Lights, Camera, Action! Buckinghamshire’s new Film Office takes centre stage
Residents could soon be seeing much more of Buckinghamshire on both the big and small screen, as the council is setting up a dedicated film office to help production companies take advantage of the county’s rolling countryside, diverse architecture, picture-perfect villages and edgy, urban landscapes. The brand new Buckinghamshire Film Office is being developed in collaboration with key partners and the film industry, including Buckinghamshire Business First (BBF), Buckinghamshire’s Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Pinewood Studios and Creative England. The Film Office will support production companies and filming crews with information on Buckinghamshire locations, obtaining permits for filming and production advice and guidance. It aims to maximise the economic and social benefits to the county through increased inward spend, employment opportunities and as a boost to tourism, while also ensuring local residents and businesses continue to benefit from filming in Buckinghamshire and that any disruption from filming is minimised. Recruitment is now underway for a dedicated Film Officer to develop the Film Office including streamlining support to production companies and crews, developing the website to make it easier to find and film at locations and venues and promoting the world-class filming opportunities Buckinghamshire has to offer within both the UK and internationally. Clive Harriss, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for us to get Buckinghamshire firmly on the map as one of the best places in the country to film – from one-off television dramas to international blockbusters. We are working together with our local partners to create a dynamic, one-stop unit to offer a quality and professional end-to-end service to production companies from around the world, boosting our economy and providing valuable skills development for the county’s workforce.” The project has the support of Pinewood Studios, where international blockbusters have been filmed, including the James Bond films. Supervising Location Manager, Emma Pill, whose credits include 1917, Spectre, Blade Runner 2049 and Cinderella added: “Buckinghamshire includes many great locations to film and a dedicated team with local knowledge will make it even better. This is exciting news for the county and the film industry as a whole. I look forward to working with the Buckinghamshire Film Office in the very near future.” Buckinghamshire locations have featured in a range of films and TV series from the entire Harry Potter film series and Star Wars: Phantom Menace, to Mission: Impossible, Bridgerton and Cinderella. Applications are currently open for the Film Officer role and close on 25 October: Buckinghamshire Film Officer | Buckinghamshire Council Jobs The new Buckinghamshire Film Office website will be up and running shortly.
Trial traffic enforcement cameras to be piloted in Buckinghamshire
Three locations in Buckinghamshire have been chosen for a camera trial to assess the level of traffic violations. From Wednesday 3 November, temporary cameras will be placed in three known areas where multiple complaints from residents and road users have been received over a period of time. The three locations are: Marlow BridgeCastle Street, High WycombeCorporation Street, High Wycombe Marlow Bridge is a historic, listed structure with a three tonne (max gross weight) restriction. Despite clear signage and width restriction measures in place, drivers continue to attempt to cross the bridge, damaging its integral structure. Many vehicles get stuck, so causing the need for repetitive and costly repairs. The two locations in High Wycombe are bus gateways. Problems have existed for a number of years with people driving through the roads which are only meant to be accessed by buses. This causes a threat to safety for pedestrians. Legislation is currently being passed through Government to allow all local authorities in England and Wales to apply for powers to take over the responsibility of enforcing moving traffic offences. These include no stopping in yellow box junctions, no right/left turn for vehicular traffic, no U-turns for vehicular traffic, as well as weight restrictions and many more. Currently such violations are dealt with by the police apart from in London and Cardiff. In the near future, possibly as early as March 2022, all councils will be able to apply to adopt these powers to take on the responsibility of upholding restrictions and issuing fixed penalty notices to those caught contravening the restriction. Steve Broadbent, Cabinet Member for Transport said: “We are looking to install these temporary cameras to give us a better idea of the number of vehicles currently breaking the rules and causing a danger to others and damage to our roads and highways infrastructure. “We want to make our roads and towns as safe as possible for everyone who uses them. This exercise will help us to better understand the way motorists are using these areas so that we can address particular issues and introduce measures to help improve safety and accessibility for all.” The trial will be for a period of one month.
Covid update from Martin Tete Buckinghamshire Council Leader Whilst most of us have seen life return to something approaching ‘normal’ over the past few months it is important to remember that Covid has not gone way and remains a threat to many in our county. You may have seen in the news that Covid infection rates are rising again nationally. This is also true in Buckinghamshire. Here we now have an infection rate of 699 per 100,000 population. This compares to just 440 a few weeks ago. It is important to stress that infection rates are not the same as serious illness. Infection rates reflect the number of people being tested and also will include many people who do not display any symptoms at all. More than half of Covid infections in Bucks are either school age children or live with school age children. With our national vaccine programme, it is also more likely that anyone catching Covid will not suffer severe effects. Nevertheless, the trend is concerning and we are seeing more cases amongst older aged people who may be more vulnerable to serious illness. This is especially true if they have not been fully vaccinated. The current Covid-19 figures for Buckinghamshire can be found here: https://covid-dashboard.buckinghamshire.gov.uk A concern is that rising Covid cases, when combined with a greater likelihood of catching the winter flu, the need for the NHS to catch up with the large backlog of operations and treatments delayed due to Covid, and higher numbers of people attending Accident and Emergency departments is already putting pressure on our NHS hospitals in Buckinghamshire. None of us want to go back into more restrictions unnecessarily. I am therefore urging all of us to take the basic sensible precautions that will reduce the likelihood of this being necessary. I would strongly encourage you to: Be vaccinated if you’re eligible. This is so important. Have the booster vaccination as soon as you’re eligible. You will be invited by the NHS to book an appointment. Have your winter flu jab if you’re eligible. Wear a face mask on public transport and when asked to by shops and in crowded enclosed spaces. Self-isolate and book a PCR test if you have symptoms. Keep rooms ventilated if you’re meeting with others inside. The council has been working hard with other organisations to help keep Buckinghamshire safe. This has included working with the NHS to set up more local vaccine clinics, sending mobile testing vans into our communities and supporting the vaccine roll out for 12-15 year olds in secondary schools. We have come a long way since the difficult lockdown days earlier this year. Let’s keep working together to keep each other safe.
Support for the vulnerable
Our Helping Hand team are available to help individuals or families in need, those on low incomes and those who are experiencing a financial emergency or crisis. Whether you get in contact by phone or the online form, we will ask you a few questions about your situation so that we can offer the best support or advice. Help with food and food costs – If you are struggling to afford food, our Helping Hand team can make referrals on your behalf to a local food bank. You can also use the Buckinghamshire Online Directory to find organisations in your area who can help you with food. Many of these organisations are providing food and meals during the school holidays. Help with household bills –If you are unable to pay your energy costs and are struggling to keep your home warm, please contact us. We can discuss the options available to you and help you apply for grants from third party organisations. We may also be able to help with any other essential bills. Help with essential items for your home –Please contact us if you need help with essential furniture. We can explore the best support for you. Some external charities can help with essential furniture if you are on a low income: Aylesbury Vineyard Church: The Vineyard work on a referral basis for furniture collections. High Wycombe Central Aid: Help local people who are in need and/or on a low income with basic essential furniture and electricals. Thomas Hickman Charity: Can help people on low incomes with aids for living such as washing machines, carpets, cookers and fridges. Get in touch –let us know if: you are struggling to afford food you cannot keep on top of your bills you are in debt you are struggling to pay for essential goods in your home To request support from the Helping Hand team either use our online form or phone 01296 531151. Our phone lines are open Monday to Thursday 9am to 5:30pm and Friday 9am to 5pm. In an emergency, our out-of-hours team can be contacted on 0800 999 7677.
Food collections In the Chiltern and Wycombe areas we are still collecting food waste as general rubbish. This is because of a national shortage of HGV drivers and a small number of Covid-related cases meaning crews have had to self-isolate in line with government guidelines. This is just an interim measure and means that residents in Chiltern and Wycombe should dispose of their food waste together with their general rubbish (in the black bin). Brown food caddies will still be emptied if presented on general rubbish week only, but this waste will not be recycled during this time. General rubbish will still be collected every two weeks. Collections in the rest of the county are unaffected. We will let you know when the situation changes.
Mental health support The free Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire 24/7 mental health helpline for adults and young people has supported more than 2,000 people since the start of the pandemic. Contact the helpline anytime if you are worried about your mental health or that of a loved one via 111 online or by phone.
Lastly, please keep an eye on elderly or frail friends or neighbours as we go into the winter months. Vulnerable people may be afraid or too proud to ask for help but it takes so little to enquire if they are all right or need any assistance.
In Buckinghamshire, self-isolating does not mean you are alone
The latest ONS (Office for National Statistics) research suggests people of working age are least likely to self-isolate for the full 10 days. As cases of Covid-19 are rising, if you are required to self-isolate and you are unable to get help from friends and family, there is a range of support available for you. Practical, social and emotional support is available to those self-isolating. This includes arranging for shopping to be delivered online, contacting the National Responders Service https://nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk/ for practical tasks and wellbeing and using the Medical Delivery Service to have your prescriptions delivered. Please check locally for participating pharmacies or ask your GP surgery. Buckinghamshire also has many local volunteer organisations and charities that can help. You can search for more information in your local area through Bucks Online Directory: https://directory.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/ There is also additional support from Buckinghamshire Council’s Helping Hand service who can provide you with a range of support including emergency access to food and other essential supplies, signposting for financial difficulties such as paying for fuel and other bills and access to mental wellbeing services.
If you’re required to self-isolate in line with the latest guidance, please play your part. Follow the advice from NHS Test and Trace to keep your family, friends, neighbours and others safe. It’s a legal requirement to self-isolate if you are told to by NHS Test and Trace and not following the rules could result in a fine.
Community boards explore the realities of living with dementia
What is it really like to live with dementia? Three of Buckinghamshire’s community boards have been finding out as they took part in a series of special events last week. Dementia affects more than 850,000 people in the UK. One in 14 people over 65 have dementia and 1 in 6 people over 80 have the condition. There are also over 42,000 people under the age of 65 who are living with dementia. There is currently no cure but with the right level of support and treatment many people continue to live active and fulfilled lives for many years. One of the best ways to help someone with dementia is to gain a greater understanding of how the condition affects them and that is where the Interactive Dementia Awareness Experience to be provided by funding from the Ivinghoe and Wing Community Board comes in. This project is to be rolled out in in the Ivinghoe ward in the near future, whatch this space !. The activity offers an interactive, virtual experience of what it is like to live with dementia and gives people the opportunity to gain a first-hand insight into how the condition affects individuals. The mobile unit is unique in the way it works and is scientifically and medically proven to give a person with a healthy brain, the chance to experience what having dementia really feels like. Steve Bowles, Cabinet Member for Communities said: “Dementia is a condition that sadly affects a large number of people, even the relatively young. These events hosted by three of our community boards reflect their commitment to supporting those living with dementia in their local communities. “Our community boards work closely with local people and groups to find out what issues are important to them and then work together to make improvements.” Buckinghamshire has 16 local community boards, set up to work in partnership with local people and organisations. The boards aim to work with communities to listen and take action on matters of importance to local people. For more information visit our website: www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/community-boards
Nominations are open for this year’s Proud of Bucks Awards!
Nominations are now open for Buckinghamshire Council’s Proud of Bucks Community Awards 2021 – generously sponsored by The Clare Foundation. The awards aim to recognise and applaud outstanding community contribution carried out by local individuals, groups and organisations. They celebrate Buckinghamshire’s communities that have made a positive impact in their local areas. This year, each of Buckinghamshire’s 16 Community Boards will be celebrating local people in three award categories. Members of the public are invited to send in their nominations for those who they feel deserve recognition and praise. The three award categories are: Buckinghamshire Community Award Best Adult Contribution – For an individual (aged over 21) who has contributed to their local community during 2021 by improving lives for others or improving their local environment. Buckinghamshire Community Award Best Young Person Contribution – For young people (aged under 21) who have had a positive impact on the local community or peers through community engagement or activism. Buckinghamshire Community Award Best Community Group Contribution – Recognises and celebrates a group in the community board area who has made a clear and positive impact on the community during 2021. Nominate someone today using the Proud of Bucks Awards online nomination form. You can also download a Proud of Bucks Awards nomination form and return by email to awards@buckinghamshire.gov.uk, or pick up and drop off your nomination form at one of Buckinghamshire’s libraries. Find your local library. The closing date for nominations is Friday 31 December. Nominations will be reviewed by a panel of judges and the winners will be announced early next year. Steve Bowles, Cabinet Member for Communities, said: “The Proud of Bucks Awards are a fantastic way to celebrate all those who have gone above and beyond in their local community. By working closely this year with our Community Boards, we can use a more locally driven approach to recognise and praise adults, young people and groups within Buckinghamshire’s amazing communities. “Whether you have directly benefited from an initiative in your local area or you know someone who has wowed you with their efforts, enthusiasm and innovation, we want to hear from you!” Martin Tett, Leader of Buckinghamshire Council, added: “Last year the awards focused on the community contribution in response to the pandemic. This year we’re broadening the nominations to shine a light on anyone who has contributed to or has had a positive impact in their local area, and we know there’s plenty of deserving winners in Buckinghamshire.” The Clare Foundation is delighted to be sponsoring the Proud of Bucks Awards for the second year running. Mike Clare, Founder and Chairman said: “We are really pleased to be able to congratulate those who have gone above and beyond helping those in need in their local community. We look forward to hearing all the amazing stories from the individuals and groups who have made an impact.” More information on the awards including how to nominate someone from your local area can be found on Buckinghamshire Council’s Proud of Bucks Awards webpage.
Two successful business bids for Bucks
Two projects within Buckinghamshire have been successful in achieving funding through the Government’s Community Renewal Fund, part of a £200 million boost to help level up communities across the UK. The fund aims to support people and communities to pilot programmes and new approaches and will invest in skills, community and place, local business, and supporting people into employment. The two successful Buckinghamshire-based projects are: Buckinghamshire Business First – £728,250 for the Build Back Better Tourism and Hospitality sector in Buckinghamshire (3BTHB). This is for a range of support work-packages to the Visitor Economy businesses. These work packages aim to support organisational resilience and decarbonisation in the Tourism and Hospitality sector. Philippa Batting, Managing Director, Buckinghamshire Business First said: “Our Visitor Economy was hit hard during the pandemic and this funding is a fantastic opportunity to help Buckinghamshire’s Tourism and Hospitality sector recover and build resilience for the long term. The project will support businesses and their employees to lower their carbon footprint, encourage green and accessible tourism and invest in the range of digital skills needed to improve their short, medium and longer-term productivity and sustainability.”
£39, 994 for the Neurodiverse Self Advocacy Partnership – to tool up a mentoring into employment programme – this offers a highly specialised tailored programme designed and led by autistic people for autistic people to enhance and develop their employability. The programme proposes to satisfy autistic needs for growth and recognition, reduce social exclusion and remove the disadvantage of disability through a modern digital experience.
Marie Van Herteryck from NSAP said: “We are proud to bring the Tool Up mentoring into employment programme to Buckinghamshire. The programme is developed with the help from leading academics. We start by helping to articulate strengths, set goals and provide 20 weeks of support to achieve them whether it is getting a desired job, an apprenticeship or simply to get ready to start job search. Previous runs of the programme resulted in 32% of participants gaining employment. The Tool Up programme also resulted in higher mentee confidence and a statistically significant improvement in Personal Wellbeing Index quality of life measures of satisfaction with achievement in life, future security, being part of the community, life as a whole and positive autism identity. Mentoring is a goal-oriented relationship where the mentee is in the driving seat based on intrinsic motivation. This is the factor of our success.”
Buckinghamshire Council’s Adoption Readiness Checker has reached 4,000 users. The tool is aimed at people considering adoption who are unsure of where to start. The Adoption Readiness Checker can help anyone to determine if they are in a position to adopt and gives practical advice with a personalised plan to prepare people to take the next step in their journey. Since the site launch in October 2019, over 250 plans have been created with over 4,000 people using the site. Between April 2020 and April 2021, the Council approved 30 people or couples as adopters – many of whom used the Adoption Readiness Tool. Karen, a prospective adopter (name changed for confidentiality reasons), said: “I’d been putting off looking into adoption because I was afraid of finding out I’m not what they’re looking for but I’m so glad this tool exists as it put my mind at rest. I learned loads and the advice is way more practical than anything else I’ve come across. Couldn’t recommend it enough to anyone thinking of adopting.” The tool is continuing to evolve based on feedback from users, with new sections coming soon. An online tool helping to connect Special Guardians and young people to support, is due to launch early next year. Buckinghamshire has approximately 25 children at any one time waiting to be adopted. The Adoption Readiness tool aims to dispel myths about adoption and who can adopt, to enable more people to apply. “We welcome all enquiries, so if you think you could provide a safe and loving home for a child who needs adopting, then please get in touch with our friendly team. You may be able to make a positive difference to a child’s life.” Anyone considering adopting with Buckinghamshire Council can use the Adoption Readiness Checker to see if they are in a position to adopt, and learn more about the process. All enquiries are welcome so if you think you could provide a safe and loving home for a child who needs adopting then please get in touch with the Council’s friendly team. Visit the adoption webpage or get in touch with the team by calling 01494 586 349 or emailing adoption@buckinghamshire.gov.uk to find out more about adopting with Buckinghamshire Council.
Buckinghamshire Council hits 50% mark in its county-wide gully cleaning programme
Buckinghamshire Council’s extensive programme of cleaning highways gullies across the county has now hit the 50% mark. The drainage improvement works are designed to help prevent flooding on our roads and to keep drains and gullies across Buckinghamshire running freely. The council set aside an extra £4 million to fund the works, as part of a wider improvement programme for residents. The council is aiming to clean every single one of Buckinghamshire’s almost 85,000 gullies at least once. Critical gullies, that need cleaning more often to prevent flooding on the roads, will be cleaned more regularly. Maximising the amount of water that can drain off road surfaces will also help to maintain the condition of the roads themselves. As part of the improvement scheme, the council will also be carrying out repairs to drainage systems where there is a known local issue, or where a problem comes to light during the cleaning programme. The teams will also be carrying out comprehensive ditch clearance as part of these works and writing to landowners to remind them of their responsibilities to keep their ditches clear to prevent surface water from their land Flooding from blocked highway drains can blight people’s lives – especially during extreme weather – which is why the gully clearing programme is so essential. It’s designed to protect people and buildings from the impact of flooding on our roads and footways. An additional investment this year to clear every drain and gully whilst repairing those which require fixing. \the aim is to clean as many as possible before the winter rain sets in. More information on Buckinghamshire Council’s road maintenance and repairs can be found at: www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-transport/road-maintenance-and-repairs
Hertfordshire Libraries provides the Home Library Service delivering books to some of the most vulnerable and isolated people in the county. Many of our customers regard the service as a “lifeline,” and value the regular collections of books which are tailored to their interests and delivered to them in their own home by a friendly and familiar face.
Approximately three hundred people now receive the Home Library Service made possible with the support of over a hundred DBS checked, trained, and dedicated volunteers.
It is not just the selection and the delivery of books which our customers appreciate, but also the opportunity for important contact and a chat. This is something that customers look forward to and that volunteers find rewarding.
To help develop this service further, Hertfordshire Libraries have launched our Reading Friends scheme. This enables library staff or volunteers to have a telephone call with Home Library Service customers about their favourite books, television programme or any topic of interest. The initial response to these befriending telephone calls has been very positive and demonstrates the importance for this work to expand.
The Home Library Service supports people who are unable to get to the library, for example those who: • have a physical disability which prevents travelling to a library • have a learning disability or mental health condition that makes it difficult to leave home alone • are registered blind (severely sight impaired) • are frail or in poor health which means they can’t get to a library • are a carer looking after someone affected by any of the above, and their caring responsibilities prevent them from getting to the library.
Works description: ***INSTALL NEW 3M LARGE BASE SIGN POST. TRANSFER PRIVATE SERVICE, REMOVE OLD COLUMN. FIT NEW A-TYPE LANTERN, RE-WIRE ETC. FIT NEW 606 TURN LEFT SIGN PLATE, GET INTO LIGHT, NUMBER. INSTALL 2 X 3M SIGN POSTS, CUT TO SIZE ON SITE. FIT CHEVRON SIGN PLATE. RE-INSTATE AREA*** E:494085 N:214195
There has been an increase in Theft From Motor Vehicles in the area in the past couple of days so Thames Valley Police will be holding 2 Tool Marking events at Wing Police Office.
We need your views to help us prioritise council spending
Residents, businesses and organisations in Buckinghamshire are being asked to give their views on how the council should prioritise its spending next year in the annual budget consultation. As the council prepares to set its budget for 2022/23, people are being invited to give their opinion on what services and areas should be given a higher priority and where they think savings could be made. The pandemic has seen local authorities across the country face new and ever-changing challenges. Increased costs across a range of areas, combined with reduced incomes, have only been partly balanced out by grants from central government. As this year has progressed, although the worst of the pandemic is seemingly behind us, many uncertainties still lie ahead. All of this puts extra pressure on budgets and careful decisions need to be made to ensure continued support and services to those most in need. At the same time the council is committed to making substantial savings and efficiencies. A number of council services, including social care for adults and children, are legal requirements, meaning that money for these services is effectively protected and can only be spent for this specific purpose. Other parts of the budget including spending on roads and transport, culture and leisure, street cleaning and parks and open spaces, have more flexibility with the ability for money to be spent where there is the highest priority. Within the council’s Corporate Plan there are four priority areas outlined for the coming year: Strengthening our communities Improving our environment Protecting the vulnerable Increasing prosperity Buckinghamshire Council Leader, Martin Tett explained: “Like any business, we must balance the books. We cannot spend money we haven’t got but we have the ability to prioritise where the money we do have available is spent so we can make decisions on how and where to allocate funds to help improve the quality of life of all Buckinghamshire residents. At the same time I remain determined that we achieve some very challenging financial savings as a result of bringing all of our local councils together. “We really want to hear from local people on what they feel our priorities for the coming year should be. It’s important to think about what’s important to you, your family or business but also to consider the bigger picture and the needs of our wider community. “I would urge everyone to take ten minutes to complete the consultation so we can consider your views and do what we can to act on them.” The budget consultation is open until 14 November. To take part visit our website.
Lights, Camera, Action! Buckinghamshire’s new Film Office takes centre stage
Residents could soon be seeing much more of Buckinghamshire on both the big and small screen, as the council is setting up a dedicated film office to help production companies take advantage of the county’s rolling countryside, diverse architecture, picture-perfect villages and edgy, urban landscapes. The brand new Buckinghamshire Film Office is being developed in collaboration with key partners and the film industry, including Buckinghamshire Business First (BBF), Buckinghamshire’s Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Pinewood Studios and Creative England. The Film Office will support production companies and filming crews with information on Buckinghamshire locations, obtaining permits for filming and production advice and guidance. It aims to maximise the economic and social benefits to the county through increased inward spend, employment opportunities and as a boost to tourism, while also ensuring local residents and businesses continue to benefit from filming in Buckinghamshire and that any disruption from filming is minimised. Recruitment is now underway for a dedicated Film Officer to develop the Film Office including streamlining support to production companies and crews, developing the website to make it easier to find and film at locations and venues and promoting the world-class filming opportunities Buckinghamshire has to offer within both the UK and internationally. Clive Harriss, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for us to get Buckinghamshire firmly on the map as one of the best places in the country to film – from one-off television dramas to international blockbusters. We are working together with our local partners to create a dynamic, one-stop unit to offer a quality and professional end-to-end service to production companies from around the world, boosting our economy and providing valuable skills development for the county’s workforce.” The project has the support of Pinewood Studios, where international blockbusters have been filmed, including the James Bond films. Supervising Location Manager, Emma Pill, whose credits include 1917, Spectre, Blade Runner 2049 and Cinderella added: “Buckinghamshire includes many great locations to film and a dedicated team with local knowledge will make it even better. This is exciting news for the county and the film industry as a whole. I look forward to working with the Buckinghamshire Film Office in the very near future.” Buckinghamshire locations have featured in a range of films and TV series from the entire Harry Potter film series and Star Wars: Phantom Menace, to Mission: Impossible, Bridgerton and Cinderella. Applications are currently open for the Film Officer role and close on 25 October: Buckinghamshire Film Officer | Buckinghamshire Council Jobs The new Buckinghamshire Film Office website will be up and running shortly.
Trial traffic enforcement cameras to be piloted in Buckinghamshire
Three locations in Buckinghamshire have been chosen for a camera trial to assess the level of traffic violations. From Wednesday 3 November, temporary cameras will be placed in three known areas where multiple complaints from residents and road users have been received over a period of time. The three locations are: Marlow BridgeCastle Street, High WycombeCorporation Street, High Wycombe Marlow Bridge is a historic, listed structure with a three tonne (max gross weight) restriction. Despite clear signage and width restriction measures in place, drivers continue to attempt to cross the bridge, damaging its integral structure. Many vehicles get stuck, so causing the need for repetitive and costly repairs. The two locations in High Wycombe are bus gateways. Problems have existed for a number of years with people driving through the roads which are only meant to be accessed by buses. This causes a threat to safety for pedestrians. Legislation is currently being passed through Government to allow all local authorities in England and Wales to apply for powers to take over the responsibility of enforcing moving traffic offences. These include no stopping in yellow box junctions, no right/left turn for vehicular traffic, no U-turns for vehicular traffic, as well as weight restrictions and many more. Currently such violations are dealt with by the police apart from in London and Cardiff. In the near future, possibly as early as March 2022, all councils will be able to apply to adopt these powers to take on the responsibility of upholding restrictions and issuing fixed penalty notices to those caught contravening the restriction. Steve Broadbent, Cabinet Member for Transport said: “We are looking to install these temporary cameras to give us a better idea of the number of vehicles currently breaking the rules and causing a danger to others and damage to our roads and highways infrastructure. “We want to make our roads and towns as safe as possible for everyone who uses them. This exercise will help us to better understand the way motorists are using these areas so that we can address particular issues and introduce measures to help improve safety and accessibility for all.” The trial will be for a period of one month.
Covid update from Martin Tete Buckinghamshire Council Leader Whilst most of us have seen life return to something approaching ‘normal’ over the past few months it is important to remember that Covid has not gone way and remains a threat to many in our county. You may have seen in the news that Covid infection rates are rising again nationally. This is also true in Buckinghamshire. Here we now have an infection rate of 699 per 100,000 population. This compares to just 440 a few weeks ago. It is important to stress that infection rates are not the same as serious illness. Infection rates reflect the number of people being tested and also will include many people who do not display any symptoms at all. More than half of Covid infections in Bucks are either school age children or live with school age children. With our national vaccine programme, it is also more likely that anyone catching Covid will not suffer severe effects. Nevertheless, the trend is concerning and we are seeing more cases amongst older aged people who may be more vulnerable to serious illness. This is especially true if they have not been fully vaccinated. The current Covid-19 figures for Buckinghamshire can be found here: https://covid-dashboard.buckinghamshire.gov.uk A concern is that rising Covid cases, when combined with a greater likelihood of catching the winter flu, the need for the NHS to catch up with the large backlog of operations and treatments delayed due to Covid, and higher numbers of people attending Accident and Emergency departments is already putting pressure on our NHS hospitals in Buckinghamshire. None of us want to go back into more restrictions unnecessarily. I am therefore urging all of us to take the basic sensible precautions that will reduce the likelihood of this being necessary. I would strongly encourage you to: Be vaccinated if you’re eligible. This is so important. Have the booster vaccination as soon as you’re eligible. You will be invited by the NHS to book an appointment. Have your winter flu jab if you’re eligible. Wear a face mask on public transport and when asked to by shops and in crowded enclosed spaces. Self-isolate and book a PCR test if you have symptoms. Keep rooms ventilated if you’re meeting with others inside. The council has been working hard with other organisations to help keep Buckinghamshire safe. This has included working with the NHS to set up more local vaccine clinics, sending mobile testing vans into our communities and supporting the vaccine roll out for 12-15 year olds in secondary schools. We have come a long way since the difficult lockdown days earlier this year. Let’s keep working together to keep each other safe.
Support for the vulnerable
Our Helping Hand team are available to help individuals or families in need, those on low incomes and those who are experiencing a financial emergency or crisis. Whether you get in contact by phone or the online form, we will ask you a few questions about your situation so that we can offer the best support or advice. Help with food and food costs – If you are struggling to afford food, our Helping Hand team can make referrals on your behalf to a local food bank. You can also use the Buckinghamshire Online Directory to find organisations in your area who can help you with food. Many of these organisations are providing food and meals during the school holidays. Help with household bills –If you are unable to pay your energy costs and are struggling to keep your home warm, please contact us. We can discuss the options available to you and help you apply for grants from third party organisations. We may also be able to help with any other essential bills. Help with essential items for your home –Please contact us if you need help with essential furniture. We can explore the best support for you. Some external charities can help with essential furniture if you are on a low income: Aylesbury Vineyard Church: The Vineyard work on a referral basis for furniture collections. High Wycombe Central Aid: Help local people who are in need and/or on a low income with basic essential furniture and electricals. Thomas Hickman Charity: Can help people on low incomes with aids for living such as washing machines, carpets, cookers and fridges. Get in touch –let us know if: you are struggling to afford food you cannot keep on top of your bills you are in debt you are struggling to pay for essential goods in your home To request support from the Helping Hand team either use our online form or phone 01296 531151. Our phone lines are open Monday to Thursday 9am to 5:30pm and Friday 9am to 5pm. In an emergency, our out-of-hours team can be contacted on 0800 999 7677.
Food collections In the Chiltern and Wycombe areas we are still collecting food waste as general rubbish. This is because of a national shortage of HGV drivers and a small number of Covid-related cases meaning crews have had to self-isolate in line with government guidelines. This is just an interim measure and means that residents in Chiltern and Wycombe should dispose of their food waste together with their general rubbish (in the black bin). Brown food caddies will still be emptied if presented on general rubbish week only, but this waste will not be recycled during this time. General rubbish will still be collected every two weeks. Collections in the rest of the county are unaffected. We will let you know when the situation changes.
Mental health support The free Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire 24/7 mental health helpline for adults and young people has supported more than 2,000 people since the start of the pandemic. Contact the helpline anytime if you are worried about your mental health or that of a loved one via 111 online or by phone.
Lastly, please keep an eye on elderly or frail friends or neighbours as we go into the winter months. Vulnerable people may be afraid or too proud to ask for help but it takes so little to enquire if they are all right or need any assistance.
In Buckinghamshire, self-isolating does not mean you are alone
The latest ONS (Office for National Statistics) research suggests people of working age are least likely to self-isolate for the full 10 days. As cases of Covid-19 are rising, if you are required to self-isolate and you are unable to get help from friends and family, there is a range of support available for you. Practical, social and emotional support is available to those self-isolating. This includes arranging for shopping to be delivered online, contacting the National Responders Service https://nhsvolunteerresponders.org.uk/ for practical tasks and wellbeing and using the Medical Delivery Service to have your prescriptions delivered. Please check locally for participating pharmacies or ask your GP surgery. Buckinghamshire also has many local volunteer organisations and charities that can help. You can search for more information in your local area through Bucks Online Directory: https://directory.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/ There is also additional support from Buckinghamshire Council’s Helping Hand service who can provide you with a range of support including emergency access to food and other essential supplies, signposting for financial difficulties such as paying for fuel and other bills and access to mental wellbeing services.
If you’re required to self-isolate in line with the latest guidance, please play your part. Follow the advice from NHS Test and Trace to keep your family, friends, neighbours and others safe. It’s a legal requirement to self-isolate if you are told to by NHS Test and Trace and not following the rules could result in a fine.
This survey is aimed at finding out people’s community safety concerns. It’s quick and easy to complete, to enable as many people as possible to have their say.
The results of the survey will be combined with an analysis of all crimes that happen in the county to help Safer Bucks set priorities for the year.
Please do take a few minutes to have your say – it will really help Safer Bucks focus its efforts to reduce these issues.
Buckinghamshire Council launches licensing policy consultation
Buckinghamshire Council is seeking views on a new draft licensing Policy, which explains the Council’s approach to making decisions about licences. The Policy is important for businesses such as pubs, shops, restaurants and nightclubs – but also for members of the wider community such as residents, community groups and responsible authorities who may be impacted by, or have an interest in, licensing decisions. The Policy reflects feedback Buckinghamshire Council received in their recent survey with key stakeholders, which included the licensed trade, representatives of Buckinghamshire residents and responsible authorities such as the police and fire service. It also includes items that reflect the Council’s core objectives of strengthening communities, improving the environment, protecting the vulnerable and increasing prosperity. Nick Naylor, Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Regulatory Services, said: “We welcome your views to help shape future policy decisions in this important area. To find out more and to complete the survey, please go to: https://yourvoicebucks.citizenspace.com/communities/licensingpolicy2021 “The online survey just takes a few minutes to complete, and responses can be submitted up until Sunday 26 September.
Support for Afghan families – ‘Helping Hand for Afghanistan’ refugee initiative.
Having launched this only two weeks ago, Bucks Council (BC) have now received pledges of over £22,000, including off-line donations. These have come from residents and businesses wanting to support refugees from Afghanistan as they start to arrive in Buckinghamshire. This money will go via the community charity, Heart of Bucks, to help provide new appropriate clothing, domestic equipment and other essentials as we welcome new arrivals into our community. If you would like to donate please do so at:www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/helping-hand
In addition, BC are still asking for offers of other support such as accommodation, translation skills, community support etc. At present we do not need offers of second-hand clothing. You can offer your help or support via the dedicated pages on our website.
BC are still in discussion with the Government to finalise the exact number of families we could welcome. We understand family sizes are large and accommodation is needed where schooling, community support, health services and potentially employment can be best provided. If you know of suitable accommodation that will be available for approximately a year, please contact us using the above link.
We anticipate our first Afghan family arriving shortly. This may or may not receive publicity as we will respect the wishes of the family concerned, particularly if they have relatives still in Afghanistan who may be vulnerable.
Statement on The Fremantle Trust’s residential care home Carey Lodge in Wing
Buckinghamshire Council has initiated a safeguarding enquiry following ongoing concerns around the quality of care and support provided at the residential care home Carey Lodge in Wing by The Fremantle Trust.
A dedicated team of Buckinghamshire Council social care staff is now based in Carey Lodge. This team will speak to all Buckinghamshire residents and their family members to ensure they are fully involved in any decisions that are made with regards to reviewing their support needs and identifying somewhere else to live and receive care.
The Council continues to work with Carey Lodge and The Fremantle Trust to ensure the safety and wellbeing of residents is given the highest priority.
The Council acknowledges this situation is a distressing time for people who live at Carey Lodge and their family. If you or your family member have any concerns that you would like to discuss, please speak to the Council’s Adult Social Care staff based at Carey Lodge.
Funding for local community projects up for grabs
Do you have a great idea for a community initiative that will benefit local people but just needs the funds to get it off the ground?
Have you already got a successful community project that you’d like to expand or develop?
If the answer is yes, then Buckinghamshire’s 16 Community Boards want to hear from you.
Community boards are the local arm of the council. Working at a grassroots level with local people, groups and organisations, their aim is to drive forward the council’s priorities at a local level, tailored to the needs of each individual area.
Since they were set up last July, the boards have made great strides in forging strong relationships with local communities, listening to and engaging with local people to understand what matters most to them and working together with them to deliver projects to benefit their local communities.
Each community board has funds available to support projects that meet the agreed priorities for their area. Community boards set their local priorities and an action plan for how they want to address these with local people, groups and businesses in their area. Everything from support for older people, health and wellbeing, transport and youth initiatives feature as part of their plans to make a difference. The boards are keen to hear from local people about projects and ideas they may have. Of particular focus this year will be initiatives to improve the environment and supporting economic recovery. Community boards are keen to hear from community groups and partners, to work with them on their ideas and projects in these areas. If you have an idea for funding or are just keen to get involved in an action group looking at how to tackle local issues, get in touch with your community board directly – www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/community-boards
Community board projects range from BMX parks for young people to skills to get back out to work, right through to improving roads and community spaces. In their first year Buckinghamshire’s 16 community boards supported a whole range of projects including:
Support to a range of groups providing support to local communities during the pandemic
Environmental projects including wildlife competitions, community clear-ups and planting schemes
Working with students and young people to develop an app to drive up engagement with the younger community
Funding a range of charity projects focused on mental health and wellbeing
Steve Bowles, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities said: “Community boards are here to make a real difference to the people of Buckinghamshire at a truly local level. We are delighted at how well the community boards have established themselves in their local communities over the past year but there is still work to be done. We want to make sure everyone knows about their local community board and how they can get involved. share ideas and work with us to improve where they live.
“Community boards are two-way partnerships between the council and local communities. The essence of our vision is summed up in our simple strapline – Local voices, local choices, local action. By working together with our local communities, we can truly bring change and improvement to your area, directly addressing your concerns and priorities at a local level.”
He continued: “Every community board has a range of ways of keeping in touch with their community including newsletters and social media. You can keep up to date with what’s going on and get involved in matters that you are interested in. We are especially keen to hear from local people on ideas they may have for ways to improve the area where they live. Not every idea will be doable but local residents and groups are the ones who can really tell us what issues need to be addressed and we want to work with them to make changes for the better.”
Innovative wireless electric vehicle charging comes to Bucks
Buckinghamshire Council has become one of the first local authorities in the country to trial a pioneering electric car club with an innovative induction charger, as part of the Council’s commitment to tackling climate change and to adopting modern transport solutions.
The On-Street Residential Induction Charger demonstrator (OSRIC) will make a hire car available to local residents in Marlow so they can test the latest wireless charging technology for electric vehicles (EV) and also gain experience of driving an EV.
Instead of plugging an electric car into a standard charging pillar, the Council is trialling an innovative induction wireless charging pad set into the ground. The trial will help assess solutions to EV charging that avoids potential trip hazards and a clutter of wires. The pad will only be activated when an electric car (installed with the specialised induction pad) parks over it.
Because existing electric cars don’t have wireless charging, an adapted Renault Zoe electric vehicle will be made available for hire using the hire car company HiyaCar, so that residents can try it out and become familiar with how to charge it using the wireless pad. It can also be charged using a standard cable connection if driven away from the wireless pad.
Councillor Steven Broadbent, Buckinghamshire Council Cabinet Member for Transport, said:
“This is a really exciting project and it’s been brilliant to see it in action. Buckinghamshire Council is forward thinking and willing to trial transport innovations such as this.
“The trial will explore the feasibility of wireless charging and will also allow residents who may be hesitant to change to an EV the chance to try one. The car offers hourly or daily rental options so for some people it could be an alternative to owning a car. This technology is still in the early stages but it should all make running an electric vehicle simpler and easier – to ultimately encourage more take up.”
The Marlow demonstrator is funded by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles and is part of the government’s commitment to invest £1.3 billion on charging infrastructure for EVs across the country. Buckinghamshire Council is working with Char.gy, the charging point company, and with a team of local authorities, suppliers and researchers to run a set of trials in contrasting locations across Britain.
Richard Stobart, CEO and founder of Char.gy said:
“As the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) increases, the ability to recharge EVs for drivers without off-street parking poses a challenge without increasing the amount of EV charge points potentially hindering pedestrian freedom of movement.
EV wireless charging is a promising way of meeting this demand, and trials such as this for the public to use and provide feedback is invaluable to developing this technology. Char.gy appreciates Buckinghamshire Council’s partnership with this project, helping to ensure that the technology will be easily adopted in the future.’
In Marlow, this initiative is supported locally by the South West Chilterns Community Board. The trial will soon be expanded, taking place at two other sites within Buckinghamshire, along with sites in London Borough of Redbridge and Milton Keynes, which will provide contrasting urban and demographic situations.
For more information about OSRIC, including information about joining the car club, please visit the demonstrator’s website: www.osric.co.uk
Household recycling centres switch to winter hours
Buckinghamshire Council’s nine household recycling centres switch to winter opening hours on Friday 1 October. The new opening hours will be 9amto4pm.
The household recycling centres will open the same days as normal, it’s only the opening hours that are changing due to the number of visits to the centres tailing off after 4pm as the evenings get darker.
Peter Strachan, Cabinet Member for Environment & Climate Change, said:
“The switch to winter hours, 9am to 4pm, happens every year on 1 October as the sites get quieter and the evenings get darker. However, our household recycling centres will continue to offer a comprehensive service for residents within the revised opening hours.
Bring proof of address. Only residents who pay council tax to Buckinghamshire Council can use the sites. (Slough Borough Council residents are able to use Langley and Burnham sites only.)
Come back another time if the site is busy. Long queues can cause traffic and block access to homes and businesses.
If possible, wear a mask or face covering when outside your vehicle.
Further information, including what waste the centres do and don’t accept, can be found on Buckinghamshire Council’s Household recycling centres webpage.
Buckinghamshire Council adopts Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan
The Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan (VALP) completed the last part of the process tonight (15 September) when Buckinghamshire Council voted to adopt the plan which covers the northern part of the new unitary council’s area.
The VALP sets out a long term planning blueprint and vision for the area of the Vale of Aylesbury up to 2033. The local plan sets out how and where land can be used to
meet housing need
provide key infrastructure elements
protect and enhance the area’s key natural features
incorporate climate control policies
provide employment land
Housing
The VALP allocates land for 30,134 new homes. These are mostly concentrated around Aylesbury with other sites at Buckingham, Winslow, Haddenham and adjacent to Milton Keynes. It embeds policies to ensure that 25% of new homes that are built within the area will be affordable homes and that 10-15% will have disabled access.
The plan has gone through rigorous public consultation over a number of years including public hearings held before the independent planning Inspector. The independent Inspector cannot approve a local plan unless it meets current and projected local housing needs and falls within current government guidelines for determining what that local need is.
Infrastructure
The plan also sets out where essential infrastructure such as roads, schools and facilities which will support the new homes will be needed, as well as employment sites.
Nature and heritage
The VALP sets out policies to protect and enhance the natural environment and countryside for the future. It includes a net increase to the Green Belt by 98 hectares. It also embeds policies to protect our built heritage.
Climate change
There are many specific policies relating to climate change – including making sure there is provision for EV charging in every new home.
Work on the VALP started in 2014 and went through three stages of public consultation before it went to a nationally appointed independent Inspector in 2018. There were then two hearing sessions where people who objected to the plan could make their case for changes to the plan directly to the independent Inspector. The Inspector also looked closely at all the evidence sent to him by objectors and the Council before writing his full report. His report is final and cannot be amended.
Councillor Gareth Williams Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration commented: “Now we have completed the Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan process we can use the policies to give us more control and more local say about what gets built where. It gives us power to shape future development in the way we want and where we want it to be.”
The Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan will remain in force until it is superseded by the new Buckinghamshire Local Plan in 2025.
Many of us are quite accustomed to paying cash in hand to have odd jobs done to the house or in the garden – but if you ever need to have rubbish removed, this is the one time you should never pay cash.
Did you know that your rubbish is far more likely to end up fly-tipped if you pay someone cash to remove it? A bona fide waste carrier must pay a commercial tip when they want to dispose of rubbish -an anonymous ‘man with a van’ has a strong financial incentive to avoid the disposal charge – by dumping your rubbish in the countryside.
And there’s a sting in the tail. If we investigate a fly-tipping incident and find evidence that leads us to a householder, we’ll pay them a visit and ask them to provide evidence that they’ve taken reasonable steps to identify the person they hired to remove their rubbish and to ensure that it would be disposed of properly.
If the householder can provide evidence of the identity of the person who took their rubbish away such as details of a bank card payment, the investigation can focus on the fly-tipper. However, if the householder has paid an unidentified individual cash in hand to remove rubbish, we’ll issue them with a £400 fixed penalty notice for failing in their ‘duty of care’. If the incident is serious, this might be escalated to a court summons that could result in a criminal conviction and a hefty fine.
Jilly Jordan, Deputy Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment, said:
“Fly-tipping is a blight on the Buckinghamshire countryside, and the Council spends over £600,000 a year to clear it from public land – money that could be spent on providing other services to the county’s residents.
“So, if you pay cash in hand to have rubbish removed, you’re making yourself part of the problem.”
If you’re unsure of how to make sure you’re doing the right thing when someone is taking away your rubbish, our S.C.R.A.P. fly-tipping campaign code is a useful tool:
S – Suspect all waste carriers; do not let them take your waste until you’re confident they’re legitimate. A professional waste carrier should happily answer reasonable questions.
R – Refuse any unexpected offers to have your rubbish taken away. If you suspect that someone who approaches you will be disposing of waste illegally, report them to the Environment Agency.
A – Ask what will happen to your rubbish and assure yourself that it is going to be disposed of appropriately.
P – Paperwork must be obtained: a proper invoice, waste transfer note or receipt, including a description of the waste being removed and the waste carriers contact details.
I wanted to bring you up to speed on where we are with the proposed freight strategy and let you know details of the next steps.
As you are probably aware the proposed freight zone went to statutory consultation ending on the 3rd June 2021. Highlights of the consultation and survey are shown here:-
The consultation ran from the 7th May 2021 to 03rd June 2021.
A total of 1,103 responses were received in written form by letter, email and online survey feedback.
993 responses via the online survey.
110 responses via letter or direct email.
Of the 993 online survey responses, 600 were in favour of the proposal.
Many stated that the proposal would improve the environment and traffic in their villages; mainly Ivinghoe and those villages within the proposed zone.
Some responses agreed with the proposal but believed that including the B440 within the zone proposed weight restriction zone would be a better proposal
Of the 110 written responses received, 25 were in favour of the proposal stating improvements to quality of life.
32 responses were unsure on the proposals.
361 online survey responses were against the proposal as presented.
Many suggested that the proposed zone would increase HGV traffic in their area.
The majority agreed with the intention behind the proposal but, disagreed with the area proposed.
The majority of these wanted any proposal taken forward to include the B440 within its restricted area.
85 from the 110 received written responses were against the proposal,
As with the online responses many who objected to the proposal were in favour of a freight exclusion zone that included the B440 as part of the weight restriction zone.
Those against the proposal stated that their villages have had enough HGV traffic and the roads are not suitable for any increase, especially those transporting heavy goods.
The results from the statutory consultation have been summarised in a ‘Key Decision Report’ and presented to the Cabinet Member for Transport to determine how best to move forward with the Freight Strategy for the area. The report recommends that in light of the number of objections received with counter suggestions to include the B440 in the proposals, Buckinghamshire Council should now investigate the possibility of including the route of the B440 between the A505 junction and the roundabout with the B489 in the weight restriction zone.
The Cabinet Member for Transport has accepted the report’s findings and directed that we take steps to give due consideration to the inclusion of the B440 in the freight zone.
As a result of this decision:
The proposal will need to be redrawn and the revised version to go through the statutory consultation process.
Any extension to the proposed weight restriction to include the B440 will need the support of Central Bedfordshire Council.
Communications will be undertaken with Central Bedfordshire Council to ensure full visibility of any plans and consultations
Legal permissions will have to be sort and obtained in order to effectively add the B440 to the zone
Similar consultations will need to take place with Hertfordshire Council, with similar agreements and legal permissions obtained.
The revised proposal will need to be readvertised, legal papers redrawn and signage reviews reappraised and any additional surveys carried out; any additional costs allocated to the project’s budget.
A similar update has already been sent to the affected Buckinghamshire Councillors and to the Wing and Ivinghoe Community Board.
I am acutely aware of the concerns of the communities affected and their desire to see the freight zone introduced at the earliest opportunity. I will continue to strive to deliver this improvement across the area as soon as possible, it is of course important we listen to our communities and do the best we can.
Do you have a great idea for a community initiative that will benefit local people but just needs the funds to get it off the ground? Have you already got a successful community project that you’d like to expand or develop? If the answer is yes, then Buckinghamshire’s 16 Community Boards want to hear from you.
Community boards are the local arm of the council. Working at a grassroots level with local people, groups and organisations, their aim is to drive forward the council’s priorities at a local level, tailored to the needs of each individual area. Since they were set up last July, the boards have made great strides in forging strong relationships with local communities, listening to and engaging with local people to understand what matters most to them and working together with them to deliver projects to benefit their local communities. Each community board has funds available to support projects that meet the agreed priorities for their area. Community boards set their local priorities and an action plan for how they want to address these with local people, groups and businesses in their area. Everything from support for older people, health and wellbeing, transport and youth initiatives feature as part of their plans to make a difference. The boards are keen to hear from local people about projects and ideas they may have. Of particular focus this year will be initiatives to improve the environment and supporting economic recovery. Community boards are keen to hear from community groups and partners, to work with them on their ideas and projects in these areas. If you have an idea for funding or are just keen to get involved in an action group looking at how to tackle local issues, get in touch with your community board directly – www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/community-boards
Community board projects range from BMX parks for young people to skills to get back out to work, right through to improving roads and community spaces. In their first year Buckinghamshire’s 16 community boards supported a whole range of projects including: Support to a range of groups providing support to local communities during the pandemic Environmental projects including wildlife competitions, community clear-ups and planting schemes Working with students and young people to develop an app to drive up engagement with the younger community Funding a range of charity projects focused on mental health and wellbeing
Steve Bowles, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities said: “Community boards are here to make a real difference to the people of Buckinghamshire at a truly local level. We are delighted at how well the community boards have established themselves in their local communities over the past year but there is still work to be done. We want to make sure everyone knows about their local community board and how they can get involved. share ideas and work with us to improve where they live. “Community boards are two-way partnerships between the council and local communities. The essence of our vision is summed up in our simple strapline – Local voices, local choices, local action. By working together with our local communities, we can truly bring change and improvement to your area, directly addressing your concerns and priorities at a local level.” He continued: “Every community board has a range of ways of keeping in touch with their community including newsletters and social media. You can keep up to date with what’s going on and get involved in matters that you are interested in. We are especially keen to hear from local people on ideas they may have for ways to improve the area where they live. Not every idea will be doable but local residents and groups are the ones who can really tell us what issues need to be addressed and we want to work with them to make changes for the better.”
Council urges local people to ‘ see something, say something and do something’ as Buckinghamshire Council launches new campaign to raise awareness of adult abuse
To tackle the misery of adult abuse, Buckinghamshire Council is urging local people if they see something, to say something and do something, to help protect adults potentially at risk. In a brand new campaign, launching today (6 Sept) the Council’s clear message is that if you know about or have a suspicion that someone is in danger or being exploited, then the right thing to do is to play your part and report your concerns. Abuse of adults can take a variety of forms, from physical, neglect and financial abuse to mental or psychological abuse and it can happen to anybody over the age of 18. Everyone deserves to live a happy life, in a safe place free from harm and neglect, regardless of age, gender, disability or ethnicity. So, as well as raising awareness of adult abuse, the campaign also spotlights the different types, the signs to look out for and most importantly what actions to take if abuse is suspected. Some adults find it harder to get help and may be more at risk of harm and exploitation, such as those with a disability, a mental health condition or a temporary or long-term illness. Sadly, vulnerable adults are more likely to be a victim and can be specifically targeted because of their vulnerability. Data held by the Council shows that during 2020/21 it received close to 12,000 reports of suspected abuse and neglect of an adult living in Buckinghamshire. Nine out of ten reports received were made by professionals, such as doctors, police, care providers, members of the Ambulance Service and Council employees. Buckinghamshire Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, Angela Macpherson says that every single person has a role to play to help keep adults in our communities safe from harm and neglect. “Safeguarding is everyone’s business,” she said. “You certainly don’t need to work in safeguarding to help protect another adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. “For example, perhaps you’re a hairdresser worried about a client or a shop worker who has noticed a change in a regular customer? In fact, anyone who has contact with other adults can make a report if they are worried. It might turn out to be nothing, but trust your instincts and let us investigate. Your actions could have huge benefits to help improve other people’s lives.” Angela continued: “Sadly, we know that there are individuals in Buckinghamshire who are suffering abuse at the hands of others. Due to their vulnerability some may not even know they’re a victim, which is why it’s so important that we all take responsibility to look out for these people and raise the alarm if we have any concerns.” “Of course, we fully understand that some people may be worried about the repercussions of raising the alarm or have doubts about whether their concerns are real. However, it’s important to remember, you aren’t interfering and you can remain completely anonymous if you wish.” Angela added: “All reports will be investigated sensitively, and working with appropriate partner organisations, action will only be taken where it is clear that abuse is taking place.”
The Council’s dedicated web pages and factsheets are available for residents to refer to if they are concerned about a friend, relative, colleague or neighbour. They provide all the information needed so that we can all play our part to protect others who may be at risk of harm. Concerns can be reported in three ways: Call the Safeguarding Adults Team on: 01296 383204 or 0800 137 915 Email: ascfirstresponse@buckinghamshire.gov.uk Fill out Buckinghamshire Council’s online form If you fear someone is in immediate danger, you should always dial 999.
For more information about adult safeguarding, please visit: https://careadvice.buckinghamshire.gov.uk and click on the section ‘Report a concern about abuse or neglect’.
Bin collections across Buckinghamshire will be operating to a revised timetable next week. With no bin collections on the bank holiday (Monday 30 August) all collections that week will take place one day later than usual. Residents are asked to check the revised timetable and present any bins by 6:30am on their rescheduled collection day. Bank holiday revised bin collection dates: Usual collection dayRevised collection day Monday 30 August Tuesday 31 August Tuesday 31 August Wednesday 1 September Wednesday 1 September Thursday 2 September Thursday 2 September Friday 3 September Friday 3 September Saturday 4 September “The revised collection days are typical for bank holiday weekends, so I’m confident that residents won’t be caught out or inconvenienced by the change,” said Peter Strachan, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment. Peter added: “Buckinghamshire’s nine household recycling centres will remain open from 9am to 6pm over the bank holiday weekend – including on Monday 30 August. However, before making a trip to the tip, please check our website for all the latest household recycling centre information.” To check your bank holiday bin collections and to find your nearest household recycling centre, visit Buckinghamshire Council’s recycling and waste webpage: buckinghamshire.gov.uk/bin-collection-recycling-and-waste Please also follow @BucksCouncil to keep up to date with the latest recycling and waste information on their Facebook and Twitter pages.
Public facing description: one.network has automatically assigned a category of Unclassified to this Works based on the information available. Please note: Works Descriptions are not published by Anglian Water.
Whether you are a regular passenger, an occasional user or someone who never uses the bus but has thoughts on how services in Buckinghamshire could be improved, Buckinghamshire Council wants to hear from you. This week the council has launched its Bus Strategy and Service Improvement survey, aimed at gathering local opinion, in order to feed into a wider plan to improve bus services across the county. Bus users and the wider public are being encouraged to take a few minutes to complete the online survey which will help the council, in partnership with bus operators, to identify and prioritise improvement measures as part of its Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). Peter Martin, Deputy Cabinet Member for Transport said: “In a county such as Buckinghamshire, our bus network provides a vital public service and is a lifeline for many individuals and communities. Whether it is children getting to school, residents popping to the shops or commuters travelling to and from work, buses provide an essential and affordable way for many people to get around. “We are committed to working in partnership with our local bus operators to help improve services and encourage more people to use public transport. Cutting back on individual car journeys will have a benefit to us all in the longer term and feeds into our vision for reducing carbon emissions across the county.” Peter added: “It takes no time at all to fill out the survey but your answers are really important so please, I would urge everyone who uses our bus services or has views on how they can be improved to take a few minutes to complete it, thank you.” The survey will close on Friday 3 September: https://yourvoicebucks.citizenspace.com/integrated-transport/busstrategy2021/
Heart of Bucks is excited to launch their ‘Love Bucks’ campaign, which is all about helping those in our local community who have been most affected by the pandemic. Charities and community groups are often the beating heart of our county, however, they need support to allow them to continue changing the lives of local people.
The ‘Love Bucks’ campaign will help these local not-for-profit groups to continue transforming lives in our county.
The vacancy will remain in place until an appointment is made. We are aware of a few interested parties that are not in a position to progress at the moment, so the parish council will continue to actively recruit in the meantime in case a candidate can be identified that can take up the seat earlier.
If you would like to discuss the opportunity further, please do contact the parish clerk in the first instance on 01296 767261 or email parishclerk@pitstone.co.uk.
Please find attached completed diversionary route for some EMERGENCY WORKS to be undertaken by Transport for Buckinghamshire in respect of emergency carriageway repairs. If you are unable to view this link please go to one.network to view under the road and dates stated.
Buckinghamshire Recovery and Growth Proposal Council and Bucks LEP partners have been progressing discussions with government to promote our ambitions for a recovery and growth deal and investment for Buckinghamshire. Discussions have been positive with engagement with civil servants and ministers in a range of government departments including DWP, DCMS, and MHCLG.
The Buckinghamshire Growth Board agreed plans to launch engagement on its ‘Vision for Buckinghamshire’ with key stakeholders over the summer and early autumn. The Board also supported submission of multiple strategic funding bids for Buckinghamshire to Government; £2,603,084 for nine projects from a range of organisations were submitted to the Community Renewal Fund and £117M for five Levelling Up Fund bids for the county
Business Support Grants Most of the mandatory Covid grant schemes that were operating during 2020/21 have now closed. The last of these, the Restart Grant scheme has a closing date of the 30th of June. Since the start of the pandemic, between all the various business grant schemes, Buckinghamshire Council has distributed over £166m to support businesses in Buckinghamshire. One of the schemes delivered was the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG), a discretionary pot of funding allocated to the Council. In total, Buckinghamshire received £21m for the ARG and used it to support businesses for five of the winter/spring lockdown months. Buckinghamshire’s ARG scheme was designed to support as many businesses as quickly as possible, in particular businesses which were not able to access support from other grant schemes. The Council and was a top performing council in terms of % of funding distributed as per the latest national B.E.I.S. reporting statistics. Over the monthly rounds of funding, the ARG provided grants to 4544 businesses and self-employed individuals which supported over 16,000 employees in Buckinghamshire.
HS2 & East West Rail (EWR) With the intensity of activity by HS2 Ltd increasing, the Council continues to emphasise its continued opposition to the project and, now construction has started, to try and hold HS2 to account. The Council is currently in an appeals process with HS2 Ltd on a number of lorry route approvals impacting the A413 and the A422. The Council did not determine these applications as it was considered that we had not received sufficient information and reassurances regarding the cumulative impacts of the lorry movements on the Council’s highway network. There has been a number of complaints in relation to dust / vibration and noise, EWR are investing in a new product to help minimise the dust issue and this should be rolled out over the next few weeks, as they are awaiting delivery. Co-ordination activities are continuing between HS2 and EWR, which are being led by BC Officers. There continues to be ongoing concern regarding the damage being caused to the highway by EWR in the north of the county, meetings are underway to further discuss a programme of repairs and how best to share inspections between BC and EWR. Some repair works have already taken place. The Council are currently seeking funding for road repairs from both HS2 and EWR.
Ivinghoe and Wing Community Board – Like all 16 Buckinghamshire Community Boards, I & W CB has spent a busy 12 months establishing itself at the heart of the local community.
For the coming year I & W Community Board will have action groups focusing on the following areas:
Economic recovery
Health & wellbeing (including community safety)
Improving the environment
Road safety, highways and infrastructure
At the recent CB meeting the respective Action Groups/Sub Committees were established and Chair persons nominated.
Council demands that ‘The Buckinghamshire Line’ be built! At last week’s full Council meeting, councillors unanimously agreed to continue pressing the Government to commit to building the Spur line of East-West Rail between Aylesbury and Milton Keynes and the associated work to dual the track between Princes Risborough and Aylesbury. However, BC remain concerned that this recent funding announcement did not commit to the completion of the proposed spur between Aylesbury and Milton Keynes. This spur was originally conceived as a key part of this project. The track is there, the need is there, but we now need the Government to put in the investment to get the trains running.
Another success in Buckinghamshire’s battle against fly-tipping Fly-tipper prosecuted for dumping waste at National Trust beauty spot.A man has been prosecuted for three repeat offences of fly-tipping at a local area of natural beauty in Buckinghamshire.On Wednesday 21 July, 22-year-old Alex Carl Clewett of Worthington Road, Dunstable was sentenced at High Wycombe Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to the three offences that occurred on the National Trust land at Ashridge.Dockey Wood is a stretch of forest within the 2,000-hectare Ashridge Estate, owned by the National Trust. The woodland which is designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty, is a popular destination all year round but is perhaps most famous for its spectacular carpet of bluebells that emerges every spring and draws visitors from miles around.
Towards the end of 2019 the car park at Dockey Wood began to be blighted by a series of fly-tipping offences. Officers from Buckinghamshire Council’s Enforcement Team, who investigated the incidents, were able to examine the waste dumped and trace the offences back to Clewett. Addresses found in the waste indicated that Clewett had been paid by a builder to take bathroom waste from a job in Feltham. Further evidence gave details of a garage clearance in St Albans where Clewett had been paid to dispose of the items.In addition to examining the evidence left by Clewett, the enforcement team set up surveillance cameras in the car park overnight on the 4 February 2020. A truck insured to Clewett was captured on camera dumping waste again.
In interview, Clewett initially denied the offence but pleaded guilty when confronted with the evidence compiled by the enforcement team. In sentencing the judge ordered Clewett to pay the full £888 clearance costs to the National Trust and a further £500 in costs to Buckinghamshire Council. Clewett was also sentenced to three consecutive 28-day prison terms, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.
Buckinghamshire Council wins award for its Zero Waste MapBuckinghamshire Council has won ‘Best Local Authority Recycling Initiative’ for its innovative Zero Waste Map.The Council overcame some tough competition at the Awards for Excellence in Recycling and Waste Management ceremony on 21 July to take the top prize in their category.
The Zero Waste Map – which has already been viewed by more than 29,000 people since its launch in September 2020 – is an interactive online map that lists over 200 local shops, businesses, projects and public recycling and repair drop-off locations across Buckinghamshire. With so many different types of products and services aimed at living a zero-waste lifestyle, it can get confusing. This is where the Zero Waste Map helps out, as it’s the first tool that puts all these products and services into one place.
The map enables residents to easily search for a specific service or business, but more importantly, it shows all the fantastic options already out there, whether users are looking for them or not. This promotes zero-waste living, makes it accessible and supports local projects, community groups and businesses too.
Buckinghamshire Council approves an extra £3 million for county’s roadsCouncillors in Buckinghamshire have today agreed an extra £3 million investment to improve the county’s roads, in addition to the £24 million already allocated to highways improvements.The extra £3 million is being set aside specifically so an extra £2.5 million can be spent repairing potholes with another half a million pounds to upgrade road markings.
The extra spending commitment recognises how big a priority it is for the council to maintain and improve the county’s road network and will be funded using uncommitted earmarked reserves.The potholes will be repaired using the so-called ‘Plane and Patch’ technique – a resurfacing treatment used to repair patches of badly worn road that complements the larger scale road-surfacing programme. Plane and Patch helps prevent roads from falling into a condition where they would then require more expensive structural work.The additional £3 million investment means that overall, £27 million will be spent on roads and footways in 2021/22 and £100 million in total over the next four years.
Buckinghamshire Council starts £4m drains and gullies work programmeBuckinghamshire Council has begun an ambitious programme of clearing gullies and drains across the county.
The drainage improvement works are designed to help prevent flooding and to keep drains and gullies across Bucks clean, clear and operational. The Council has set aside an extra £4 million to fund the works, as part of a wider improvement programme for residents.
Buckinghamshire Council Leader Martin Tett reacts to Prime Minister’s County Deals announcement Buckinghamshire, as a unitary council, with the same geography as our Local Enterprise Partnership, our main business organisation, our local NHS and our key skills providers is brilliantly placed to pioneer a County Deal, bringing together the ambitions of different government departments to deliver here in Bucks. We also stand ready to work with others to ensure that all parts of the UK succeed from this approach
New electric vehicle charging points installed in Aylesbury town centreElectric vehicle (EV) drivers can now take advantage of four new EV charging points in Aylesbury town centre’s Waterside North Car Park.
Eight EV charging bays are located in front of the new BP Pulse charging points, enabling up to eight EVs to be simultaneously charged. Each charging point delivers 7kWh, which is enough electricity to provide most EVs with around 25 miles of range for every hour they are plugged into one of the charging points.
Tackling the long grass and protecting wildlifeGrass verges across Buckinghamshire have seen a growth spurt in recent weeks because of the weather conditions this spring, in particular the very wet May followed by a hot June which created perfect growing conditions.
Maintaining our rural verges is a priority for Buckinghamshire Council, especially at road junctions where long grass might impact visibility. BC are very conscious of this year’s sudden growth and want to reassure people that our planned cutting programme is ahead of time this year.
BC cut the grass between April and October and the programme is carefully timed as doing it too early would mean too much growth at the end of the summer meaning the grass would stay long over winter.
Works description: Cut and cap water main and relay 2 communication pipes
Works location: Railway Cottages
Public facing 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.
Much of England is forecast to experience very warm weather from Saturday (17/7/21) night through to Tuesday morning (20/7/21).
Dr Owen Landeg, Scientific and Technical Lead at PHE, said:
Much of the advice on beating the heat is common sense and for many people spells of warmer weather are something they very much enjoy. However, for some people, such as older people, those with underlying health conditions and young children, the summer heat can bring real health risks. That’s why we’re urging everyone to keep an eye on those you know who may be at risk.
If you’re able, ask if your friends, family or neighbours need any support. Also take water with you when travelling and keep up to date with weather forecasts.
It’s also worth remembering the practical steps to keep homes cool during the day as this can aid sleeping at night and give the body time to recover from the heat.
Will Lang, Head of Civil Contingencies at the Met Office, said:
Across most parts of the UK we’re expecting to see temperatures building, reaching heatwave thresholds across the majority of England over the weekend. High temperatures will remain a feature of the forecast until Tuesday, when fresher conditions arrive curtailing heatwave levels.
The top ways for staying safe when the heat arrives are to:
look out for those who may struggle to keep themselves cool and hydrated; older people, those with underlying conditions and those who live alone are particularly at risk
stay cool indoors – many of us may need to stay safe at home this summer, so know how to keep your home cool
close curtains on rooms that face the sun to keep indoor spaces cooler and remember it may be cooler outdoors than indoors
use cool spaces considerately if going outdoors, and wash your hands regularly
drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol
never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals
try to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm, when the UV rays are strongest
walk in the shade, apply sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat, if you have to go out in the heat
avoid physical exertion in the hottest parts of the day
make sure you take water with you if you are travelling
during warm weather going for a swim can provide much welcomed relief; take care and follow local safety advice if you are going into open water to cool down
remember that while coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions are in place, you will need to follow any additional government guidance to use public spaces safely
Please find above, details of Anglian Water roadworks in Cheddington Road (by Greenacres junction) with road closure in place between 9-15/7/21. Diversion via Wellington Place.
The new website not only has a new look and feel but lots of the latest information from the team and experts within the council.
Buckinghamshire’s Family Information Service has a brand-new website and directory making it even easier for families, parents to be, children and young people to find local support, activities and childcare.
support available to help with issues affecting your family
what’s on at family centres
things to do and holiday activities
support and inclusive activities if your child has SEND
childcare and early years providers
Follow ‘BucksFamilyInfo’ on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram for the latest news affecting families and young people, local things to do and helpful reminders for all sorts of parent tasks like applying for childcare and school places.
Are you hoping to go to University or College in 2022, but are concerned that financial resources might not match up to the requirements? Are you under the age of 22? Have you lived in Aldbury, Long Marston, Marsworth, Pitstone, Puttenham, Tring, Wigginton or Wilstone for at least three years?
To see if you would be eligible for a grant, apply to Tring Charities’ Millennium Education Foundation for information and an application form.
Bin collections across Buckinghamshire will be operating to a revised timetable next week. With no collections on Monday 31 May (Spring Bank Holiday) all collections that week will take place one day later than usual (ie on Thursday 3 June instead of Wednesday 2 June). Please present any bins by 6:30am on your rescheduled collection day.
A friendly reminder that Buckinghamshire’s nine household recycling centres are open: 9am–6pm. All sites will remain open over the Bank Holiday weekend, including Monday 31 May. Before making a trip to the tip, please check our website for all the latest household recycling centre information: www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/bin-collection-recycling-and-waste/recycle-household-waste
Buckinghamshire Council has recently celebrated 100,000 unique users of the online Waste Wizard tool which provides helpful hints, tips and information including which bin an item belongs in and how to best dispose of items that can’t be recycled or disposed of at home. Try the Waste Wizard at www.recycleforbuckinghamshire.co.uk/waste-wizard
For more information including how to check your Bank Holiday bin collections and where to find your nearest household recycling centre, visit Buckinghamshire Council’s recycling and waste webpages: www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/bin-collection-recycling-and-waste
Please also follow @BucksCouncil to keep up to date with the latest recycling and waste and bin collection information on our Facebook and Twitter pages
Pitstone had 17 recorded crimes during this period. Of these 17, 6 of these were of note:
3 x reports of Anti-Social Behaviour
1 report of Criminal Damage
2 reports of suspicious vehicles in the area
We have also had other reports directly to us regarding Anti-Social Behaviour and possible drug use/dealing around the Memorial Hall/Pavillion area. We are regularly patrolling the area and are dealing with incidents accordingly. We would like to ask residents to report anything they see that is suspicious so we can build a bigger picture of what is occurring down there. They can do this by completing an online Webform via the Thames Valley Police website.
There have been reports of possible drug dealing up by the church and we have been patrolling the area regularly. We have not found anyone up there however we found a couple of “camps” in the wooded area and stopped 2 males in the area.
We have also had reports of drug dealing in the Castlemead area and the Industrial estate. We are aware that there is activity up by the fishing lakes along with a “camp” and we are keeping an eye on that area also.
Last summer the team conducted an operation in the village regarding the drug dealing issue. One person was arrested and upon searching their house, a substantial amount of drugs, money and weapons were seized.
We were delighted that Zest Yoga were able to start up at Pitstone Pavilion today now that the covid restrictions have been lifted.
They are running classes every Tuesday morning and evening.
Tuesday evening sessions are currently full, but you can register to join the waiting list. There is currently space available for the morning sessions.
Please get in touch with Annabel to find out more (contact details and more information available on her website):
Could your organisation, business or local group provide stimulating activities and a nutritious bite to eat for children and young people over the summer holidays? If so, Buckinghamshire Council wants to hear from you today!
Through the Government’s Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme, the Council is making available funding of £683,000 to work with local providers operating in Buckinghamshire to help deliver a range of free holiday activities for those children aged 5 to 16 eligible for benefits related free school meals.
There’s no restriction on the range of activities that could be provided – it’s anything that children and young people would find interesting to try, help them develop new skills or a future hobby, and are just fun to do. Potential ideas range from gaming, sports, bush craft activities, dance, art and design, photography and cooking, but new ideas and suggestions are warmly welcomed.
School holidays can be a pressure point for some families because of increased costs, like food and childcare together with potentially reduced incomes. This means children from disadvantaged families may not be able to access out-of-school activities and could experience ‘unhealthy holidays’ in terms of nutrition and physical health or higher levels of social isolation.
The Council is looking to work in partnership with community and voluntary organisations, creative and performing arts providers, sports coaches, schools, private companies and a range of others to help put on a fantastic range of options and healthy meals for those eligible over the coming summer holidays.
The HAF scheme works on a 4x4x4 model with clubs or sessions running for four hours per day, four days each week and across four weeks of the summer holiday. Providers are able to bid for grant funds for projects that would run for part of the overall four week period.
Buckinghamshire Council’s Service Director for Education, Simon James said this was a great opportunity for those young people but also a chance for local providers to really showcase what they can offer.
“New activities and experiences can have a profound effect on children and young people, helping them to create lasting memories, enjoy new activities and skills, build confidence, meet new people and have fun. And, not only do they get the chance to take part in quality holiday activities, but they can also enjoy a healthy meal too.
“We’re looking to team up with local providers to offer a great range of free activities and things to do for those eligible children to help them enjoy something different and productive over the summer break and we really look forward to receiving your plans and ideas.”
Buckinghamshire Council strongly recommends that bids include consideration of how your programme could be made COVID-safe in the event of the national situation or government guidance requiring it.
To find out more about the HAF programme, please visit: https://yourvoicebucks.citizenspace.com/childrens-services/haf2021/ or email the HAF project team at haf@buckinghamshire.gov.uk. Completed bids need to be submitted by 9.00am on 7 June.
The PROTECT YOUR POOCH campaign encourages people to keep their pets SECURE, IN SIGHT and SEARCHABLE, and to HELP MAKE PET THEFT A SPECIFIC CRIMINAL OFFENCE. The Met Police and Crimestoppers are backing our SECURE, IN SIGHT and SEARCHABLE message. More information on the campaign can be found on www.ourwatch.org.uk/protectyourpooch.
Attend the online Dog Theft webinar on the 27th May at 5pm. The webinar will be led by Neighbourhood Watch Network with speakers from the Met Police and Crimestoppers, as well as special guest speaker Katy Bourne, PCC for Sussex. To book your place, click here.
(Prohibition of Waiting, Loading and Stopping) and (On-Street Parking Places) Order 2021
(Amendment No 1) Order 202*
Buckinghamshire Council in partnership with Transport for Bucks, stakeholders and working with your local Councillors are proposing implementing permanent parking restrictions at various locations following an increase in illegal and antisocial parking, and verge damage, following the lifting of the first COVID-19 lockdown.
Buckinghamshire Council is proposing to introduce restrictions at various locations across the county of Buckinghamshire.
Road Name
Scheme Name
Restrictions
Access to Old Telephone Exchange off Kingsway
Burnham Beeches / Farnham Common
No Waiting At Any Time.
ALAN WAY
Langley Park Area
No Waiting At Any Time.
ALDERBOURNE LANE
Black Park Area
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway. No Stopping On Main Carriageway.
ASTON HILL CHIVERY
Wendover Woods Area
4 Wheel Pavement Parking. No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway. No Stopping On Main Carriageway.
AVENUE DRIVE
Langley Park Area
No Stopping On Main Carriageway.
BEDFORD DRIVE
Burnham Beeches / Farnham Common
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway. No Stopping On Main Carriageway.
BEECHES ROAD
Burnham Beeches / Farnham Common
No Waiting At Any Time. Permit Holders Only FC1.
BELLSWOOD LANE
Langley Park Area
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway. No Stopping On Main Carriageway.
BILLET LANE
Langley Park Area
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway. No Stopping On Main Carriageway.
BLACK PARK ROAD
Black Park Area & Langley Park Area
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway No. Stopping On Main Carriageway. Restricted Parking Zone No Waiting At Any Time No Loading At Any Time.
BLACKPOND LANE
Burnham Beeches / Farnham Common
No Waiting At Any Time. Permit Holders Only FC1.
BLINCO LANE
Langley Park Area
No Waiting At Any Time.
BOVENEY ROAD
Dorney Lake Area
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway. No Stopping On Main Carriageway.
BUCKLAND ROAD
Wendover Woods Area
No Waiting At Any Time.
CHALKSHIRE ROAD
Wendover Woods Area
No Waiting At Any Time.
CHERRY TREE LANE
Black Park Area
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway.
CHIVERY
Wendover Woods Area
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway. No Stopping On Main Carriageway.
COMMON ROAD
Dorney Lake Area
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway. No Stopping On Main Carriageway. No Waiting At Any Time.
CORONATION AVENUE
Black Park Area & Langley Park Area
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway. No Stopping On Main Carriageway. No Waiting At Any Time.
COURT LANE
Dorney Lake Area
No Waiting At Any Time.
CROW PIECE LANE
Burnham Beeches / Farnham Common
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway. No Stopping On Main Carriageway.
CROWN LANE
Burnham Beeches / Farnham Common
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway. No Stopping On Main Carriageway.
CUFF LANE
Great Brickhill Village
No Waiting At Any Time. Permit Parking Area.
CURRIERS LANE
Burnham Beeches / Farnham Common
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway No Stopping On Main Carriageway
DENHAM COURT DRIVE
Denham Country Park
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway
DINERS HILL
Wendover Woods Area
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway No Stopping On Main Carriageway No Waiting At Any Time
DORNEY REACH ROAD
Dorney Lake Area
Permit Parking Area
DUCK END
Great Brickhill Village
No Waiting At Any Time Permit Parking Area
DUNSMORE
Wendover Woods Area
No Waiting At Any Time Restricted Parking Zone No Waiting At Any Time
DUNSMORE LANE
Wendover Woods Area
No Waiting At Any Time
EGYPT LANE
Burnham Beeches / Farnham Common
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway No Stopping On Main Carriageway
ELLESBOROUGH ROAD, BUTLER’S CROSS
Wendover Woods Area
No Waiting At Any Time
ELLESBOROUGH ROAD, WENDOVER
Wendover Woods Area
Permit Parking Area
FERRY LANE
Medmenham Village
No Waiting At Any Time (Option 1) Permit Holders Only (Option 2) 2 Hours No Return Within 2 Hours Or Permit Holders Restricted Parking Zone
FOX LANE
Wendover Woods Area
Restricted Parking Zone No Waiting At Any Time
FRENSHAM WALK
Burnham Beeches / Farnham Common
Permit Parking Area FC1
FULMER COMMON ROAD
Black Park Area
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway No Stopping On Main Carriageway Unrestricted Bay
GEORGE GREEN ROAD
Black Park Area & Langley Park Area
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway No Stopping On Main Carriageway No Waiting At Any Time
GOLDEN OAK CLOSE
Burnham Beeches / Farnham Common
Permit Parking Area FC1
GREEN LANE, FARNHAM COMMON
Burnham Beeches / Farnham Common
No Waiting At Any Time Permit Parking Area FC1
GREEN LANE, BURNHAM BEECHES
Burnham Beeches / Farnham Common
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway No Stopping On Main Carriageway
GRENVILLE AVENUE
Wendover Woods Area
No Waiting At Any Time
GROVE ROAD
Burnham Beeches / Farnham Common
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway No Stopping On Main Carriageway
HALE LANE
Wendover Woods Area
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway No Stopping On Main Carriageway
HALTON LANE
Wendover Woods Area
4 Wheel Pavement Parking No Waiting At Any Time
HARCOURT CLOSE
Dorney Lake Area
Permit Parking Area
HARCOURT ROAD
Dorney Lake Area
No Waiting At Any Time Permit Parking Area
HAWTHORN LANE
Burnham Beeches / Farnham Common
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway No Stopping On Main Carriageway No Waiting At Any Time
HEATH ROAD
Great Brickhill Village / Stockgrove Country Park Area
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway No Stopping On Main Carriageway No Waiting At Any Time
HENLEY ROAD
Medmenham Village
No Waiting At Any Time
HILL FARM LANE
Wendover Woods Area
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway No Stopping On Main Carriageway
HILL PLACE
Burnham Beeches / Farnham Common
No Waiting At Any Time
KINGSWAY
Burnham Beeches / Farnham Common
No Waiting At Any Time Permit Parking Area FC1
LAKE END ROAD
Dorney Lake Area
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway No Stopping On Main Carriageway No Waiting At Any Time
LANGTONS MEADOW
Burnham Beeches / Farnham Common
Permit Parking Area FC1
LOCK PATH
Dorney Lake Area
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway No Stopping On Main Carriageway
LODGE HILL
Wendover Woods Area
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway No Stopping On Main Carriageway No Waiting At Any Time
LONDON ROAD
Wendover Woods Area
No Waiting At Any Time
LORD MAYORS DRIVE
Burnham Beeches / Farnham Common
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway
MARSH LANE
Dorney Lake Area
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway No Stopping On Main Carriageway No Waiting At Any Time
MEADOW WAY
Dorney Lake Area
Permit Parking Area
MIDDLE GREEN
Langley Park Area
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway No Stopping On Main Carriageway No Waiting At Any Time
MISSENDEN ROAD
Wendover Woods Area
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway No Stopping On Main Carriageway No Waiting At Any Time
MOOR PARK
Wendover Woods Area
No Waiting At Any Time
NIGHTINGALE PARK
Burnham Beeches / Farnham Common
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway
NORTHFIELD ROAD
Pitstone Quarry Area
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway
OAK STUBBS LANE
Dorney Lake Area
No Waiting At Any Time Permit Parking Area
PARK LANE
Burnham Beeches / Farnham Common
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway No Stopping On Main Carriageway
PINEWOOD ROAD
Black Park Area
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway No Stopping On Main Carriageway
PUMPKIN HILL
Burnham Beeches / Farnham Common
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway No Stopping On Main Carriageway
ROSEWOOD WAY
Burnham Beeches / Farnham Common
Permit Holders Only FC1
ROWLEY LANE
Black Park Area
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway No Stopping On Main Carriageway
SCOTLANDS DRIVE
Burnham Beeches / Farnham Common
No Waiting At Any Time
SOUTH FIELD CLOSE
Dorney Lake Area
No Waiting At Any Time
STEWARTS DRIVE
Burnham Beeches / Farnham Common
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway No Stopping On Main Carriageway
STOKE COMMON ROAD
Black Park Area
No Stopping On Main Carriageway
THOMPKINS LANE
Burnham Beeches / Farnham Common
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway No Stopping On Main Carriageway
UPPER ICKNIELD WAY
Pitstone Quarry Area
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway
UXBRIDGE ROAD
Black Park Area & Langley Park Area
Bus Stop Clearway Limited Waiting 8am-6pm 1hr No Return Within 2hrs No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway
VICTORIA ROAD
Burnham Beeches / Farnham Common
No Waiting At Any Time Permit Parking Area FC1
VILLAGE ROAD
Dorney Lake Area
No Waiting At Any Time
WENDOVER ROAD
Wendover Woods Area
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway No Stopping On Main Carriageway No Waiting At Any Time
WESTFIELD ROAD
Pitstone Quarry Area
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway
WEXHAM PARK LANE
Black Park Area & Langley Park Area
No Stopping At Any Time On Verge Or Footway
WILLOWBROOK
Wendover Woods Area
No Waiting At Any Time
WITHY CROFT
Langley Park Area
No Waiting At Any Time
Under the Local Authorities’ Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1996 as a Statutory Consultee we are inviting your comments to the proposals. Full details and plans can be found on the Buckinghamshire Council Website at https://yourvoicebucks.citizenspace.com/ from the 12th May 2021 and from today on https://www.buckinghamshiretraffweb.uk/ under “Public Consultation”, “6. Active Consultation – Static”.
The Consultation runs until the 6th June 2021. Any comments you may wish to make should be addressed to parkingtro@buckscc.gov.uk.
Marsworth Parish Council has asked us to make residents aware of a current planning application consultation relating to a change of use for the Anglers Retreat in Marsworth, in case any Pitstone residents which to submit comments to Buckinghamshire Council. The details are below:
21/01520/AOP – MARSWORTH Anglers Retreat Ph And 30 Startops Startops End Lower Icknield Way Marsworth Buckinghamshire HP23 4LJ Change of use for Public House to residential use and conversion of public house to two flats with two storey rear extension and single storey side extension and demolition of existing conservatory, demolition of existing outbuildings and erection of 4 houses, change of boundary location with 30 Startops, change of access for 30 Startops and erection of carport for two vehicles and enclosed store, two storey side extension for 30 Startops
St Mary’s Church in Pitstone is pleased to confirm that it will be OPEN on Sundays and Bank Holidays from 30 May through to 26 September from 2.30 to 5.30pm
Keep Britain Tidy are running the Great British Spring Clean between 28/5 and 13/6 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.
Buckinghamshire Council can offer a variety of support to people who officially register for the above. 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. At the moment, the recreation ground playground is seeing huge volumes of litter (despite Coronavirus guidelines which recommend that children do not eat or drink whilst using play equipment), and we are emptying bins and picking litter three times per week. In between, other local volunteers are also picking litter to try and keep on top of the situation. If you, or your children, are using the playground, please do put all rubbish in the bins provided to help keep the play space in good condition for all our users.
Plans for Buckinghamshire’s first ever ‘freight zone’ to control the movement of HGVs in and around the Ivinghoe area take a step closer today (7 May) with the start of a four-week public consultation on the detail of the legal traffic regulation order.
Proposed for the areas around Ivinghoe, Cheddington and Mentmore, the zone sits within defined boundaries, east of the A418, north of the A41 and west of the B489, and follows two years of research, monitoring, discussions, public engagement and detailed planning with the local community.
The traffic regulation order (TRO) proposes a 7.5 tonne weight limit on vehicles travelling through the zone, however, there will be an exception for vehicles travelling to destinations within the zone. This means deliveries and collections to local homes and businesses can continue unaffected.
Monitoring in November 2019 showed an average of 254 HGVs per week passed through the proposed zone, heading for destinations further afield, nearly half (47%) of the total HGV traffic in the area.
Buckinghamshire Council’s Corporate Director for Planning, Growth and Sustainability, Ian Thompson said that the zone would bring benefits to the community and encouraged people to take part in the consultation and give their views.
“A zone like this can clearly reduce the level of traffic by removing a significant number of HGVs that simply pass through the area. The TRO will help reduce the negative impacts on local residents, buildings and the environment, while of course still allowing local lorry deliveries to be made.
“Over the next four weeks, we want to hear from anyone who might be affected to give their views on the detail of the proposed TRO to help us finalise arrangements.”
Ian added: “Subject to the feedback received, the scheme could be fully operational later in the year which would be great news for everyone.”
Public engagement on the concept of the freight zone took place early last year and was widely supported by local residents, businesses and community groups. It included dialogue with parish councils, local councillors and businesses, along with exhibitions and a survey which received 332 responses.
Alternatively you can e-mail comments to tfbschemesdelivery@buckinghamshire.gov.uk or by writing to: Ivinghoe Freight Zone Consultation, Design Services, Transport for Bucks, Aylesbury Vale Area Office, Corrib Industrial Park, Griffin Lane, Aylesbury, HP19 8BP. The consultation closes on 3 June.
Elections for Buckinghamshire Council, Town and Parish Councils and the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner are taking place tomorrow, Thursday, 6 May. Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm. We have worked hard to ensure that all of our polling stations are COVID-19 secure places to vote. To find your polling station look here: https://wheredoivote.co.uk/
We are recommending that voters bring their own pens/pencils. There will be pencils available if voters forget their own which they will need to take away with them once used. You can expect many of the measures you’ve become used to over recent months in shops and banks, such as clear signage, hand sanitiser, and face coverings. Where possible, dependent on the venue, one-way entrance and exits will be in place. Electors will be asked to social distance and that may mean that during busier periods electors may need to wait outside the polling station until some electors have left. All polling stations will be cleaned regularly through the day. Unless you are exempt, masks will need to be worn by everyone coming into a polling station, including the people staffing it. If a voter arrives without a mask, there will be masks available for them to use at the polling station. Staff will be behind protective screens and don’t have to wear a mask when behind a screen, but they may choose to wear one. We do ask that voters do not attend their polling station if they have COVID symptoms or are required to self-isolate.
If you are unable to vote in person at your polling station on 6 May because you are self-isolating as a result of government or medical advice, and have not registered for a postal vote, you may apply for an emergency proxy vote here: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/sites/default/files/2021-04/Emergency%20employment%20proxy%20vote%20application%20form.pdf A completed emergency proxy application form must be submitted to Electoral Services at Buckinghamshire Council before 5pm on 6 May, before the proxy can vote in the elector’s polling station on their behalf. Forms then need to be emailed to proxyvote@buckinghamshire.gov.uk and the emergency proxy’s email address must be provided.
The overall aim of the competition is to encourage wildlife into any available green space and in doing so connect us with our local green environment and support our health and wellbeing.
We want our community to get behind this project and turn every available green space into a haven for wildlife and we are here to help you do it.
Bin collections across Buckinghamshire will be operating to a revised timetable next week.
With no collections on Monday 3 May (Early May Bank Holiday) all collections that week will take place one day later than usual. Please check the revised timetable below and present any bins by 6.30am on your rescheduled collection day.
Bank holiday revised bin collection dates:
Usual collection day
Revised collection day
Monday 3 May
Tuesday 4 May
Tuesday 4 May
Wednesday 5 May
Wednesday 5 May
Thursday 6 May
Thursday 6 May
Friday 7 May
Friday 7 May
Saturday 8 May
A friendly reminder that Buckinghamshire’s nine household recycling centres are now operating to summer opening hours: 9am – 6pm. All sites will also remain open over the Bank Holiday weekend, including Monday 3 May. Before making a trip to the tip, please check the website for all the latest household recycling centre information: www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/bin-collection-recycling-and-waste/garden-waste-collection
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 the online Waste Wizard: www.recycleforbuckinghamshire.co.uk/waste-wizard
The statement of persons nominated and notice of poll for the election of Buckinghamshire Councillors for the Ivinghoe (includes Pitstone) area (NB 3 councillors to be elected to each ward)
The notice of election agents’ names and offices for the above candidates
The government has made twice weekly home testing for covid via lateral flow tests freely available for anyone in England from today. Windmill Pharmacy in Ivinghoe has confirmed that they have plenty of stock.
If you are not already testing twice per week via another route (eg as a parent of a school age child or through other work), you might like to consider taking advantage of this free service.
