County Council

Minutes Wycombe Local Committee

AGENDA ITEM: 3

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF WYCOMBE LOCAL COMMITTEE HELD ON THURSDAY 17 JULY 2003, IN THE GENERAL HIGGINSON ROOM, COURT GARDENS, MARLOW COMMENCING AT 6.30 PM AND CONCLUDING AT 9.00 PM

MEMBERS PRESENT

Council Organisation or Society Representative

Buckinghamshire County Council Mrs C M Aston Mr F Downes Mr T J Fowler Ms V A Letheren (Chairman) Mr M B Oram Mr R C Pushman Mr P Rogerson Dr B R Stenner Mr F V J Sweatman

Bledlow cum Parish Council Mr N Cox

Bradenham Parish Council Mr D Campanini

Chepping Wycombe Parish Council Mr M Smith

Downley Parish Council Mr J Gowen

Great and Little Hampden Parish Council Mr S Appleby

Great Marlow Parish Council Mr D Coe

Hambleden Parish Council Mr M Elliott

Hughenden Parish Council Mr D Davies

Institute of Advanced Motorists Mr R Thomas

Council Organisation or Society Representative

Lacey Green Parish Council Mr T V Molesworth

Lane End Parish Council Susan Wright

Little Marlow Parish Council Mr T J Juby

Pedestrians Society Mr T Samson

Princes Risborough Town Council Mr L A Benifer

Thames Valley Police PC A Baverstock

WAAFA Alison Lewis

West Wycombe Parish Council Vicki Smith

Wooburn Residents Association Mr B Wilkinson

Wycombe District Council Mr P Cartwright Mr M Fish Mr R Hussein Mr C Mansfield Mr H McCarthy

Officers

Buckinghamshire County Council Mr P Dart Mr G Emmerson Mr J Hodgkins Mr M Jones Mr M Knight Mr R Maskell Mr I McGowan Mr T Nicholson Mr M Oldfield Mr C Parker Mr I Reed Mr J Stephenson

CHAIRMAN OF THE LOCAL COMMITTEE

Members noted that Mrs Letheren would be chairing the meeting for the ensuing year in place of Mr D A B Green. Mr F Downes will continue to be the Vice-Chairman.

The Committee placed on record their thanks to Mr Green for his Chairmanship over the past two years.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from Mr D A B Green, Mrs E M Lay and Julia Wassell, Buckinghamshire County Council and Mr D Clark, Parish Council.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Mr Molesworth mentioned that he does work for BABTIE.

1 MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 April 2003 were confirmed.

2 QUESTION TIME/PETITIONS

Mr F Coker of Parish Council circulated a paper regarding potential for accidents in Church Road, and addressed the meeting. A petition supporting the proposals to change the one-way system was tabled. Mr M Smith from the Parish Council was concerned about the situation in the road but was not happy about reversing the flow.

The petition would be reported to the next meeting of the Committee although Mr Coker’s request had been considered at minute 9 see below.

Question Number One

Councillor Davies of Hughenden Parish Council

“a Four Ashes Road – indicates review of whole length, signs, speed – in connection with mini-roundabout at junction with Road.

Q1 - When are we likely to see the roundabout in place and Q2 - Please include a review of Cryers Hill Lane at the same time, as this will have an impact on the provisions of the roundabout. Also, point to note, this is in Hughenden Parish area, not Great Missenden.

b Valley Road, – whole stretch from to Cryers Hill Road roundabout – speed, signage and markings has been taken out of the plan.

Q1 - Why? c Hughenden Valley – crossing near to Wrights Builders.

Q1 - When is this likely to be placed?

Mr Davies did not receive any replies to his questions. Written replies would be sent to Mr Davies via his Parish Council.”

Question Number Two

Councillor Bendyshe-Brown of Council

“a County Councillor Green, with local WDC Councillor and Town Councillor support has asked that cushions be implanted into New Road to prevent the use of this road as a race track by local youngsters. We had a representative of yours at the Risborough Area Forum on Monday who stated that there was insufficient accident data to justify early implementation of this initiative. However, I would like to raise the debate to a different level above accident statistics. As you know, the new road to the Senior School is, as we speak, being built with an entry point at the top of New Road. There is an absolute need to introduce cushions on New Road now to avoid any potential future accidents with young school children. Will you and your Committee be able to live with the knowledge that your delay cost the injuries, and potential loss of life, to young children? I do urge you to bring the introduction of cushions into this road at the earliest opportunity to avoid such an eventuality.

b I turn next to the roundabout outside Risborough on the A4010 towards Wycombe. We have been promised action for some considerable time to try and reduce the accident rate on the current crossroads. I have had little to no co-operation from representative who keeps referring me to some other body, who will charge for the service, to obtain the accident statistics. We cannot keep raising and then dashing confidence that this will ever come to fruition. Can I please ask that we bring the planning brief forward to this year?”

PC Baverstock advised that the details should be obtained from BABTIE.

“c Finally, County Councillor Green told us that a pelican crossing would be introduced in Road near to Wellington House Veterinary Surgery and that the crossing is now in the capital programme for this financial year and it will be in place well before September 2003, the time the new combined school will be opened. Can you let me know what the progress is?”

Councillor Bendyshe-Brown did not receive detailed answers to his questions. A full written reply was promised.

Question Number Three

Princes Risborough Town Council

“a The Council wish to submit a question as it would like to know what plans, if any, are in place for future use of the former Berryfield School site in Princes Risborough.”

Answer:

The Berryfield School site is to be sold and the sale price will help fund the cost of the school amalgamation. For this reason the sale price needs to be as large as possible having regard to planning policies, which will govern any alternative uses.

3 THE WORK OF THE TRADING STANDARDS TEAM

Prior to the start of the meeting the Trading Standards Team had manned an exhibition showing the type of work they carry out to protect the consumer.

The Committee received a presentation from Mr Phillip Dart, Head of Trading Standards which members found both interesting and informative. Mr Dart explained that a Mobile Advice Centre was to tour the County on a monthly rota basis. The Citizens Advice Bureau was also interested in recruiting volunteers to go out on the road.

Mr Dart mentioned Trading Standards’ work with the recent use of hidden cameras against rogue traders. The Council has two such cameras. The Service now has the power to pursue injunctions although the process of getting to Court was slow.

Trading Standards were actively engaged in work regarding doorstop selling and under age sales. With regard to under age sales of alcohol, nine investigations were pending.

The Committee discussed issues arising from the presentation and expressed their thanks to Mr Dart.

It was agreed that update reports on trading standards issues be submitted to the local committee at six monthly intervals.

4 TRANSPORTATION SERVICE a Strategic Priorities

Mr Gary Emmerson, Head of Transportation, informed members that each Local Committee now had £125,000 to spend as it wished on highway schemes. In a recent MORI survey, highway maintenance was identified as the single most important issue to those people replying. In second place was public transport, followed by road safety aspects.

Mr Emmerson explained to the Committee that he was seeking views on what the annual allocation should be spent on. How should the prioritisation be done for example?

The Committee discussed different types of highway schemes. No firm conclusions were drawn.

Alison Lewis of WAAFA requested the Head of Transportation to consider the appointment of Accessibility Officers to promote the needs of people with disabilities in relation to all parts of the Transportation Service.

b Local Priorities

Mike Knight reported on local priorities. The report was noted. A list of outstanding requests would be provided to Parishes/Members of the Committee.

5 RURAL BUS CHALLENGE BID – DEMAND RESPONSIVE TRANSPORT FOR THE AND AREAS

Tony Nicholson and Richard Maskell gave a presentation on the Rural Challenge Bid. The sum of £350,000 was received after an initial bid for £1m. An explanation of the scheme was given. It would start off small but be manageable and flexible. The Committee agreed that there was a need for maximum publicity for the service. The possibility of a Working Group made up from the relevant communities to discuss operational issues was discussed.

It was agreed that the creation of a Working Group be investigated further.

6 A404 AMERSHAM HILL/CRENDON STREET, HIGH WYCOMBE

Ian McGowan, Local Safety Scheme Implementation Leader, gave the Committee an update on the recent consultation programme launched to address the problems associated with commercial vehicles losing control down the hill as a result of brake failure. The results of the consultation programme were noted. A public meeting to outline and discuss relevant issues was to be held on 7 August in the Council Chamber, Wycombe District Council, Queen Victoria Road, High Wycombe starting at 7.00 pm

7 ROUTE ALERT

Mark Oldfield, from the Road Safety Team, gave an update on Route Alert. The report was noted.

8 PASSENGER TRANSPORT ISSUES

John Hodgkins delivered a presentation on Passenger Transport Issues. A written report had been circulated.

The report covered:

a) The decision of National Express to withdraw from the Oxford – Stansted coach service.

b) Relaunch of the Totteridge – High Wycombe – Castlefield service as redroute 33.

c) BCC’s intervention to maintain levels of services which otherwise would have been withdrawn by Arriva

d) Easybus Services

e) Bus services travelling through High Wycombe to Slough and Heathrow Airport.

The report also addressed the County Council’s decision to promote flexible services using small vehicles on scheduled routes or on a demand responsive basis.

It was agreed

1 That the possibility of an integrated ticketing system be investigated.

2 The proposed strategy for public transport services be supported.

9 TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT REQUESTS AND PETITIONS

The report of the Group Manager, Traffic Management Systems and Parking on Traffic Management Requests and Petitions was received.

10 WYCOMBE LOCAL DELIVERY PLAN

The Wycombe Local Delivery Plan was received.

11 LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN – ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT FOR 2002-2003

The Local Transport Plan Annual Progress Report was circulated at the meeting.

12 DATES FOR FUTURE MEETINGS

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 14 October at the Council Chamber, Wycombe District Council commencing at 6.00 pm. Future meetings have been arranged as follows:

Tuesday 27 January 2004 Council Chamber, Wycombe District Council

Wednesday 21 April 2004 The Main Hall, The Hub, Easton Street, High Wycombe

Wednesday 14 July 2004 Court Gardens, Marlow

Thursday 21 October 2004 Council Chamber, Wycombe District Council

CHAIRMAN

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Committees\Wycombe Local Committee\Minutes\20030717.doc