We asked for views on a statutory notice for the proposed closure of The Mary Towerton Primary School at Studley Green, High Wycombe.
The consultation ran from 28 April to 26 May 2023.
This followed an initial consultation on the proposal from 28 February to 2 April 2023.
We received 10 responses to the consultation:
Of the 10 responses:
No respondents said they were parents / carers of pupils currently at the school.
On 3 July 2023, the Leader of Buckinghamshire Council approved the closure of The Mary Towerton School with effect from 31 August 2023.
The responses to either consultation did not include any alternative proposals to closure from external organisations or local schools.
We asked for views on whether you agreed with the proposal to close The Mary Towerton Primary School at Studley Green, High Wycombe.
The consultation ran from 28 February to 2 April 2023.
We received 51 responses to the consultation:
Of the 51 who responded, 21 (41%) were in agreement with the proposal to close the school from 31st August 2023; 24 (47%) did not agree; and, 6 (12%) didn’t know or didn’t say.
Of the 51 responses received 45 (88%) said that they understood why the proposal had been made to consult on closure of the school. 3 (6%) said that they didn’t understand the proposal and 3 (6%) that they didn’t know.
Together with the Governing Board of The Mary Towerton School, we have considered the responses to the consultation.
As it did not provide any viable options to support the school remaining open, on Friday 28 April 2023 we published a statutory proposal for closure.
We asked for views on a proposal to increase fees for taxi and private hire licensing services.
The consultation ran from 15 February to 15 March 2023.
We received 210 responses to the consultation:
Most respondents (67%) were members of the taxi and private hire trade or trade representatives.
88% of respondents objected to the proposed fees. Main reasons:
53% of respondents said it was not acceptable for the tax-payer to cover the cost of the licensing service. Main reasons:
More information about the taxi and private hire licensing fees consultation responses (PDF 1.99MB).
At its meeting on 11 April 2023, Buckinghamshire Council approved the proposed Taxi and private hire licensing fees – to take effect on 24 April 2023.
We are required by law to provide the taxi and private hire licensing service. Unless costs are subsidised by the taxpayer, the service should be cost neutral and operate at no cost to the taxpayer.
We asked for views to help us further shape Buckinghamshire libraries – whether you used a library, or not:
The survey ran from 18 November 2022 to 15 January 2023.
We received 802 responses to the survey.
Views on draft purpose, vision and priorities:
What respondents use libraries for, top 5 options:
What would encourage respondents to use libraries more:
We also ran several engagement events to gather feedback and identify opportunities:
More information about what respondents told us is in the Buckinghamshire Libraries Strategy.
At its meeting on 21 March 2023, Buckinghamshire Council approved the Buckinghamshire Libraries Strategy.
We used your feedback to:
Feedback about what would encourage respondents to use libraries more will be used to help develop what libraries offer.
Buckinghamshire Libraries will work with staff, volunteers, and partners to develop a detailed action plan to achieve the strategy. This plan will be reviewed every year.
We asked for your views on a draft strategy to support children and young people’s therapy needs in Buckinghamshire.
The consultation ran from 21 November 2022 to 9 January 2023.
During the consultation period we ran a number of stakeholder sessions, including:
We also developed a tailored approach to support children and young people to take part, including a response sheet for non-verbal children and young people, an offer of group or 1:1 feedback sessions, and guidance for parents, carers and professionals.
We received 83 responses to the consultation.
The majority of respondents (67.5%) agreed or strongly agreed with the vision.
The majority of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with the three priority areas:
More information on the consultation approach, analysis and summary of feedback.
We have published the key themes from the consultation responses and what we have done, or are planning to do, as a result.
On 11 August 2023, the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, on behalf of the Leader, approved the strategy for adoption.
We asked for views on proposals for:
The consultation ran from 19 October to 4 December 2022.
Spare Seats scheme charging options
We received 72 responses to the Spare Seats scheme charging proposals.
Spare seat charging options respondents preferred:
Respondents thought the flat fee option was the:
Updates to our home to school transport policies
We received 51 responses to the home to school transport policy updates
61% of respondents found the policies easy to understand.
More information about the results of the home to school transport consultation (PDF 0.54MB).
On 19 April 2023, the Leader of Buckinghamshire Council agreed the:
Following consultation feedback, we have made further updates to the policies to make them clearer:
Public Spaces Protection Orders are aimed at ensuring public spaces can be enjoyed free from anti-social behaviour. They provide us with legal powers to deal with a particular nuisance or problem in a defined area.
We asked for views on how the PSPO was addressing anti-social behaviour in the area and whether it should be varied and extended for a further 3 years.
The consultation ran from 31 October to 28 November 2022.
We received 17 responses to the consultation:
Responses from Thames Valley Police indicate complaints have reduced. Police and council officer patrols have seen a decrease in anti-social behaviour.
For more information, please see the consultation findings report (PDF 0.53MB).
On 15 February 2023, the Leader of Buckinghamshire Council agreed to vary and extend the High Wycombe Town Centre Public Spaces Protection Order for a further three years.
Without this order there is likely to be an increase in the frequency or seriousness of anti-social behaviour.
Public Spaces Protection Orders are aimed at ensuring public spaces can be enjoyed free from anti-social behaviour. They provide us with legal powers to deal with a particular nuisance or problem in a defined area.
We asked for views on how the PSPO was addressing anti-social behaviour in the area and whether it should be extended for a further 3 years.
The consultation ran from 31 October to 28 November 2022.
We received 28 responses to the consultation:
Responses from Thames Valley Police indicate complaints have reduced. Police and council officer patrols have seen a decrease in anti-social behaviour.
For more information, please see the consultation findings report (PDF 0.53MB).
On 15 February 2023, the Leader of Buckinghamshire Council agreed to extend the Dorney Lake Public Spaces Protection Order for a further three years.
Without this order there is likely to be an increase in the frequency or seriousness of anti-social behaviour.
Public Spaces Protection Orders are aimed at ensuring public spaces can be enjoyed free from anti-social behaviour. They provide us with legal powers to deal with a particular nuisance or problem in a defined area.
We asked for views on how the PSPO was addressing anti-social behaviour in the area and whether it should be extended for a further 3 years.
The consultation ran from 31 October to 28 November 2022.
We received 9 responses to the consultation:
Responses from Thames Valley Police indicate complaints have reduced. The order has been a key part of police responses to incidents and when policing annual events.
Police and council officer patrols have seen a decrease in anti-social behaviour.
For more information, please see the consultation findings report (PDF 0.53MB).
On 15 February 2023, the Leader of Buckinghamshire Council agreed to extend the Desborough Road, High Wycombe Public Spaces Protection Order for a further three years.
Without this order there is likely to be an increase in the frequency or seriousness of anti-social behaviour.
Public Spaces Protection Orders are aimed at ensuring public spaces can be enjoyed free from anti-social behaviour. They provide us with legal powers to deal with a particular nuisance or problem in a defined area.
We asked for views on how the PSPO was addressing anti-social behaviour in the area and whether it should be extended for a further 3 years.
The consultation ran from 31 October to 28 November 2022.
We received 33 responses to the consultation:
Responses from Thames Valley Police indicate complaints have reduced. The order has been a key feature of police operations to tackle anti-social behaviour in these car parks.
Police and council officer patrols have seen a decrease in anti-social behaviour.
For more information, please see the consultation findings report (PDF 0.53MB).
On 15 February 2023, the Leader of Buckinghamshire Council agreed to extend the Chiltern area car parks Public Spaces Protection Order for a further three years.
Without this order there is likely to be an increase in the frequency or seriousness of anti-social behaviour.
Each year we must prepare a budget. All councils have a legal duty to limit their spending to the income they receive each year - our budget must balance.
Most of our annual budget needs to be spent on the services we are required by law to provide, such as social care for adults and children.
We consulted on the proposed budget allocation and service priorities from 12 October to 20 November 2022.
We received 1,805 responses to the consultation:
Views on proposed allocation of annual budget for 2023 to 2024:
The top 10 services where respondents felt we should prioritise funding:
The top 10 services where respondents felt we should not prioritise funding:
More information about the budget consultation results (PDF 1.58 MB).
The consultation results were reviewed by Cabinet, alongside the final budget report, at its meeting on 5 January 2023.
During the week of 9 January 2023, the Budget Scrutiny Select Committee Inquiry reviewed and challenged the budget proposals.
They made recommendations on potential changes to the budget which were presented to Cabinet on 14 February 2023.
At its meeting on 22 February 2023, Buckinghamshire Council approved the proposed budget allocation for 2023 to 2024.
Details of all the proposed budget changes (PDF 0.19MB).
We asked for views on the draft Aylesbury Vale Area Design Supplementary Planning Document.
The consultation ran from 21 September to 2 November 2022.
We received 72 responses to the consultation.
As part of the process of developing planning policies, we have published the responses received in a Consultation and Adoption Statement.
In the Consultation and Adoption Statement, we have published our response and what modification was made, if any, for each comment we received.
On 26 June 2023, the Leader of Buckinghamshire Council approved the Aylesbury Vale Area Design Supplementary Planning Document for adoption.
Every year, the Safer Buckinghamshire Board runs a survey to understand community safety concerns from the past 12 months, including:
The survey ran from 5 September to 30 October 2022.
We received 1,264 responses to the survey.
Top concerns related to crime in 2022:
Top concerns related to anti-social behaviour in 2022:
Top concerns related to alcohol and drugs in 2022:
We asked how safe or unsafe respondents felt in their local area at the following times:
More information about what you told us is in the Safer Buckinghamshire Strategy 2023 to 2026.
At its meeting on 9 May 2023, Buckinghamshire Council agreed the Safer Buckinghamshire Strategy 2023 to 2026.
The strategy sets out priorities to 2026 for Buckinghamshire to be one of the safest places to grow up, raise a family, live, work and do business.
We used your views, a strategic assessment of community safety and other insight to create 5 priorities:
The priorities focus on known causes of crime and concerns of people in Buckinghamshire. Each priority will have a partnership action plan – to reduce crime and increase community safety.
The Safer Buckinghamshire Board will continue to work with local communities to understand concerns and deliver these priorities.
More information about each priority, and how the partnership will deliver them, is in the Safer Buckinghamshire Strategy 2023 to 2026.
We asked for views on 6 proposed traffic calming measures along London Road, Aston Clinton. The measures aimed to reduce vehicle speeds, reduce ‘rat-running’ and improve pedestrian safety.
The consultation ran from 17 August to 16 September 2022.
We received 148 responses to the consultation:
Respondents to the online survey were asked whether they supported or opposed the 6 traffic calming proposals:
We have responded to comments received during the consultation (PDF 0.13MB).
There have been no significant changes to the proposed designs for zones 2, 3 and 4.
We have heard views on future phases of traffic calming, particularly in zones 1 and 5 where you enter Aston Clinton. Where feasible, we are proposing to introduce some of these measures earlier than planned.
Following the Leader decision on 23 January 2023, the project team will:
Keep up to date on the progress of the Traffic calming: London Road, Aston Clinton project.
We are replacing the former district councils self-build registers with a single register for Buckinghamshire.
The self-build and custom housebuilding register is a record of people looking to acquire land within their area, to build a home.
We asked for views on:
The consultation ran from 27 June to 8 August 2022.
We received 74 responses to the consultation.
Over 80% of respondents lived in Buckinghamshire and there was overwhelming support for the introduction of a local connection test.
Just under half agreed with the local connection criteria and the length of connection required. Roughly equal amounts of respondents wanted either longer (16%) or shorter (13%) connection periods.
Of the respondents who made further comments, the main concerns / issues raised were:
On 15 September 2022, the Leader of Buckinghamshire Council agreed to implement a single self-build and custom housebuilding register, incorporating a local connection test and administration fees.
Following the consultation, we have:
For more information, please see the self-build and custom housebuilding register webpage.
Public Spaces Protection Orders are aimed at ensuring public spaces can be enjoyed free from anti-social behaviour. They provide us with legal powers to deal with a particular nuisance or problem in a defined area.
We asked for views on how the PSPO was addressing anti-social behaviour in the area and whether the PSPO should be extended for a further 3 years.
The consultation ran from 27 June to 25 July 2022.
We received 27 responses to the consultation.
78% agreed with extension of the PSPO. 59% thought there was a problem with anti-social behaviour in the area, 11% didn’t know.
For more information, please see the consultation findings report (PDF 0.83MB).
On 5 October 2022, the Deputy Leader, on behalf of the Leader, of Buckinghamshire Council agreed to extend the Chiltern Alcohol Restrictions Public Spaces Protection Order for a further 3 years.
Representations were received requesting the inclusion of drugs paraphernalia in the order.
After research and discussion, it was felt that this would be unenforceable due to the forensic proof required and resource needed.
Public Spaces Protection Orders are aimed at ensuring public spaces can be enjoyed free from anti-social behaviour. They provide us with legal powers to deal with a particular nuisance or problem in a defined area.
We asked for views on how the PSPO was addressing anti-social behaviour in the area and whether the PSPO should be extended for a further 3 years.
The consultation ran from 27 June to 25 July 2022.
We received 7 responses to the consultation.
100% agreed with extension of the PSPO.
For more information, please see the consultation findings report (PDF 0.83MB).
On 5 October 2022, the Deputy Leader, on behalf of the Leader, of Buckinghamshire Council agreed to extend the Aylesbury Vale Parks and Open Spaces Public Spaces Protection Order for a further 3 years.
All Health and Wellbeing Boards (HWB) have a responsibility to publish a Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA).
The purpose of the PNA is to:
We consulted on the draft PNA for Buckinghamshire from 23 May to 24 July 2022.
We received 36 responses to the consultation, 29 via the consultation survey.
29 responses were from members of the public, the other responses were from:
A number of survey respondents to did not agree with the findings:
We received 17 comments about the Berryfields Estate development.
For more information about the consultation responses, please see ‘Appendix D - Consultation report’ Buckinghamshire Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment 2022 to 2025 (PDF 5.30MB).
On 22 September 2022, the Health and Wellbeing Board reviewed the draft PNA and consultation responses.
The Buckinghamshire Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment 2022 to 2025 (PDF 5.3MB) was adopted to cover 1 October 2022 to 30 September 2025.
Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment steering group response to the consultation:
The steering group appreciates the time and consideration that members of the public and stakeholders have taken to respond. The group acknowledges the enthusiasm for a pharmacy within the Berryfields Estate.
The PNA is carried out using a fair and systematic process set out by the Department of Health and Social Care. It is also reviewed by the HWB every three years or if there are changes in local pharmacy provision, or local need.
The steering group reviewed the provision of pharmacy services for the Berryfields Estate development. They considered the current population, projected population increases, accessibility, deprivation and population make-up.
The PNA considers that there are no gaps in the current and future provision of essential services to 30 September 2025.
The HWB will review the conclusions periodically in response to any unforeseen changes in pharmacy provision up to 2025. It also recommends a review of its findings considering the progression of the Berryfields Estate development in the next PNA.
For more information about the steering group's response, please see ‘Appendix D - Consultation report’ Buckinghamshire Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment 2022 to 2025 (PDF 5.30MB).
We have a legal duty to prepare and publish an Accessibility Strategy.
This outlines our responsibilities, as the local authority, as well as those of maintained schools, to ensure that all students can access the education and opportunities that best suit their needs.
We launched a consultation with our key partners to shape the final version of the strategy. This was aimed at:
The consultation ran from 8 June 2022 to 18 July 2022.
We received 8 responses to the consultation:
75% of respondents agreed that the strategy was easy to understand. One respondent said that the language used in the strategy could be made more reader friendly.
We used the consultation feedback to update the final strategy:
On 17 November 2022, the Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, on behalf of the Leader of Buckinghamshire Council, approved the Accessibility Strategy 2022 to 2025. The strategy was then published on our website.
We asked for views on the draft development brief for Land off Amersham Road in Hazlemere.
The consultation ran from 6 June to 18 July 2022.
We received over 100 responses to the consultation.
Responses via the consultation webpage were very supportive of the development brief objectives, notably objective 2 creating a comprehensive development.
The main themes from respondents are outlined below:
For more information about the consultation responses, please see the:
Following the consultation, we have considered the consultation responses and reviewed the contents of the brief before publishing the final version (PDF 9.01MB).
Your feedback helped shape the development brief. The changes made to the development brief in response to the consultation are: