An update from Martin Tett, Leader of Buckinghamshire Council



24 July 2024

Dear resident,

As promised, I am writing with a further update now that the new Government has set out its legislative programme in last week’s King’s Speech. I want to highlight the key elements of this which affect Buckinghamshire.

As I also said in my last update, it’s been a really active period for the council in the run up to the summer break, so I wanted to give more detail on some of that work and also some of the summer activities that are available, hence sending another quite long newsletter to you so soon after the previous one!

The King’s Speech

This is the way that a government sets out its priority policies and the legislation it intends to bring forward to support them. This King’s Speech contained no less than 40 proposed new Acts of Parliament. These covered a wide range of different public policy areas that impact us all nationally, and many of which will have specific implications for Buckinghamshire too.

New Bills cover proposals from major policies on economic growth, planning reform and devolution to buses and schools. There are proposals to limit landlords’ ability to evict tenants. Given the large number of rented properties in Buckinghamshire, that will be significant. There is a Children’s Wellbeing Bill that provides for breakfast clubs in all schools. We will need to see how that will operate and who will pay for the additional costs involved. There will be a new schools’ curriculum which must be taught in all state schools. Well publicised during the election, there will be VAT levied on all independent schools. You can read the full detail of what is being put forward by going onto the Government’s website.
https://enews.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/c/AQj0xw4Q5vBuGIyF8lYgiuTFFvGtInairbDN0ilk3PYP9Oj7R1vHGQCTTi8YKb4djed4


Planning Reform

I wanted to highlight the area of policy that I believe will have the greatest impact on our area, particularly where planning and development is concerned.

The speech included confirmation that the Government will bring forward a new Planning and Infrastructure Bill.

We don’t have all the detail yet but from what Ministers have said there appear to be two key aspects to this new Bill which will have major impacts on Buckinghamshire.

Firstly, the reimposition of ‘top down’ housing targets. This is for the number of houses actually built, not granted permission. Councils do not build houses, that is done by private house builders and some social housing providers. We do not know the actual size of these targets yet but, given the overall target of 1.5 million during the rest of this Parliament, we anticipate they will be very large. Councils will have to allocate enough land to allow for all this target, and more, to give scope for the rate at which the houses are actually built. The role of local councils and local people in deciding where these houses are built is also likely to be substantially reduced. Of course, the houses will require appropriate infrastructure such as roads, schools, doctors’ surgeries, energy, water and waste water, digital networks etc. However, it is unclear how all of these will be funded and built in the timescales. Also how does this fit with existing approved Local Plans?

The second key aspect is the move by government to have local councils reallocate much of the Green Belt, a so called ‘Grey Belt’. There is no definition of what constitutes ‘Grey Belt’. Currently about a third of Buckinghamshire is Green Belt and much of this is also in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). At present the law gives protected status to land designated as Green Belt. The Green Belt was designed to preserve in perpetuity the beauty and openness of the countryside and prevent towns and villages merging. Importantly the Green Belt is about ‘openness’, not about being parkland. It is current council policy to protect and maintain the Green Belt whenever possible, although we accept that there will always be exceptional circumstances where Green Belt can be released. It will have to be seen how Green Belt release will be required and what role will be given to councils in this process or whether developers will be able to take the initiative.

Economic growth

There is also a clear focus on economic growth through the new Bills being put forward which of course, we recognise is much needed on a national level and an important focus locally too in supporting and building our local economy and securing a bright future for Buckinghamshire and future generations here. We are currently refreshing our strong local growth plan that has been developed through the Buckinghamshire Growth Board. This outlines how our county can make a significant contribution to the UK economy as a whole through our local industries and local plans.

Devolution

We welcome further confirmation on the intent to progress the devolution agenda too. I was written to by the new Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner last week and look forward to further discussions about how devolved powers will work here after having a devolution deal for Buckinghamshire announced by the last government

Tackling the litter louts

Onto other priority areas for our residents and I’m really pleased that I can now confirm we have adopted a bold new policy to tackle littering head on – including introducing much higher penalties, which are due to come into force this week.

We’re not shying away from this; we want people to sit up and take notice, so we are launching an attention grabbing new anti-littering campaign called ‘For Bucks Sake’. We will also be issuing penalties of £500 for people who are caught littering.

Like you, I am fed up and disappointed by the sheer amount of litter that I see blighting our beautiful county and disrupting nature, especially on roadside verges. It’s the same stuff – empty drink cans, cigarette and vape packets, fast food wrapping, plastic bottles and containers, and it’s getting worse and worse. I cannot believe that some people think it’s OK to chuck their rubbish from a vehicle, yet many people seem to be doing this – and think they can get away with it.

Not anymore.

We are among the first councils to use these new powers of higher fines – and a quicker route to catching and punishing the culprits. We are also using a powerful new weapon in our armoury – dashcam footage. We will be leading the way on this by directly appealing to people to send us any footage they might have of littering – captured in a way that is of course, safe and legal.

We are inviting people to upload footage and photos to our new webpage
https://enews.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/c/AQj0xw4Q5vBuGIyF8lYgi-TFFq1BW1lz7ZueiNaefuPK5yWBrRASEADQyNbpBY4PtBl0
if their dashcam has captured someone in a vehicle chucking litter out of the window. With car registration details, this will provide us with the evidence we need to trace and fine the culprit. The new policy will also allow us in the coming months to prosecute through the civil process meaning it will be the vehicle owner who will be liable, whether they threw the litter or not – this should encourage drivers to ensure their passengers do the right thing, and hopefully encourage passengers not to risk the driver being given a penalty for littering!

I hope that the new approach and penalties will prove a powerful deterrent.

Have your say

I wanted to draw your attention to some important consultations we have at the moment that we want to invite you to comment on to ensure you are a part of shaping these policies. Of particular note, we are proposing some changes to our library service, including introducing longer opening hours, and extending some self-service aspects, whilst retaining face to face contacts during core hours. We are also currently consulting on our Housing Allocations Policy for social housing tenants and our draft Air Quality Action Plan.

These are really important council services and policies to many of you, so please do visit our ‘Your Voice Bucks’
https://enews.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/c/AQj0xw4Q5vBuGIyF8lYgjOTFFp86-wWPQRaRH6XdfdcJZefAyxHkgTwlVaXrfTisv6_y
webpage to comment and be involved in the decision-making process.

Summer break

We have reached the end of another school year and the start, for many, of the summer break. I’m sure many of you have holidays planned, whether at home or abroad, and I hope you can also make the most of the array of wonderful walks, events and attractions we have on our doorstep here in Buckinghamshire.

We have many low-cost and free activities and events on the Buckinghamshire Family Information Service website
https://enews.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/c/AQj0xw4Q5vBuGIyF8lYgjeTFFqJkdBeTb3KsoySCq0gfg11e3oQcE_M6HVPdu-aex3B6
so I urge you to take a look if you want ideas on keeping children – and adults alike – entertained! There are also full details of how to access all aspects of family support and advice on these webpages if you need it.

I also wanted to affirm our continued support for local families over the summer too. We know juggling finances over the summer months can be tricky. We are running our Holiday Activities and Food programme across the summer for families who get benefits-related free school meals, so those children have access to free childcare and a healthy meal all provided within the scheme. We have also issued £50 food vouchers to eligible families too, to help with food costs over the summer. I remain very conscious that for many households the cost of living still presents a significant challenge and I hope this support makes a difference.

Well done to schools and students

I also want to thank all school staff and school leaders for their hard work over the last academic year and wish all the very best to students, particularly those awaiting exam results in the coming weeks. I’m really proud of the achievements of all of our schools that we celebrated in our recent School Awards. We have a higher level of children and young people attending good and outstanding schools than the national average and this is testament to everyone involved, families, students and the tireless efforts of teachers and all who work in schools. I hope you can enjoy a well-earned break in the coming weeks.

Proud of Bucks!

Last, but not least; nominations are now open for our annual ‘Proud of Bucks’ awards.
https://enews.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/c/AQj0xw4Q5vBuGIyF8lYgjuTFFoBXLwUzBHho1V6T94rfrN8Pyc3uqjDTELY9ndB-O_sW
Is there someone who you think is a community hero worthy of more recognition? These awards, being run through our sixteen Community Boards, aim to shine a light on the incredible contributions of the unsung heroes in our communities across the county so please take a look how to make a nomination if you have someone in mind!

I hope you have a great summer and that we can finally see the back of the rain!

Stay safe and well,

Yours,

Martin Tett
Leader of Buckinghamshire Council

Appeal for witnesses following rape - Iver

Thames Valley Police is appealing for witnesses following reports of a rape in South Buckinghamshire.

The incident occurred between 9:45pm and 10:15pm on Thursday 25 May 2023 in Iver Recreational Ground.

The victim, a woman in her twenties, was out walking in the evening when she was approached by a male and raped.

The offender is described as male wearing all black, including a black face covering with a black hood. He is believed to be approximately 5'8" in height.

Investigating officer DS Christopher Birtles based at Amersham police station, said: “We appreciate that this is a distressing incident and we are investigating with the utmost priority.

“We would like to appeal to anybody who may have witnessed this incident or been in the area at the time to please get in touch. Any information, even if it seems insignificant, could be the missing piece we need.

“You can get in touch by either making a report online or by calling 101 quoting reference number 43230230544.

“Alternatively, for 100% anonymity, you can also call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Superintendent Emma Burroughs, LPA Commander for South Buckinghamshire, said: “The devastating impact of sexual offences on both the victim and our communities is huge. You have my word that we are doing everything in our power to bring this offender to justice.

“We have additional officer patrols in place throughout the Bank Holiday weekend as well as a dedicated team of specialist detectives investigating. We stand with you, our community, against violence against women and girls. It will not be tolerated.”



Message Sent By
Emily Boneham
(Police, Campaigns Officer, Thames Valley)

Bucks County Council has installed traffic cameras at the following places and will, with immediate effect, take drivers to court for performing incorrect manoeuvres at them.

Proposed locations

1)Amersham - Gore Hill - No right turn out of Fieldway on to Gore Hill

2)Amersham - Whielden Lane A404 - No right turn into Whielden Street

3)Amersham - Amersham Road (A413) junction with Pipers Wood - No U-turn

4)Aylesbury - Mandeville Road - No right turn into private road (back of Asda near hospital)

5)Buckingham - High Street at the junction with Moreton Road A413 (running parallel to A422) - No entry

6)Buckingham - Well Street - Environmental weight restriction - Prohibition of goods vehicles exceeding 7.5 T

7)Chalfont St Peter - Oval Way outside Thorpe House School - School keep clear

8)Chesham - High Street - Pedestrian zone - prohibition of motor vehicles except loading for commercial vehicles

9)Gerrards Cross - Packhorse Road junction with Station Road - Entering yellow box junction with no clear exit

10)High Wycombe - Corporation Street - Prohibition of vehicles except buses and taxis (Hackney carriages only)

11)High Wycombe - Hamilton Road outside The Royal Grammar School - School keep clear

12)High Wycombe - Marlow Hill junction with School Close - Entering yellow box junction with no clear exit

13)High Wycombe - Castle Street - No entry except for buses

14)Wexham - Uxbridge Road at the junction with Black Park Road - No U-turn

I took these photos in August, so I hope it's still there.

Someone put a great deal of time and love into making this.

(Just by the doctor's surgery in Stoke Poges.)

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-berkshire-57425534

Black Park,Langley Park,Denham Park
HIGH WINDS PARKS CLOSURE 21/05/2021
Please be aware the Country Parks will be closed on Friday 21st May 2021 due to the forecasted high winds. The forecasted speeds are above our threshold and for the safety of the public and our staff the parks will remain closed. We will reopen as soon as possible but please be aware that we will not open until checks have taken place and any required clear up is carried out. Please check for the latest updates on reopening.

On Saturday I had 12 inches of hair cut off and instantly felt better! Felt so light and free with all that heavy thick hair gone.
What makes YOU feel instantly better and a million dollars?

Received this today from a friend

COVID communication survey

In July we launched the COVID communication survey. This survey gives residents the opportunity to feedback on the key messaging and will help us ensure that we are reaching the right people with the right message.

We are encouraging champions to provide their own feedback by completing the survey, and also to share the survey amongst their friends, families and resident groups.

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/GR5W5SS

Get fit to fight Covid - Slough

The approved plans include:
Plot A will be facing Station Road with an access road where up to 60 homes are proposed – which the applicant said would be 100 per cent affordable houses – with retail, pubs, takeaways, and an energy centre which the centre could accommodate with 800 sqm of floor space on the northern part of plot A.
Plot B would dominate the site as the enormous data centre will be placed there which could take up to 93,000 sqm gross of floor space with offices, a sub-station, and up to 150 car parking spaces – one space per employee at the centre.

My concern is every increasing pressures on our GP surgeries resources- hard enough to get to see a DR at the moment !

THE Slough Conservatives are demanding the government intervene in the council’s controversial A4 bus lanes trial.

The opposing Tories revealed they have written to the Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps, to intervene and review the council’s ‘rushed’ and ‘botched’ implementation of bus lanes from Huntercombe Spur to Uxbridge Road.

They have also called for the government to look into Slough Borough Council’s ‘abuse’ of its grant from the active travel fund – the local authority received over £200,000 with around £50,000 spent on the bus and cycle lanes.
In the letter, the Slough Conservatives believe the experimental trial has done the exact opposite of what the scheme set out to do without any public consultation.
They believe the bus lanes have increased traffic congestion, made air quality worse due to long queues, worsened public safety, not improved social distancing and believe the council has ‘misused’ public funds...

I have been listening and watching the news about testing and have noticed that Sloughs covid drive thru testing site is appointment only now. I wonder how long it will stay that?
With people being encouraged to go back to work isn’t testing more important than ever?

The first hybrid walk-in and drive-in testing centre in the country is being set up in Slough and will be operational from Wednesday (24 June) afternoon.

The testing centre will be based in the Montem Car Park, Montem Lane and anyone with symptoms – and for the first time people who are not symptomatic but concerned they may be infected – will be able visit for a test either by foot or in a car.

The site is being provided by the Department for Health and Social Care and is being facilitated by the council.

The centre will be open for those who wish to make an appointment and those who just want to drop-in, though the council is warning drop-ins may have a slightly longer wait.

If coming by car:
Up to four people can come together in the same vehicle

All ages can attend

Tests will be administered by visitors under the guidance of trained testing staff on site

There is no geographical limit on where people can visit from

Actual testing should take between 15 and 30 minutes


If walking:
All attendees over the age of three are required to wear face coverings or they will not be able to take part

Children three and under are not required to wear masks

Special area for testing for those who do not wish to remove face coverings in public

Curtained area available

Parents are welcome to bring children

Actual testing should take between 15 and 30 minutes


Josie Wragg, chief executive, said: “We are proud to be facilitating, not only a site with huge capacity for testing but also one which is the first hybrid site in the country – where people can drive and walk in with no appointment.

“We have been reassured there will be plenty of assistance on site and we would encourage anyone with symptoms or who is concerned they may have covid symptoms, not just now but in the coming weeks to pop along and get a test.

“In an area like Slough, which has seen relatively high levels of infection and has a large black and ethnic minority population which is more at risk of both catching the virus and getting more severe complications from it, having such a site in our borough is excellent and improves testing accessibility for both our residents and those in surrounding areas.”

The site is expected to be operational on Wednesday (24 June) afternoon.

Other access to the Montem Car Park is now restricted and residents are requested not to attempt to park on the site and use other cut throughs between Chalvey and the A4.

My thoughts are with the parents of the 15 yr old who was stabbed to death in Salt Hill Park this evening. Seems there’s always drama in that park. I can’t imagine the pain they must be feeling right now.
Langley high st was closed on Tuesday after a stabbing in the afternoon.
Keep safe out there everyone ❤️

Does anyone in Langley ever see scrap metal collectors around anymore?

Hi guys,
Forgot the correct link!
Here is a link to the Langley directory we helped put together with others in the community
http://new-langley-community-association.org/DirectoryMarch17.pdf

http://www.slough.communitydatabase.co.uk/groups
A ( kinda) up to date list of groups in Slough for help, information and support

https://sloughcvs.org/events-calendar/
Good events calendar to find an activity for you to enjoy!

Hi all! We still need volunteers for both one to one befriending and volunteering on various new group projects we are trying to get off the ground.
If you can spare an hour or two a week, or month, or ad hoc! please do message me.
We DBS check all of our volunteers and have lovely people who donate time to either companionship of an older person or taking that person to a group or shopping or giving a lift to a medical appointment.
Whatever time and skill service you can offer please do get in touch.
www.giveandtakecare.co.uk