The Cabinet of Buckinghamshire Council met on Wednesday 1 July 2026, approving the Local Transport Plan 5 and the Tree Management Strategy, and noting the submission of the SEND Reform Plan. The meeting also saw decisions made regarding the adoption of an amended conservation area for Aylesbury and the agreement for the sale of land at Abbey Barn North.

SEND Reform Plan

The Cabinet noted the submission of Buckinghamshire's Local SEND Reform Plan to the Department for Education (DfE). This plan was developed in response to the government's Schools White Paper and outlines how the council will improve its system for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The submission is crucial for securing the High Needs Stability Grant, which is estimated to be worth approximately £41 million to the council. Councillor Carl Jackson, Cabinet Member for Education and Children's Services, highlighted the challenging timeline for developing the plan, especially as some national standards were not yet published when the local plan was being drafted. He expressed optimism about the plan's approval, noting positive initial feedback from the DfE. The Experts at Hand approach, a key element of the reforms, aims to integrate specialists like speech and language therapists directly into schools to provide earlier support. However, concerns were raised by Councillor Thomas Broom, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Transport, that the government's reforms might represent an offloading of costs onto local authorities rather than a genuine act of generosity. The reforms are expected to require new legislation and may not be fully implemented until 2030, with potential political risks affecting their progression.

Local Transport Plan 5 Adoption

The Cabinet approved the Local Transport Plan 5 (LTP5) and its supporting Freight and Logistics Strategy to proceed to full Council for adoption. The LTP5, which builds on the previous plan, places a greater emphasis on travel choice and supporting factors, introducing new policies on education, promotion, personal safety, and place shaping. It also incorporates new government requirements such as carbon analysis and an integrated ticketing policy. Public consultation on the draft documents received strong support, with minor amendments made in response to feedback, including the addition of an accessibility theme and policy. Councillor Thomas Broom, Cabinet Member for Transport, clarified that LTP5 provides a policy framework for future infrastructure development, rather than directly planning for the housing targets imposed by central government. While there was broad support for the plan, some residents expressed concerns about the proposed drone policy, leading to strengthened safety measures. The integrated ticketing policy, though ambitious, has received minimal government support to date. The Cabinet also agreed to delegate approval of any minor amendments to LTP5 to the Corporate Director of Planning, Growth and Sustainability in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport.

Adoption of Amended Conservation Area for Aylesbury

The Cabinet adopted the amended Conservation Area boundary for Aylesbury and its updated Appraisal and Management Plan. This review, the first in 22 years, forms part of the evidence base for the emerging Local Plan and aims to preserve and enhance the town's special architectural and historic character. Following a six-week public consultation, nine new areas were added to the conservation area, including the Waterside Theatre, the Canal Basin, and the Blue Leany, while two areas were removed. Notably, requests to include Walton Street officers were considered but ultimately not adopted to retain flexibility for regeneration in that part of the town centre.

Tree Management Strategy

The Cabinet adopted the Tree Management Strategy, which aims to provide a harmonised approach to tree management across the council, addressing inconsistencies that arose from different legacy councils and services. The strategy sets out legal obligations, policy statements, and clarifies roles and responsibilities for managing the council's tree stock, which is estimated to cost approximately £1.26 million annually. The strategy prioritises public safety, accountability, and compliance with legal duties, and will be supported by an action plan. It will also ensure that newly planted trees, including those from the Box Tree Mission, are properly maintained and recorded. The adoption of the strategy is expected to reduce the likelihood and cost of future insurance claims.

Abbey Barn North Land Sale Agreement for disposal of reserve site

Authority was delegated to the Corporate Director for Resources, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resources, to conclude negotiations and enter into a Collaboration Agreement for the sale of council-owned land at Abbey Barn Lane in High Wycombe. This land, allocated for residential development, will be developed in conjunction with adjacent land owned by another landowner. This collaborative approach is considered the most viable way to develop the site, given its topography and constraints, which made independent development unlikely to be cost-effective or deliver value for money. The agreement will pass the risks of cost and planning onto the adjacent landowner, who will lead the planning application process. Following planning approval, the land will be marketed for sale, with the council receiving a share of the proceeds, contributing to the Medium-Term Financial Plan capital budget. A further report will be presented to Cabinet following the conclusion of the planning and marketing exercise.