News, information and features from your district council Issue 25 | Spring 2018

Discover your district www.recycle4bucks.co.uk/wizardWasteTry ourWizard new No amount TOO SMALL

Remember to recycle your TEABAGS and COFFEE GROUNDS

To find out more about food recycling in Bucks, visit: www.recycle4bucks.co.uk/food

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WDT coffee full page.indd 1 19/02/2018 09:44:01 contents • 3

Home sweet home

Spring is a great time of year in our district – the place we are all fortunate enough to call our home. Win a prize! Your council With our market towns, great Find the hidden tax Easter eggs! 5 8 communities, entrepreneurial spirit and the rolling hills of the Chilterns, we live in a vibrant and beautiful part of the country. Part of our role as the local council serving all parts of our community is to work hard to make sure our district is a good home for people to live and work.

The housing shortage is a massive challenge both Save up to Doorstep nationally and locally. Our local plan sets out how £720 a year discoveries we can help to meet that challenge both in the 12 22 short and longer term. We are looking at innovative ways we can use council owned land at Ashwells, P4 News round up: What’s P19 Bon appetit! The Bassetsbury and Hughenden Quarter to help build happening in and around story behind our food more homes for more people, at all stages of their inspections lives. We’re also committed to tackling the growing P8 Your council tax P21 Play away: Our parks P10 Loving our local Lotto: and green spaces get the need for temporary accommodation to help people Over 70 local good causes thumbs up who have become homeless (p14 and 15). are using Wycombe Lotto P22 Doorstop discoveries: to help raise funds Get out and explore With money getting tighter in local government, P12 Don’t throw it away! some great places we have looked for new responsible ways to try and How to make the most help raise funds for our local charities. We were of your recycling service one of the first councils to introduce a community P14 Local homes: Innovative lottery (p10), another 30 councils are following in ways to help tackle our 5 our footsteps to help support local good causes. So local housing shortage Reader survey P17 Better connections: if you’d like the chance to win £25,000 every week, Tell us what you think More superfast about your magazine with sign up and be part of it. broadband connections our online reader and better business links survey. CLLR KATRINA WOOD, LEADER, WYCOMBE DISTRICT COUNCIL Front cover shot: Easter egg hunts are fun for young and old. We’ve hidden 10 Easter eggs in the magazine.

Wycombe District Times is printed on environmentally friendly paper; Queen Victoria Road please recycle it after reading. You can advertise your business in Wycombe District Times. Call or email the editor for more information. HP11 1BB Editor: Sue Robinson 01494 421 557 [email protected] @wycombedc If you’d like a free copy of this magazine in large print, or an audio, phone 01494 461 000 wycombedistrictcouncil 01494 421 557. The audio version transcript of Wycombe District Times is www.wycombe.gov.uk made by volunteers at Wycombe Talking Newspaper. wycombedc

The views expressed by individuals in Wycombe District Times are not necessarily the views of Wycombe District Council. Every effort is made to ensure that all information is accurate at the time of going to press. External advertising in the magazine does not imply an endorsement or promotion of the advertisement, nor its content, products or services by Wycombe District Council. Some stock images are used in the production of this magazine to help illustrate an article, this is in part to ensure costs are kept to a minimum. 4 • news

HANDY CROSS COMMUNITY GRANTS Nursery, hotel for Money to help the HXH gateway most vulnerable

Handy Cross Hub (HXH) is welcoming a day nursery The council has awarded money and mini-gym to site – and they are set to be to charities and community followed by a hotel and offices. groups working to help the The day nursery and mini-gym will be housed in an eye- most vulnerable and reduce catching building at the entrance to the spine road and homelessness. are expected to be open for this autumn’s school term. Wycombe Women’s Aid, which supports women and children experiencing Plans were recently submitted for a new hotel and six or trying to escape domestic violence, will receive £66,000. office blocks with two restaurants. The Wycombe Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme, set up to reduce As HXH can be seen from Winter Hill AONB, the buildings homelessness by guaranteeing the deposit required by private landlords, have been designed to blend in with the surroundings. has been granted £62,500. See the plans by going to publicaccess.wycombe.gov.uk/ And £10,000 has been allocated to Wycombe Homeless Connection, idoxpa-web/ and typing in 18/05338/R4REM. which offers support, resettlement and a winter night shelter. Citizens Advice High Wycombe gets £153,280 to continue helping people resolve problems. Other charities and community groups to benefit are Festival, Community Impact Bucks, Wycombe Mind, New Meaning Centre Toolshed Project, One-Can Trust Ltd, Chiltern Dial a Ride, Shopmobility and Chiltern Woodlands.

Charities and community groups can apply for a grant at [email protected] or on 01494 421424.

FRAUD Fighting fraud In our latest success in the fight against fraud, a man LOCAL PLAN NEXT STEPS who made false claims was sentenced to a 12-month community order, including carrying out 160 hours Local plan update of unpaid work, and ordered to pay £4,353 after pleading guilty to five charges. After almost six years of gathering evidence Our fraud team found he had made a series of false and listening to local views, our planning claims: £1,768 in discretionary housing payments, £132.66 in council tax team have now submitted the Wycombe reduction and £33.17 in single person’s council tax discount. District Local Plan to the Secretary of State This prosecution is part of the council’s clampdown on fraud. Other for Communities and Local Government. The recent prosecutions, which have resulted in fines and recovered costs document will be subject to a public examination of thousands of pounds, include cases against illegal outbuildings being which is likely to happen in June/July 2018. The rented out and people making fraudulent applications for social housing. new local plan is evidence based. There is a large library of supporting documents setting out the If you think someone is committing fraud, please report evidence at each stage of the process on our your suspicions by freephone on 01494 461 000 or at website at www/wycombe.gov.uk/newlocalplan [email protected]. All calls and emails are treated in the strictest confidence. news • 5

ART COMPETITION READER SURVEY Get creative for Reader survey The calendar will be sold to raise funds for Wycombe District Times is WW1 calendar their Poppy Appeal. There will also be a delivered free to you by Wycombe local display of entries. District Council three times a Handy with a paintbrush, pencils or year. We cover a range of topics other creative tools? Take part in our The competition is open until 30 June. and aim to make the magazine competition and your work could feature For conditions of entry and the entry interesting and easy to read. in a calendar to commemorate the 100th form go to www.wycombe.gov.uk and We’d like to know what you, as a anniversary of World War One. search for ‘art competition’. reader, think about the magazine. Please take our short online EXTRA FUNDING survey www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ wycombe-district-times If you don’t have access to £19.5 million cash injection the internet, call the editor on 01494 421557 to receive a paper for local roads questionnaire. Last month the government announced that it is investing £866 million in local housing projects across WIN A PRIZE the country to support the delivery of new homes. Two local schemes which we put forward have been awarded funding worth almost £20 million. Easter egg The expansion of outlined in our local plan means we need to build or upgrade the local road network serving the town. hunt! We’ve now got a £12 million cash injection to enable us to get better infrastructure in place earlier. We will still need funding through developer contributions to meet the If you can find all the projected total cost of £67 million, but it gives us a head start. hidden Easter eggs in the magazine This road will serve the new development and ultimately form part of a relief road for the we’ll enter you in to town including a new rail underbridge at Summerleys Road to enable the relief road to a prize draw to win: then become an alternative route to the A4010. 4 tickets for Cirque A £7.5 million injection for High Wycombe will be used for a realigned Abbey Barn Lane Beserk at Wycombe Swan and a better junction at the northern end with Kingsmead Road. The work may be done in phases and developers will also be expected to contribute to this, as the total project costs a free Sundae at The Works are likely to be higher than £7.5 milion. or a month’s full membership at Wycombe Rye Lido AIR QUALITY Simply email egg.hunt@ wycombe.gov.uk with • Your name Cleaner air • A phone number we can reach you on Two new air quality management areas (AQMAs) have been declared in a bid to tackle And then tell us poor air quality in parts of Marlow and High Wycombe. • How many eggs you’ve found and Feedback from our consultation included positive suggestions for ways to improve air which pages you found them on quality for everyone, from improving pavements and encouraging walking to tackling idling engines and restricting HGV access. We will publish the answers on our website and social media and contact View the AQMAs on ‘my maps’ at mywycombe.wycombe.gov.uk – search for all the lucky winners before Easter. ‘air quality management area’ in the environment section. Below: Cllr Graham Peart Cabinet Member for Community 6 • news (centre) with Prof Rebecca Bunting (to his right), Vice Chancellor, Bucks New University launching the trail

DISABILITY DAY HERITAGE TRAIL A day in Local history the life… in action

The Chairman of Wycombe District Council always has a packed diary full of engagements, meetings and working with local community groups. The current chairman Cllr Suzanne Brown joined a group of councillors and retailers to celebrate the International day of People with Disabilities in December. Chairman Cllr Suzanne Brown in action They went round Eden and other with Shopmobility for disability day Thanks to a £10,000 grant awarded to Wycombe parts of High Wycombe using District Council by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) equipment borrowed from High Wycombe Shopmobility. They were joined by and a Higher Education Funding Council for England the manager of Eden, the Chairman of Wycombe District Council’s Planning (HEFCE) grant for Buckinghamshire New University Committee and the council’s lead officer on equalities. there’s a new heritage trail which brings history to “We all found using a manual wheelchair hard work” said Chairman Cllr life by marking roles that people of Wycombe played Suzanne Brown, “and even though powered scooters were much easier to during the First World War. use, it was quite a challenge avoiding pedestrians who didn’t see you and Designed for use on a mobile phone, the Heritage Trail expected you to get out of their way. It was a steep learning curve and a is full of interesting videos, photos and commentaries really worthwhile experience for all of us.” which bring local history to life as you go from point to point on the route. The trail starts at High Wycombe NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANNING library in Eden and finishes up at Wycombe Museum where you can see the WW1 trench reconstruction Going local and lots of other WW1 artefacts. The project involved a number of experts and Since the Localism volunteers from Wycombe Museum, the High Act introduced Wycombe Society, the Centre for Bucks Studies, neighbourhood schools and local historians. Buckinghamshire New planning in 2011, University brought key skills to the project, sourcing several local and writing content, creating the WW1 soldier who communities in is the virtual tour guide for the heritage trail and Wycombe District creating the website to host all the content. have come together Cllr Graham Peart, Cabinet Member for Community through a local at Wycombe District Council said: “I love the parish council or a neighbourhood forum to help shape future development in idea of a virtual tour which you can follow using their areas. This includes where new houses, businesses and shops should go a smartphone as you walk around the town. It’s or what new development should look like. really opened my eyes to our local history and -cum- Parish Council took its neighbourhood plan to heritage. What’s more, through this project I’ve referendum earlier this month. Last year, -cum- adopted also discovered what incredibly talented young their neighbourhood plan. Other plans are in progress for Great and people we have here in High Wycombe and how, Little Kimble and parishes, as well as Daws Hill by bringing those skills together, we can produce Neighbourhood Forum in High Wycombe. something brilliant for people to enjoy.”

To find out more visit our website www.wycombe.gov.uk and search Try out the trail for yourself for neighbourhood planning. www.wycombetrails.org news • 7

ALTERNATIVE ROUTE Getting connected

The pieces of the jigsaw are coming together as development opposite the the alternative route through High Wycombe Eden shopping centre. Work in this section takes shape. Following the completion of the is expected to start in work along Desborough Road last summer, August 2018 and run construction is now underway along Queen through until May 2019. Alexandra Road/Suffield Road. With the alternative route nearly completed, So far, about a third of the work has already been done and we we’re now looking expect to finish this next stretch in July. The central median and ahead at improvements crossing installation are now complete outside Loakes School. Further in the Queen Victoria along Queen Alexandra Road the road team has re-aligned the kerb Road / Easton Street area where work lines and put in granite setts. Once all the footway, kerb realignment is due to start next month and run through to March 2019. and central median works are done the road will be resurfaced. Up at the Cressex Road / Cressex Link Road we’ll be putting in a The final piece of the jigsaw will be the connecting road which will cycleway and making changes to the Cressex Road / Cressex Link run through the former gas works site joining Desborough Road Road / Coronation Road junction. and Suffield Road. This last section will complete the alternative To find out more about these projects or to sign up for route which is a key part of the town Masterplan project. It will updates go to www.buckscc.gov.uk search for masterplan be delivered by Inland Homes as part of their Centre Square

M40

Keep the The noise reduction project is a great other Noise Important Areas across the result for local community group M40CEG road network where Highways England noise down who, along with Wycombe District can use the energy they generate. Council, have campaigned for more than After a well-attended public exhibition ten years to find a solution to reduce the Work by Highways England held last summer, Highways England used motorway noise which has a significant local feedback to fine tune their plans to install noise barriers at impact on the quality of life of the before starting work to install the new eight sites between Wooburn communities living along this route. four metre high noise barriers at key sites The scheme originally involved trialling along the stretch of the M40 motorway Moor (junction 3) and innovative, energy-generating noise which runs through Wycombe district. (junction 5) barriers mounted with solar panels. The £3.5 million project started in January is almost complete. Although these types of barriers would and is due to be completed in the next be currently few weeks. unsuitable for this Lord , Chairman of M40CEG said: section of the M40, “We are delighted that construction has the trailblazing started and congratulate Highways England work which was for their efforts to keep this challenging masterminded by project on track. This successful collaboration M40CEG may result with Wycombe District Council shows how in photovoltaic local people can make a difference.” noise barriers at 8 • council tax

YOUR COUNCIL TAX BILL What your money pays for

We are committed to maintaining the services we provide for you “The additional revenue income and the generation of income in the face of continued government funding reductions which from investments and our prudent control of our budget means amount to £3.319 million or 97% over the last five years. We’ve that, despite ever-dwindling grants from central government, we made massive major changes to the way we deliver services, are able to cover the cost of our services. brought in new revenues from regeneration projects like our Handy ‘’The 18/19 council tax increase will be only the second rise during Cross Hub development and generated income from investment the past seven years. The council tax in Wycombe District remains as well as controlling our budget carefully. The bottom line is that the lowest in the county and in the lowest quartile nationwide’’ in order to enable us keep delivering the services you use, the amount of council tax we charge will be increasing by 3.8% which Council tax bands 2018/19 amounts to an increase of £5 per year for a band D property. The amount of council tax you pay is based on the value of Cllr David Watson, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, your property. said: “Wycombe District is a great place to live, work and This is what Wycombe District Council will charge you for the visit and this budget helps us maintain that focus. “It ensures local services we provide over the next twelve months. we remain economically strong, and as a result can continue to provide quality frontline services as well as investing in Band A £91.33 Band E £167.43 improving online access for our residents. Band B £106.55 Band F £197.87 Band C £121.77 Band G £228.32 What goes where? Band D £136.99 Band H £273.98 Every £1 of your Council Tax is shared in the following way: Where your money goes

Wycombe We collect council tax on behalf of five authorities who each District Council provide local services. Wycombe District Council charges one of the lowest levels of council tax for a district council in England and the lowest in the county. The largest part – over three quarters – of your bill includes the money charged by Buckinghamshire County Council. We also collect money for the Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Fire and Rescue Services and your local parish and town council or committee.

£m % Split Bucks County Council 87.923 75.1% Bucks & MK Fire Authority 4.269 3.6% Police & Crime Commissioner 12.410 10.6% Wycombe District Council 9.327 8.0% Parishes (Average) 3.074 2.6% Total Band D Council Tax 117.003 100.0% council tax • 9

YOUR COUNCIL TAX BILL Where our money comes from

Giving you value for money For around 38p a day (based on band D), your Council Tax pays for a wide range of services including:

Collecting rubbish Environmental health and recycling services (for example, dealing with rats and Keeping streets pollution and inspecting clean and tidy places that sell or serve food)

Licensing Leisure

Planning services Housing advice and homelessness Parks and playgrounds £m % Split Council Tax 9.588 25.7% Business Rates 3.225 8.6% How we spend your money Government Grant and Funding 3.524 9.4% Fees & Charges & Other Income 14.315 38.3% Commercial Rental Income 6.719 18.0% Total 37.371 100.0%

Council tax increase by local service 2018/19 The estimated percentage increases are:

10%

8%

7.05% 6% 5.99% £m % Split Community (Leisure Services 3.988 10.7% and Parks) 4% Young People 0.078 0.2% 3.80% Environment (Waste, Street Cleaning, 9.799 26.2% Liscencing and Parking Services) 2.99% 3.457 9.3% 2% Housing and Homelessness Council, Democracy and Support 14.118 37.8% 1.62% Services Planning and Sustainability 4.263 11.4% 0% Estates and Major Projects 1.668 4.5% Police BCC WDC Fire Parish (average) Total 37.371 100.0% Keep the ball rolling Have fun and do good with Wycombe Lotto.

Get your tickets now and you could get your hands on our jackpot prize of £25,000 or one of our cash prizes.

60p from every £1 ticket will support local good causes.

Tickets are on sale now at www.wycombelotto.co.uk

Check out the Wycombe Lotto website or facebook page, or tune in to Wycombe Sound 106.6 FM or Marlow FM 97.5 at 8pm every Saturday night to find out if you’re a winner. Players must be 16 or over. Always gamble responsibly.

Lotto Ad Spr18_v1.indd 10 10/02/2018 18:29 lottery • 11

COMMUNITY GIVING

Every week the prize draw gives you the chance to win a range of prizes including a cash prize Loving our of £25,000. You can sign up to play for £1 a ticket at www.wycombelotto.com or you can directly support a good cause of local good causes your choice by buying a ticket through their website which channels 50p of your £1 ticket directly to that Since we launched Wycombe Lotto last charity. summer over 70 good causes have signed up Runners provides safe and supportive run to partner with us. We were the tenth council coaching. Set up just over to start a community lottery and the idea has a year ago, we now have certainly taken off – now another 30 councils approaching 200 members and regularly run 0-5K are following in our footsteps! beginners and 5-10K Improvers courses “Wycombe Lotto is a great way to have a bit of fun and show together with a range your support for a local good cause that is important to you” of other activities. says Cllr Graham Peart, the Cabinet Member for Community Wycombe Lotto Services at Wycombe District Council. “A £1 ticket gives you the funding means that chance to win a range of prizes and who knows, if you’ve got Hazlemere Runners your ticket, it could be you picking up the £25,000 jackpot!” leaders and coaches can So far lots of good causes have done a great job of promoting gain their Run England Wycombe Lotto to their supporters. Here’s the top five best sellers. training and qualifications Marlow opportunity playgroup (MOP) is a fully to support our runners safely inclusive playgroup catering for the needs of children under and help them achieve their goals five with a wide range of physical medical and learning and ambitions. Facebook Hazlemere Runners Public difficulties. To provide the very high level of support Bassetsbury Manor on the Rye , is required for these children, we have to raise £55,000 home to a small and friendly Bowls Club each year through donations and fundraising. that actively welcomes new members Wycombe Lotto is providing much-needed funds including beginners. Bowls is a great to enable MOP to purchase specialist toys. sport for all ages and as well as being fun www.marlowopportunityplaygroup.org.uk and competitive it helps with mobility, High Wycombe Shopmobility is a small coordination and social interaction. friendly local charity. We offer free daily hire of Wycombe Lotto is helping us purchase new mobility scooters, manual and powered wheelchairs for bowls for learners. Call Jane on 01494 436538 if those with limited mobility to use in the town centre for you’d like to give it a go. www.bowlsbassetsbury.com shopping, socialising or attending Wycombe Mind is the leading mental health support hospital appointments. charity for Wycombe district. Wycombe Lotto has given We offer a range of activities such as day services to reduce us the opportunity to isolation, the parks project to improve wellbeing through raise funds for our getting outdoors and a project to support people charity and for back into education or employment. We offer advice our supporters and signposting too. Wycombe Lotto gives us a the chance to fantastic opportunity to do this and it gives our win prizes – supporters the chance to win cash prizes as well! local lotto for http://wycombemind.org.uk/ local causes! www.shopmobilityhighwycombe.co.uk 12 • waste and recycling

FOOD WASTE Use it, don’t lose it

Since the launch of our campaign last summer, We’d like to say we have seen a huge increase from residents a massive thank- you to everyone asking us for new food bins. That just goes to who’s been doing show that now even more of us are getting their bit by getting the most out of the weekly food waste involved and recycling that recycling service. little bit more. We’ve seen a great increase in the amount of food waste we collect for recycling. In comparison to 2016, we recycled an extra 102 tonnes of food waste in November and December 2017 alone. That’s the equivalent of eight double decker buses or a blue whale! Now that we have the food waste going into the right bin for recycling, it’s time to start thinking about ways we could all save money and reduce the amount of food we waste in general.

Save money Why is this important? Wasting food is like throwing money away. Well, almost three quarters (70%) of all the food we throw away in the UK comes from our homes [Source: Wrap]. The shocking truth is that in fact most of that food could have been eaten, shared or avoid ending up in food waste in the first place. And here’s the good news! With a few simple changes you could save up to a staggering £60 a month – and that could add up to £720 over year [Wrap]. OUR EASY TIPS Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Julia Adey said: “I was amazed to find out the average cost of the food we throw Here’s some tips to help you reduce how much food you throw away – it’s staggering to think about it. It’s certainly food away. Best of all? It’s all really easy to do. for thought!” Plan your meals ahead – then you’re more likely to just buy the food you need so your grocery bills will probably What you said come down At Christmas, we were out at events across • use your lists and only buy the food you need the district; meeting residents and listening • think about portion control to avoid cooking to your top tips that you use to help you more food than you need reduce and recycle waste at home. We were not disappointed by the response! • get better at how to store different foods From ideas on the best way to compost at • make use of leftovers home, chemical free cleaning and reducing the For more information and some great tips and amount of general waste you produce at home; our ideas visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.com residents had tips for everything and everyone. waste and recycling • 13

FOOD WASTE Leftover Pasty Recipe

Just add in some short crust pastry (homemade or shop bought, depending on how much time you have) and an egg. Hey presto! Your left over roast has become a brand new meal!

1) Cut or tear any leftover meat into bite sized pieces Pop it in a bowl with the veggies, peas, carrots, potatoes, swede We especially liked your tips to 2) reduce and recycle food including etc. and give the veggies a crush. Then add in the gravy and these excellent tips give it a mix 1 ‘In hot weather, bag and Cut a circle of home made or shop bought short crust pastry to freeze food waste, to stop it 3) smelling before collection day’ any size you want, and remember the finished pasties will be half of this circle 2 ‘Recycling coffee grounds are he meat and veggie mix in a line at along the centre line of great for soaking up moisture!’ 4) Pack t 3 Some of you clever shoppers the pasty, leaving a 2cm margin at the edges wanted to share ideas on reducing Brush with beaten egg and lift the sides to meet in the middle, the food you waste. 5) forming a ridge down the centre. Make sure the sides are 4 ‘Buy loose fruit and veg, rather than pasties the ones in plastic bags. It ensures tightly sealed o you only buy what you need and they don’t 6) Give the pasties a brush withC, dependingthe egg wash on the then size pop of in your the oven need to be packaged!’ for approx. 30 mins at 180 5 ‘It takes me 20-30 minutes to plan Enjoy! meals for the week with the family. Get 7) the kids involved and only buy what you need’ If you create a meal plan for the week, For the full recipe and lots more inspiration go to remember to…. www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/recipe/leftover-sunday 6 ‘Check the ‘use by’ and ‘best before’ dates -roast-pasties when shopping, to avoid it going bad before you plan to use it’ Some food waste is inevitable; inedible bones, skins and shells, your tea bags and coffee grounds. These can all be put into your food waste bin to be recycled. But what about when there is edible food left over from a meal? Especially if it’s a large meal, like a Sunday roast dinner? Storing leftover food in your fridge or freezer in plastic containers means you can enjoy it at another time or freeze it. Or you could try something new, like this Leftover Pasty recipe [Love Food Hate Waste] 14 • housing We’ve

TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION prevented over 150 households from becoming homeless A roof over your head? in 2017

The shortage of homes for our We were unable to increase the with independent local number of units on the site traders and, over the growing population is fairly due to planning concerns next few years and squarely on our local regarding the junction We’ve reduced the developments along with the A4010. the alternative agenda here in Wycombe number of families Cllr Julia Langley, the route will see new district. From April the new in temporary bed Cabinet Member for apartments being Homelessness Reduction Act Housing said: “This is a very and breakfast built at Centre means councils have to take innovative project, allowing accommodation Square behind the Eden shopping centre reasonable steps to prevent a fantastic opportunity to increase the number of units from and in former office homelessness and then to 34 to 57. More importantly it will deliver accommodation at Castle relieve homelessness for those and confirm that we are serious in delivering House and Buckingham House. There a much improved living experience for the will be a new Aldi food store, a creative that are actually homeless. most vulnerable people in need of the centre and new apartments in the former Council’s help. Its location furniture warehouses at Leigh Street. Temporary housing fit offers easier access to for the future facilities, and removes Construction Fund Right now we are the isolated and We have applied for government funding working on plans We assisted over 50 institutional feel of to help us to make better use of land to increase our households into private Saunderton Lodge. which we own so that we can deliver own temporary rented accommodation It also reflects much needed market housing to local accommodation that we are not people, help shape and regenerate local in 2017 in order to places and generate capital that we can provision by 65% prevent or relieve afraid to take on from 34 units to 57 and challenges.” invest elsewhere. Our application has been homelessness. shortlisted and we are waiting to hear the moving it from Saunderton The new temporary final decision expected soon. This is one to a town centre location accommodation will of a number of funding streams including in High Wycombe (subject to be constructed using off the Home Building Fund, the new Housing planning permission). This preferred option site manufacture building techniques, Infrastructure Fund (see p6) and the of a modular build town centre location which means we can put up good quality Starter Homes Land Fund. If our bids are offers a much better living environment, accommodation units more quickly than successful that could bring in extra monies bringing families closer to local services traditional ‘bricks and mortar’ buildings. for the district to help build new homes. including transport facilities, council offices Each unit would come ready kitted out with and support services. We had kitchen, cooker and fridge, bedroom considered refurbishing and a bathroom, and the Saunderton Lodge, our complex would have its own We enforce current temporary launderette facility. accommodation standards in private We have provided facility, but The changing rented accommodation because of grant funding to Wycombe face of (including Houses in Multiple the age of the Homeless Connection and Desborough building it was Accommodation - HMOs) to the Rent Deposit Guarantee The Desborough area considered not of High Wycombe is protect vulnerable to be a viable Scheme, totalling over £120,000 changing. It already tenants from rogue option. has a vibrant community landlords housing • 15

NEW HOMES A step forward for homes at Ashwells

A planning application has been submitted for the infrastructure required to bring forward our land at Ashwells for new housing development. Up to 102 homes are planned. We aim to complete the infrastructure and dispose of serviced sites to housebuilders and some serviced plots to self-builders, with an onus on good quality design, materials and public realm spaces. Our proposals include a new road access into the site from Cock Lane and reflect Bucks County Council’s requirement to widen Cock Lane. Our design seeks to do this as sensitively as possible, planting around the junction and improving the network of footpaths.

You can view the application, 18/05002/ R9OUTE, at www.wycombe.gov.uk. Click on ‘Find a planning application’.

BASSETSBURY Cash injection for new homes at Bassetsbury Triangle Are you at risk of losing Wycombe District your home? Council has been successful in its bid for £500,000 in funding Landlord Physical or from the Land Release Change in Mental threatening Income? Fund (LRF), to help to evict? Health issues? clean up a disused site in High Wycombe to make way for new, Recent Drug or bereavement Trouble more affordable homes. or family Alcohol with the problems? Police? The £500,000 funding secured by Wycombe District Council breakdown? will be used to improve ground conditions at the Bassetsbury Triangle site on Bassetsbury Lane, High Wycombe. The sub- Our free Resilience Service can support strata conditions at Bassetsbury Triangle mean that it is not you to keep your home feasible to develop the site for conventional housing. Instead, Tel: 01296 484322 the council is proposing to develop the site for 40 single-storey Email: [email protected] park homes, so as to provide a more affordable form of housing www.connectionsupport.org.uk for more people, particularly those looking to downsize. @connectionsup ConnectionSupport

Find out more about the council’s proposals at www.wycombe.gov.uk/bassetsbury TORBEN BETTS A NEW COMEDY BY

MON 19 – SAT 24 MAR TUE 10 – SAT 14 APR TUE 15 – SAT 19 MAY

MUST-SEE SHOWS AT

0844 871 7607*^ ATGTICKETS.COM/Aylesbury* TUE 26 – SAT 30 JUN TUE 3 – SAT 14 JUL *Booking fees apply. ^Calls cost up to 7p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge. Below right: Cllr Steve Broadbent (Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration and Cllr Katrina Wood (Leader) are standing either side of the broadband sign as high speed fibre is being installed. business • 17

BROADBAND Fast broadband goes live in Wycombe district

We’re investing £860,000 in the Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire-wide Connected Counties superfast broadband programme to extend high speed fibre to more homes and businesses in the rural areas of our district. Our investment has been match funded by Broadband Delivery UK to help us to improve more premises. And we are planning: So far we have delivered: • delivery to ; Bourne End; Hampden Row; Henley- • 16 new fibre cabinets providing improved speeds to just over on-Thames; High Wycombe; Lane End; Maidenhead; Marlow; 1,300 premises (both residential and business (Fibre to the ; Princes Risborough; and Heath cabinet - FTTC) • design work is underway for 22 new full fibre schemes – this is • one new full fibre scheme delivering ultrafast speed to likely to increase as the programme is developed. 14 business premises (Fibre to the premises - FTTP) • survey work underway for an extra 30 cabinets – this is likely To find out is your home or business is part of the Connected to increase as the programme is developed. Counties programme please visit www.connectedcounties.org

Want to get a £1,000 Growth LOCAL ECONOMY Grant or expert business support? Call 01494 927130 or email Fast forward to 2027 [email protected]

What will the economy be like in What does a successful Wycombe economy Wycombe in 2027? look like…in numbers It is difficult enough to predict what the weather will be like next The challenge is for Wycombe to become a £7 billion Gross week, never mind predicting the economic landscape. Value Added (GVA) economy by 2027. GVA measures the value So if things are impossible to predict, why has Wycombe District of all the goods and services in a defined geographical area, like Council created an Economic Development Strategy covering the Wycombe District. period to 2027? We want Wycombe District to be a …”welcoming, creative As the saying goes ….”if you fail to plan, then you plan to fail”. and enterprising community; a great place to live, work, play If we want to create a prosperous and dynamic local economy and visit; or to start and grow a business”. The Economic that enables ambitious local companies to grow, then we need Development Strategy sets out a plan for growth, so local to take action. people can secure jobs, fewer people need to depend on benefits and that we attract and retain innovative companies So what is our vision? to come and do business here generating higher value products Our vision is “Wycombe: A welcome home for business”. The and services. strategy sets out our approach to economic development for the Find out more at www.wycombe.gov.uk and put “economic next ten years and sets out our vision for the sustainable growth development strategy” in the search box. of our local economy. Operated by Places for People Leisure Ltd in partnership with Wycombe District Council #YouCan'tStopMe

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Whatever place you're into

Memory Support Service Are you worried about your memory? There are many different things that can cause memory loss, get in touch today to find out how our team can support you.

Get in touch today 01296 331 749 [email protected] staying safe • 19

FOOD HYGIENE Eat, drink and be safe

facilities and they check how the business manages and records what it does to make sure food is safe. Their priority is always to give our local food businesses help and advice. In very rare instances, there is a real threat to human health. At a recent case at a fast food takeaway, the team needed to move quickly because they found a rat infestation. In cases like these, they have the powers to shut a food business immediately. Mostly, where there are concerns they will work with businesses to help them improve by using a graduated approach to enforcement – giving written warnings (over 250 were issued Owner of The Potting Shed at , Claire Cotes, shows off her five star last year), before issuing formal rating “It shows our customers that we take our food hygiene seriously” Hygiene Improvement Notices.

We all like to eat out or pick up a quick snack on the go – and CHECK THE RATINGS here in Wycombe District you might be surprised to learn that there are 1315 food outlets. Every year the council’s Why not check out the environmental health team check over 650 of these. They ratings before ordering Would you want to eat in this perform a whole range of checks, tests and inspections and give your next takeaway or restaurant? This fridge photo is from a recent £25,000 each business a rating from 0 to 5 for their food hygiene. planning a night out? Go food prosecution. to the Food Standards Agency Almost two thirds of our local food outlets come out with the top Food Hygiene Ratings website at rating of 5 and less than ten percent have the lowest ratings of 0 or 1. http://ratings.food.gov.uk/ to check out the rating. Inspectors check to see how hygienically the food is handled – You can also report any concerns through our website how it is prepared, cooked, re-heated, cooled and stored. They www.wycombe.gov.uk or by calling our call centre on also look at the condition of the structure of the buildings – 01494 461000 their overall cleanliness, layout, lighting, ventilation and other

COMMUNITY SAFETY Prevent

We work in partnership with the police • being part of a regional Channel and our local communities to help network to support people at risk of prevent people from being drawn into radicalisation terrorism and extremism. We are allocated • being part of the Christian/Muslim government and other funding to give relations forum which meets monthly support and advice to people who are at • supporting local groups risk of being radicalised. Our work includes: We have recently secured €50,000 • an education outreach programme of European funding for a counter which has delivered 350 workshops and radicalisation programme which we will worked with 6,500 students in the last roll out over the coming months. three years.

out and about • 21

GREEN SPACES Award winning parks

Wycombe District Council We carry out surveys to find out how has achieved three Green people use the parks and what they think of them. Our last survey done Flag Awards, which in 2015 identified that almost a included the addition of quarter of people are regular visitors Hughenden Park last year. who enjoy the parks at least twice a week. The next parks survey will The Green Flag will also fly in Higginson take place next month (April). Park in Marlow for a fourteenth consecutive year and a seventh successive Hectares and acres year at The Rye in High Wycombe. The Rye – is the second largest All three of our award winning parks are public park in the district. The main managed by our Green Spaces team. parkland is approx. 31 hectares and there’s a further 28 hectares Range of facilities we of woodland known as Keep Hill Wood which provides a tree covered look after Ropes on the Rye public access to the countryside to The Green Spaces team also look after the south and east of the park. 924 Hectares of parks and recreation incredibly popular with around a million grounds across Wycombe District as well Hughenden Park is the largest park visits a year. It has a great playground for as the local cemetery, burials, allotments in the district boasting 25 hectares of the kids, indoor and outdoor catering and and sports pitches. beautiful parkland trees with magnificent views across open countryside. The public toilets. This includes maintaining the natural Hughenden stream runs through the The frontage on to the River Thames has historical beauty within the parks. Each day length of the park. The park borders mooring for pleasure craft and boating can vary from planting shrub beds to dealing Hughenden Manor – the former home of for hire, as well as regular river cruises to with falling trees or illegal campers. Working Victorian Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli Windsor and Henley. with specialist contractors Quadron and which is now owned by the National Trust. Idverde, we carry out day to day maintenance Recent projects for 2018 such as litter picking, maintaining the parks, Higginson Park been a public park since • Totteridge bunding – installing bollards horticulture and managing the allotments 1926, although as a garden it dates back and creating bunds and cemetery maintenance. to 1758. With its riverside location it’s • Holmers Farm Recreation Ground – putting in a new skate park The new play area at Hughenden • Tadros Court/The Roperies – installing extra equipment for older children • The Rye – putting in a new footpath.

Range of play equipment There is a wide range of play equipment across our parks from 0-11 as well as shelters and basket swings for older children. WDC play areas also have equipment which is educational and helps children to develop their communication and sensory skills. 22 • out and about

EXPLORE MORE Doorstep discoveries

English Tourism Week Running from 17-25 March 2018, English Tourism Week celebrates the vibrancy and quality of England’s visitor experiences and our world-renowned tourist attractions. Great outdoors – head outdoors and soak up the fresh To celebrate this week why not get out and about in Wycombe air and colourful scenery as you relax or play district and experience what’s • spot cheery spring flowers right here on your doorstep? including daffodils and There’s so much to see and do! bluebells at lots of www.visitengland.com/english- locations including Brush tourism-week Hill, Cliveden National Trust and Bradenham Great days out Woods There’s fun to be had for everyone all year round at some of our • pull on your boots great local attractions. and take a hike or just • steam through the countryside on the Chinnor and Princes a stroll along the Thames Risborough Railway Path National Trail • wind your way • gear up for a cycle underground at the Hellfire ride along the Phoenix Caves Trail and take in the magnificent views of • make friends with the Whiteleaf Cross as you retired and rescued horses head out of Princes at the Horse Trust Risborough • have a giant day out in the miniature world at Bekonscot Model Village FIND OUT MORE History and Heritage – learn To find out all that’s fantastic about our district about the fascinating and the county of Buckinghamshire visit past and rich history of www.visitbuckinghamshire.org.uk for a comprehensive our district. guide of what’s happening in the region, and sign up • discover the stories to the newsletter to keep up to date with news, events behind that gifts that Queen Victoria gave her favourite Prime and offers. Minister, Benjamin Disraeil at Hughenden Manor’s current Or why not pop in and have a chat with the Visitor exhibition Information Service at the town libraries in High Wycombe, • Wycombe Museum showcases the rich history of the area Marlow and Princes Risborough? You’re bound to find some through its varied collections, events and exhibitions added inspiration for a day out with a difference. • take a trip back in time to visit the oldest surviving smock Or visit www.wycombe.gov.uk/tourism to download the windmill in England at (check for open days!) district visitor guide. WE CHOOSE HYBRID JOIN OVER 10 MILLION TOYOTA DRIVERS

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Models shown for illustrative purposes only. Official Fuel Consumption Figures in mpg (l/100km): Auris Hybrid Design 5 door 1.8 VVT-i Auto. Urban 72.4 (3.9), Extra Urban 72.4 (3.9), Combined 72.4 (3.9). CO2 Emissions 91g/km. RAV4 Hybrid Icon 5 door FWD 2.5 VVT-i Auto. Urban 57.6 (4.9), Extra Urban 56.5 (5.0), Combined 56.4 (5.0). CO2 Emissions 116g/km. Prius Hybrid Excel 5 door 1.8 VVT-i Auto. Urban 85.6 (3.3), Extra Urban 85.6 (3.3), Combined 85.6 (3.3). CO2 Emissions 76g/km. C-HR Hybrid Dynamic 5 door 1.8 VVT-i Auto. Urban 80.7 (3.5), Extra Urban 68.9 (4.1), Combined 72.4 (3.9). CO2 Emissions 87g/km. Yaris Hybrid Design 5 door 1.5 VVT-i Auto. Urban 85.6 (3.3), Extra Urban 78.4 (3.6), Combined 78.4 (3.6). CO2 Emissions 82g/km. All mpg and CO2 figures quoted are sourced from official EU regulated laboratory test results. These are provided to allow comparisons between vehicles and may not reflect your actual driving experience.

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OPENING IN APRIL 2018

HUGHENDEN GARDENS VILLAGE Start having the time of your life...

...at Hughenden Gardens Retirement Village. Opening in April 2018, and close to the beautiful , the visionary new over 55’s village is part of the exciting Hughenden Quarter Development. Life here is all about staying more active in retirement, with your own beautiful new one or two bedroom apartment. Being part of a supportive, friendly neighbourhood community enjoying a host of social and leisure facilities and activities including a gym, well-being centre, bar, bistro, shop, hair and beauty salon, village hall, hobby room, IT suite and library, and greenhouse. It’s the chance of a lifetime. But availability is limited, Prices from £139,975* with prices from £139,975* 50% properties already sold.

Pop in and see for yourself what this exciting new village has to offer. Viewings Monday-Friday 10am-4pm Hughenden Gardens Village, Hughenden Avenue, High Wycombe (Next to Morrisons – HP13 5XX) Contact us today to make an appointment 01494 842 900 or www.hughendengardens.co.uk

Hughenden Gardens Village HughendenGardens An ExtraCare Charitable Trust Village

*Subject to availablity. Charges will apply. Details of any costs associated with your home, care and village services will be provided as part of your application. The ExtraCare Charitable Trust, registered charity number 327816, is a company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales as company number 2205136. Its registered office is at 7 Harry Weston Road, Binley Business Park, Binley, Coventry, CV3 2SN. Copyright © 2018 - The ExtraCare Charitable Trust

19662 Hughenden District Times Spring 2018 270x190mm v2.indd 1 15/02/2018 12:57