News, information and features from your district council Issue 28 | Spring 2019

A great partnership

Recycling food waste is easy...

Just caddy it!Ordinary carrier bags and plastic liners can now be used to line your

food waste caddy. Recycling in Bucks has never been easier!

www.recycle4bucks.co.uk/foodBucksRecycles

AVT & WDC spring 2019 full page.indd 1 31/01/2019 11:56:09

contents • 3

A taste of adventure 12

Your council tax 8

tackling homelessness 19

Dare to be different 11

CLLR KATRINA WOOD, LEADER, WYCOMBE DISTRICT COUNCIL

All changeSpring is a time of renewal and looking

forwards – something we pride ourselves on

here at Wycombe District Council.

In the last few years we’ve transformed the

way we work to protect our services in the

face of cuts in government spending. We’ve

managed our budgets carefully and made strategic investments.

As a result, unlike most of the councils across the country, once

again we are able to freeze the WDC element of your council

tax bill. (p8)

As well as delivering savings, we also have a great track record

for delivering ambitious and innovative projects. At Handy Cross

we didn’t just replace the old sports centre. We delivered state

of the art leisure facilities, a new Waitrose store, a coachway

hub and now we’re adding a hotel (p4). We took a derelict

industrial site at Hughenden Quarter and used the land to

create jobs and provide homes for around 700 people.

Right now, our strategic investments in the town centre

Masterplan (p23) and the innovative new workspaces at DesBox

(p11) are paving the way for future growth and prosperity –

creating a better place for people to live and work in.

By this time next year, all four district councils in

Buckinghamshire and the County Council will be dissolved and

replaced by a single council called Buckinghamshire Council.

Democratically, it will be a significant change in the way

decisions which affect you will be made, and who will

make those decisions. Operationally, bringing five different

organisations together in a relatively short timeframe presents

challenges and opportunities in equal measure.

As we start working to bring all our services together, our prime

concern will be to maintain the high quality services you expect

and deserve from us.

P4 News round up: What’s happening in and around Wycombe District

P8 Council tax: We’ve frozen our council tax, but why will your bill will go up?

P10 All change: How changes to your local council will affect you

P11 Dare to be different: A funky new workspace is taking shape in Desborough

P12 A taste of adventure: Top tips on tasty places to explore this spring

P14 Waste not, want not: How to be a recycling superstar

P17 Winning ticket: Wycombe Lotto support means more wheels for Shopmobility

P18 Street life: What’s being done about street begging

P19 A roof over your head: What we’re doing to prevent homelessness

P23 Changing places: Updates on the local plan and Wycombe’s Masterplan

Wycombe District Times is printed on environmentally friendly paper; please recycle it after reading.

You can advertise your business in Wycombe District Times. Call or email the editor for more information.

Editor: Sue Robinson 01494 421 557sue_robinson@wycombe.gov.uk

If you’d like a free copy of this magazine in large print, or an audio, phone 01494 421 557. The audio version transcript of Wycombe District Times is made by volunteers at Wycombe Talking Newspaper.

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.

01494 461 000 www.wycombe.gov.uk

Queen Victoria Road High Wycombe Buckinghamshire HP11 1BB

@wycombedc wycombedistrictcouncil wycombedc

Recycling food waste is easy...

Just caddy it!Ordinary carrier bags and plastic liners can now be used to line your

food waste caddy. Recycling in Bucks has never been easier!

www.recycle4bucks.co.uk/foodBucksRecycles

AVT & WDC spring 2019 full page.indd 1 31/01/2019 11:56:09

4 • news

HANDY CROSS HUB

AIR QUALITY

A 150-guest room Hampton by Hilton is to be built at Handy Cross Hub (HxH), our flagship £150m mixed use development.

Hampton by Hilton High Wycombe will be a landmark building enjoying significant visibility from passing traffic on the M40, and will meet the growing demand for quality accommodation in the area.

“We are delighted that there will be a quality offer at HxH,” said Cllr Steve Broadbent, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Regeneration. “Handy Cross Hub is a prime location with great potential for investors.”

The council sold the designated hotel site to Legacy Hotels & Resorts, in partnership with global hotel investors Frank Truman Asset Management, in November.

Parts of High Wycombe and Marlow have levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) which breach national air quality guidelines. We are taking steps to bring air pollution down in these areas by tackling excessive fumes from idling car engines. Leaving your engine running when you’re not moving pushes pollution levels up to elevated levels because the exhaust gases don’t get dispersed.

Myth busters6 starting an engine doesn’t use more fuel than idling

6 turning your engine on and off doesn’t harm the starter motor

6 idling on double yellow lines still counts as a parking offence.

Later this year, the council will start anti-idling enforcement which will mean you could be fined for allowing your engine to idle. We will focus mainly on areas outside schools, in town centres and air quality management areas.

Look out for special anti-idling signs going up in enforcement areas.

Anti-idling enforcement

LOCAL HISTORY

The High Wycombe Society has recently embarked on a project to preserve a collection of over a hundred 16mm films of Wycombe District and make their contents available to a wider audience via digital media. Work is progressing thanks in part to a grant from Wycombe District Council, and to a number of generous donations.

Films being processed include the yearly “World of Wycombe” chronicles. Readers may remember that for many years they were a much-loved feature of the Wycombe Arts Festival.

For more information please see www.highwycombesociety.org.uk or to make a donation please visit www.justgiving.com/campaign/saveourfilmarchive

Rewind New hotel

news • 5

Best in class

AWARDS

Wycombe District Council’s Building Control team is a regional finalist in four awards at this year’s LABC (Local Authority Building Control) regional heats. The awards recognise quality in all types of building project. Judges look for high levels of compliance with building regulations, effective working relationships on a project, outstanding craftsmanship and technical innovation. As regional finalists, the Wycombe team had to demonstrate sustainability and high performance as well as showing they had found creative solutions to solve technical problems and used innovative products and skills to overcome difficult site conditions.

Four different projects from Wycombe district have been selected as being the best across six counties covering central England. We wish them good luck when the results are announced at a special awards ceremony in Milton Keynes in early April.

• Best partnership – Bowen Evans (top photo)

• Individual House – White House of Speen

• Educational building – Highcrest Academy

• Small Housing – The Old Post Office Downley

Young voicesYOUTH COUNCIL

Wycombe Youth Council is an exciting initiative led by Wycombe Youth Action in partnership with Wycombe District Council and supported by Cllr David Carroll. It gives young people the opportunity to have their voices heard and make decisions which directly impact them, their friends and family.

Our Youth Councillors meet nine times a year and are currently developing a number of projects that will benefit their local community including mental health, the environment and homelessness.

TOTTERIDGE REC

Keep fit fans have some great new exercise equipment to enjoy at Totteridge Recreation Ground.

The popular park now boasts a range of improvements based on the ‘wish list’ supplied by local residents.

New features include:• a path around the perimeter of the

recreation ground• a grass cricket square• new seating and benches• trim trail of outdoor gym equipment• ball wall• outdoor all-weather table tennis tables• in-ground trampoline, and• seating hammock.

Young children are already well catered for at the rec, so the additions mean there is now a bigger, better range of sport and activity equipment for everyone from toddlers to seniors to enjoy throughout the year.

Play away

6 • news

WORLD FIRST EVENT

CHARITY GIVING

A potential world first on wheels has been held at Wycombe Sports Centre.

Girls aged 14 to 18 watched a thrilling display of sport, stamina and speed as two all-women teams battled it out in a roller derby. Roller derby is the fastest growing female sport in the UK and this was a great way to show the girls just how much fun it can be.

But the STEMroller event also had another ambition – to introduce the schoolgirls to ‘roll’ and role models from the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths.

A large number of the roller derby players work in STEM roles, and after the match the girls chatted to women about careers in engineering, medical research, analytical chemistry and more.

Putting rubbish where it belongs is always a good idea – but in December and January there was an added bonus.

Bins in High Wycombe were transformed into giant charity collection tins as part of the Keep Britain Tidy ‘Bin It for Good’ campaign.

Every time people put their waste in designated bins in High Wycombe, money was donated to two local charities.

By the end of January, Wycombe Homeless Connection and South Bucks Hospice had earned £300 each.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to the charities – and helped to keep our streets litter-free.

Bin it for good

‘Wheelie’ exciting

YOUNG PEOPLE

£60,000 injection

We are working with Action4Youth and Wycombe Wanderers Sports and Education Trust to provide mentoring and support to troubled young people.

Together we aim to build hope and focus on a more positive future for some of our most vulnerable young people, and we have provided funding of just under £60,000 to each of the charities.

Action4Youth provides positive, often transformational experiences and activities to inspire, develop communication and leadership skills, build confidence, resilience and self-esteem, broaden horizons and prepare young people for life and future employment.

WWSET uses the Wycombe Wanderers FC brand to help local people of all ages fulfil their potential by delivering health, education, sports participation and social inclusion-related activities.

www.action4youth.org www.wwset.co.uk

news • 7

COMMUNITY GRANTS

LEISURE

We have awarded money to charities and community groups working to help the most vulnerable and reduce homelessness.

Wycombe Women’s Aid, which supports women and children experiencing or trying to escape domestic violence, will receive £66,000.

The Wycombe Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme, set up to reduce homelessness by guaranteeing the deposit required by private landlords, has been granted £62,500.

And £10,000 has been allocated to Wycombe Homeless Connection, 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 Wooburn Festival, Community Impact Bucks, Enrych Buckinghamshire, Wycombe Rape Crisis, New Meaning Centre Toolshed Project, One-Can Trust Ltd, Chiltern Rangers, Active in the Community, Chiltern Dial a Ride, Shopmobility and Chiltern Woodlands.

Charities and community groups can apply for a grant at grants@wycombe.gov.uk or on 01494 421424.

Court Garden Leisure Complex is to undergo essential maintenance work over the next year.

The works will ensure the popular Marlow leisure complex remains fit for use. It was built in 1975 and many parts are now at the end of their lifecycle. The revamp will include:• refurbishment of the existing changing rooms• mechanical and engineering works including a new combined boiler,

some LED lighting, ventilation and general electrical services• roofing works• replacement of the flooring in the sports hall• refurbishment of the pool and pool hall.

There will inevitably be some disruption while this work is carried out, but we are taking measures to minimise the impact on customers as far as possible.

Court Garden

Money for local charities

CONSERVATION

We’re putting in £100,000 collected through our Community Infrastructure Levy scheme to help support a five year project to restore and enhance the wildlife habitats, landscape features and cultural heritage of the Central Chilterns.

The project, called Chalk, Cherries and Chairs, is spearheaded by the Chilterns Conservation Board. It has been awarded a National Lottery grant of £2.4 million. It will leave a lasting legacy of improved conservation and land management, partnership working, skills, volunteers, and engaged and aware communities caring for the future of wildlife and their heritage. Volunteering, learning, digital media and providing small grants to encourage community initiatives, will be embedded into the scheme.

Find out more www.chilternsaonb.org

Chalk, Cherries and Chairs

PARKING

Motorists can enjoy a small saving every time they park in one of our car parks.

We have absorbed the 20p convenience fee for using RingGO, the service that enables drivers to pay for parking using their mobile phone.

Motorists can also make additional savings by unticking the option for a reminder or a receipt SMS text, services that are charged for.

To sign up to RingGO call 01753 202000, download the app on your phone or go to https://m.myringgo.co.uk

Parking payments made simple

8 • your council

Although your council tax bill comes from Wycombe District Council, we only keep a relatively small part of the money you pay. Wycombe District Council charges one of the lowest levels of council tax for a district council in England and it’s the lowest in Buckinghamshire. Because of the savings and investments we have made which help us to generate other income, we have frozen our part of your council tax for eight out of the last ten years.

COUNCIL TAX

Your bill covers all local services

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:

What goes where?

Every £1 you pay in council tax is shared out in the following way:

Pence

Buckinghamshire County Council 75

Police & Crime Commissioner 11

Wycombe District Council 8

Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Fire and Rescue Authority

4

Parishes (Average) 2

Total 100

Council tax bands

The amount of council tax you pay is based on the value of your property. Your bill shows you which band your property is in. Here’s what Wycombe District Council charges you for the services we’ll provide over the next 12 months.

Band A £91.33 Band E £167.43

Band B £106.55 Band F £197.87

Band C £121.77 Band G £228.32

Band D £136.99 Band H £273.98

Cllr David Watson, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources, said: “Year on year, despite the removal of all government revenue support grants, we manage our budgets prudently, develop new revenue streams through our investments and embrace new ways of working to give our residents the service they expect from us .No matter what it takes we strive to protect and maintain our frontline services.”

Collecting rubbish and recycling

Keeping streets clean and tidy

Licensing

Planning services

Parks and playgrounds

Environmental health services (for example, dealing with rats, pollution and inspecting places that sell or serve food)

Leisure

Housing advice and homelessness

All the services you get from Wycombe District Council cost you 38p a day* that’s less than the cost of a pint of milk.*for an average Band D property

Wycom

be

District Council

your council • 9

COUNCIL TAX

‘Council tax changes’

The Band D figures for 2019/20 and percentage changes, are:

BCC Parish (average)

FirePolice

14%

8%

10%

12%

6%

4%

2%

0%

13.17%

2.99%

0%

2.52%2.98%

Where our money comes from

£m % Split

Council Tax 9.606 23.2%

Business Rates 5.82 14.0%

Government Grant and Funding 3.608 8.7%

Fees & Charges & Other Income 15.575 37.5%

Commercial Rental Income 6.883 16.6%

Total 41.492 100.0%

How we spend your money

£m % Split

Community (Leisure Services and Green Spaces)

4.412 10.6%

Young People 0.078 0.2%

Environment (Waste, Street Cleaning, Licencing and Parking Services)

9.544 23.0%

Housing and Homelessness 2.815 6.8%

Council, Democracy and Support Services (includes preparation for new unitary council)

18.034 43.5%

Planning and Sustainability 4.327 10.4%

Economic Development and Regeneration

2.282 5.5%

Total 41.492 100.0%

WDC

10 • your council

What is a unitary council? If you live or work in Buckinghamshire, you currently have two councils that provide your local services – a county council and a district council. The county council provides services like social care, education and highways and the district council provides other services like planning, housing, leisure, building control, environmental health and bin collection.

In many parts of the UK, local services are provided by just one council, called a unitary council, which covers all of the services that in Buckinghamshire are currently provided by the county council and the district council.

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCIL

From 1 April 2020, you will have just one council that provides your local services. The new council will replace Buckinghamshire County Council, Wycombe District Council, Chiltern District Council, South Bucks District Council and Aylesbury Vale District Council, but will cover the same geographical area and communities as all five councils.

You will still have your local town and parish councils.

What will the new council be called? Buckinghamshire Council.

When will there be local elections for the new council? Elections for the new council will be in May 2020. There will not be any local elections for the district council this year, so that there can be an election to the 147 seats in the new Council in May next year, 2020.

How will having a new council affect me? It is likely that you will access services in a very similar way to the way you do now and services you receive like bin collections will continue without the need for you to take any action. In time there will be greater connection between the services you currently receive from different councils and you may find that it is easier for you to know where to go and services may be able to work better with each other.

The new Council will cost less to run so this money will help the Council to continue to provide the services you currently receive.

We’ll update you with the latest news about the new Buckinghamshire Council in the next edition of Wycombe District Times.

Shadow Council

oversees the creation

of the new Council

April/May 2019 –

April 2020

Buckinghamshire Council

opens for business –current

five councils are abolished

Elections for the

49 new wards for

Buckinghamshire.

New arrangements in place

Services streamlined

Electoral arrangements reviewed

1 April

2020

May

2020

May 2020 –

May 2025

A new council for BuckinghamshireFrom 1 April 2020, there will be a brand new unitary council for Buckinghamshire offering residents and businesses a single point of contact for local services.

regeneration • 11

THERE’S A SPACE FOR YOU AT DESBOX

Re-establishing Wycombe’s reputation for creative industries

45 purpose-built retail workspaces, design studios and cafés around an event-based courtyard – a new working community.

Easy in/easy out terms. Good links to London.Available May 2019.

Call James on 07827 908 926 or email jg@chandlergarvey.com

With the finishing touches being made to a funky new workspace development, DesBox is the latest project to take shape as part of the council’s Desborough Area Renewal (DARE)

Along with the Aldi store which opened last September, a proposed new surface car park and the proposed

refurbishment of Capital House, DesBox is part of a four acre, £8 million regeneration project being undertaken by Wycombe District Council. New street layouts and lighting are set to change how the area looks and feels. Aldi and DesBox are helping the town retain and create jobs.

DESBOROUGH

Created out of more than a hundred re-purposed shipping containers, DesBox will be home to a new working community for arts and crafts businesses, creative design companies and small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs). It replaces workshops and offices that have been lost as the town’s older factories have been redeveloped and offices have been converted to residential.

The buildings surrounding DesBox are set for a transformation too. We’re working with local artist Dan Wilson to create a ‘Painted Quarter’ using murals and colourful external decoration to liven up what was previously a drab part of town.

DesBox will be part

of Bucks Art Weeks

this year with a ‘pop up’

gallery featuring local

artists. (8-23 June).

www.bucksartweeks.org.uk

Dare to be different

12 • out and about

You don’t have to travel very far from home to experience the beauty of amazing views including rivers, stunning hilltops, magical woods or green valleys. There’s a real smorgasbord of scenery to pick from - all right on your doorstep.

If that doesn’t whet your appetite for a day out, a taste of some of our local award winning food and drink from a whole host of innovative rural entrepreneurs will tempt your tastebuds.

Stock up at the farm shop…If you’re after a bite of the best, it’s worth making a detour to a farm shop for some tasty goodies.

With a proud heritage going back seven generations, Lacey’s Family Farm (Lane End) is cream of the crop– it won Best Dairy Farm in UK

for cream from its Guernsey cows. laceysfamilyfarm.co.uk

Starting with just one pig and 27 acres, entrepreneur farmer Jim MacKellar has successfully turned

Orchard View Farm (Little

Meadle) into a ‘go to place’ popular with families, cyclists and foodies alike because of its café, farm butchery and well stocked shop all serving the best of the bunch when

it comes to local produce. Be sure to check out the lambs and piglets as you drive in! www.orchardviewfarm.co.uk

Emmetts Farm – (Little Marlow) – sells great fresh bread, meats and cheeses as well as seasonal produce including fresh meat and fish. While you’re there, swing by the country sports shop at Emmett and Stone – www.emmettsfarm.co.uk or browse beautiful items for your home at the Home Barn – a 17th century tithe barn – www.homebarnshop.co.uk

Marlow Artisan Food Market - held on the first Saturday of the month. transitionmarlow.org/home/market

Fancy a quick pint?Marlow based Rebellion Brewery has earned an impressive array of awards both for its beers and its business. Events include weekly wine tasting and monthly brewery open

nights. www.rebellionbeer.co.uk

On the way to Aylesbury, Chiltern Brewery (Terrick) is the oldest independent brewery in the Chilterns and well worth a stop. The shop has local produce and you can also book on weekend tours to learn how they make their award-winning local beers.

chilternbrewery.co.uk

or a glass of wine?The rolling chalk hills behind Marlow produce world-

class sparkling wines as Henry and Kaye Laithwaite of Harrow and Hope discovered, when they planted vines there seven years ago. Their award winning fizz is produced using the traditional Champagne method. Bookable winery and vineyard tours www.harrowandhope.com

Chiltern Valley Winery (Hambleden) - fine wines, ales and liqueurs, tours and shop. www.chilternvalley.co.uk

ON YOUR DOORSTEP

A taste of the countryside

out and about • 13

ON YOUR DOORSTEP

Daws Hill Vineyard (Radnage) - Take a detour to discover this small vineyard and winery set in a beautiful spot in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. dawshillvineyard.co.ukFor more inspiration check out the interactive map on the Chilterns Conservation Board www.chilternsaonb.org/explore-enjoy/local-products or www.visitbuckinghamshire.org/food-and-drink

Supporting local farmingFor the last twenty years Wycombe District Council has been running a Rural Forum to work with local farmers and rural businesses. We are the only District in Buckinghamshire that holds one.

Magical mystery tourStarting in Marlow and covering 17 miles, our Midsomer Murders self-guided tour is the perfect way to discover some food and drink gems tucked away in the beautiful Buckinghamshire countryside. www.visitbuckinghamshire.org/midsomer

BLEDLOW COUNTRY SHOW

1 June 2019

Bledlow Country Show at:

Manor House Farm, Bledlow

Organised by Princes Risborough Young Farmers Club (PRYFC)

• Farmers Market• Crafts• Food Stalls• Demonstrations• Welly wanging, Tug of War and

‘The Showdown’)• Plus tractors, farm animals

agricultural dealers, countryside businesses and more…

https://bledlowcountryshow.co.uk/

Save the date

14 • recycling

Some less obvious items include:

4 deodorant cans

4 bottles that contained cleaning products – just make sure they are empty first

4 milk and juice cartons

4 black plastic trays.

We cannot recycle:

6 plastic bags – please keep recycling loose

6 plastic wrapping – like sweet or biscuit wrappers

6 polystyrene

6 pet food pouches

If you put these items into your recycling bins, they may cause the entire load of recycling to be rejected at the recycling plant. If you’re in doubt there’s and handy checklist you can use on our website where you can view and download our handy recycling guide or, check the Waste Wizard. Just enter your postcode and search for any items that you’re unsure what to do with. It will tell you the best way to dispose of it.

Go to www.wycombe.gov.uk and search for waste wizard.

WHERE DOES IT GO?

Plastic bags

Please don’t put plastic bags

in your recycling bin, either

mixed in with other items or

used to ‘bag up’ recycling.

We can’t recycle them!

Keep it loose and

clean!

Paper and cardboard It’s important to keep paper and cardboard out of your mixed recycling. You should have a separate container for any paper and cardboard. If these items are put in with the mixed recycling, it can cause problems at the sorting facility, resulting in the recycling being rejected.

Where does it all go? Out of sight, out of mind; a classic saying. But in recent months we have seen residents become more and more conscious of where their recycling is going; some have called this the Blue Planet effect (after the famous David Attenborough programme).

In the six months after Blue Planet aired, Chiltern and Wycombe residents recycled almost 40 per cent more plastic packaging than in the same period the previous year.

All of this plastic recycling goes to a sorting facility, also known as a materials recycling facility, or MRF.

Going up!Last year residents in Wycombe and Chiltern districts recycled literally tonnes more food – a massive 1,662 tonnes more food than in 2017 to be precise!

We’d like to say a massive thank you. Please keep it up! Increasing the amount of food waste that we recycle has an amazing impact in reducing the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere. The 8,564 tonnes of food waste you recycled in 2018 saved as much CO2 as taking 24,871 cars off the road!

As well as recycling food waste, it is important to recycle the packaging it came in. Most of this is recyclable, but it sometimes can be a bit tricky to work out the right place for this waste. Our handy tips will help you.

Recycling your packaging at home Make the most of the recycling containers you have at home to recycle:

4 plastic trays from fruit, meat or your ready meals – remove any peel off lids or inserts

4 plastic drinks bottles – lids on or off, it’s all recyclable!

4 food and drink tins and cans - just give them a rinse and put them into your blue recycling bin or bag.

recycling • 15

This is what happens to your plastic recycling…

Step 1When it’s delivered to the MRF the plastic packing gets tipped into the loading area and fed onto conveyors by a mechanical shovel. This helps control the flow of material into the system.

Step 2It then goes on to an elevating conveyor, which feeds the material to the pre-sort conveyors.

Step 3The mixed material coming from the pre-sort area enters a spinning cylinder or rotary screen, which helps to separate the different materials.

Step 4The materials are then processed using disc screens, which ‘shuffle’ the materials on conveyor belts.

Step 5Optical scanners then shine light onto the materials to identify them. The materials get separated from each other by jets of air.

Step 6A magnet removes steel cans and transfers them to a storage bunker.

Step 7An electrical current sorts out the aluminium cans which are stored in another bunker.

Step 8After the materials are separated by machine, they are manually checked for any incorrect items

Step 9 The final sorted materials are then bulked up and sent off to make new products.

A little bit about litter Whether it’s people dropping items in the street, or throwing things from vehicles, litter is unsightly and it causes harm to the environment.

We work hard, along with our contractors, to try and keep the streets clean for our

WHERE DOES IT GO?

residents to enjoy. However we are always grateful for help – and the Great British Spring Clean is an excellent way to get involved.

The campaign runs until April 23 and up to half a million people will join in by helping to clean up streets, parks and beaches all across the country.

If you’d like to do your bit, we can help by lending litter pickers, providing rubbish sacks and arranging to collect the waste and recycling that you’ve picked.

If you would like more information, or to join in, just visit our website and fill out the online form www.chiltern.gov.uk/springclean

ATGTICKETS.COM/Aylesbury*

BOX OFFICE 0844 871 7607*

*Booking fees apply. Calls cost up to 7p per min, plus your phone company’s access charge.

@thewaterside1

aylesburywatersidetheatre

aylesburywaterside.theatre

MUST-SEE SHOWS AT AYLESBURY WATERSIDE THEATRE

MON 22 – SAT 27 JUL Age guidance 14 + WED 6 – SUN 10 NOV

WHAT’S ON BIRMINGHAM

‘TINSEL-TASTIC’THE TIMES

‘A WARM-HEARTED FAMILY SHOW’

WHATSONSTAGE

‘PACKED WITH JOY’BIRMINGHAM MAIL

WED 18 – SUN 22 SEP69.5mmx93mm.indd 1 10/10/2018 11:18

lottery • 17

Operated by Places for People Leisure Ltd. in partnership with Wycombe District Council.

“ Holiday Fun.” Keep your little ones entertained in the holidays at our holiday camps Lots to enjoy including, swimming, football, trampolining, arts & crafts, climbing (optional) and lots more… Visit our website for more details www.wycombeleisurecentre.org

Wycombe Leisure Centre 01494 688100

Whatever place you’re into

Wycombe Lotto is going from strength to strength and helping local good causes to raise thousands of pounds.

See the fantastic list of over 70 local good causes that are using Wycombe Lotto to help raise valuable funds to help support their work at www.wycombelotto.co.uk and pick one that’s close to your heart.

With every £1 ticket you buy through one of these good causes, 50p from your ticket goes directly to that organisation and a further 10p goes into a community pot.

Players must be over 16.

Wycombe Lotto has helped High Wycombe Shopmobility buy a gleaming new scooter to help people with limited mobility get around the High Wycombe town centre for shopping, socialising and appointments.

The new scooter was paid for entirely by supporters buying their Wycombe Lotto tickets through the charity’s website. Cllr Graham Peart (right) took the Lotto scooter for a special tour around Eden. So far, High Wycombe Shopmobility has raised a total of £1,885 by partnering with Wycombe Lotto.

www.wycombelotto.co.uk

WYCOMBE LOTTO

Charity begins at home

18 • community

Across the whole country, and in Wycombe town centre, we’re seeing more people begging. When you give money to someone begging on the street, you could be helping them to feed an addiction.It’s your decision how you spend your money. But you should be aware of the facts first.

• People end up on the street through all kinds of problems, but despite what you may think, a significant number of people begging in Wycombe aren’t homeless - most of the people who are asking passers-by for small change have somewhere to sleep.

• Giving change seems like a kind way to help, but it’s often the opposite. It can trap people in a cycle of begging to feed a dependence on drugs or alcohol.

• We don’t think an addiction makes anyone less in need of help. Our outreach teams work with local beggars in the town. We give real help and real hope to those people who want to change their lives.

Working together as Wycombe Street Support Partnership, local drug and alcohol treatment agencies, homelessness and advice organisations have all come together with Wycombe

District Council and the police to reach out to help people on our streets and to tackle begging in the town.

Together, we provide:

• hands-on support to people on the street who will accept our help

• specialist support for people with substance abuse issues like drugs and drink

• help for people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless

• a winter night shelter, emergency food and clothing for people in need

STREET BEGGING

It’s your change. It’s your choice

• Citizens Advice• Connection Support• HWBidCO• One Recovery Bucks• Thames Valley Police

• Wycombe District Council• Wycombe Homeless

Connection• Wycombe Rent Deposit

Guarantee Scheme

We’re all working to help people on the streets in High Wycombe.

How you can help Changing the way you help someone on the street could help them to take the first brave step towards changing their life.

Instead of giving them money you could:• donate directly to Wycombe Homeless Connection

www.wyhoc.org.uk/donate or One Recovery Bucks https://onerecoverybucks.org

• offer food or drink instead of money

If you’re concerned about someone• contact Streetlink if you’re concerned about someone

sleeping rough 0300 500 0914 or online https://www.streetlink.org.uk/

• If you feel harassed or intimidated by someone on the street, please contact the police www.thamesvalley.police.uk or on 101. If you are in immediate danger or a crime is in progress than call 999

• contact streetsupport@wycombe.gov.uk with a quick description of the person, where and when you saw them.

Find out more at: www.wycombe.gov.uk/streetsupport

housing • 19

There has been a recent increase in the number of people who appear to be rough sleeping and homeless in the town centre of High Wycombe. Along with that, there are many misconceptions about what the council does and how we can help.

For many, it seems to be a simple issue- homeless people (rough sleepers) need housing and the council should ‘do something about it’.

Others equate homeless and temporary

accommodation to a stereotyped image of rough sleepers, violent ex-offenders and single mums (many of whom are perceived to have fled domestic violence).

As with most issues, the truth is somewhat different to the public perception,

A lot of people think that we don’t do anything to help the homeless. Nothing could be further from the truth. The council works all year round with partners in a large number of agencies to prevent anyone from becoming homeless in the first place. If someone does become homeless and ends up sleeping rough we work to get them into some form of accommodation.

Between last November and March we provided accommodation in an approved and inspected B&B for 12 people who were sleeping rough in High Wycombe. We did this in partnership with Wycombe Homeless Connection. In High Wycombe At the same time, Homeless Connection were also operating their winter night shelter. There is no charge for people to get into either of these.

Working alongside other support agencies we are reaching out, to offer genuine rough sleepers a bed for the night and real help to those that need it most. Our work goes on throughout the year.

Temporary AccommodationTemporary accommodation is provided to households who meet certain thresholds for homelessness assistance. These are defined in law. The vast majority of people we help are families with children who have become homeless. It could be as a result of a parental/family eviction (mainly due to overcrowding) or that

they have been asked to leave private rented accommodation through no fault of their own.

Currently, we have a number of different options for temporary accommodation and we try to place people where they are best suited. Families will usually be placed in to Saunderton Lodge or into temporary self-contained accommodation with Red Kite or another Registered Provider. It’s less likely that would place single people into Saunderton Lodge. We work with a small number of people who are fleeing violence and in these cases we ensure that we do not place them where they can be easily found. In cases of domestic abuse, we work closely with our partners at Wycombe Women’s aid to try and find refuge accommodation for them in another area.

We always carry out a thorough risk assessment before we place people into temporary accommodation to make sure that we do not place anyone who presents a risk into accommodation with families and children.

TACKLING HOMELESSNESS

Need tenants for your rental property?We can help. Our service is quick, easy and free.Whatever size property you want to rent out, we

probably have tenants to match your property.

We mainly need self-contained accommodation but talk

to our team to see if there’s a good fit for your property.

Get in touch to find out moreemail us on: landlords@wycombe.gov.uk

or call one of our our friendly and

professional team.

Angela 01494 421603

Julia 01494 421606

Nasim 01494 421853

A roof over your head

We put the interests of older people living in Buckinghamshire at the centre of

everything we do

* Information and advice

* Welfare benefits home visits

* Befriending Plus

* Help-in-the-Home

* Garden maintenance

* Handyperson * Computer training

* Toenail cutting service in your home

* Home hairdressing

Age UK Bucks

services and support

Call 01296 431911

www.ageukbucks.org.uk 145 Meadowcroft, Aylesbury HP19 9HH

Registered charity 1139423

free

pay for

Payne’s of Glass

Replace your old conservatory roof with a Guardian Warm Roof and enjoy your new

garden room all summer (and winter!)Conservatories, Orangeries, Garden Rooms, Windows,

Doors and Home Extensions. Aluminium, Hardwood, Softwood or PVCu.

Based in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

Call us now on 01494 565526

www.paynesofglass.co.uk Triple Glazing Specialists - No Extra Cost

Triple Glazing Specialists - No Extra Costwww.paynesofglass.co.uk

ray@paynesofglass.co.uk

Call us now on 01494 565526

Replace your old conservatory roof with a Guardian Warm Roof and enjoy your new

garden room all summer (and winter!)We supply and install: Conservatories, Orangeries,

Garden Rooms, Windows, Doors and Home Extensions

COMING SOON TO LEXUS READINGRose Kiln Lane, Reading RG2 0HS0118 907 9769

www.lexus.co.uk/reading

Model shown is UX F SPORT with Tech & Safety Pack at £36,270 including metallic paint at £570. Exact fuel consumption figures for model shown in mpg (l/100km): Combined 50.6 (5.6). Combined CO2 97 g/km. UX fuel consumption range in mpg (I/100km): 49.6 (5.7) – 53.3 (5.3). Figures are provided for comparability purposes; only compare fuel consumption and CO2 figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real life driving results. Fuel consumption and CO2 produced varies significantly depending on a number of factors, including the accessories fitted (post-registration), driving style, conditions, speed and vehicle load. All models and grades are certified according to the World Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP), which replaces the New European Driving Cycle test procedure (NEDC). All CO2 figures quoted are NEDC equivalent. This means the CO2 figures are based on the new WLTP test procedure but calculated (using a standard European calculation method) to allow comparison with the NEDC test procedure and will be used to calculate vehicle tax on first registration. All mpg figures quoted are full WLTP figures. More information can be found by visiting: www.vehicle-certification agency.gov.uk/fcb/wltp.asp

ALL NEW LEXUS UXNEW HORIZONS

SELF-CHARGING HYBRID

NEW RETIREMENT APARTMENTS FOR SALE

CALL TODAY TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST

0800 458 1847 Visit churchillretirement.co.uk

Churchill Retirement Living is a privately owned, family run British Company specialising exclusively in developing attractive one and two bedroom retirement apartments in the UK.

Our retirement developments throughout the UK are designed to provide the best lifestyle choice for an independent, safe, secure and fulfilled retirement.

Make the first move towards Churchill Retirement Living today – you’ll be surprised how easy it can be.

Introducing ChurchillAward winning retirement apartments

To register your interest on these developments please complete below. I am enquiring for: Myself Family Friend Return to: Freepost CHURCHILL RETIREMENT LIVING

Preferred Development(s): Name: Address: Post Code:Email:Telephone:

WD

T-A

yles

bu

ry-M

arlo

w-P

R-S

PRIN

G19

CALL TODAY TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST

0800 458 1847 Visit churchillretirement.co.uk

Make the first move towards Churchill Retirement Living today – you’ll be surprised how easy it can be.

AYLESBURYOscar Lodge, Cambridge Street

MARLOWPeel Lodge, Dean Street

PRINCES RISBOROUGHChiltern Lodge, Longwick Road

Jemca ReadingRose Kiln Lane, Reading Berkshire RG2 0LJ Tel: 0118 907 9768jemcareading.toyota.co.uk

Jemca BracknellJohn Nike Way, BracknellBerkshire RG12 8TN Tel: 01344 789789jemcabracknell.toyota.co.uk

5 year/100,000 mile manufacturer warranty. Terms and conditions apply.

The All New Corolla.

IT’S TIME TO MOVE FORWARD

@JemcaToyota/JemcaToyota

planning • 23

Work to improve the road layout on Queen Victoria Road and Easton Street in High Wycombe is progressing well. Changes to the key junction of Easton Street with Queen Victoria will help traffic flows, and open up Queen Victoria Road and Easton Street to two way traffic which is expected to improve journey times.

On Queen Victoria Road northbound, there will be one “straight-ahead or left-turn” lane, and one “straight-ahead only” lane. These lanes, which will merge into one lane on Crendon Street, will relieve pressure from the Abbey Way Gyratory system. Removing

right turns on all arms of the Queen Victoria Road will improve safety, reduce queues and improve journey times.

It’s all part of an ambitious, long-term project – a ‘Masterplan’ which is set to transform High Wycombe town centre and bring major improvements for the future. The multi-million pound investment in the town is being funded by Wycombe District Council, Buckinghamshire Thames Valley Local Enterprise Partnership via the Government’s Local Growth Fund and Buckinghamshire County Council.

When all the pieces are put into place, the Masterplan will help to regenerate High Wycombe town centre. The alternative route, connecting Oxford Road through Desborough to Suffield Road is another key part of the Masterplan and this is expected to be completed in summer 2019. The final piece is a new section of road, Suffield Hill, which will join the road from the back of the Eden Shopping Centre to Queen Alexandra Road/Suffield Road.

You can sign up to get regular updates about these projects and find out about any roadworks or road closures at hitmailbox@buckscc.gov.uk

Following a series of local plan public hearings in summer last year, the Planning Inspector has just closed her consultation on main modifications she proposes to make to the plan. The changes being put forward are modifications needed to make the plan “sound”.

HIGH WYCOMBE MASTERPLAN

LOCAL PLAN

Changing places

Next stage in Local Plan

The six week consultation closed on 27 March. All responses are being sent to the Inspector who will consider them before deciding if she will conduct further hearings. She will produce a report setting out her conclusions and recommendations.

Once the council has received her report, it will consider the report in the summer and decide whether to adopt the new local plan for the Wycombe District.

Find out more at www.wycombe.gov.uk/newlocalplan

C O N S E R V A T O R Y R O O F S

*Finance Subject To Status. T&C’s apply. *Orders placed by end of March 19. Applies to orders over 8 panels. Smaller orders receive calculated discount. Not valid for use with any other offer.

Installed in 1 day“ What a difference a day makes as the saying goes, and yes, that’s all it took to install.”

Mr & Mrs Barber, Wells

Warmer in winter“ There is no doubt that the conservatory is much warmer than previously, and no, the room is not darker either!”

David Birch, Chichester

Usable all year round“ The conservatory is now used throughout all seasons of the year and is far more comfortable to sit in whatever the weather outside.”

Mr & Mrs Gibson, Portishead

Mould & condensation“ This is the best thing we have done in this house. Used to run with condensation and now zero.”

Karen Thomas, Chippenham

Cooler in summer“ You could have fried an egg on the table in there in the summer, I now look upon the conservatory as a new room. It is quiet, restful and cosy.”

Carol Doyle, Surrey

Reduces energy bills“ I’ve already turned the underfloor heating down. Lovely job guys, thank you!”

Anne Bird, Bristol

Quieter in bad weather“ For the first time in 10 years we do not have to close the door to the conservatory when it rains, as the noise is minimal and before I found it difficult to hear the TV over the loudness of the rain on the old roof.”

Mr & Mrs Bailey-Webb, Warsash

Eliminates glare“ It immediately stopped the glare, when the sun shines, which would have previously rendered the conservatory unusable.”

Jason Boyd, Havant

Get a free no obligation quote, call free on:

0800 652 5157or visit greenspaceconservatories.co.uk

Do you use your conservatory all year round?

Top reasons to upgrade your conservatory roof with Green Space UK, as chosen by our customers

2 FREE PANELS THIS MONTH

*Quote Ref WDN0319

BEFORE AFTER

GRE50390 A4 Ad master Jan 19 V4.indd 1 14/02/2019 22:27