Buckinghamshire Council's Cabinet met on Tuesday 21 April 2026 to discuss a range of important issues, including the allocation of a new Crisis and Resilience Fund, the adoption of updated conservation areas, and a significant decision to outsource waste collection and street scene services. The meeting also addressed ongoing road repairs, community safety initiatives, and cultural and environmental programmes.

Crisis and Resilience Fund Approved

The Cabinet approved the arrangements for the new Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) for 2026-27, which replaces the Household Support Fund and Discretionary Housing Payment. This new fund aims to support residents facing financial hardship and build longer-term financial resilience. The council noted a reduction of over £600,000 in government funding for this area over the past two years. The new guidance requires a shift from blanket crisis provision to targeted support for households experiencing sudden financial shocks. This means that automatic holiday food vouchers for all families in receipt of free school meals will cease, with support now needing to be evidenced based on individual need.

The council will continue to support families through the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, the Helping Hand service, and access to debt and money advice via Citizens Advice. A new £800,000 Financial Resilience and Community Grant Fund, in partnership with Heart of Bucks, will be established to support voluntary and community organisations working on cost of living initiatives, warm homes, affordable food access, and money management. The HAF programme for 2026-27 is expected to offer 1,000 additional places.

Updated Conservation Areas Adopted

The Cabinet formally adopted amended conservation area boundaries for Buckingham, Haddenham, and Winslow. These updates, the first since the council became a unitary authority, are part of the evidence base for the emerging Local Plan. The boundaries have been adjusted, with new areas added, such as Railway Walk and Rimbaud's Field in Buckingham. Each conservation area now includes a management plan to guide future changes. Public consultations were held in autumn 2025, and feedback has been incorporated into the revised appraisals and management plans. The council has a statutory duty to review its 179 conservation areas, and this process will continue across the county.

Waste Collection and Street Scene Services to be Outsourced

A significant decision was made to implement a single outsourced model for waste collection and street scene services across Buckinghamshire. This change will replace the current mixed economy of an in-house service in the north and an outsourced contract in the south. The procurement process for a new countywide contract will begin in April 2026, with services expected to commence in October 2029 for the northern area and September 2030 for the southern area. This move is anticipated to enhance value for money, providing estimated savings of over £40 million across the assessment period.

Crucially, the council stressed that this decision will not change the number of bins residents have or the frequency of collections. The procurement process will be led by the Service Director for Neighbourhood Services, in consultation with the Leader and the Cabinet Member for Environment, Climate Change and Waste. The council has committed to ongoing communication with the existing workforce, addressing concerns about terms and conditions, and ensuring lessons learned from previous service reorganisations are applied.

Road Repairs and Infrastructure

Councillor Thomas Broom, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Transport, reported on the ongoing efforts to repair roads damaged by the severe weather earlier in the year. In March, over 2,000 defect repairs were completed, with double the usual number of crews working on the network. The capital resurfacing programme, part of a £120 million investment, is now underway and will continue throughout the summer. He also highlighted an increase in utility works and urged the public to report any unnecessary disruption via FixMyStreet. The Leader acknowledged the visible progress in pothole repairs and the impact of recent unplanned utility works on arterial routes like the A418 Oxford Road and A421 Fleet Marston, noting that Thames Water was being pressed to complete repairs swiftly. The Buckinghamshire Lane Rental Scheme is also being implemented to better manage utility works.

Community Safety and Local Initiatives

Councillor Steve Bowles, Cabinet Member for Communities, announced the introduction of new Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) along sections of the A413 and A40 to tackle unauthorised pony and trap racing. This action follows extensive consultation and addresses significant road safety risks and community concerns, with Thames Valley Police having recorded 639 related incidents between 2020 and 2025. The PSPO comes into effect on 30 April. He also highlighted the upcoming Proud of Bucks Awards on 1 June, celebrating community volunteers, and the Opportunity Bucks annual event on 10 June.

Cultural and Environmental Updates

Councillor Peter Brazier, Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, celebrated the fifth anniversary of the Adopt-a-Patch scheme, where volunteers maintain 53 patches across the council's three country parks, having collected 1,633 bags of litter. He also announced that the library service had received £47,000 from Arts Council England for the By Hook or By Book project, which will explore mystery through various literary and artistic activities.

Councillor Adekunle Osibogun, Cabinet Member for Environment, Climate Change and Waste, marked Earth Day by emphasising the importance of environmental protection and sustainability. He encouraged residents and businesses to participate in local environmental activities. An update was provided on the reuse shop at the High Wycombe Household Recycling Centre, which is temporarily suspended, but a new reuse offtaker has begun collecting items in the south of the county.

Health and Wellbeing Initiatives

Councillor Isabel Darby, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, highlighted initiatives during World Autism Acceptance Month, including an autism awareness campaign and the promotion of the Autism Alert Card. She noted a significant increase in applications for the card, which helps individuals communicate their needs and facilitates reasonable adjustments. A public health update shared data showing an 80% reduction in hospital admissions for RSV infection in babies due to a vaccination programme offered to pregnant women, underscoring the importance of vaccinations.

Other Matters

The Cabinet also noted the Forward Plan and the Select Committee Work Programme. A question was raised by Councillor Robin Stuchbury regarding highway closures in Buckingham town centre, and Councillor Thomas Broom assured that the scope and duration of these works were being reviewed to mitigate impacts on residents and businesses. The Eastern Street multi-storey car park in High Wycombe is progressing towards demolition, with closure notifications now in place from 4 May, and a tender process underway for a contractor. Temporary traffic regulation orders will be implemented to improve Blue Badge parking and drop-off arrangements.