The High Wycombe Town Committee (HWTC) met to discuss the Wycombe Vision, receive updates from Thames Valley Police and on town centre development, and review financial reports. The committee was also scheduled to discuss updates on Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) projects, place partnerships, and action groups, as well as the cabinet forward plan and work programme.

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Projects

Wendy Morgan-Brown, Head of Partnerships & Communities, was scheduled to present an update on the local allocation of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) projects. CIL is a charge levied on new developments to fund infrastructure improvements. The committee was expected to note the report, which included the current status of CIL projects and available funding for the unparished area of High Wycombe, as part of the council's Medium Term Financial Plan.

According to the report pack, as of 30 September 2025, the total uncommitted CIL funding held by the High Wycombe Town Committee was £433,187.04. A total of £1,202,333.00 was committed to cover anticipated expenditure on current CIL projects. Between 1 April 2025 and 30 September 2025, additional receipts of £68,582.70 had been received and were available.

Appendix A of the Public Reports Pack provided an update on current commitments:

• The new cemetery on Penn Road was nearly complete, with £3,777 of the £95,560 allocation remaining for planting.
• Play area improvements at Shelley Road (£63,000) and Totteridge Recreation Ground (£134,000) were scheduled for 2026/27.
• Play area improvements at Booker were completed.
• A traffic calming scheme on Bowerdean Road was withdrawn, releasing £35,088 for reallocation.
• Traffic calming and parking improvements on Coates Lane were awaiting final sign-off.
• A pedestrian crossing on Bellfield Road was to be delivered as part of the High Wycombe Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP).
• The scope of the District Centres Public Realm Improvement project needed to be redefined, or the £125,000 funding returned to the main CIL pot.
• Funding for Bull Lane service yard gates was incorporated into the wider White Hart St/Bull Lane public realm enhancement project.
• The High Wycombe 'Highway Code' Parking Review was underway, with completion anticipated in Spring 2026.
• A review of parking in the High Wycombe Pedestrian Zone was underway, with completion anticipated in Spring/Summer 2026.

The report pack stated that any future CIL proposals must align with infrastructure priorities, statutory responsibilities, and the council's strategic priorities, and that the budget subgroup within HWTC was encouraged to develop funding recommendations.

The report also summarised the Section 106 position for HWTC, explaining that Section 106 legal agreements¹ require developers to make financial contributions to the council for infrastructure or community improvements.

Special Expenses

Fiorella Mugari, Head of Finance - Communities and PGS Directorates, was scheduled to present the High Wycombe Town Committee Special Expenses Report for Quarter 2 of 2025/26. The report provided an update on the special expenses budget allocated to the committee through the precept² raised on the unparished area of High Wycombe. The report pack stated that the net forecast outturn position for 2025/26 was £466,000, with an underspend of £17,000 currently reported in the forecast. The actual spend to Quarter 2 on reserve funded projects was £63,000 (14%) of the total allocation of £450,000. Assuming the reserve funded projects allocation could be fully spent, the forecast working balance for this financial year was -£467,000.

The report pack included a table that broke down the special expenses by activity area:

The report pack also detailed the reserve funded projects position at Quarter 2:

Appendix A of the Public Reports Pack provided a summary of the 2025/26 Community Support Grants and Facilities Grants.

Place Partnerships/Gaia

Sophie Payne, Service Director for Culture, Sport and Leisure, was scheduled to present an update on place partnerships, specifically the We Make Wycombe project, and the potential for a Gaia installation in High Wycombe.

We Make Wycombe is described in the report pack as:

A jointly-funded partnership programme celebrating Wycombe's creativity, supporting local talent and making arts and culture more visible in the town, with new opportunities for everyone to get involved.

The report pack stated that the project had grown a thriving and connected cultural network from 49 to 138 members, secured and launched a Town Centre Hub, and was supporting the sector through a tailored skills programme.

The report pack also outlined a proposal for Gaia, an art installation, to illuminate High Wycombe, stating that it could increase visitors and boost the local economy, strengthen community identity and pride, and inspire all ages by engaging and creating awareness of the local and global environment. The report pack noted that the Gaia project was currently under consideration by partners and looking to secure external funding/sponsorship from local businesses.

Other Business

• Councillor Ed Gemmell, Chair of High Wycombe Town Committee, was scheduled to present the Wycombe Vision.
• Inspector Harry Gehnich, Thames Valley Police, was scheduled to provide a police update.
• Ian Barham, Head of Business Partnerships, was scheduled to provide a verbal update on town centre development.
• The committee was scheduled to receive updates from the HWTC Action Groups, covering budget, planning, infrastructure, health and wellbeing, environmental regeneration, and economic regeneration.
• The committee was scheduled to receive the Cabinet Forward Plan for information. The plan included items related to disability facilities grants, SEND improvement, skills bootcamps, grounds maintenance, council tax reduction scheme, conservation covenants, Ashwells & Bellfield Developments, the Buckinghamshire Shareholder Committee, the Corporate Parenting Strategy, disposal of council-owned assets, the Medium Term Financial Plan, budget management, corporate performance, speed limits, earmarked reserves, cycleway improvements, the Buckinghamshire LEP loan to Silverstone Heritage Museum, disabled bays and parking restrictions, the Fleet Trading Account budget, emergency and business continuity management products for schools, an SEND Unit at Iver Village Junior School, freight zone permits, electric vehicle infrastructure, parking reviews, private sector housing civil penalty notices, property lease renewals, and traffic calming.
• The committee was scheduled to review its work programme.