reasons why a child doesn’t live at home and their parent has arranged for someone else to care for them. It might be due to illness or instability at home, being sent from overseas for education or healthcare, teenagers living with the family of their boyfriend or girlfriend, or something else. As a council, we simply need to know about the arrangement so we can support everyone involved and ensure the child is safe and well looked after. So, if you think you might be involved in a Private Fostering arrangement, or if you are a professional and know someone who is in such an arrangement, please let us know, it’s the law. Last year, Buckinghamshire Council supported a number of children in a Private Fostering arrangement, but it is believed there are other cases it has not been made aware of. Find out more at: www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/private-fostering or call the Connected Persons team 01296 383 962 or email: cypfirstresponse@buckinghamshire.gov.uk. Buckinghamshire Council to convert first refuse vehicle to electric thanks to government grant Buckinghamshire Council has been awarded more than half a million pounds to upcycle its first refuse collection vehicle to electric. It marks the start of the Council’s programme to convert its fleet to electric, resulting in zero exhaust emissions. The £578,000 funding, which was announced this week, is from the Government’s Air Quality Grant, which helps councils to develop and implement measures to reduce the impact of dirty air on people’s health. The grant will cover the cost of upcycling the first vehicle as well as providing a blueprint for the future conversion programme. The funds will also be used to pay for performance trials, spare parts and specialist equipment for maintaining the vehicle. It all paves the way for more vehicle conversions to follow in the future. The upcycled 10-year-old Dennis Eagle 26 tonne refuse collection vehicle will travel 412 miles a week in the north of Aylesbury, including through three air quality management areas. These are areas which have exceeded the air quality objective for nitrogen dioxide so the use of an electric refuse vehicle in these areas will also promote and contribute towards improving air quality. As a result of using the electric refuse vehicle, over 10 tonnes of greenhouse gas, 69 kg of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and half a kilo of particulate matter emissions will be saved per year. Air pollution is the single biggest environmental risk to public health. As part of the same government funding scheme Buckinghamshire Council has also been awarded a grant to purchase and trial low-cost monitoring sensors which will be part of clean air campaigns throughout the year. |
Do you know where your food and drink comes from? Do you know who makes and grows the products you buy? Do you want to shop locally and reduce your food miles? Come along to Tring Farmers’ Market where you can speak to the stallholders and find out exactly how things are produced or grown and where they have come from.
The market takes place twice a month on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays at the Market Place in Brook Street, Tring. Except in December when it is on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays. There is easy free 1 hour parking in the Forge Car Park just off the High Street which adjoins The Market Place, but don’t forget to get your ticket. It’s just a short walk down to the market where we have a wide selection of stalls for you to browse. Bread, meat, eggs, plants, cut flowers, charcuterie, juices, British cheese, gifts, home products, second-hand books, cosmetics, candles, cakes, preserves, sauces, the list goes on and on! We often have the Market Mynstralls playing folk music and sometimes even Morris dancing.
All our stallholders come from within a 30 mile radius of Tring and grow, make or produce everything they sell. With some exceptions, for fruit and vegetables, which are bought in, but local when in season and Eco Home products which we think are a vital part to a sustainable way of life that the market promotes. Think about all the food miles you could save!
We also have Fair Trade products and support two local charity stalls. Akeman Street Baptist Church who provides free fair trade hot drinks to everyone, friendly chats and a chance to pick up great Christian literature. They also have fair trade chocolate at bargain prices and beautiful greetings cards! Money raised by them goes to a farm-based charity in Leeds called Caring for Life that care for society’s lost and vulnerable souls.
Our wonderful second-hand charity bookstall raises money for Hector’s House and The Hospice of St Francis. All the books are £1 and donations are welcome too.
Sign up to our fortnightly newsletter on our website www.tringfarmersmarket or follow us on Instagram and Facebook @tringfarmersmarket to keep up to date with all the latest news and events.
March OUR NEWS Neighbourhood Watch newsletter This month’s newsletter includes articles on: our THINK WIDE(N) burglary prevention campaign launch of our 40 YEARS, 40 ACTIONS pack Neighbourhood Watch Community Grants Fund International Women’s Day Neighbour of the Year Awards 2021 regional winners You can read about all this and more in our newsletter attached. Ukrainian Crisis Warning – We have begun to hear about scams using the Ukrainian Crisis to extort or scam money. Please be mindful of this and check the origins of requests to support the crisis. If you come across scams please report them. Visit our REPORTING SCAMS webpage for more information. We hope you enjoy this edition and welcome your feedback via enquiries@ourwatch.org.uk. Best wishes NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH NETWORK, Central Support Team Follow us.. ourwatch.org.uk / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / LinkedIn Neighbourhood Watch Network is a charity registered in England & Wales, CIO no: 1173349 AttachmentsMarch 2022 OUR NEWS.pdf – 9,731.5 KB |
| £100k funding available to address health inequalities in Bucks |
| JOINT PRESS RELEASE FROM HEART OF BUCKS AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCIL Charities and community groups across Buckinghamshire can now apply for grant funding for projects that address avoidable and systematic differences in health through the Health Equity Fund. Funded by Buckinghamshire Council, in partnership with Heart of Bucks, the purpose of the Health Equity Fund is to address health inequalities that impact the life expectancy and quality of life for people from ethnic minority groups across Buckinghamshire. Health inequalities can involve differences such as prevalence of health conditions, access to care, and behavioural risks to health. Some of the ways in which these inequalities can impact on health are evident from national data published by the NHS Race and Health Observatory, including: In the UK, Black women are four times more likely than white women to die in pregnancy or childbirth In the UK, African-Caribbean men are up to three times more likely to develop prostate cancer than white men of the same age In the UK, Black and Ethnic Minority groups have up to 2x the mortality risk from Covid-19 compared to people from a White British background Grants of up to £15,000 are available for projects that address inequalities in physical and/or mental health for any age group. Examples include improving advice and guidance, education and awareness raising, and advocacy support. Projects must be designed and delivered primarily for ethnic minority groups. For more information on the Health Equity Fund, please click here: heartofbucks.org/health-equity-fund-addressing-ethnic-health-inequalities |
| Could you Be the Change for a child waiting to be adopted this year? |
| Buckinghamshire Council is asking residents who may be thinking about adoption whether this could be the time they make the decision to Be the Change in a child’s life. At any one time, Buckinghamshire has more than 25 children waiting to be adopted. Unfortunately, some children wait longer than others to be adopted. We are especially looking for adopters for: Older children (aged 5 and over) Children with more complex needs Brothers and sisters Children from Black & Minority Ethnic backgrounds For those thinking about adoption, finding out more about the process and your suitability couldn’t be easier. Buckinghamshire’s unique Adoption Readiness Checker gives practical advice and creates a personalised plan to prepare people to take the next step in their adoption journey. For people who are considering adoption but are unsure of where to start, the checker acts as a quick way to learn more about the process, find out how they can prepare, and provides links to practical next steps. We need adopters for many of the children currently in our care, but we have a particular need for those who can enrich the cultural and ethnic heritage of the children they care for and support them as they grow Anyone who has thought about adopting in the past but hasn’t yet put their thoughts into action, get in touch with us today. Find out more about the children who are looking for homes and how the process works. Just by picking up the phone or logging onto our website you are already making a change that could transform a child’s life. For more information on adoption visit our website: https://adoption.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/ |
| More Bucks homes to benefit from funding to improve energy efficiency |
| Even more less well-off households in Buckinghamshire are set to benefit from new funding to make their homes more energy efficient following a successful, joint bid for central government funding. With rising fuel costs and the country braced for an announcement on an increase to the cap on energy prices later this month, the news will be welcomed by hundreds of households in Buckinghamshire, many of whom are at risk of being pushed into fuel poverty as a result of the increases. The BEIS (Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy) Sustainable Warmth competition which ran last year invited bids from local authorities for a share of the available funding. Buckinghamshire Council joined forces with other regional authorities under the umbrella of the Greater South East Energy Hub (GSEEH). The funding allocation has just been announced and Buckinghamshire has received £4.9m to support local households. The new funding brings together two schemes to help local authorities tackle fuel poverty on a local level. The grants are generally used to install energy saving upgrades and low carbon heating in households on low incomes. Adding in the new funding, since October 2020, Buckinghamshire Council has received £7.3m to help improve poorly insulated homes in the county. Eligible home-owners can find out more about how to access the funding via the GSEEH website. The scheme will benefit both home-owners and those who rent privately. The new grant funding will potentially help more than 400 households in the county and includes properties that are ‘off grid’, currently using an alternative energy supply such as oil. For owner occupiers, the work will be carried out for free. However, for rental properties (whether private or social), the landlord will be expected to pay at least one third of the cost towards the work. For more information on the funding visit the GSEEH website. Anyone worried about their energy bills can access free advice and information via the Big Energy Saving campaign being run jointly by Citizen’s Advice and the Energy Saving Trust. It includes ideas on how to save energy at home: Energy advice for your home – Energy Saving Trust and advice on what to do if your energy supplier goes bust: Your energy supplier has gone bust – Citizens Advice |
| Buckinghamshire Council announces fresh support for local businesses |
| Local businesses who’ve been adversely affected by the impact of the Omicron variant can apply for a new grant from the council to help them get their business back on track. Lots of local businesses suffered a downturn at the end of last year because of the impact of Omicron on trade. The government has given local councils funds so they can issue grants to eligible businesses in the hospitality, leisure, transportation and events sectors. The funding available falls into two categories: Hospitality and leisure grant – up to £6,000 available to eligible businesses depending on the rateable value of their property Additional Restrictions Grant Booster (ARG Booster) – grants of £1,500 for eligible businesses in hospitality, events and transportation who do not qualify for the hospitality and leisure grant. Due to limited funding allocation, ARG Booster grants will be paid on a first come, first served basis until all funding is allocated. Businesses should apply online: Business grants and schemes | Buckinghamshire Council Applications for the ARG booster will be open for around a month, but as they will close as soon as the funding is used up, businesses are advised not to delay their application, which they can make from today (Monday 24 January). The two grants are part of package of support for businesses announced by the Government at the end of last year. This includes some business rates relief which is also currently available for eligible firms. Please check our website for the full details. |
| Nominate your Bucks Batonbearers |
| Inspirational and active local community members are being sought to take part in a special relay to mark the run up to this year’s Commonwealth Games. The 2022 Commonwealth Games will take place in Birmingham, starting on 28 July. As part of the build-up, The Queen’s 16th Baton Relay is taking place with a commemorative baton travelling to all 72 Commonwealth nations across the globe in a 294 day relay. The baton, which contains a special message to the Commonwealth, written by Her Majesty The Queen, started its journey in October 2021. It will arrive in the UK in the summer and nominations are now being sought for batonbearers to carry it on a tour of England before the start of the Commonwealth Games at the end of July. The Take It On campaign is seeking to find 2,022 batonbearers, each with their own inspiring stories to take on the special experience of carrying the Queen’s Baton as it makes its journey across the country. People are being asked to nominate those who they think should be given the chance to take on this once in a lifetime opportunity. Bearers should be over 12 years old and meet one or more of the following criteria: Always willing to take on a challenge and has a unique and inspiring story Has made a meaningful contribution to sport, education, the arts, culture, or charity Is a figure of inspiration that positively challenges others to achieve their best Has taken on a challenge or cause and made a positive impact within their community Nominations are made online through the official website: Batonbearer Nominations | Birmingham 2022. The form is simple to complete but the window to nominate is fairly short. Nominations close on Tuesday 22 Feb 2022. For more information visit: Queen’s Baton Relay | Birmingham 2022 |
| Funding available for local organisations who can give children a fun and activity packed Easter |
| Are you an organisation, business or local group that could provide interesting activities and a healthy meal for school-aged children during the Easter break? If so, Buckinghamshire Council wants to hear from you today! Through the government’s Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme, the Council is making grant funding available to work with local providers to help deliver a range of free holiday activity clubs for children in Reception to Year 11 who receive benefits related free school meals. The children who access these holiday clubs are those who might not otherwise be able to get a healthy meal or participate in activities during the school holidays. It’s up to you what activities you apply to provide, as long as they are activities that children and young people would find interesting to try and that would encourage them to develop a new skill or future hobby – or would just be fun to do. Potential activities to consider include: Drama and dance Sports and multi-sports Gaming and e-sports Photography Cooking or Easter baking Day trips to the cinema, bowling or other indoor leisure venues Fitness and wellbeing All activities must last a minimum of four hours and new ideas and suggestions are always welcome! Organisations that could provide these holiday activities can apply for a grant from Buckinghamshire Council, to help them do so. Groups that could apply might be community and voluntary organisations, creative and performing arts providers, sports coaches, schools and others. If you can help put on a brilliant range of activities and healthy hot meals for eligible children over the Easter break then we’d like to hear from you! |
| Bucks drivers warned about law changes for using mobile phones behind the wheel |
| Motorists in Buckinghamshire are being reminded not to use their mobile phone when behind the wheel, even when stationary. New legislation comes into force within the next few months and Travel Safe Bucks, the council’s road safety initiative is promoting the change in plenty of time, so drivers don’t get caught out. It is already against the law to use a hand-held device to send a text or make a call while driving unless you’re in an emergency. However, laws are now going to go even further to ban drivers from using their phones, for taking photos and videos, playing games and scrolling through playlists. Anyone caught using a hand-held device while driving for any of these reasons will face a £200 fixed penalty notice and six points on their licence. The change in legislation comes after a public consultation found that 81% of people supported proposals to strengthen the law and make it easier for culprits to be prosecuted. In addition to the strengthening of the laws around mobile phones, The Highway Code will also become more precise about the fact that it is also illegal to use a phone whilst stationary in traffic or stopped at traffic lights, as being stationary in a car counts as ‘driving’. Cabinet Member for Transport, Steven Broadbent, said: “Using a mobile phone whilst driving is an incredibly dangerous thing to do and puts so many people at risk. People think that if they’re stopped in traffic, it’s okay to send a quick text, but that’s not the case – you can still be prosecuted.” Research has shown that using your mobile phone whilst driving means you’re four times more likely to crash. Drivers distracted by their phone also have trouble staying in their own lane and managing their speed. To find out more about the new legislation, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/any-use-of-hand-held-mobile-phone-while-driving-to-become-illegal |
| Grants now available to all Bucks businesses affected by Omicron |
| Businesses in Buckinghamshire are being urged to take advantage of limited time funding to help them bounce back from the impact of December’s Plan B (Omicron) restrictions. Central Government allocated local authorities a “Boost” to the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) funding specifically to support businesses impacted by the December 2021 Omicron wave and Plan B restrictions. Initially this support was only on offer to certain sectors in Bucks, but from this week it is offered to any local business that meets the eligibility criteria. When the ARG Booster funding was distributed, the amount allocated to our area was limited and so to ensure the best use, we restricted applications to those businesses we believed to be most seriously affected by the impact of the Omicron variant. Since the number of applications we have received for this funding has been lower than expected, we have now opened up our criteria so that businesses from all sectors can now apply. The deadline for applications is midnight on 23 February. For more information on how to apply visit our website. Successful applicants will receive £1,500 per business. Hospitality and leisure businesses that pay business rates are still encouraged to apply for funding from the Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant (OHLG) instead of the ARG booster. OHLG is specifically for leisure and hospitality businesses and pays larger amounts of up to £6,000. Apply online. |
| Working together to tackle fly-tipping in Bucks |
| Buckinghamshire Council has joined forces with a local housing association to combat fly-tipping and support residents in disposing of their waste responsibly. For the past seven months, the council has been working with Vale of Aylesbury Housing Trust in dealing with a number of small-scale fly-tipping incidents in our local area. In the first incident, rubbish piled behind bins in Hampden Gardens was examined by the council’s fly-tipping team. Letters and other documents within the rubbish led the team back to one a local resident who was issued with a fixed penalty notice. The second incident took place in Jenner Road, Aylesbury when a resident left an old bed by a garage block. They said they were told it would be taken away by a friend but it never was. The owner of the bed was also issued with a fixed penalty notice and given advice on how to safely dispose of similar items in the future. In the final case, a teenager was caught dumping a cabinet by some bins. When questioned he said his parents had asked him to put it there. The couple were sent a warning letter and also given information about the correct way to get rid of unwanted furniture. The Council will continue to work with the Trust to ensure that the ‘scrap fly-tipping’ message reaches more tenants and people in the local area. This will include installing new signage and providing information on council waste disposal services and also how to report fly-tipping incidents. https://www.recycleforbuckinghamshire.co.uk/scrap-fly-tipping/ |
| Over 2,000 nominations received for Buckinghamshire’s Local Heritage List |
| More than 2,000 sites and assets have been nominated by local people for inclusion on Buckinghamshire’s Local Heritage List. Using funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), Buckinghamshire Council is working to improve the quality and extent of its Local Heritage List. The Local Heritage List seeks to identify locally significant assets and celebrate their contribution to local identity and character. These assets can include historic buildings, archaeological sites, landscape features, historic parks and gardens and more. To date, over 2,000 assets have been nominated for Buckinghamshire’s Local Heritage List, including clock towers, road signs, post boxes, bridges and lamp posts, as well as the usual historic buildings, heritage assets and archaeological sites. The Local Heritage List Project Team is now seeking volunteers to help identify and assess assets important and local to them. If you have an interest in heritage, particularly that of Buckinghamshire, and some spare time on your hands, this could be something for you! For more information on the Local Heritage List or to register your interest in volunteering visit: Home – Buckinghamshire’s Local Heritage List (local-heritage-list.org.uk) or email localheritagelist@buckinghamshire.gov.uk |
| Ofsted Inspection Outcome – Buckinghamshire Council Children’s Social Care |
| Between 29 November and 17 December 2021, Ofsted conducted their re-inspection of services for children in need of help and protection, children looked after, and care leavers. The report published 11 February 2022, says that Children’s Services in Buckinghamshire are no longer inadequate, but still require further improvements to be good. As part of the inspection, inspectors evaluated: overall effectiveness of the service the experiences and progress of children in need of help and protection the experiences and progress of children in care and care leavers the impact of leaders on social work practice with children and families Inspectors looked at approximately 350 children’s cases and reviewed over 300 documents and supporting evidence. They met with staff, partners, children and young people, care leavers, parents and carers, adopters and foster carers. Cabinet Member for Buckinghamshire Children’s Services, Councillor Anita Cranmer said: “We are pleased to hear that the majority of our children in care feel settled and safe where they live. We have made considerable progress in our approach to children at immediate risk of serious harm and prompt action is taken to protect them. Our most vulnerable children/new-born babies are safely protected from future harm, either through care proceedings or through rigorous child protection plans.” Buckinghamshire Council Cabinet makes budget recommendations Next year’s spending plans and council tax proposals have been considered by Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet today as part of the overall process to set the 2022/23 budget. The Buckinghamshire Council budget for 2022/23 has been set amidst a turbulent time for public sector finances, with many competing pressures such as higher inflation rates and the significant costs of providing social care. However, Buckinghamshire Council is in a better position than many local authorities; we are able to balance our books and commit spending to key priorities that our residents have told us matter most to them. Social care costs are projected to rise by around 5% next year, meaning that overall the Council is budgeting for nearly £300 million in total social care spending during 2022/23. This huge sum means we can go on providing critical services for the residents that need them most but we need to raise council tax to help cover this cost. Last year councils were advised they could raise the adult social care precept by a full 3 % to cover the costs of adult social care. However, we chose to defer some of that rise until this year, to spread the burden for our residents over a longer time. It means that this year we’re proposing a 2% rise in Council Tax to cover the increase in adult social care costs. In addition, we are proposing an inflation increase in our general service costs of 1.99%. This compares to inflation of over 5%. This general inflation increase, combined with the special increase to cover the increased costs of social care gives an overall proposed rise of 3.99%, or £1.23 per week for the average Band D property. This proposal is part of the overall budget plans that have been scrutinised in recent weeks and which have now been recommended by Cabinet, ahead of final consideration by Full Council on Wednesday 23 February. The budget was set following consultation with residents who told the Council which areas they wanted to see prioritised. It means the balanced budget proposal includes plans to spend money on key projects such as: Continuing to spend over £100 million on improvements to roads and pavements Tackling the climate crisis including planting more than half a million new trees in Buckinghamshire, one for every resident Investing nearly £25 million in waste services, including vehicle upgrades and a new household recycling centre in the north of the county Cleaning every one of the 85,000 gullies in the county again this year Continued additional funding for litter clearance Adding to the funds available for rolling out high-speed broadband into additional areas Maintaining the Street Warden scheme in High Wycombe Council Tax now makes up 82% of how we fund these services and given costs such as Adult Social Care are going up by as much as 5%, we simply don’t have a choice. We are doing what we can to keep this to a minimum and are implementing the additional 1% Adult Social Care precept that was deferred from last year. We also know that residents in Bands A-D will also get a Council Tax rebate of £150 as announced by Government recently, so this will reduce the cost for many households in Buckinghamshire. Our budget is formed on behalf of our residents so we must include spend on projects they tell us they want. So overall, I am proud we are in a position to produce a balanced budget that still includes significant spending on improving our roads and infrastructure, improving our environment, and carrying on making Buckinghamshire the best place to live, raise a family, work and do business. Now is the time to start planning your Jubilee celebrations Buckinghamshire communities are being encouraged to get planning their celebrations to mark Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee later this year. The official public holiday to mark the historic occasion of The Queen’s 70 years on the throne, falls from 2 to 5 June 2022. The four-day bank holiday weekend is the perfect time for local communities to plan their own celebrations. From street parties to special lunches and beacon lighting to bespoke events there are many ways for communities to get involved. o support those who may want to hold a street party the Council is waiving the fee for temporary road closures, but it is important that people apply in plenty of time before the deadline of 6 May. See this webpage to find out more. On 2 June hundreds of beacons will be lit up and down the county to mark the Jubilee. Local communities can register to light a beacon. For more information, visit the official website. In Buckinghamshire, the council is supporting The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC), a nationwide planting initiative which invites people to Plant a Tree for the Jubilee. The tree planting season comes to an end in March but starts again in November so people can plan ahead. Leading on from this, the council’s 70 Trees for 70 Years project is asking residents to nominate their favourite tree or woodland to compile into a list of the 70 best-loved trees. For more information on all the projects relating to the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, please visit Buckinghamshire Council’s website. News release from the Boundary Commission for England The Boundary Commission for England (BCE) invites comments during its secondary public consultation on constituency boundaries, which is open now until 4 April 2022. [Note: This public consultation relates to MPs constituencies and is separate from the councillors ward consultation.] The Commission is undertaking an independent and impartial review of all constituencies in England, to make the number of electors in each constituency roughly the same. The number of constituencies in England will also increase to 543. The 2023 Boundary Review requires substantial changes to the map of constituencies across England, and the Commission wants members of the public to help shape the boundaries in their area by taking part in a consultation, running 22 February – 4 April. View the initially proposed constituency boundaries for your area and provide views on them by visiting the consultation website bcereviews.org.uk. Responses can also be sent in by letter, email or provided in person at a public hearing. The Commission will hold 32 public hearings across the country throughout the consultation period, allowing members of the public to have their say in person about the proposed changes in their area. Book a 10 minute slot to speak at a hearing in your region on the Boundary Commission website: bit.ly/bcepublichearings. A video of each hearing will be available to watch on the Boundary Commission for England’s YouTube channel shortly after it has taken place. The Commission received over 34,000 responses from the public during its first consultation last year. These comments are now available to view by area, along with the initial proposals for constituencies, on the consultation website. Secretary to the Boundary Commission for England, Tim Bowden, said: “The 2023 Boundary Review will rebalance the number of electors represented by each MP. It’s important that the constituencies we shape reflect your local community as best as possible. We received over 34,000 responses during our first consultation last year which are available online for the public to read and comment on. We’re inviting more people to have their say in our current secondary consultation, which is open now until 4 April. Help us to get our proposals right for your area by telling us your views via bcereviews.org.uk, or at a public hearing in your region. We’re looking forward to hearing your feedback, and we take every response into account during our review of constituency boundaries.” Just days to go before Buckinghamshire Council hosts its first ever Jobs and Apprenticeships Fair! The first ever Buckinghamshire Council Jobs and Apprenticeships Fair is taking place this Saturday (5 March) at The Elgiva Theatre in Chesham, with almost 1,000 attendees registered so far. The county-wide event will be a chance for businesses and organisations to showcase their career opportunities to those looking for an apprenticeship or job, as well as those who are looking to reskill or explore new horizons. Attendees will be able to meet and talk with 36 exhibitors, including: Aldi, BBC, Buckinghamshire Council, Greggs, Morgan Sindall Group, National Grid, Ocado, Papa Johns, Pinewood Studios, Thames Valley Police and The Army. The dozens of available apprenticeships and jobs include: Chefs Communications Engineers Lifeguards Port Operators Production Assistants Retail Supervisors Gareth Williams, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration, said: “Our first ever Jobs and Apprenticeships Fair will help match employers with local candidates and will help our residents kickstart their career or get back into work after an extended break. “I’m very pleased to see that we have 36 employers attending and almost 1,000 residents who have already registered to visit the fair. Although we have limited availability left in the morning, there are still some afternoon time slots available, so please secure your place by going to Eventbrite.” Joseph Baum, Buckinghamshire Councillor for Chess Valley, commented: “Nothing is more important than ensuring that our residents have access to opportunities to enable them to get on in life. The high level of interest that we have seen in this Jobs and Apprenticeships Fair shows just how exciting this event is for local people – it is a great chance to meet some of the UK’s biggest employers and I look forward to being there.” Ellena Stojanovic from the BBC’s Early Careers Team, commented: “I am looking forward to meeting candidates who might be interested in apprenticeships for our behind-the-camera roles in technology, production and journalism.” The fair – which coincides with National Careers Week – has been organised by Buckinghamshire Council with support from Chesham Town Council and Chesham & Villages Community Board. Additional partners for the fair include Buckinghamshire Business First, Buckinghamshire College Group, Buckinghamshire New University, the Department for Work and Pensions, Oasis Partnership, Chiltern Chamber of Commerce, Screen Skills, All Spring Media and Buckinghamshire Skills Hub. Buckinghamshire Jobs and Apprenticeships Fair will run from 10am-3pm on Saturday 5 March. If you are interested in attending the free event, book your place now by going to Eventbrite. Derek Town |
Please find below the latest crime information for Pitstone, supplied by Thames Valley Police.
Crime Figures
Between 20/01/2022 and 23/02/2022, there were 15 incidents reported to the police for Pitstone, 5 of which were of note and are as follows:
We would like to take this opportunity to offer some Crime Prevention Advice, as we are approaching the Spring months and this is where we see an increase in certain crimes.
Spring Time Burglaries – This is the time of year where we naturally start to open our windows and doors more often. Please ensure that you remember to secure them if you leave your property. We also start doing more activities in the garden, so please ensure that you secure any sheds or outbuildings after you have been in them.
Theft From Motor Vehicles – As the weather slightly improves, people naturally go out more. Please remember to remove all valuables from your vehicle, particularly if you are leaving it in a remote location. We always advise to leave any compartments open so if thieves look into your vehicle, they can see there is nothing in there. Always wipe Sat-Nav rings off the window and always ensure your vehicle is locked when left unattended.
If you note anything suspicious, please contact us on either 101 or 999 – whichever is more appropriate. If a crime is in progress you should always dial 999. If it is not an emergency, please contact us on our Non-Emergency number – 101.
https://www.keepbritaintidy.org/get-involved/support-our-campaigns/great-british-spring-clean
Keep Britain Tidy are running the Great British Spring Clean between 25/3 and 10/4/22 to encourage local residents to litter pick. More details can be found via the above link. The website also contains lots of useful information about how to stay safe whilst you are out, especially if you plan to collect litter from near any roads, and has links where you can buy litter picking kit.
Buckinghamshire Council can offer a variety of support to people who officially register for the above (as this ensures that you’ve read and agreed to the safety advice). They can supply black sacks and will come and collect the full bags once you notify them of the location. They can also loan litter pickers and other equipment. Please contact the email address below for more information: streetscene.av@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
The parish council has staff that regularly collect litter from our playgrounds, open space, paths and roadsides. You may therefore like to consider concentrating on less frequently visited areas of open space such as the woodland walk through Castlemead, the local wildlife site or the right of way network etc. These areas are particularly suitable if you plan to litter pick with children or take your dog, so that you are away from the roadside. We don’t recommend that volunteers try to litter pick beside derestricted roads, where extra hi-vis clothing and knowledge of working safely by the highway would be required.
If you are interested in litter picking on a voluntary basis you might also like to visit this website and sign up: https://litteraction.org.uk/pitstone-ivinghoe-pickers
The parish council would also like to take this opportunity to extend our sincere thanks to all the residents that regularly litter pick around the village on a voluntary basis. Your support for our environment is very much appreciated.
Church Road, Ivinghoe, Buckinghamshire
21 February – 28 February
Delays likely – Diversion route
Name: Diversion
Location: Church Road
Description: Streetworks / License – Streetworks
Responsibility for event: Buckinghamshire Council
Current status: In progress
Church Road, Ivinghoe, Buckinghamshire
21 February – 28 February
Delays likely – Road closure
Name: High Street, Ivinghoe
Location: High Street
Description: Streetworks / License – Streetworks
Responsibility for event: Buckinghamshire Council
Current status: In progress
Horton Road, Cheddington, Buckinghamshire
21 February – 28 February
Delays likely – Diversion route
Name: Diversion
Location: Horton Road
Description: Streetworks / License – Streetworks
Responsibility for event: Buckinghamshire Council
Current status: In progress
Station Road, Ivinghoe, Buckinghamshire
21 February – 28 February
Delays likely – Road closure
Name: Station Road, Ivinghoe
Location: Station Road
Description: Streetworks / License – Streetworks
Responsibility for event: Buckinghamshire Council
Current status: In progress
Roadworks
Horton Road, Ivinghoe, Buckinghamshire
21 February – 06 March
Delays likely – Road closure
Description: SURFACING WORKS
Works location: HIGH STREET TO STATION ROAD
Responsibility for works: Buckinghamshire Council
Current status: Planned work about to start
Works reference: D400231006421
Station Road, Ivinghoe, Buckinghamshire
21 February – 06 March
Delays likely – Road closure
Description: SURFACING WORKS
Works location: WHOLE LENGTH
Responsibility for works: Buckinghamshire Council
Current status: Planned work about to start
Works reference: D400231006420
Vicarage Road, Pitstone, Buckinghamshire
21 February – 25 February
Delays possible – Traffic control (two-way signals)
Responsibility for works: UK Power Networks
Current status: Advanced planning
Works reference: EC30064107948
Plane and Patch Programme:
Transport for Bucks have advised of the following resurfacing works involving road closures:
Glebe Close, Albion Road, Queen Street and Pitstone (Wednesday 16 February to Friday 25 February)
Surfacing patching works using a road closure in operation Monday to Friday between 8:00am and 6:00pm
Nicholas King Homes (NKH) have now undertaken the planting of the replacement woodland, as specified as part of their planning application conditions imposed by Buckinghamshire Council for the NKH development around the recreation ground (which removed the old plantation).
The new woodland, with greater biodiversity, has been planted across the back of Bell Field (off Marsworth Road).
Please note, that like the previous plantation, this is on private land and there is no permitted public access.
The first Local Voluntary Sector Network – northern Bucks forum for voluntary groups in the area to meet, share ideas and work together to address local needs will take place on Wednesday 16th February/ 6.30-7.30pm.
At the first forum, attendees will hear from the local Community Boards about priorities they have identified, be able to raise issues/ areas of priority that the Community Board should be considering, and discuss how the Boards and voluntary sector could work together better. Going forward, the network will meet several times a year with local voluntary organisations deciding the issues to discuss to bring about change in local communities.
You can register for this Community Impact Bucks event here
More information about the group in general available to download here:
https://assets.neighbourhoodalert.co.uk/images/site_images/86430_Feb_2022_OUR_NEWS.pdf
Please click the above link for the Feb 22 Neighbourhood Watch e:newsletter
Luton Rising have commenced a consultation into the proposed expansion of Luton Airport to increase passenger numbers to 32 million per year by building a new terminal and making best use of the existing runway.
The consultation runs until 4 April 2022.
The materials, and feedback details, can be found here: https://lutonrising.org.uk/consultation/
There is also a consultation event at Pitstone Memorial Hall on Friday 25 February between 13.30 and 21.00 so you can view the proposals in person and speak to their representatives.
Vicarage Road, Pitstone, Buckinghamshire
09 February – 15 February
Delays possible – Traffic control (multi-way signals)
Responsibility for works: UK Power Networks
Current status: Planned work about to start
Works reference: EC30056292317
Buckinghamshire Council invite your comments on the Ivinghoe Area Freight Zone Traffic Regulation Order (TRO). The purpose of this order is to reduce Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) traffic in the Cheddington, Ivinghoe and Mentmore area. This is the first TRO of its kind in Buckinghamshire and is the result of 3 years of research, monitoring, discussions,, public engagement and detailed planning. The original proposals have been amended to extend the eastern area of the propsed weight restriction zone up to the B440. This amendment was made upon conclusion of a previous consultation where this amendment was heavily suggested in the comments and responses.
To view the amended plan of the proposed weight restriction area, the supporting documents and have your say, please click the link below.
https://yourvoicebucks.citizenspace.com/roads-parking/copy-of-ivinghoe-freight-tro-2022/
NB: Date subsequently extended out to 20/1/22
14-18/1/22. Information from Transport for Bucks available below:
Join us at an Arthritis Action Group to meet other people living with arthritis and share tips and experiences. Groups are friendly and we actively welcome new attendees. We discuss a variety of self-management techniques. Participants will need to contact us directly for the log in instructions for the meeting, and we have produced ‘How To’ guides for those not familiar with using Zoom.
| 11am | Fri 14th Jan | Online Coffee Morning |
| 6pm | Mon 17th Jan | Evening Online Group |
| 2pm | Tues 18th Jan | Online Afternoon Group |
| 2pm | Wed 26th Jan | Online Afternoon Group |
For more dates and to join see http://www.arthritisaction.org.uk/media-centre/events
Notified by TfB:
Vicarage Road, Pitstone, Buckinghamshire
06 January – 26 January
Delays possible – Traffic control (two-way signals)
Description: Development management S278 Alteration to vehicular access and footways work. Out of hours contact 07763893595
Works location: Vicarge Road, Pitstone Outside Nicholas Kings Homes site
Responsibility for works: Buckinghamshire Council
Current status: Planned work about to start
Works reference: D400351001715
Message from Buckinghamshire Integrated Care Partnership: |
| People in Buckinghamshire are urged to keep their COVID-19 jab appointment wherever possible after figures revealed a total of 5,251 appointments booked via the National Booking Service (NBS) were missed across the area in the last seven days – more than 750 a day. However, the real figure is likely to be far higher as this does not include missed COVID-19 appointment slots at GP practices across Bucks, which record the data individually. The ask is for people who cannot make their appointment or need to change it for any reason, do so via the NBS. This allows others to book their slot and helps clinics plan vaccine sessions more efficiently. It comes as dedicated health and care teams continue to do all they can to help ensure every eligible person across the county is offered a booster jab by the New Year. This includes delivering jabs via GP practices and outreach clinics, hospital hubs, pharmacies and mass vaccination centres. Raj Bajwa, local GP and Chair of Buckinghamshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “We have had an incredible response from the public to get their vaccinations ever since we first opened the mass vaccination centres across Buckinghamshire in December 2020. “However, more than 5,250 appointments booked via the National Booking Service at our centres were missed in the last week. These unwanted slots could have been offered to other eligible people if they had been cancelled. Please help others by cancelling your COVID-19 vaccination appointment if you do not plan to attend or if you have had an earlier appointment elsewhere.” Anyone eligible who has not yet taken up the offer of a first, second or booster dose is strongly encouraged to do so as soon as possible to ensure they are as protected as possible from the virus. The offer of a COVID-19 jab is not time-limited so anyone invited can have the vaccine – even if they have previously declined and changed their mind. The Omicron COVID-19 variant remains highly transmissible. Existing public health measures remain in place including: staying at home if you feel unwell get a test if you experience any COVID-19 symptoms wear a face covering in crowded, enclosed spaces work from home if possible maintain social distancing and regular hand washing take up the offer of the free COVID-19 vaccine To cancel or move a COVID-19 vaccine appointment booked through National Booking Service, please visit the website or call 119 (open between 7am and 11pm daily). If you need to cancel or move an appointment booked via a pharmacy or your GP practice, please contact them directly. |
Update from the Street Lighting team at BC TfB:
I must, on behalf of Transport for Buckinghamshire, apologise for the amount of time it is taking to remedy the replacement of the sign post at this location.
The sign/chevron post was planned to be installed on 18th November 2021 however due to urgent works required on the HS2 project the planned installation had to be postponed.
The sign/chevron post is now planned for installation on the 17th January 2022.
16 December – 20 December
Delays possible – Traffic control (give & take)
Responsibility for works: Openreach
Current status: Planned work about to start
Works reference: BC412CHKNONSAWC6HP79M
Marsworth Road, Pitstone, Buckinghamshire
16 December – 20 December
Delays possible – Traffic control (two-way signals)
Description: one.network has automatically assigned a category of Mains Renewal to this Works based on the information available. Please note: Works Descriptions are not published by Anglian Water.
Responsibility for works: Anglian Water
Current status: Advanced planning
Works reference: AD03259540384_5
OUR NEWS December 2021 The December newsletter for Neighbourhood Watch supporters across England and Wales can be read here. This edition features pieces on our amazing partnerships with Patlock and ERA, the Neighbourhood Watch Community Grants Fund, Neighbour of the Year Awards 2021, the success of Park Hall Area Neighbourhood Watch using WhatsApp, how to make sure we all #ShopKind this season, working towards ending men’s violence against women, and much more. So dive into December’s edition of OUR NEWS here. Best wishes, NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH NETWORK, Central Support Team Follow us.. ourwatch.org.uk / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / LinkedIn Neighbourhood Watch Network is a charity registered in England & Wales, CIO no: 1173349 |
| Message Sent By Central Support Team (NWN, Neighbourhood Watch Network, England and Wales) |
Information provided by Thames Valley Police:
During this time frame, we have had 9 incidents reported to us. Of these 9, 2 were of note and are as follows:
We have had an increase in the thefts of Motorhomes across the area so we are asking residents to be extra vigilant. Please keep an eye out for the following and report to Police accordingly:
If you see a suspicious vehicle, if it is safe to do so then please get the registration plate, the colour and the make. This is helpful to us as we can then make relevant enquiries.
If you own a Motorhome, please take this opportunity to look at the security of it. Here is some advice we give to owners:
Please find attached completed diversionary route for some EMERGENCY WORKS to be undertaken by UK Power Networks in respect of emergency works needing full width of road. Diversion in place.
Marsworth Road, Pitstone, Buckinghamshire
05 December – 08 December
Delays likely – Traffic control (two-way signals)
Description: one.network has automatically assigned a category of Mains Renewal to this Works based on the information available. Please note: Works Descriptions are not published by Anglian Water.
Responsibility for works: Anglian Water
Current status: Advanced planning
Works reference: AD03259540384_4