High Wycombe Town Committee - Tuesday 23 June 2026, 7:00pm

High Wycombe Town Committee
Tuesday, 23rd June 2026 at 7:00pm

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Speaking:

Start of webcast

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Cllr Ed Gemmell

1 Apologies for Absence

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Mrs Elly Cook
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Maz Hussain
Cllr Ed Gemmell

2 Appointment of Vice Chairman

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3 Declarations of interest

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Cllr Ed Gemmell

4 Minutes

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5 Chairman's Update

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Cllr Chris Chilton
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Hazel Arthur-Hewitt
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Hazel Arthur-Hewitt
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Trevor Snaith
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Trevor Snaith
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Hazel Arthur-Hewitt
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Julia Wassell
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Trevor Snaith
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Wendy Morgan-Brown
Cllr Ed Gemmell

6 High Wycombe Town Committee Special Expenses Outturn 2025/26

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Fiorella Mugari
Cllr Lesley Clarke OBE
Fiorella Mugari
Cllr Chris Chilton
Fiorella Mugari
Cllr Chris Chilton
Fiorella Mugari
Cllr Chris Chilton
Fiorella Mugari
Cllr Khalil Ahmed
Cllr Khalil Ahmed
Fiorella Mugari
Cllr Hazel Arthur-Hewitt
Fiorella Mugari
Wendy Morgan-Brown
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Arman Alam
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Wendy Morgan-Brown
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Wendy Morgan-Brown
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Mr Aqib Khan

7 Capital Programme and CIL balance update

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Report for Capital Programme and CIL balance update

Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Lesley Clarke OBE
Mr Aqib Khan
Wendy Morgan-Brown
Cllr Chris Chilton
Cllr Maz Hussain
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Mr Aqib Khan
Cllr Khalil Ahmed
Mr Aqib Khan
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Julia Wassell
Mr Aqib Khan
Cllr Chris Chilton
Mr Aqib Khan
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Chris Chilton
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Mr Aqib Khan
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Chris Chilton
Cllr Arman Alam
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Mr Aqib Khan
Cllr Arman Alam
Mr Aqib Khan
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Wendy Morgan-Brown
Cllr Ed Gemmell

8 HWTC Priorities update

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Wendy Morgan-Brown
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Hazel Arthur-Hewitt
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Hazel Arthur-Hewitt
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Hazel Arthur-Hewitt
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Hazel Arthur-Hewitt
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Hazel Arthur-Hewitt
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Julia Wassell
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Trevor Snaith
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Lesley Clarke OBE
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Wendy Morgan-Brown
Cllr Trevor Snaith
Wendy Morgan-Brown
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Arman Alam
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Arman Alam
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Julia Wassell
Cllr Khalil Ahmed
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Chris Chilton
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Hazel Arthur-Hewitt
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Wendy Morgan-Brown
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Khalil Ahmed
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Julia Wassell
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Wendy Morgan-Brown
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Wendy Morgan-Brown
Cllr Chris Chilton
Cllr Ed Gemmell

9 The Nighttime Economy

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Jacqueline Ford
Susan Hynard (HWBIDCo)
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Jacqueline Ford
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Trevor Snaith
Cllr Julia Wassell
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Jacqueline Ford
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Mahboob Hussain JP
Jacqueline Ford
Susan Hynard (HWBIDCo)
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Khalil Ahmed
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Jacqueline Ford
Cllr Chris Chilton
Susan Hynard (HWBIDCo)
Cllr Hazel Arthur-Hewitt
Jacqueline Ford
Wendy Morgan-Brown
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Chris Chilton
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Lesley Clarke OBE
Cllr Trevor Snaith

10 Parking and Infrastructure Sub-Group Update

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Cllr Chris Chilton
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Chris Chilton
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Hazel Arthur-Hewitt
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Chris Chilton
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Chris Chilton
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Trevor Snaith
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Chris Chilton
Cllr Ed Gemmell

11 Cabinet Forward Plan

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Printed plan Cabinet Leader Forward Plan 15 June 2026 Cabinet

12 Work Programme

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HWTC Work Programme v4

Cllr Lesley Clarke OBE
Cllr Ed Gemmell
Cllr Hazel Arthur-Hewitt
Cllr Ed Gemmell

13 Date of Next Meeting

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Webcast Finished

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Disclaimer: This transcript was automatically generated, so it may contain errors. Please view the webcast to confirm whether the content is accurate.

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:00:08

Hello everybody, so welcome to the High Wycombe town committee meeting, Tuesday the 23rd of

1 Apologies for Absence

June 2026. Any apologies for absence? I've not had any apologies for absence Chairman.

Mrs Elly Cook - 0:00:19

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:00:22

Oh sorry, Madam. Thank you Mr Chairman, I'll be leaving 7 .45. Sorry I'll be leaving 7 .45

Cllr Maz Hussain - 0:00:28

Okay well come on we're gonna try and move the meeting forward quite quickly

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:00:34

today for a few reasons but yes thank you for that. Okay so the appointment of

2 Appointment of Vice Chairman

the vice chairman so I'm appointing Leslie Clark as the vice chairman so if

Leslie could come and join us up here please.

3 Declarations of interest

Are there any declarations of interest?

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:01:20

OK.

Thank you.

OK.

4 Minutes

Item 4, the minutes of the meetings held on the 12th of May, that was the meeting here

in the 20th of May in Aylesbury.

Anybody with any additions or comments on the minutes?

No, right, thank you very much.

5 Chairman's Update

Chairman's update, just when we start,

we would like to get through the meeting quickly today

for a number of reasons.

Obviously, pretty hot out there for everybody

and that sort of thing.

Also, we've got the football coming

and as I've been reminded by a number of people,

both members and others as this,

so we wanna get through it.

So today we're going to run with 90 seconds please

per question or comment on each item. Everybody has the opportunity to make

one comment and you'll only get to make another comment through the

Chairman's permission and if others have already had the opportunity. Okay so

that's how we'll run for the meeting today. Chris please go ahead. Mr. Chair

Cllr Chris Chilton - 0:02:18

given that football is coming home this evening and I was delighted to see

that the agenda finishes at 8 .30.

Please can we also confirm 8 .30 finish?

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:02:28

Yes, and in fact, the aim is to try and get it through

at 8 .15 if we can, but 8 .30 will be our cutoff point,

hopefully.

Fantastic, thank you.

Sorry, I wasn't aware before the meeting

that the football would sort of limit comments,

Cllr Hazel Arthur-Hewitt - 0:02:41

so I would just like to say that there is something

on this agenda that I'd like to speak about,

which I'll be quite annoyed about if I can't spend

more than like a 20 -month drive.

Which item is it?

Do you want to just mention that straight away?

So there was something mentioned in there about the crossing on Green Hill and there

was something I'd like to raise on that and I don't want to be limited on it because the

football's on.

We'll run on the 90 seconds but then now I've heard it you can come back at the end of when

everybody else has had a chance on that one then and add something extra.

Right.

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:03:12

First thing is I just want to say to everybody, look, community cool zones, we are going to

potentially smash the records in the UK,

perhaps the all -time records,

definitely the June records tomorrow

and the next day in terms of temperatures.

And the temperatures won't go down at night,

which is highly dangerous for people,

particularly those that are vulnerable

in any way whatsoever with their health.

So it would be good if people can let others know

within their communities and on Facebook

and whatever else they're posting on,

that first, everybody is welcome

to come into the reception of the council

over the next few days, which is air conditioned,

and then get a bit of respite

in the air conditioned reception.

The library is also available in High Wycombe,

and the next nearest would be Amersham,

which is also air conditioned.

People can go there as well.

And I think it would be also wonderful

if we could encourage other organisations,

businesses, et cetera, or if you have an organisation,

if you're in one, that has air conditioned receptions

or other areas, that they might come out

and say that that's available to people local to that area.

We're going into a very dangerous time.

And just to let members know to some extent,

I just came down from London Climate Action Week

where I was speaking in a conference.

I mean, this year is the coolest year

you will can now experience.

Every single year is going to get hotter.

And the terrifying thing about what's happening now

is that we're moving into a super heating stage

with the super El Nino and the scientists

have been warning us about this.

But it hasn't really begun.

So the heating we've seen in May and June

is purely due to climate change and emissions,

and we haven't seen the extra heating on top,

which is gonna come in the next 18 months.

So I think as a thing that I think we could all consider

in the future, it isn't on the agenda tonight,

but we will bring it forward I think in the future,

is how we try and keep our communities safe

from the heat as we move forward,

what we can do or what we can inspire

and encourage others to do as well to make everybody safe.

So just bearing that in mind considering the position we're

in now we had a good.

How do we say sort of pre meeting with counsellors I want

to run through that and a few other updates and things

as well so other people who went in the pre meet as well

can ask further questions but it'll move us on as well.

We have we previously have come up with our plans it's come

through several times where we have priority areas I will

reread them out reminding everybody as well tonight.

So economy and jobs, environment,

public realm improvements, community support and health,

youth and education, visitors and green spaces.

And I would encourage within those areas,

if there's anything you can do to help us move forward

positive action in those areas, then please get on with it.

And if that's chatting to companies,

inspiring community groups,

looking for cooperating partners in these areas

that can help it, it would be great

if counsellors came forward,

not just to some extent with the problems that need fixing

in their wards or whatever it is,

but with positive stakeholders and partners

who can help us with things.

So please reach out to smaller, medium -sized businesses,

to major corporations, organisations, to faith groups,

whoever might help in some of these,

go and reach out and let's see what we can do

in terms of inspiring our community in all of these areas.

We then had a number, or have,

a number of immediate focus areas

that had come out of all the meetings

that I was doing previously with everybody. One was the nighttime economy, not going to

say anything on that now because Jacqueline will be presenting today. The next one, which

was a big priority for almost everybody, is youth. So it came out yesterday and I'm sort

of looking for nods through from those, from everybody here today because this is what

the, essentially the consensus from yesterday's pre -meet. But if anybody has questions, please

come in and we can do a question on it as well. So we wanted to request a presentation

either from Councillor Carl Jackson and or the Buckinghamshire Council officers on what's

happening currently for youth in Wickham. So we all get a full idea of actually what's

on the table already. And the idea is to have that as a standalone hybrid meeting, not here,

where we just get 10 minutes or 20 minutes to do it. Everybody can come along and question

in detail, particularly about NEETs. So everyone's heard about that in the news at the moment,

but those that are not in educational training. And good points were made yesterday about

those who are hidden or disabled, who are NEETs as well.

And the idea is to get a proper presentation

from the council and we can all then find out more

about what's going on.

We're asking as well for the council,

now by the way, if you want to come in and interject,

if not, I'm assuming we're nodding these through.

This is mainly the consensus,

or all the consensus of what happened yesterday.

We also want to ask Bucks Council formally

to get any information on youth workers in the council.

Do they exist?

If they do, what are they doing?

What's the plan in the future?

what are they doing in Wickham?

So again, we can advise, scrutinise,

and then help to enhance.

Get a list together and say that we know

of all the youth clubs in Wickham,

consider how details of youth activities might be provided,

particularly on the basis that social media

is now gonna be restricted for youth.

So how are the youth gonna find out

about the activities that are going on,

which helps them not to get involved with drugs

or other antisocial behaviour and things?

So trying to get ourselves the information

to move that forward.

Also trying to get the information on how schools

are already ensuring that kids get work experience.

So if we could ask the officers to look into that

so that we get a baseline for how work experience

is happening because in order to help those,

particularly in deprived areas, but all of those,

we want all of our kids to get some work experience,

how can we help with that area?

We had in our medium term focus, so not an immediate one,

but looking at how we could help those

in the unparished area in the state schools,

possibly evening up the opportunity and access

to get to the grammar schools.

It's not a work programme yet,

but it's something we have talked about previously.

Trees, we're also requesting a specific tree meeting

with Buckinghamshire Council,

and everybody was glowing about Alastair Cunningham,

so we're hoping it would be Alastair doing it,

to understand what's already been done

for trees in the area, what's possible.

And so again, we can go into detail

about how these things get looked after,

about how we do the planting and all that sort of thing.

Because, and we have talked about this again before,

and I'd like to ask you now,

so I'm gonna put it in as a proposal in a second,

to create budgets very much like we did

with the wildflowers and bulbs for the ward members

to get tree planting, tree locating,

and tree action going in their areas

so that it's happening, and it's happening

the way it's wanted in the local communities.

So the proposal that was coming up with was to go for,

for the next 12 month period, a maximum of 4 ,000 pounds

for each two person ward, 2 ,000 pounds

for each one person ward, and for those that are in a ward

that is partially perished and unparished, 1 ,000 pounds.

So can I just look around, can I have a proposer

and a seconder for that please?

Okay, thank you, Mads, proposing a seconder please.

Okay, Leslie's seconding, and then can I have a show

of hands to see if that's agreed?

Great, thank you very much, I think almost unanimous.

Okay, so, oh sorry, was it Hazel, did you vote?

I wasn't at the pre -meet, I would have had some questions,

you wanna watch the footy?

All right, well that's fine, okay,

so it went through as a majority vote, okay.

Then we were going to ask Chiltern Rangers

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:10:43

to give a general proposal to the Highway Contound Committee

for planning and managing this,

but with no obligation on ward members

to take it up or anything else,

but ask them if they could come through

as one of the local experts to make a proposal.

We'll also discuss that with our arbour cultural team

when we talk with Alastair Cunningham.

We want to request from Bucks Council

information on all the planned tree planting

that's already going forward in each ward.

So if we're gonna make decisions on what we can do extra,

we want to know what's already happening

and are there free trees available?

I mean, is the council already got something

where actually we could be taking trees

that are already there?

And then we wanna emphasise the actions

that we determined in the motion to full council,

at Buckinghamshire Council in the last full meeting,

which was us becoming a retain or relocate council.

So protecting trees first that are there,

and if not, trying to relocate them ideally

very close to where they were dug up,

potentially looking into whether or not

we should be buying it or bucks counts or whatever it is,

but what's the practicality of a tree spade

that might enable that to be done

both around the wards and other places?

Yeah, now it's going through,

it's just a point of comment.

Cllr Hazel Arthur-Hewitt - 0:11:47

I get an awful lot of case work

about the open parks and recreation team

and the tree team where the trees are sometimes

left to go out of control as it stands.

Is there anything we can do to make sure

that the council are on board with making sure

that they maintain as much as possible

so it doesn't add to the casework?

Because there is an awful lot of it.

Fine, I think in terms of the,

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:12:09

and it's a good point, and actually,

maintenance came up yesterday,

again, everybody was mentioning it,

and I think the first thing is we get that meeting

with the tree team, we put it to them,

and we discuss it in detail.

So again, it's the tree team not coming in this meeting

for a 10 minute presentation,

but an hour hybrid meeting where we can go

into these things in detail.

Because I really do love trees if they're well maintained.

Okay, so Trevor.

Couple of things.

Cllr Trevor Snaith - 0:12:34

You actually have, in areas where they have the benefits

for town and the parish council,

you've got some of the councils now outsourcing

and doing maintenance for other areas.

So as well as Chiltern Ranges,

as we look to some of the parishes who may wish to help us

out with what we're planning.

Absolutely, and I think Catherine will probably be smiling

because Hazelmere outsourced to Buckinghamshire Council.

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:12:57

Oh, not anymore, we have done for years, but we're, anyway.

But yes, there's no reason not to do that.

I think just first stage is get Buckinghamshire Council

and do a full questioning and everything else

and then see where we move on to.

Okay, neighbourhood plan, this is really an update.

So you'll know that it was presented or discussed in the last meeting with the leader and the chief executive

It's in process that this is being looked at there was the from Bucks council point of view

They had to be look at a governance issue and then maybe come forward with some

discussion with us about how it fits in with the ongoing Buckinghamshire plan or that sort of thing, but that's all moving forward and

I hope by the time we meet next time or even before that I'll be informing you and next time we'll be talking about how

we can inspire a local group to get going and that sort of thing to do the neighbourhood

plan as we know it's not us directly.

And then health, really a note, as previously agreed, we're gonna try and look into how

we can help and enhance what's gonna be happening with this building and the neighbourhood health

that's gonna be coming here to make sure it's done in the absolute best way possible.

And we had talked about the fact of where there could be further public access to this

building and that in conjunction with the health -based uses of it.

Yesterday we also talked about how the ICB is bringing forward grants in various different areas on various different aspects of health, but one is NEET.

And what we'd like to do is to find out from, if we can have Bucks Council officers find out for us what is happening with the ICB, what grants are available, what should we be applying for, and in fact if there's anything else in relation to health as well.

The one other thing that was mentioned then, this is the last bit of my summary update,

is we had some medium focus areas and the only one that was discussed at all yesterday

was in terms of our intention to boost visitor numbers. And it was noted that partly because

we've had an approach to raise the issue is that toilets should be looked at in relation

to boosting visitor numbers. And what we should be doing in relation to that is finding out

what the plan already is.

And I understand, we will understand that there was a plan

and an outline given to the community board a few years ago.

Let's get that plan, please officers.

Let's see if there's an update.

So what, you know, where are we now?

And what is the plan for the future?

And then we'll scrutinise and see if that fits in

with our plan to boost visitor numbers.

Okay, so that's, that's, oh, that's, sorry.

Go ahead.

Trevor looks bemused.

I said, are you bemused Trevor?

Completely wiped him out.

Cllr Trevor Snaith - 0:15:32

If I may, on toilets, I would also involve High Wycombe Bid Corps, who perhaps have

a view on that as well.

Good point.

Thank you.

OK, yeah, that's a great point.

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:15:43

So let's get the update from the old one, the update from the officers, and then we'll

see what Bid Corps has to say.

Yeah, and can also, you make it clear in the pre -meet that everything that's decided in

Cllr Hazel Arthur-Hewitt - 0:15:52

the pre -meet is rushed, sort of like, going to just be delivered as kind of more or less

de facto.

No, it's not like that.

I couldn't make the meeting and I might have had a comment in toilets and I accept that

I can't, you know, didn't have it in the pre -meet but I don't want that to feel like I'm now

ruled out because we're all going, yeah, we were all on board.

No, no, it's, what I'm doing is I'm pretty...

I think it's just a matter of courtesy to sort of make sure that...

Nope, I agree with you.

Can we have any other comments from people who weren't there?

Yes, yes.

And to be honest, you can vote against something. So if we came here and people that weren't

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:16:19

there, you know, were shouting and screaming and saying, this is wrong, absolutely, we

have a debate here and we move it on. It's not about pre -deciding. It's about the fact

that we have short time in these meetings and we can't dig into things sometimes in

the detail we can if we have an additional meeting on top of it. So the idea is get as

much dug into as we possibly can there, bring it forward here with the consensus, that can

be questioned by anybody and if necessary we have a debate on it. So Julia.

Cllr Julia Wassell - 0:16:48

Thank you Chairman and commiserations on your loss of the Maker Field by -election.

Thank you very much for that.

Personally, I feel very uncomfortable about a few aspects of the way that this committee

has run.

One of them is having a pre -meet.

When we have such an enormous number of projects and issues not worked through yet, we have

a pre -meet that adds more and more to the load and the agenda.

and the preemie is unminute except by notes brought together by the chairman

and then presented here and that to me doesn't seem to go follow proper

democratic principles. Another thing that I'm very uncomfortable about is

chairman's one -to -one. Last time we had one -to -ones I had two and you were 90

minutes late for both of those and therefore unless you're going to be on

time for my won't be attending anymore okay that's fine thank you very much

Julia there are other things I would like to see done differently which is

certainly to all times prioritise all our wards not just the town centre and

to get the project management plan moving as quickly as possible

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:18:15

Absolutely, and in fact on the project management plan, let's go segue into that straight away,

which I think is useful. Chris, very carefully crafted a project management plan that's already

been gone through now with officers to, I mean, and it really didn't change at all,

it changes virtually a little bit in wording, you've all now seen a copy of the project

management plan. Would anybody like to come up with any questions related to that or anything

else? So Trevor, please go ahead.

Cllr Trevor Snaith - 0:18:46

Thank you. I see a project management plan but what I don't see is times against it.

Like is this a four -year plan so it will happen in four years or a one -month plan?

So I'd like to know what they're going to be turning around all these activities on.

What time scales we can put against it please.

Fine. On the basis that, can I just, two things on that. One is that Wendy will be presenting

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:19:05

about the priorities anyway as a general thing. What's happened, where they're going, etc.

There's a section for her talking about priorities and this is project management plan for priorities

I think the the second part is in terms of

information on that

As I understand it both Julia and Chris have already started meetings with councillors about particular issues within their wards and those are moving forward

There are still many other projects where the right people need to be meeting. So we're literally in the foothills of using

this type of process.

So I would just look briefly at when you say,

is there any way of giving timings now,

or is that something we can come back with at a later date?

Wendy Morgan-Brown - 0:19:43

I think we need to come back on that.

I think each project will be different

and how much scope it needs to get to stage three.

It will depend on the depth of it once we start it.

Something straightforward, probably quite quick,

but if it's quite big, something like the tree project,

that's quite a lot of work to that.

So that would need scoping with officers

sort of within the council.

So I'm not I'm not sure right now Trevor

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:20:06

it may be one that's worth to suck it and see while we're doing it at this stage and then

Re -raise it again in our next meeting to see if we've got a direct answer for that

I'm not sure that there's going to be a better answer on that at the moment. So

Okay, great. Thank you very much. Okay moving then on to our next item is item six

6 High Wycombe Town Committee Special Expenses Outturn 2025/26

That's the High Wycombe town committee special expenses out turn

Do presented by Fiorello?

Fiorella Mugari - 0:20:36

So the report on page 17 provides recommendations for you to note the

out -turn report for the financial year 25 -26 to the end of 31st of March 2026

and for you to note the impact on working balance as well as the activity

on the reserve funded projects that happened in that financial year. On the

revenue side the net spend was a total of 381 ,000 so there was a favourable

variance against budget of 102 ,000. The report details the activity during the

year but what I'd just like to highlight which is a positive bit of news around

the community grant spends. There were 12 grants approved of a total of 18 ,820 so

that's 94 % utilisation and improvement on the previous year where there was 76 %

of the grant used. So much more of the grant was used in this financial year.

The under spend, the favourable variance was also due to lower spend at the

cemeteries in particular Penn Road with the installation of burial chambers

being delayed and soil removal costs as well. The large refurbishment costs

will continue into the new financial year and there were fewer burials. So

just in terms of the impact on working balances, which I'll get on to, but what I just wanted to

mention for the financial year 25 -26 there was £450 ,000 allocated for special projects funded

from reserves. In total, 63 ,000 was spent and the balance of 387 ,000 is being rolled forward for

future allocation and there's a separate paper to discuss special reserve spend.

So overall the impact on working balances, the closing balance on the reserve is 932 ,000

after net spend special projects spend precept and interest and at the end of the financial

year the committee were working on plans around special project spend as well.

Great, thank you. Questions? So Lesley then Chris.

Cllr Lesley Clarke OBE - 0:22:56

Just a couple of questions. One on footway lighting, the variance is that we've not spent

that money by the look of it. And I know that on the private roads in Abbey Ward that we

have had some footway lighting looked at. So maybe Belfort, Beattie are not. And the

other one that you've got down here. Leslie you're very quiet. I can hardly hear you.

So I asked about the footway lighting because I know that in our ward we have had repairs

done to footway lighting and the other one is the difference on allotments. What is it?

the budget was 49 ,000 we've actually spent 43 ,000 does that mean that we've

got too much when we put into or is it the other way around have we actually

spent more than I think we spent less than we budgeted for why is that thank

Fiorella Mugari - 0:24:09

you so on the footway lighting if we don't get a request for recharge we

we won't reflect the cost.

And then with respect to the allotments,

so it's an underspend of 43 ,940,

and the savings there because the additional works orders

weren't as large as we would have anticipated.

Chris.

Yes, thank you.

Cllr Chris Chilton - 0:24:37

I have a couple of questions which I'll hope to get out in 90 seconds.

First is on cemeteries under spend of £150 ,000.

You talk in there later on about some of the reasons for that.

I want to know whether that's just capital under spend

or whether it's operational under spend too and whether we can accrue both.

Second one is on recreation grounds where we've overspent by 35%,

largely due to maintenance.

Is that going to be an ongoing requirement to spend 35 % extra on our recreation ground maintenance?

If so, does that get built into the budget for next year or are we going to have to spend

that out of special reserve?

And then thirdly, which I can't see, is management costs as a percentage of total spend.

This time last year, we were asked – I certainly asked questions.

I think our management costs were about 18 % of our total spend.

I can't see from the data here what management costs are as a percentage of total spend.

Do we have a number for management costs as a percentage of total spend, please?

Sorry, multiple questions in one.

Fiorella Mugari - 0:25:48

No problem. So for the cemeteries, it's operational under spend,

but the costs will follow, it will come when the burial chambers come through,

when the cost comes for burial chambers.

Sorry, if it's operation, does that mean we can accrue the underspend or not, or do we

lose it?

Cllr Chris Chilton - 0:26:06

Fiorella Mugari - 0:26:09

I think the costs will catch up during the course of the year when the costs, there's

just delayed costs that didn't come through in 25, 26, that will probably come through

in this financial year.

So we may find that there's more spend this year than last year.

And then the second question that you asked with respect to recreation grounds maintenance.

So those are the costs that came through based on whatever demand happened, but there is

a ground maintenance contract procurement that's underway.

So hopefully we get sharper outcomes on that that can give us savings on the contract,

but that's a work in progress.

But it just depends on what charges come through

and what work is required at the recreational grounds

at any point in time.

I'm sorry to speak for some clarification.

Cllr Chris Chilton - 0:27:06

So in terms of the 150, and Catherine's talking to Catherine.

Sorry, Chris, can you be very quick now please?

You wanna move on?

So we're saying the 150 ,000 pound underspend on cemeteries,

If that's out of operational costs, we can't accrue it.

And therefore, if we're going to do that work this year,

we're going to have to fund that from that extra 150 ,000 from this year's budget.

We would fund it from this year's budget,

Fiorella Mugari - 0:27:35

this current financial year's budget,

because we've got the budget allocation for it.

And then if we need to use, because it's gone to reserve,

if we need to use the reserves, we'd use that as well.

So that may be 150 ,000 out of the special reserve?

In the reserves, yes. It's gone to reserve.

Okay. That's quite a big lump of money.

Okay. Thank you. Khalil and then Hazel.

Apologies for coming late, First Chairman.

Cllr Khalil Ahmed - 0:27:58

It was just a small question on the back of that cemetery.

Can the officer tell me that we had an increase in terms of revenue

because I'm aware of lots of deaths occurring within the Asian community

and obviously a lot of receipts coming your way,

could you possibly shed some light on it

in terms of have you had an increase

and how does that reflect?

Because obviously there's under spend

that you've obviously got.

Cllr Khalil Ahmed - 0:28:23

Fiorella Mugari - 0:28:25

I'm not sure, I just want to cheque

I got your question correct.

Were you talking about the death rates?

So with the information that's within the report,

we're saying we had reduced, we did get reduced income

because there were fewer burials overall at Penn Road.

Yeah, overall, not just from one community,

but on a whole basis.

Thank you, Hazel.

Yeah, I'm just looking at the appendix

for community support grants.

Cllr Hazel Arthur-Hewitt - 0:28:57

Is there a way of finding out about these

as and when they happen?

Because some of these I wasn't even aware of

being brought forward to be declined

or anything else or approved.

and some of the figures are quite large,

and they're not comparatively, I suppose,

but some of them to me.

If we're going to be sort of,

like for instance, if there's the Vibe Church

in there mentioned, and that's in my ward,

I didn't know that that was getting awarded money.

And I think it's great, but it's weird to find out

in a report when it's on behalf of us.

So, I mean, to me, I think if it could be shared,

even if we're not allowed to make the decision here,

if that could be shared so that at least ward members

or people can actually pitch in and say something

because I think it's a shame to be reading about something

in my ward in a meeting that's already been signed off

that I can't do anything about it, support it or whatever.

I don't know how everyone else feels

but I find it weird to find out here what's done deals.

Fiorella Mugari - 0:30:08

I think we can speak to I think Wendy can comment on that she has the team that does the stuff. I'm sure it's not

Yeah, why don't just quickly the process on that?

Yeah, so the sign -off process is just by the chairman and vice chairman

Wendy Morgan-Brown - 0:30:18

So the applicant we complete an application on behalf of the applicant

It's shared with the chairman and vice chairman and they make the decision as to whether or not to approve or decline

I think as you make a good point, I mean in the sense it's it's we've got a process for

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:30:31

for these things going out, but actually the ward member

should be informed anyway, I would thought.

Whether or not they're actually involved in signing it off.

So I think, would it be possible that when these things

come in, either at sign off so people know it's been done,

or pre, but it wouldn't mean, the community could still

come and make their application.

So I think, can we involve the ward member into it

and have a process for that?

I mean, sorry, Lesley just said, could we do everybody?

I mean my feeling is I'm not sure everybody wants to get every application from everybody else's Ward

Okay, all right fine well anyway, I think can we look at look so it's certainly about involving the Ward member

And then we'll they'll say all members. Yeah, say okay

Please go ahead on chairman. I think there was a similar

Proposal or in the community board last year when applications that were made for grants were sent out to all

Cllr Arman Alam - 0:31:29

to Councillors so that they can make comments on it.

What I would also request is that we're also given information,

a bit more details as to why certain applications actually declined.

For example, women's only swimming, it says not sustainable.

It would help for us to have a bit more knowledge of what that means

and why it was rejected.

Would you like to just – I mean, what sort of information do we give

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:31:53

to the applicant when we send it to them?

Wendy Morgan-Brown - 0:31:58

Well, we sent a letter back explaining why the reason it's been declined.

It's got more detail and obviously this is just a summary of the,

very brief summary of the outcome.

So they do get more detail than that.

So I think can we just agree that the ward members in that ward

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:32:12

get notice when somebody's put something in and then get a copy of the reply,

whether it's positive or negative.

I think that's the best way to do it.

And that does mean always give input then if people want to when it comes in.

Yeah, great. Good point, Hazel.

I'm more than happy to do the sharing when it goes to the

Wendy Morgan-Brown - 0:32:30

Chairman and Vice -Chairman and when the decision has been made.

The only thing I would just flag is obviously members had asked

for this to be processed to be quick, so we need to make sure

that we continue with the pace around that because we do turn

them around within 10 days of coming in and decision -making.

So it would just be for sharing for information rather than input.

Sure, although I wouldn't be stopping any members

writing to Leslie and I and saying,

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:32:55

I like it, don't like it, that's absolutely fine.

But let's just inform people as early as we can, so great.

Okay, moving on to the next item on the agenda,

that's item seven, capital programme and Sill Balance update.

And Akib has very kindly offered to come and do this now,

it is his first time, so kid gloves please,

Mr Aqib Khan - 0:33:11

everybody in terms of Akib,

he's on his first appearance here.

Over to you Akib.

So I'll be covering capital projects and the spends and the budgets and balances for CIL

funding. So currently we have eight capital projects on the programme. Two of these have

7 Capital Programme and CIL balance update

completed. One is nearing completion and the others are all active basically within 26,

27. The only one spanning across the two years is the Bellfield road crossing, so the High

Wickham cycleways. Just a note, following the table as well, that was provided on page

25 have got in touch with the service and they have advised that the two projects

for the players for Shelley Road and Tottridge and Booker rec rounds both of

those are likely to go ahead and commence around about autumn time so

everything is in place for those. Following from there I thought might be

handy obviously to show where the balances were at the previous meeting so

the 1 .635 million figure that was obviously on a previous report on the

30th of October. Obviously, through Q3 and 4, we received 160K.

238K of this was used to fund 2526K, 2526 projects, leaving the balance,

as at the 31st of March, of 1 .557 million. And as you can see,

there's 913K has been committed to capital projects on the programme currently,

leaving 644K still funding in the reserve. And just to make aware,

where this is readily available in a ring -fenced fund.

So in order to access this, all that is required is

to go through the gateway process for governance

and to go through the capital programme

to come to a leader decision.

So obviously we've come pretty more with

the black and whites of the figures and the financials.

Right, thank you, Akib.

So Lesley, Maz, Khalil.

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:34:59

Just a very quick question.

Cllr Lesley Clarke OBE - 0:35:04

you've got play areas at the top which says Booker and then halfway down below

the one that says Shelley Road it says Booker again is that just a typo? Yeah I

believe Wendy might be able to give further clarity on that but the project

I think there are two separate projects one is Totry John Booker and the first

one was Booker itself entirely.

Mr Aqib Khan - 0:35:22

I only thought the booker would have done, sorry.

Sorry, I'd have to have a look at that for you.

I'll cheque for that Leslie if that's okay.

Wendy Morgan-Brown - 0:35:32

I'll let you know.

Leslie, my understanding is that there's a spend

Cllr Chris Chilton - 0:35:39

of around 134 ,000 going on totridge wreck.

So my suspicion would be that the one, two, three, four,

five, sixth item down is a typo

and that should just say totridge

would be my suspicion working back right thanks Chris mass just a quick on a bill

Cllr Maz Hussain - 0:35:58

fell Bellfield Road crossing this has been going for years last 14 months I

done 25 emails I'll get date every six months I get is get on in the six months

so you're telling me nice early next year it's just gained delay by delay can

we push it please get that done as soon as we can.

Sorry, Akib, could you hear all of that by the way?

Sorry, just get close to the mic, Maz, and slowly for Akib.

Banfield Crossing was funding 2023, now with 2026. For last 14 months I've written 25 emails

and I was told it'd be done. Next three months we'll move forward. It's just every three

months I get three months more dates. We go residents who can cross the road so

obviously you go Yundan Village Garden where the law orders are. When they cross

the road it's very dangerous for them and that's why for this funding down but

it's just getting delay. I will put it to Akib but if it's not something you can

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:37:00

answer that's absolutely fine and we'll get it but I think what we want to know

is actually why has there been such a delay and can we get an assurity that

it's going to go ahead you know according to a programme in the future

what's the programme? I think that's what we need to be asking, is it? Can you answer that today?

We know it's going to go ahead with it, but it's just delaying.

Sorry?

I know it's going to go ahead with it for the last three years now, because of the funding,

but it's just gained delay.

What we want to avoid is coming back in three years' time and it's still on the list.

Can we get an explanation of why it's delayed, if possible, and what's the

programme for getting it out the door now?

Mr Aqib Khan - 0:37:31

Yeah, like I said, I could take that away to discuss that with the service who are looking

to deliver that project. From what we see on the financial side, the way the project has currently

been set up. It's 53k has been committed to be spent this year and 53k next year.

Obviously we have an expiry date on that grant for March 28 which is the latest

it can be spent by. But in terms of how and when it is likely to be delivered,

that's something I could take away to the service. Great and if you can reply

directly to Mayor's copying Leslie and I that would be great. Thank you. Sorry it

Cllr Khalil Ahmed - 0:38:02

was Khalil then Julia please. Thank you Chairman. Thank you for the report.

Akib, welcome to town committee.

The new cemetery line, what is that please?

Do you have any information about this?

Yeah, I don't have information on the project itself

Mr Aqib Khan - 0:38:14

as a whole with what's being delivered,

but I know with the remaining budget spend on that project,

it was in regards to a retainer invoice,

so it was just obviously tidying up the last bits

of the new cemetery project.

But like I said, I could take away and get further details

on that new cemetery and get that over to yourself

if required.

Great, so same thing, if you get on all these ones,

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:38:34

his reply direct to the member and then copy us please thank you Julia thank you

Cllr Julia Wassell - 0:38:38

similarly with Maz Hossain's point the district realms public district

centres public realm improvement which was submitted in 2018 has so far only

had 50 ,000 release be very helpful if we could have the further 75 ,000

released please for the district centres named in the bid. In addition, I had a Sill bid for

East Wickham Panoramic Walkway which is a walk from Gordon Road four miles to the Gombe Valley

and although the resurfacing was done there was £1500 left in the budget for the sign posting

which obviously if there's no signposting it makes no sense.

So I'm looking for money to finish that East Wiccan panoramic walkway

and be grateful if you could raise that as well.

The initiator was an officer called Jack Mayhew,

but I can send you the details of other officers who are aware of the mapping

and the estimates to complete it.

Yeah, in regards to that, that's fine obviously with what you raised.

Mr Aqib Khan - 0:40:00

Like I said, there is that 644K in the pot.

It just has to go through obviously the business case process in order to get all the governance

covered, go through the Capital Gateway now and come to a leader decision, but that is

readily available and ring -fenced, put aside for SEAL funding projects.

Thank you.

Great.

Chris, then Armin, then we'll drop drawing a line under it.

Cllr Chris Chilton - 0:40:19

Welcome to the meeting and well done.

Seal received by the unparished areas of High Wycombe is split.

85 % of it is allocated by Bucks Council and 15 % of it allocated by High Wycombe Town Committee.

Of the 643 ,000 which remains unallocated, is that of the total 100 %?

Is it of the 85 % allocated by Bucks Council or is it of the 15 % allocated by High Wycombe Town Committee?

Yeah, I can take that away and come back to you with the specific figures, but from what

Mr Aqib Khan - 0:40:53

I believe that is the sole money, the 100 % in the reserve fund readily available for

the seal funding projects.

So that's of the 100%, so High Wycombe Town Committee would have authority to spend 15 %

of that $643 ,000?

I think actually because under the constitution we are able to recommend through on everything

that is of importance to anybody in High Wycombe.

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:41:16

I think it's it's not as clear as you're suggesting and we have influence over the other monies in a way that a town or

parish council wouldn't

Because we are able to make recommendations on how all of it is spent it will still be

The cabinet's decision on what how it is spent

So I'm just coming in say yes, you're right on what would happen without a neighbourhood plan for a town or parish council

They get 15 %

transferred to them and the 85 % is then dealt with by the unitary council in this case.

And in fact I wouldn't mind checking if I can just put it across to if you can actually

cheque if it is exact same that 15 % is specifically we must allocate or is it simply our power

under the constitution of advising or recommending to cabinet and the council on anything of

importance to people in High Wycombe. Would you mind checking that?

15 % must be allocated.

It's must.

Okay, well that's fine.

Could we actually get a confirmation,

let's get confirmation from it internally as well.

Cllr Chris Chilton - 0:42:20

I think the key question is, is the 643 ,000,

the 15 % which must be allocated

to High Wycombe Town Committee,

or is it the total sale?

My reading of the way this report was written

is it's the total sale,

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:42:32

but Akib could you confirm that back to us again?

It's the total sale, yeah.

It is the total sale, yeah.

Okay, so it's the total sale.

Mr Aqib Khan - 0:42:36

It's the total sale, okay.

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:42:42

Cllr Chris Chilton - 0:42:45

And then Armin because I do think accountancy wise it would be it would be very useful for us to separate out the 15 %

Which is allocated to high -income town committee and the 85 % allocated to Buckinghamshire

Can we just as well confirm because I'm not entirely sure is that it's 15 %

I know the rule under the thing and I've read it and I'm just not in shape for the time

Yeah, but anyway, we'll cheque that we'll cheque that so you're right to raise it Chris. Anyway, let's cheque it find out what the situation is

Cllr Arman Alam - 0:43:09

Thank you Chairman, my question is connected to the priorities update, so I just want to

warn you in terms of a pathway across Booker recreational ground and the priorities update

indicates there isn't sufficient funding in the High -income Town Committee for that at

this stage. Looking at the remaining sill to be allocated, is it not a project that

be included in that amount that's due to be allocated.

So you're asking if that project

could be covered under CIL.

Akib, did you understand the question?

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:43:40

And if not, can you repeat it?

Yeah, I think it was to do with obviously additional spend

on that project in regards to,

was it which park, was that, sorry?

Mr Aqib Khan - 0:43:47

No, no, just to clarify,

Cllr Arman Alam - 0:43:51

we previously requested that there should be a path

around Booker Recreational Ground,

and that's being proposed in our priorities update,

but it's been indicated that there isn't sufficient

funds within the High income town committee. So could we look at whether that payment can

come from SIL for a path around book recreation grant please?

Yeah that is something that could be taken forward. Like I said obviously you'd have

Mr Aqib Khan - 0:44:16

to go as a business case through the capital gateway process and then see where it ends

up on the priority listing and then once it follows through to a leader decision the leader

will come back with a decision on whether it would be subject to be provided now or

whether it be extended to a later date. So just in terms of our own process and I'm

If Armin now wants to propose that that comes through

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:44:33

through the committee to go on to CIL, what does he do?

Does he write to somebody particularly?

Who does he write to to do that?

Wendy, you might be able to take away on that one

because of short operates within the service.

I think committee would need to agree

that they're happy to allocate their CIL money

to that project for Armin.

Wendy Morgan-Brown - 0:44:49

And if they did, then Akib's right,

we'd need to take it through the capital gateway process.

I know we've got a feasibility study

being carried out, haven't we?

No, sorry, it's not you.

Sorry, I think it's Magid, sorry.

Yeah, so we'd need to take it through that way

so we could look at creating a project

if committee agreed to allocate some CIL funding

to it for you.

So I think, well, the president, are we,

so how do you want to do it?

Do you want him to make a proposal now?

Do you want him to write with an update through to ask?

How would you like to run it?

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:45:21

I think if we get some detail from you

and we'll get it costed so committee know

what amount they're being asked for to consider from CIL.

and then say following a quasi similar process to priority but now looking at

the silver name okay right thanks okay let's move on to our next item so the

8 HWTC Priorities update

highway come town committee priorities update so Wendy's going to present this

Wendy Morgan-Brown - 0:45:46

thank you I've made the assumption that members have read the report so I'll

just highlight some key points and the decisions required just in terms of

recommendations members are asked to note the progress with the existing 11

priorities and consider approving funding for Greenhill Cross and

Improvement and bus station artwork. In terms of the existing priorities as

summarised in the report two are now completed so that's the Wickham Life

magazine and the web pages. We've got several projects in progress we've got

the EnVas speeding project we've got the wildflower and bulb planting the railway

station history of the town the Gaia contribution with come art centre

enhancements totterage Community Centre repairs and highway and the business

support officer role I did just want to flag Millbrook school unfortunately that

project has been deemed not viable but I understand we're looking at a new site

in sands to deliver a cafe from so for the time being that money will be

returned to the the pot it was five thousand pounds and then we'll submit

Ed's covered the neighbourhood plan progress,

so I won't touch that.

In terms of the funding requests,

as discussed at the previous meeting,

agreement was given in principle to commit 10 pounds

to the Green Hill Crossing improvement,

which has already received funding from Opportunity Bucks.

So the contribution that's being asked for

from town committee is 10 ,000 pounds,

and details of that report is at appendix two.

The nighttime economy Jacqueline

is covering under the next item.

And then the third funding request that members are asked to consider

is a contribution towards the High Wycombe Bus Station public art project.

The request from town committee is £3 ,600

and £5 ,000 has already been secured, firmly secured and agreed in

contributory funding from local partners including the community board.

Members were asked to consider this as it fits with the priorities

as outlined by Ed earlier.

So Ed's already covered the future priorities.

So in summary, our town committee had just asked

to note the existing priorities progress

and consider approving the two funding requests

attached to the report.

Thank you.

Great, thanks Wendy.

Well, I mean, first thing is formally,

let's approve these funding requests

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:48:16

if members are minded to do that.

So we've got the Greenhill crossing improvements

at 10 ,000 pounds.

Agreed.

Sorry, I mean, so would somebody like to propose that?

No, I need to make a comment first, please.

Absolutely make a comment, please.

So Hazel and Julia.

Right.

Cllr Hazel Arthur-Hewitt - 0:48:32

So last meeting, I asked if it was standard process to top up Opportunity Bucks funded

projects and by how much, so we're clear.

And I haven't had a response on that.

So is it like they always come with like a 10 percent or whatever it is commitment from

the High Wickeham Town Committee, or does it change?

That's my first part.

I don't know if there's an answer available this meeting.

Go through and do your second as well.

But my second thing is, and I'm a stuck record,

there are three people, including yourself,

on this committee who are not opportunity bucks,

and they are not community board in Wickeham.

The first time I hear about this

is when it comes here to approve

on the assumption that everybody seems to kind of know

that it's gonna be asking for funding.

I'm completely blind in this process and I'm I consider we're all equals on this

committee so if something's already been agreed, I'm not going to argue this

crossing, but if something's already been agreed that it's presumed will pay I

shouldn't be out of the loop, neither should you, neither should any member who

isn't part of those things. So I would I would like to agree this on the

principle that we can vote that we have to find out about these

opportunity bucks projects here with an idea of commitment

before they're brought back later to agree the funding

because I'm not prepared.

I've got it.

So I think what we should be doing is I think can we make

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:50:02

sure that the three of us who are not in the unparished area,

I mean the main parts of our wards, get the information.

That would be great.

So when it goes to everybody, can we get it?

So that's the first thing.

I think the second thing is this particular one we did talk about

at the last meeting, so we aren't being blindsided on it.

I did at that meeting raise the issue of the fact

that we can't, I can't in my head work out budget wise.

Sorry, this is why I wanted to mention that.

I was gonna say, then you need your answer

to your first question, which has still got to come.

My issue is, is that when I'm looking at the budget,

I don't know what the budget is.

If there's a load of agreed opportunity box projects,

Cllr Hazel Arthur-Hewitt - 0:50:37

I'm gonna require at some point 30, 40, 50 grand

at some point for us to agree

because they've been agreed in principle outside this meeting.

So I don't think it's just a case of I want an email saying,

this is going ahead, that's going ahead.

I need to have some kind of understanding

of what this committee is responsible for when

a ward member agrees something with Opportunity Bucks,

because that is going to have an effect on our budget.

But a ward member can't commit all of us around the table.

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:51:02

So a ward member can be discussing with Opportunity

Bucks, trying to get them to do the best thing they can.

So no ward member is committing our committee

to agreeing to something.

inadvertently are if it comes here to say we've done all the work we now need

Cllr Hazel Arthur-Hewitt - 0:51:16

ten grand top -up. Well okay I think in this case we did discuss it before in

this particular one but I get your aren't talking about the principle and

in terms of the of the principle for it no board member is going to commit when

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:51:28

it comes here if you want to object to it or anybody else does we can do that

but I do agree we should get the information in advance. We're objecting

the whole pile of work has been done Ed is what I'm saying we don't have the chance to discuss it at a

point where we don't realise we're committing money to it.

Cllr Hazel Arthur-Hewitt - 0:51:43

We can. If you are against it, we will open a debate. So if there is a, it can be open

a debate on any item now. So there's no...

After a load of money has been spent, Ed, is my point.

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:51:50

No, it's not after it's been spent. It's not after it's spent. It's just all that we know

is Opportunity Bucks have said that if there is contributory funding to this particular

project, they will go ahead. And what we are being asked to, if I've got it right, is to

actually agree the contributory funding and that's it. And if we don't agree, it will

go back to Opportunity Bucks and the ward member to sort out another way of

doing it. So nothing is fait accompli when it comes here. I just think it

should start the process. Right. Before it comes as a do you want this or not?

Hazel, so we're getting information but don't worry what you were

suggesting isn't happening here. There is no fait accompli so if you are against

something, A you can vote against it and if all the members vote against it it

will simply go back to Opportunity Bucks

and with the ward members help try

and find alternative budget, that's it.

We don't need to keep going over it.

Cllr Hazel Arthur-Hewitt - 0:52:41

No, the point is I don't want it to be a case of

we've done all this sort of explanation,

we've done all the grid work, we've done everything else,

yes or no.

I feel rude if I ever agree, disagree with anything

when it's got to that point, which is why we need.

Hazel, Hazel, we're moving on, I'm sorry,

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:52:56

but just to re -explain, you're not rude.

We are not an arm of Opportunity Bucks

and the town community court.

We're not opportunity. All we are all we are doing is we are getting information that in this particular case

This project already has some funding agreed from opportunity bucks if somebody else joint funds. It doesn't have to be us

Yes, it's agreed that's agreed absolutely and say in particular in relation to the Green Hill cost crossing improvements and the

10 ,000 pounds would somebody like to propose this?

Okay. Oh, sorry on this on the Green Hill crossing

Cllr Julia Wassell - 0:53:35

I was going to but I do think it's time that some of us took up with the

Boundary Commission that this business of people from Hazelmare and Downley

who've got a leg over each side of the horse in a parish council and the High

Wycombe town committee has been a very grave mistake indeed and it's time that

that was rectified. Right, not an issue for the committee please

Julia if you'd like to raise it the Boundary Commission that's absolutely

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:53:58

fine we are moving on. So can I ask, no Julia we are moving on it's not an issue for the

town committee.

I want to propose the Green Hill project.

Right that's fine but Chris was going to propose it anyway so Julia is proposing the Green

Hill project would somebody like to second it? Chris is seconding the Green Hill project.

Would I, show of hands please for those in favour of the project. Okay so with me that's

unanimous. Okay. So thank you very much. Okay, the second

project. So we've got the bus station community artwork. And

would anybody like further explanation? Has everybody read

the papers? Right. Let's go ahead, Trevor.

I'd like further explanation, especially when the close things

Cllr Trevor Snaith - 0:54:44

like toilets and I think there's different priorities we need to

think about in the bus station.

Fine.

To be honest, I'll be opposing it.

Sorry, you would like further explanation of what the project is?

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:54:52

Okay, that's fine.

Could I just tell you, Trevor,

Cllr Lesley Clarke OBE - 0:54:56

the bus station belongs to Eden, not us.

So if you want to complain about shutting their loos,

complain to them, not us.

Thank you.

Right, and we will be looking at the whole strategy

for Wickham, as we said.

I mean, so we've already requested the officers

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:55:10

to come forward and give us that,

and then we'll scrutinise that at a point in the future.

Okay, is it possible to give a little bit more explanation

for this project?

Wendy Morgan-Brown - 0:55:21

I only have the detail that's in the annex of the report.

I'm sorry, it is quite detailed.

If there are specific questions, I can take them away

to the officer that's drafted the report.

You can try me, Trevor.

So my question is, we're funding a project

Cllr Trevor Snaith - 0:55:35

in a private businesses area.

Are they contributing to it?

Wendy Morgan-Brown - 0:55:44

They are, there are contributions from local partners, yes.

Is there a contribution from e -gen is the question?

I'm unable to comment on that.

Yeah, I mean what we've got in the paperwork is that

partners including High Work Community Board are

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:55:57

contributing £5 ,000 and we're being asked to contribute

£3 ,600.

Armin.

Thank you Chairman.

Cllr Arman Alam - 0:56:10

Trevor's actually stole my question.

Microphone nearest you.

Sorry, yeah.

Just wondering whether the overall cost of this project is known.

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:56:26

Well, the project on top of the second page is £8 ,600. £5 ,000 from other sources, £3 ,600

is being requested from us. It's at page 42.

Cllr Arman Alam - 0:56:36

So, I'm still confused. Unless I'm missing something, where does it refer to Eden's contribution?

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:56:46

No, it doesn't refer to Eden, it refers to partners, including High Wycombe Community

Board, top of page 42.

Thank you.

Cllr Julia Wassell - 0:57:00

Sorry, Julia and then Khalil, and then I think we'll move on to making a decision.

I mean, there's a couple of issues here. One is that people keep coming here and asking

for money for public art. No, they're asking for fees for somebody to paint some public

art. We have 90 ,000 requests from an officer. Now we've got 3 ,000 whatever in private land.

When Robert Carrington has made it perfectly clear that we're not propping up businesses

like propping up the Red Lion's Tale, which belongs to a private company. So I won't be

done by the public and didn't keep costing the High Wycombe Town Committee

loads of money. I mean at this rate we'll spend all the money on public art.

Cllr Khalil Ahmed - 0:57:54

Thank you. Kilil. Thank you Chairman. Coming back to the toilet question, I find it

very odd right for the town ward member, namely the vice -chair of this committee

of ours, to sort of take that attitude in terms of toilets. I do think that we do

have a statutory duty towards our residents who use the bus service which we also have

a service, you know, or a part to play in terms of it. And we just literally shy away

and say, well, the toilet is not an issue. Can I raise that an issue is that we should

obviously be taking that seriously and actually bring that to the table in terms of providing

toilets. Whether it's part funded, I don't really care. But we need to be obviously looking

at it quite seriously rather than just dismissing it as a private entity and we've got nothing

to do with it. That's not really a good response, Leslie. I'm really horrified that that's a

response that she gave in the way that she gave it as well.

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:58:42

Can I suggest, Khalil, that on the basis that we're asking for a report on the toilet strategy

effectively for the whole of Wickham, can we now note that we'd like to know what's

happening at all of the transport hubs? So can they come and actually give us an idea

of what's happening? And if there is nothing, then effectively we raise it again.

Chris Hazel.

Cllr Chris Chilton - 0:59:05

I'd just like to make a general point of we have a project management proposal that I

helped a little bit with and the first step on that was a Councillor proposal and I think

that's very important for projects which are being funded by High Wycombe Town Committee

that they have a Councillor who is the person who comes here and champions that proposal.

I think we're talking about spending the High Wycombe Town Committee budget and I

think a member of the High Wycombe Town Committee should be the champion for all

of these projects and I think what seems to have happened here is a third

party has suggested that High Wycombe Town Committee might like to pay for it.

I think the way the proposal should work is that that third party should come and

talk to the councillors whose ward the project is in and agree with them that

that this is a priority and the Councillor response

whose ward this sits in should come to this committee

and champion that proposal.

So I think we need to give some thought

to how we initiate and develop and get projects approved

through this committee.

Yeah, I think it's a good point.

I mean, my feeling on it, just really a comment on it

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 1:00:15

as well is that maybe it should be able to come

to actually any Councillor, not only the person in the ward,

partly because those who are in charge of the centre clearly are going to get many,

many, many more things coming through and just to manage the work, but I think it's

probably a pretty good idea. Is it related to exactly what Chris said? If not, I'm going

to look at Wendy for a question. So is it related to what Chris just said?

Kind of.

Go ahead then.

Cllr Hazel Arthur-Hewitt - 1:00:42

Yeah, so I completely agree with Chris, although I wouldn't mind in this case if it was somebody,

you know, who's all made responsible, who's either on the community board or at Bucks

or the uni, because I do think if I want to ask questions like what kind of skills are

you getting through this, what exactly is going on, I'm not going to be able to answer

all those questions.

So it just seems like this is a done deal please without the questions.

And I'd say that's the same with the Greenhill.

If there was someone who would be able to ask questions to if we had any questions,

that would help.

So I do entirely agree with Chris that I think these things should come here with some kind

of sort of person who's responsible like heading it to discuss. I just want to

look at what Wendy just confirmed so the process when it's not a priority that's

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 1:01:27

been brought through from a councillor can you just remind us all then of the

Wendy Morgan-Brown - 1:01:35

of the basic process? So the request literally comes in as to whether or not

they can put a funding bid into committee and then it then comes into here. So I'm more than

happy to pick up Chris's suggestion that it's championed either by the officer

with the local ward member and then somebody attends to present the request.

So they can answer the detail on that then.

And I think it's a good idea as well.

But having said that, looking around, I think we should make this decision together because

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 1:01:58

this potentially then increases your workload.

So I think you should be prepared to do the work because people are going to be coming

to you with these proposals.

And I think it's a good idea personally, but I just want to put that through to everybody.

So think about that.

And then I think we're going to look around for everybody's agreement to that.

and if necessary we're now going to say that all of these applications have to

come through a counsellor or have a counsellor named as the sponsor. Khalil?

Cllr Khalil Ahmed - 1:02:24

Question about these you know in the second section priorities which how

you come down committee may wish to consider funding I note that the status

is council and officer meeting being arranged do we know what timeframe we're

looking at these right you weren't here actually Trevor raised exactly that

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 1:02:38

issue earlier on so so where we are at the moment we don't we're working we're

in the foothills of making the thing work at the moment.

Wendy's gonna look at it and we hope by next meeting

that we'll have a proposal of some sort

in relation to that.

If it's on the topic we're literally just debating,

that's fine, Julia.

Cllr Julia Wassell - 1:02:58

My understanding of democratic politics

is that people vote for councillors

and those people are residents in the geographic area.

So every single thing I've ever put in

has by and large been the idea of residents.

And residents give ideas, either at meetings

or they write a letter or an email,

I've had a good idea, or did you know there's a path

that's not safe for women or whatever it is,

and they feed it through to the counsellor.

And then the counsellor weighs it up

and then they put in a bid

or they talk to other people about it.

It's not for these multinational companies

or businesses or remote officers at County Hall to say how our High Wycombe Town Committee

money paid for by High Wycombe residents should be spent. It should be resident -led and Councillor -led,

certainly.

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 1:04:01

So I think the proposal is that every application now that comes in for funding must have effectively

a Councillor as a sponsor. So it has to come through. Now, personally, I don't think it

should be limited that somebody in a particular ward must go through that ward Councillor

for lots of different reasons, particularly, you know, availability and everything else.

But if people don't have to go through those, people generally agree with what Chris was

suggesting at the beginning. We'll suggest now, please, that every appraisal that comes

in has to have a Councillor as a sponsor. And maybe we just make it clear on the page

that is explaining the process, who the who the Councillors are and the wards and actually put it on there.

So it's easy to find. Thank you.

Okay, so we do have though in front of us this funding request.

Let's move straight on to as the funding request for the bus station community artwork. Would anybody like to propose this?

So Leslie will pose it with somebody like to second it.

So Mabou will second it.

Now we're moving to a vote.

So all those in favour of this going ahead,

please raise your hand.

Okay.

All those against?

Okay.

So right.

Any abstentions?

I mean, I'm abstaining, but I'll just abstain

unless it's a draw.

Okay, right.

Okay, so that has been carried. Thank you. Right, Wendy, that's it for your report, is

that?

Can I just?

Sure, please go ahead.

Khalil, I think you just raised a query about on the priorities that officers will be meeting

Wendy Morgan-Brown - 1:05:38

with members. Sorry, I didn't introduce them. Michaela Devlin is sat behind you. Michaela

is going to be working on and contacting members to talk through their priorities, so she'll

be in contact with you to go through those and start to look at them with you. Sorry,

I should have said that at the beginning. Apologies, Michaela.

And sorry, just because I think it would be on some council's mind.

So could you just explain,

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 1:05:58

Michaela's coming in to help us now with processing the priorities.

Where are we on a member of staff that's going to work for High

Wickham Town Committee and how will that person work with Michaela?

So we are at the end of the interview process.

Wendy Morgan-Brown - 1:06:09

So we'll be able to give an update shortly on that.

Anticipate and then meet yourself and Leslie shortly.

And then they'll be working alongside Michaela and myself.

And Michaela will take the overall stance of making sure

that the priorities are progressing either within our team,

so opportunity bucks or communities

where they are being delivered,

or with officers and services,

so like the parks team or wherever.

So we've obviously got those 11 that are funded,

so they'll be our priority,

and then we've tonight discussed the next lot

that you want to consider

and the headings you want to consider them under,

so we'll be looking to take those forward.

So welcome, Michaela.

We're pleased to have you.

So is it very quick, Chris?

Yes, it's very quickly.

We have 11 funded.

Cllr Chris Chilton - 1:06:54

I think the good thing about the two projects

that we've just approved,

the Green Cross and the art project,

is that they had a proper brief

that laid out the objectives, the costs,

and the deliverables.

If I look at the 11 that we've had approved,

we actually don't have similar briefs for those.

I think it's really helpful to have a brief

for all of the projects that we've approved

that talks about the basics.

What is this project?

What's it going to deliver?

and how much is it going to cost?

And ideally with a link through to a SharePoint.

I think we can do it retrospectively,

but I think it will be a very useful exercise

to do that for those projects.

Yep, okay, point noted, thank you.

Moving on now to the next, let's move on.

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 1:07:34

Moving on now to the next item.

9 The Nighttime Economy

So that's now nighttime economy, Jacqueline.

So on the basis that everybody's itching

with the nighttime economy bit that's coming later on.

Thank you, Chairman, thank you.

And noting that Sue's here as well,

is gonna be joining in, hi Sue,

Jacqueline Ford - 1:07:48

Thanks for coming. Would you like to come and sit down here, sir, as well?

Yeah, that's great. So please go ahead.

Thank you. So this evening, just want to run through is a recap

where we got to after the last meeting, and we have some information

to share with you about what this pilot is going to look like.

So the when, where, what, who and how and a financial ask of the committee,

as was asked.

So after the discussion in the presentation last time, we'd identified

a series of pilot areas that link to activities

that we can do more deliberately, collectively.

And the principle behind all of these

is we're looking at additionality and collaboration.

We're not looking at duplicating what is already in place

and others are doing.

This is a way of looking holistically

and pulling this together.

And we agreed at the meeting we need to take action

on each of these, that you can't do them in isolation.

Really interestingly, just quickly,

Mary Portis' last newsletter that came out last week

was talking about changing consumer behaviours,

and she says that experience isn't the icing

on the cake anymore, it is the cake.

So it's really timely that we look at this

and how we raise awareness about the offer within the town.

Go on to the next one.

So when?

We're going to do the first Friday. This is our proposal. There will be a short -term early evening

animation between finishing work and going into the evening

So 5 to 7 p .m. With some potential flex on that if we've got nice weather

We have the opportunity to theme each month according to our existing calendar

So for example, when we look at an event in February,

that first Friday is the first Friday

before Weird Wickham being on the Sunday,

so why wouldn't we have that as a lead through?

This also gives us the opportunity when,

with Sue and our other stakeholders in the town,

we do our events planning calendar for next year,

we can look about how this can support

the first Friday as well.

So where? The core area is going to be under the Guildhall and under Little Market House,

so we're going to focus on the public realm assets that we have easily within our gift.

We have potential to extend up into White Hart Street and into Paul's Row.

We also have the potential to extend out into the High Street as well.

So we're talking about starting small,

getting something that then we can then scale

and develop as this goes forward.

We're gonna have the clock as a key feature,

but I'm gonna keep, me and Sue are keeping our powder dry

about that so it can be a surprise.

What you'll also see on this map,

we said potential after party or side quest locations.

So what we would be doing for the first Friday,

I will come onto that actually.

Let me just go onto that, shall we?

So what?

We're looking at experiential pilots and this is based on what we've been able to

deliver already. I say we as in Sue and the BIDCO. It's based on what we did

with Welcome Back Fund money and we created a series of animations within

Paul's Row and under the undercroft through a period of time. So it's

something that we know that works. We've got Sue and we've got Saunders

who will be working to do this.

We had really positive feedback from the public

and positive feedback about the knock -on

with the businesses as well.

It's about building collaboration.

So I mentioned that after party and that side quest.

And this is about sort of amplifying

and raising awareness of whatever's going on.

So it's not a single use activity.

You don't just come.

You can use this as a startup for what you want to do

the rest of the evening. So if you want to come and listen to music go and do

your Tesco shop and go home. Fabulous. If you want to come and listen to some

music and go for some food whether that's fast or fine dining that's

fabulous. If you want to come and listen to some music and then go and do some

board games, go to the gym, head to have ice cream for dinner, you can do all of

those and one of the areas that we really want to explore is how we can

extend this out for young people as well to make it something that they feel

welcome and wanting to do. So we've got the potential to scale this to move into

not just about your traditional locations, so our hospitality locations,

those ideas about how you can animate non hospitality locations and there's

also scope then to use this as a bit of a seedbed to test out evolving in the

to develop a fuller Twilight Market.

So The Who.

This to me is really the exciting piece

and gives me a bit of sort of goosebumps

and I've told Mark I am taking his phrase here.

So at the end of Weird Wickham,

it was very much, you know,

this is an event by the people of Wickham

for the people of Wickham.

And as we spoke about last time,

we have a lot more sort of animators in this field.

that we didn't have a couple of years ago

who can help and support this.

And collectively, we are WICUM,

and collectively, we make WICUM,

and we all have a part that we can play in this.

The beauty of having this kind of approach

is that it's organizationally and business agnostic,

so it's something that everybody can get behind,

and there are different levels of involvement

that can be built in.

So this could be as small as somebody sharing a post about this, putting a sign in a window,

promoting or coming up with an offer that can be part of a side quest after this.

We will have some early adopters.

We will have some laggards as well.

But everyone that I've spoken to about this can really start to see the potential and

want to be part of it.

And having all of us together, and you'll notice at the end, you're all part of this

as well.

and the word of mouth advocacy that you have

to bring people who don't,

people of Wickham into using our town again.

People of Wickham coming in and experience

the great variety of things that we have on offer.

That's what we need to do.

So you all have a role in this as well.

How?

We've got Sue here and we've got the market as well.

They are used to doing these kinds of activities

and we've got a series of behind the scenes work

that needs to be done.

We've got comms development and promotion

that needs to be done,

and because you need to start telling people about this

before we actually deliver it,

and working through these different themes,

the earliest we think we could be ready to launch this

would be on the first Friday in September.

So put the date in your diary now.

And finally, so what is the ask of this?

So looking at those three areas of work,

looking at the figures that we have

with what Sue and the bid code did

for Live After Five and other animations,

you are looking to put on event

with all of these threads in place to do it properly.

You're talking three to four thousand pounds.

So my ask this evening, or Sue and I's,

Highwick and Bidco's ask this evening,

is for an approval in principle of up to 20 ,000

to be released to enable us to pilot activity

over six months.

So we're not gonna do one for the 1st of January,

which is the first Friday in January.

We're gonna give ourselves a bit of grace for that.

And what we would also look is this needs to become

something that can be funded to continue as well.

So we would like to explore the opportunity

at the right time with officers about looking for a ongoing revenue funding

contribution to enable this to continue. Thank you. Great, thank you Jacqueline. Sue

did you want to add anything immediately on that or do you just want to answer

Susan Hynard (HWBIDCo) - 1:16:21

questions? Sorry no, I think Jacqueline was going to do the presentation for

both of us. I think it would be clear that that money wouldn't all be coming to me

that would be spread around lots of different places.

I would only be one of the people

that was helping making it happen,

so it isn't like you're giving up a pot of money

for me to organise.

I would just be one of the players in it.

Okay, I think it's a great plan to start off with Jacqueline.

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 1:16:45

Just to ask in terms of the money,

and in principle, I suppose looking at Wendy slightly as well

and in principle agreement to up to 20 ,000 in funding,

does that mean that each month, for instance,

you would be coming back with a roughly

three to four thousand how do you think it would work in terms of funding? So we

Jacqueline Ford - 1:17:04

see this working and I'm happy to have a conversation with Wendy afterwards as

well but we would have some initial costs to get this up and running we've

probably got some one -off costs that we would need early money on and then it

could reduce after that so if we can have an in principle agreement that

that 20 ,000 is there that enables us to plan for September because we don't have

a pot that we can draw on and come back in September to ask for approval to that

to be released so if that is what members would want we would be looking

to start this in the next year. Okay I'm gonna open up for questions and things

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 1:17:46

now just for me I mean I think it's a great idea we're getting started it's

good to have some organisation everything else it isn't from my perspective a

large amount of money. I might have been expecting it to come back as more as an

in principle but that's just my first comment so Trevor go ahead.

Cllr Trevor Snaith - 1:18:02

Chris you've still got your mic on. This is definitely the right thing to do for

High Wycombe. The catchment area that I noticed went down one or two of the side

streets. It is you'll have security on Waunchee as well that's one of the

questions I've got. The second question is it's an ideal opportunity as well for

to test on those nights reopening some toilets down that way. Thank you.

Right, thanks Trevor. Julia.

Cllr Julia Wassell - 1:18:28

I have grave concerns about this project. I mean the first thing, you know, all our

wards have a night time economy and mine is drugs. You know, there are a few shopping

parades, but there was a hell of a lot of drug dealing in my ward, and that is my night

time economy, and that is what multi -agencies are trying to work on.

So I'm concerned, and I've read widely about this matter, about risk to participants, risk

of increased drug dealing, the risk of how people transition to and fro these events.

To my mind this is just another kind of offering with the Wycombe town of culture thing and

how much more money have we got to plough into town of culture type things. I mean,

some of you who don't know me that well will know that when I was 16 I cycled from John

to Land's End to raise awareness about the lack of arts and culture in High Wycombe.

Now we've got it coming out of our ears and when I have problems with my night -time economy

in Bowerdine, I don't really feel we should be developing night -time economy without a

very serious risk assessment done with the police and other agencies about where this

is going to end up.

Because I'm afraid it's going to end up in tears.

Right, thanks, Jo.

I think there is a point coming out of there.

It's just, have we,

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 1:20:10

and I'm not expecting an answer to it particularly now,

but have you been thinking about the security in that?

Because one of the issues when we did the first

discussions with councillors and many stakeholders

was the idea that some people felt it was unsafe

to come to the middle of Wycombe.

Yeah, thank you.

We have considered that.

So we're not talking about an intervention

Jacqueline Ford - 1:20:32

that's the size of Frogfest,

covering the whole of the town.

We are talking about a band under the Guildhall,

something going on under Little Market House

that you would just come and enjoy,

different little vibe, and then you would go on

if you were gonna have dinner or all the rest.

So based on the experience of SOO,

we've got the Safety Advisory Group,

so this will go to SAG.

We have links with security,

So if that becomes an issue, all of this would be looked at.

So there's a series of activities that need to be done

behind the scenes around this.

And just to add to that, when we originally were coming up

with the concept a long time ago, a year ago,

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 1:21:14

we did have a brief discussion with the police, actually,

who said that actually they were all in favour of this

and the idea of having a more controllable area

that they could be watching and that sort of thing

would probably work.

So hopefully, Julia, we can solve your concerns.

Khalil?

Oh sorry I didn't see sorry. Mabu first then Khalil. Thank you Mr. Chairman. I think it's

Cllr Mahboob Hussain JP - 1:21:34

very good presentation and I think it's good initiative for our like concern and I just

wondered that the point was raised by Julia how we have spoken to the police to get your

feedback what the thing about the night economy.

Jacqueline Ford - 1:21:56

So we haven't had a direct conversation with the police as yet but the experience that

we have in the relationship with the pub watch scheme and the security scheme that's run

in the town and our conversations with BIDCO, we are confident that this will be something

that they will be able to support in the same way

because our lead people who are going to be delivering

some of this or delivering around it

have that experience in place in those relationships.

Susan Hynard (HWBIDCo) - 1:22:32

I mean, Mabou, I speak to the police virtually every day.

And no, if I'm absolutely hand on heart,

I have not sat down with them and sort of talked it through,

but that would be all part of where doing the submission

to the SAG where you have to put all those things through

so that the council officers and the police

and everyone else has a chance to comment.

But I think because of the reputation that the BICO has

that people are confident that we can do a safe

and well run event.

I mean, there's nothing to stop anything going on in Baradine in addition to that.

It's just that I don't think I could be involved in that, but there could be other people

that could put something on in Baradine if that's what you want.

It's just that I thought that the town committee had tried to talk about the animation

of the town centre and that is going to take some time and effort and all sorts of different

resources to try and change.

We don't need people coming from Birmingham, we just need people coming from Tyler's Green

to come to it.

And it is, in a sense, what we were all envisaging a year ago or so, something happening regularly,

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 1:23:54

same time every month and everything else, and concerns people had raised about whether

it would only be a sort of drinking and eating affair.

I think Jacqueline had taken it in a very good way starting at five o 'clock, you know

open to everybody in the in the high street and then including around the other activities whether it's going to the gym or going to

Your dance class or whatever it is. It's not just located around eating and drinking which I think is wonderful

So Chris then hazel and then

Oh, sorry, Khaleel. So Khalil Chris hazel, then we're going to draw a line under it to move on

It's getting late, Chairman.

Cllr Khalil Ahmed - 1:24:23

Getting tired.

Jacqueline, I was supportive previously and I'm still supportive now.

Thank you very much. I haven't changed my stance.

Absolutely great idea. I'm still supporting this idea.

However, the throwaway remark from Trevor is a serious one from me.

You are expecting lots of people to come into the town.

And again, like a broken record, I am going to come back to the toilets.

Have you considered where people are going to be using,

in terms of obviously to relieve themselves

for that purpose.

The reason why I'm saying this at the moment

is because prostate cancer is quite on the rise in itself

and lots of men are nowadays finding themselves

frequently wanting to go to the toilet and so on.

So there is a reason behind me cracking on about this

again and again and again.

And I don't really feel happy in the sense

that people should use restaurants or shops

in order to go and use the toilets.

Where would they do?

Has that been considered?

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 1:25:21

So I think the point is actually now would be to say as we're organising it

can that be an important consideration within the organisation? Yeah certainly I

Jacqueline Ford - 1:25:29

mean you can you can hire toilets and have toilet blocks and do things but

we're talking about two hours and I do totally get the point that you're

raising Councillor so yeah it's something that we can consider. Thank you

Cllr Chris Chilton - 1:25:45

so Chris, Hazel then we're closing off. So Jacqueline, then Leslie that's it. I think

I think it's a great proposal.

I think if we work it up and come back with something

which is a bit more clear about how we'd spend

20 ,000 pounds -ish, I would be very supportive of that.

I'd like to also talk about the nighttime economy

in Terriers and Amersham Hill,

where there is also a drug dealing challenge.

And I have already submitted a project to this committee,

which people have probably seen,

which is about the installation of CCTV and lighting

in the areas where it's worst in order to try and reduce that part of the

nighttime economy in Terriers and Amersham Hill and Julia I think you

should propose you should work up a project yourself which you come back to

this committee with which is seeking funding and I did mine in combination

with the police so the proposals for lighting and CCTV I developed with the

police to develop a project with the police and come back to this committee

with a proposal for X tens of thousands of pounds

in order to reduce the nighttime economy in boarding.

Thank you Chris.

I think that's how we should operate.

There's lots of different funds you can tap in for,

Susan Hynard (HWBIDCo) - 1:26:53

pots of money you can tap in for that sort of thing.

And you wouldn't necessarily be the town committee

that that funding could come from.

When I've talked to Chris.

Thanks for moving on.

So Hazel please, then Leslie, then we're finishing.

Cllr Hazel Arthur-Hewitt - 1:27:05

Yeah, thank you very much.

I mean, I think it's great,

But honestly, today with the heat, I've got the attention span of a gnat.

And it would have been nice to have something in the report pack to look at.

And maybe visuals and maybe a flavour of what sort of music you're looking at.

You know, a sort of quick mock -up of what areas of the things would take place in.

And so I'm not knocking you hard, impressive work.

But for £20 ,000 I feel like I'm making a vote on what I think I remember

without being able to see it in front of me,

like with the sort of visuals,

so that's all I'd sort of say as a comment,

is that it would really help with that kind of amount of money

to have something that we could have looked at

in the meeting, but thank you for your work in that zone.

And I think actually it's probably really just a note

to us before the meetings happen,

is to try and get stuff in advance if we can.

So, if the, what Jacqueline's asking for is agreed,

Jacqueline Ford - 1:28:02

what we would do is complete a funding application form,

Wendy Morgan-Brown - 1:28:05

like you've seen for those two projects today.

So it would come back to committee.

We'd use the schema delegation so we can deal with it

between the meetings.

So it would go out to all members,

we'd receive your comments back and approvals back.

As long as I can't remember what the criteria quite is,

but I think it's just over half members if they approve it.

It's signed off by the chairman and the vice chairman,

then the funding can be firmly allocated to Jacqueline

for the project.

So you would get sight of a detailed brief

before you had to make a formal decision.

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 1:28:39

Cllr Chris Chilton - 1:28:41

And Wendy said one second earlier I think a counsellor involved in the group putting it together would make it more not in this particular instance because this has already come forward.

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 1:28:44

But yes we've got it for the future.

So I mean if there is then I'll put it forward.

But I'm just saying so I think you would be yes I mean I will put it forward if we're going to do that if the process starts from that.

So that's absolutely fine.

So I think so.

But just so everyone's clear so we're going to in a minute.

And Trevor will let you in for 10 seconds in a minute.

What we will be going forward once we finish the two conversations with Trevor and Leslie is we will be then

Voting in principle to allocate this money. Then the proposal will get more detail come back on email

We'll all get to comment and then assuming we're or at least 50 % is an agreement then it will move forward. Okay, Trevor

No, no, sorry Leslie. I've forgotten him. Sorry

Cllr Lesley Clarke OBE - 1:29:25

Somebody would second my proposal to support the twenty thousand pounds.

OK, so proposed by Leslie, second by Mabou.

Those in favour then of this proposal, 20 ,000 pounds greed in principle

for the nighttime economy.

OK, so. Right.

I'm voting against chair chairman.

So we're just counting the votes for this name discussion.

on it Julia and then we will come to the votes against. Thank you. Okay and then the votes

against please. Okay thank you. Chris please we weren't making more comments this point.

Trevor you didn't get the opportunity to make a comment. I will let you make it anyway although

the proposal was made that's why we took it. Go ahead.

That's fine. It's great. It's going ahead. I'd just like to say when Sue said

Cllr Trevor Snaith - 1:30:33

something interesting there's other funding parts. If we're moving ahead with

this I'd like to think see other parts of council putting money into this as

well since they keep coming to us and asking for money.

Right, excellent. Thank you Trevor. Chris, any update on infrastructure parking?

10 Parking and Infrastructure Sub-Group Update

Cllr Chris Chilton - 1:30:51

I can do a very quick update. So we have, we finished scoping phase three, which

is the new work. We have 74 schemes that we've discussed in detail and approved and started

to work on. We reckon that's going to cost us about £240 ,000 out of the £300 ,000 we

have available. We have another 10 which were proposed by members very, very late, later

than three different deadlines that I gave them. We're having a conversation with the

officers tomorrow to see whether we can squeeze them in or not. It may be a not.

Of the 74 schemes we've approved so far, they're essentially split into two areas.

One is those which are easy regulation changes, new double yellow lines, that sort of thing.

And the second are more complex things where it's permits, et cetera, and we're really

dealing with them in those two groups, the easy ones and the more difficult ones.

I would suggest we've had great member engagement with this work so far.

We've had virtually everyone here attend.

I don't think we need that in future.

I think we need a much smaller group who can chase the officers and make sure we make progress

much more quickly instead. I think if I look at the historical parking schemes that we've

done, they have taken ages to do. We are now finishing off schemes which were first approved

in 2021 and 2022, and that is absolutely appalling and we can't, we just can't do that. We need

We need to move in a time frame measured in months, not years.

I don't think a steering group made of more than a dozen councillors is the right format

to do that.

So I think we need to move to a smaller group of councillors who are meeting with the offices

on a much more regular basis to make sure that progress is urgent and rapid and we start

delivering these things early.

We've had some good early indications.

We've had drawings for about 15 schemes, which I think looks really good.

Do you want to interrupt just on that one point because I think it's very important point about you asking to have a smaller more active

group

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 1:32:59

I think that if that is what everybody else agrees with I think it would be very good to say what the next step is and

From your point of view

Let's shall we say we'd like everybody to write to you who would be active on the group and could you write?

Within the next three working days to Chris say that you want to be active on the infrastructure and parking group

and that means please committing yourselves to turning up and reviewing documents and things like that.

So was that a good way of moving that one forward?

Cllr Chris Chilton - 1:33:25

I don't want it to be six or seven people though.

Right, what are you looking for, five?

No, two or three.

Well I think it certainly has to be more than two.

Right, I mean how do others feel?

So perhaps a group of five, well, people's quick ideas.

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 1:33:43

I don't want to stay on this for the whole time, Chris had five minutes for an update,

but it is important. I think you're right, Chris, to make it more active.

I think if Chris then gets 10 emails and then he's got the odd job of going, not you, not

Cllr Hazel Arthur-Hewitt - 1:33:53

you, I think it'd be fairer to just sort of see who's interested and then perhaps maybe

to a vote in the next.

But I mean, if we only get two people apply, then it's two. But I mean, as in if seven

or eight apply and we want to make it a smaller group, I think we should be generally agreeing.

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 1:34:06

Cllr Chris Chilton - 1:34:09

I mean, so if it's if we're saying we want seven or eight members actively involved in

chasing progress all the time, I would really ask yourself, what are the seven or eight

members going to do right we're not it can't be two I think so I mean what what

what do people think would it be three five five five five okay general dog

Chris go for five for now see how it works you can report back and say it's

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 1:34:30

Cllr Chris Chilton - 1:34:35

still unwieldy and we can say if it's five he's not in yep so I want this to

be a success I want us to have parking regulations in place in six months right

I absolutely want to hold the officers to account and we don't do that with a big group, right?

Can I suggest as a compromise as people had sort of come forward with five and I don't want to stay on this all night

Otherwise, we'll be stuck in here doing this one point all night

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 1:34:58

So is is if there were five people that came forward and there was a group formed

that doesn't mean I think that I'm look at Wendy or

Democratic services that they could also have a form a scheme of delegation within the instruction parking group

Democratic services or could we cheque that?

Fine. So, Chris, it may well be that you can have five in a group and then have a scheme

of delegation that allows things to be more flexible than that. Can we take that one,

move it forward, see who applies anyway? If you only get two, it's sort of all over. And

take it from there. Is that possible, Chris? And we certainly wouldn't want to lose you.

You're doing great work. So please don't rush off in a knee -jerk reaction on it. Let's see

if we can get it through that it works for everybody.

Trevor, quick comment, then we're moving on, letting Chris finish.

Chris, you may want to look at it from the point of view of the various categories you're

Cllr Trevor Snaith - 1:35:44

looking at like parking, yellow lines existing yellow lines is not. But the

question I was about to raise is which Chris didn't touch on and it

is big concern is the replacement of yellow lines right which we have talked

about and we have discussed doesn't seem to be happening. I'm not seeing

anybody around with yet pots of yellow paint painting our streets.

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 1:36:09

Thanks point Chris if you'd like to finish your your summary and then we'll try

and get you a group that's more active?

So in terms of yellow lines being repainted,

there is a SharePoint website

Cllr Chris Chilton - 1:36:19

where councillors need to put the lines

that they wish to be repainted onto.

If requests are going on there

and are not being actioned within the first two months,

that absolutely will be one of the first jobs

of the group to chase.

So the first requirement is for councillors

to specify what they want,

And then the second is for officers to deliver that.

Brilliant.

Thank you, Chris.

Is there anything else you wanted to say in your summary, Chris?

No.

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 1:36:46

Thank you very much.

And Chris, you do great work on this.

So thanks very much.

Please don't rush off and resign and not do it.

Let's see if we can get it working in a way it works for you as well.

OK.

Moving on to our next item, cabinet forward plan.

11 Cabinet Forward Plan

You've got it in the papers in front of you.

If anybody has any comments?

No.

Noted.

Moving forward.

The work programme.

So you've also got that there.

12 Work Programme

Anybody got any comments on work programme?

Leslie, go ahead.

Cllr Lesley Clarke OBE - 1:37:16

We had something earlier about the Wickham,

oh gosh, We Make Wickham.

Unfortunately, We Make Wickham seem to make some decisions

that none of us are aware of.

And I think it would be really good that We Make Wickham

come and talk to us in November

and tell us what they're doing

and involving everybody on the town committee because things are coming

forward from them and nobody knows anything about them and we don't know

who the steering group is there's no counsellor on it and it just seems I don't

there's any problem in us asking if they'd come here and present is there so

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 1:37:59

yeah we've got you want them in November or even earlier okay that's fine so I

I think that's fine.

Hazel.

Yeah, it's only gonna be quick and say,

Cllr Hazel Arthur-Hewitt - 1:38:05

like when I find out that like Bucks Uni love them,

but when you find out that Bucks Uni

are running focus groups on ASB or various other things,

it's a similar thing.

We ought to be like sort of finding out more

about what's going on so that we're not

cross -purposing ourselves.

And that would be really useful.

So the more we see of, like if anyone spots stuff

that's being run by other people

that might be of interest to us,

you know, we should be bringing that forward

as well as what Leslie's proposed.

Yep, great, good point, thank you.

Okay, any other points on this one?

No, right, thank you very much.

13 Date of Next Meeting

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 1:38:37

So our final point, date of our next meeting,

the 8th of September, 2026.

Come on, England.

Cllr Khalil Ahmed

Independent

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Cllr Arman Alam

Conservative

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Cllr Hazel Arthur-Hewitt

Labour Party

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Cllr Chris Chilton

Labour Party

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Cllr Lesley Clarke OBE

Conservative

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Mrs Elly Cook

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Jacqueline Ford

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Cllr Ed Gemmell

Independent

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Cllr Maz Hussain

Conservative

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Cllr Mahboob Hussain JP

Conservative

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Mr Aqib Khan

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Fiorella Mugari

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Cllr Trevor Snaith

Independent

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Cllr Julia Wassell

Wycombe Independent

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High Wycombe Town Committee - Tuesday 23 June 2026, 7:00pm - Buckinghamshire Council Webcasting

High Wycombe Town CommitteeTuesday, 23rd June 2026 at 7:00pm

Agenda

Slides

Transcript

Map

Resources

Twitter

Forums

Speakers

Feedback

Votes

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:00:08

1 Apologies for Absence

Mrs Elly Cook - 0:00:19

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:00:22

Cllr Maz Hussain - 0:00:28

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:00:34

2 Appointment of Vice Chairman

3 Declarations of interest

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:01:20

4 Minutes

5 Chairman's Update

Cllr Chris Chilton - 0:02:18

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:02:28

Cllr Hazel Arthur-Hewitt - 0:02:41

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:03:12

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:10:43

Cllr Hazel Arthur-Hewitt - 0:11:47

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:12:09

Cllr Trevor Snaith - 0:12:34

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:12:57

Cllr Trevor Snaith - 0:15:32

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:15:43

Cllr Hazel Arthur-Hewitt - 0:15:52

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:16:19

Cllr Julia Wassell - 0:16:48

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:18:15

Cllr Trevor Snaith - 0:18:46

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:19:05

Wendy Morgan-Brown - 0:19:43

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:20:06

6 High Wycombe Town Committee Special Expenses Outturn 2025/26

Fiorella Mugari - 0:20:36

Cllr Lesley Clarke OBE - 0:22:56

Fiorella Mugari - 0:24:09

Cllr Chris Chilton - 0:24:37

Fiorella Mugari - 0:25:48

Cllr Chris Chilton - 0:26:06

Fiorella Mugari - 0:26:09

Cllr Chris Chilton - 0:27:06

Fiorella Mugari - 0:27:35

Cllr Khalil Ahmed - 0:27:58

Cllr Khalil Ahmed - 0:28:23

Fiorella Mugari - 0:28:25

Cllr Hazel Arthur-Hewitt - 0:28:57

Fiorella Mugari - 0:30:08

Wendy Morgan-Brown - 0:30:18

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:30:31

Cllr Arman Alam - 0:31:29

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:31:53

Wendy Morgan-Brown - 0:31:58

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:32:12

Wendy Morgan-Brown - 0:32:30

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:32:55

Mr Aqib Khan - 0:33:11

7 Capital Programme and CIL balance update

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:34:59

Cllr Lesley Clarke OBE - 0:35:04

Mr Aqib Khan - 0:35:22

Wendy Morgan-Brown - 0:35:32

Cllr Chris Chilton - 0:35:39

Cllr Maz Hussain - 0:35:58

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:37:00

Mr Aqib Khan - 0:37:31

Cllr Khalil Ahmed - 0:38:02

Mr Aqib Khan - 0:38:14

Cllr Ed Gemmell - 0:38:34

Cllr Julia Wassell - 0:38:38

Mr Aqib Khan - 0:40:00

High Wycombe Town Committee
Tuesday, 23rd June 2026 at 7:00pm