Buckingham pavement potholes filled in

Posted on 11th September 2019 by office

Repair of long term pavement defects on Church Street, funded by the scheme

Buckingham Town Council has been working with Buckinghamshire County Council to cut down on wait times for road and footpath repairs in Buckingham.

Under a new devolved pilot scheme, Buckingham was chosen as one of five town and parish councils who have been given permission and funding to tackle issues such as potholes on minor roads directly. Under the agreement, Buckingham Town Council had enough funding to repair 140 defects in local roads and paths in Buckingham with a speed limit of 30mph or less. Following a review of complaints and a survey by Town Councillors, each defect was identified as one that could be significantly improved with small repairs. This has included 136 potholes, relaying slabs and creating new footpath drain channels.

While some roads could not be worked on as they are in need of total resurfacing, these small repairs are important to keep pedestrians and cyclists safe and protect vehicles from pothole damage.

The works would not have taken place without this scheme, so the Town Council has been able to provide improvements in partnership with the County Council for the first time.

Cllr. Ruth Newell

Buckingham Town Councillor Ruth Newell, chair of the Environment Committee that agreed the work said Buckingham Town Councillor Ruth Newell, chair of the Environment Committee that agreed the work said “I am so glad that we were able to take part in this scheme, that I fully supported as we were able to focus the repairs on the defective roads and paths that were important to Buckingham people …”

Mark Shaw, Buckinghamshire County Council Deputy Leader and Transport Cabinet Member said: “Town and parish councils have their feet firmly on the ground and can react quickly to local highways needs, which makes the partnership between Buckingham Town Council and the County Council of enormous benefit to residents and businesses in the town.”

Grants for 2020/21 are now open!

Posted on 10th September 2019 by office

Do you think Buckingham needs a community fridge? Does your sports club need new equipment? A support group for a health condition? Is there an environmental project your group would love to run?

Buckingham Town Council’s grant process is now open for the financial year 2020/2021. The process to apply is simple – complete a form for Buckingham Town

Council to consider, along with information about the group that is applying for funding and get it back to us by 12 noon on Friday 1st November.

A few rules apply:

Grants will only be considered for projects and activities beneficial to the people of Buckingham.
Grant recipients must be based in Buckingham or provide evidence of the percentage of the work that is conducted in or on behalf of Buckingham residents.
No commercial organisation will be considered for a grant.

More information and copies of the forms are available on the Grant Applications page.

Audio version of the Summer 2019 newsletter.

Posted on 27th August 2019 by office

The audio version of the summer 2019 Buckingham Town Matters newsletter is now online. If you would like any more information about anything you have heard or read about in the newsletter, please get in touch with the Town Council Office.

To find a PDF version of this newsletter, and previous editions of the Buckingham Town Matters newsletters since 2010, visit our publications page.

Next steps: Buckingham Town Council and the climate emergency

Posted on 1st August 2019 by office

Cllr Mark Cole JP, Mayor of Buckingham, signing the Mayors Covenant.

After declaring a climate emergency on the 15th July, Mayor Cllr Mark Cole JP has signed the Covenant of Mayors for climate and energy. The next step for Buckingham Town Council will be to find out more about where the Town Council is now and what changes can be made. We will be drafting a climate action plan during the autumn.

The signed covenant sets out a step-by-step approach to how local authorities can assess their current emissions, the risks of climate change and create a sustainable energy and climate actions plan within two years.

Buckingham Town Council principally commits to:

Reducing CO₂ (and possibly other greenhouse gas) emissions on its territory by at least 40% by 2030, namely through improved energy efficiency and greater use of renewable energy sources;
Increasing its resilience by adapting to the impacts of climate change.

Buckingham Town Council declares climate emergency

Posted on 16th July 2019 by office

Buckingham Town Council has declared a Climate Emergency. The Council made the decision at its meeting Monday 15th July.

Councillor Ruth Newell

It is now clear that the world has less than 12 years to switch away from fossil fuels to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. In response to a motion proposed by Councillor Ruth Newell and seconded by Councillor Robin Stuchbury, Buckingham Town Councillors discussed what they could do to draw attention to the issue, and to take action now to begin to work towards the Town Council being carbon neutral by 2030.

The Town Council also agreed to sign up to the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy to track Buckingham’s progress and link with towns around the world who are cutting emissions.

The Town Council also agreed to a second motion, supporting the need for a Climate Change Action Plan for Buckingham Town, which will be the first step towards taking some concerted actions to reduce and move towards a Net Zero Carbon Footprint for the town.

Councillor Ruth Newell, Chair of the Council’s Environment Committee, said,

“I’m really pleased that Buckingham Town Council is taking the lead in recognising that we need to take actions locally to address climate change. We look forward to working with local groups, as well as reviewing our own operations to take immediate action, and also to plan for longer term changes, such as the vehicles we use. There are so many no-cost and low-cost options available that when combined with the funding available to community and other organisations we can start to play an increased role in combating climate change.”

25,000 Chub and Dace added to the River Great Ouse

Posted on 12th July 2019 by office

An extra 25,000 Chub and Dace were added to the River Great Ouse today, 12th July, along the stretch between Radclive to Thornborough Mill by the Environment Agency.

This is the second restock by the Environment Agency in the Buckingham area after a pollution incident in the summer of 2018, and is a great step forward for the recovery of the river. Other positive signs have been noted by residents and River Wardens in the last year, including video footage of otters emerging from the river.

Today’s restock took place near Hunter St Bridge and in Bourton Park within Buckingham.

To learn more about how you can be involved in caring for the river in Buckingham, read about the River Wardens scheme on our Buckingham Parks page.

All new parks guides!

Posted on 9th July 2019 by office

Now live! Buckingham’s new mobile friendly parks guides: with maps, play areas and nature haven spots as well as handy information about toilets, walking, cycling, parking and more!

Visit buckingham-tc.gov.uk/our-services/parks-and-green-spaces to explore and discover more.

The new parks guide has been developed as part of making Buckingham’s Town Council website more accessible and mobile phone friendly.

What else would you like to see covered in more detail on your Town Council site?

Notice of Review of Polling districts & Polling Places

Posted on 2nd April 2019 by ricky

Aylesbury Vale District Council are conducting a review of existing Polling Stations and districts. Submissions are welcomed from residents, electors, local council and local constituency political parties as well as groups and persons with particular interest or expertise in access to premises or facilities for persons who have different forms of disability.
More information, current polling arrangements and a submission form can be optained via aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/council-democracy and a copy of the submission form is linked below.

Aylesbury Vale 2019 Polling station and polling district review submission form
Notice of review for Boards 2019

Community Tree Planting at Lace Hill

Posted on 1st March 2019 by ricky

An impressive 20 volunteers from the local community came along to the Town Council’s Tree Planting Day on Sunday February 2019 at Lace Hill Football Pitches. Volunteers included Buckingham Rotary Club, Buckingham’s Tree Wardens and Town Council staff and Councillors. With plenty of people turning up to lend a hand and lighten the workload, it was a successful and cheerful day of planting.
Volunteers helped to plant 280 saplings to improve the appearance of this green space and slow the wind down through a mosaic of predominantly broadleaved trees. The saplings were secured from Cole’s Nurseries through generous donation from Buckingham’s Rotary Club to create a native shelterbelt around the pitch and will help to improve biodiversity in the area.
Councillor Margaret Gateley, who also joined in the event, said “It was great to work alongside various community groups on a glorious sunny morning. I look forward to going back in a few months to see how the trees are coming along. Our Estates Team will be keeping an expert eye on them in the meantime.”