The Council of Buckinghamshire Council convened on Wednesday 15 April 2026 to discuss a range of significant matters, including the adoption of new street trading controls, potential amendments to the Code of Conduct, and the Members' Allowances Scheme. A substantial portion of the meeting was dedicated to reviewing and approving the Medium Term Financial Plan and Capital Programme for 2026/27 to 2028/29, alongside the Capital and Investment Strategy and Treasury Management Strategy. Cabinet Member reports provided updates on various service areas, from transport and environment to education and housing, and several Notices of Motion were presented for consideration.

Street Trading Controls

A key item on the agenda was the proposed adoption of Schedule 4 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, which would designate all streets within the Buckinghamshire Council area as Consent Streets for street trading purposes from 1st October 2026. This measure aims to establish a clear and consistent framework for regulating street trading across the county, promoting public safety, preventing crime and disorder, and enhancing the character of the council's area. The report indicated that no objections or representations were received during the statutory notice period.

Code of Conduct Amendment

The Council was scheduled to consider a recommendation from the Standards and General Purposes Committee to amend the Code of Conduct. The proposed amendment seeks to enhance transparency by requiring Members to declare in their Register of Interests any allowances or fees received from outside bodies to which they have been appointed by virtue of their role as a Buckinghamshire Councillor. This would include the monetary value of such allowances or expenses, making this information publicly accessible in a central location.

Members Allowances Scheme 2026-27

The Council was asked to note and endorse the Members' Allowances Scheme for the upcoming year. This annual requirement ensures the formal adoption of the scheme, which is based on the Council's previous decision to apply an index linked to the Local Government Pay Award for staff. The scheme outlines a Basic Allowance for all councillors, Special Responsibility Allowances for those with additional duties, and provisions for travel, subsistence, and dependent carers' allowances. It also notes the upcoming eligibility for elected Members to join the Local Government Pension Scheme from May 2026.

Medium Term Financial Plan and Capital Programme

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the approval of the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for 2026/27 to 2028/29 and the Capital Programme for 2026/27 to 2029/30. The report highlighted the challenges of the budget-setting process amidst national funding changes, with the Council facing a significant funding deficit. The proposed budget aimed to deliver stability and value for money, with substantial investment planned for highways, including the Southeast Aylesbury Link Road, and for SEND places in schools. Discussions also covered the impact of statutory services on discretionary services and the management of various grants. An amendment was proposed to increase funding for road network remedial work, which was debated extensively.

Capital and Investment Strategy

The Council was to consider the approval of the Capital and Investment Strategy, which provides the framework for delivering corporate objectives through the effective investment of capital resources. The strategy reflects the Council's role in regeneration, affordable housing, and climate change agendas, particularly in light of significant housing growth.

Treasury Management Strategy

The Treasury Management Strategy Statement (TMSS) for 2026/27 was presented for approval. This strategy, along with the Borrowing Strategy, Prudential Indicators, Annual Investment Strategy, and Minimum Revenue Provision Policy, ensures the Council's capital investment plans are affordable, prudent, and sustainable. A key amendment proposed was to align local authority lending processes with those of other investment types.

Cabinet Member Reports

Several Cabinet Members presented reports on their respective portfolios:

• Leader, Councillor Steven Broadbent, provided an update on strategic finance, noting that the council had a balanced medium-term financial plan despite realised risks from inflation. He also reported on the success of the Retail Revival programme, the upcoming Sunday Market season in High Wycombe and Aylesbury, and ongoing impacts and engagement related to HS2 and East West Rail. Updates were also given on the Buckinghamshire Growth Board, a visit from Lord Vallance, the Buckinghamshire Growth Fund, and the opening of the Skylark Café and Conference Facility at the Westcott Enterprise Zone. Progress on the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor and the Woodlands Roundabout in Aylesbury were also mentioned, alongside the South East Aylesbury Link Road project.
• Culture and Leisure, Councillor Peter Brazier, highlighted the continued success of the Simply Walk programme, the launch of the National Year of Reading 2026 with various events and an adult reading challenge, and seasonal opening hours for Library Flex. The Storyteller Roadshow and the completion of the Rekindle Project were also noted. The report detailed significant income generated by the Buckinghamshire Film Office and updates from Buckinghamshire Archives, including the Geotagging Buckinghamshire's Photographs project. The 'We Make Wycombe' cultural development programme, a new play area in Whitehill Park, community bulb planting at Higginson Park, improvements at Bedgrove Park, and park pop-ups for local businesses were also discussed. Attendance at leisure centres remained positive, with an upgrade planned for Risborough Springs Swim and Fitness Centre.
• Adult Social Care, detailed national developments including responses to the Fair Pay Agreement consultation and updated guidance for Social Care Charging and Support. The Casey Commission's review of the adult social care system was mentioned, alongside the publication of the Neighbourhood Health Framework and the Mental Health Act. The report indicated that adult social care was experiencing increased demand but remained in a strong budget position with an underspend. The Buckinghamshire All-Age Autism Strategy, launched in late 2025, was highlighted, along with National Social Work Week and the approach for the 2026/27 adult social care annual fee uplift for providers. The Healthy School Neighbourhood Pilot, the opening of Cressex Outdoor Gym, Age Better Bucks, Move Together Bucks, and Be Healthy Bucks were also covered. The new Children and Young People Drug and Alcohol Support Service was launched in February 2026.
• Housing and Regulatory Services, Councillor Mark Winn, reported on homelessness prevention and advice, noting the number of households seeking assistance and the ongoing efforts to reduce spend on temporary accommodation. Bucks Home Choice housing register statistics and Disability Facilities Fund allocations were provided. An update on the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy indicated its extension to 2027 and the commencement of work on a new strategy. Progress on delivering affordable homes through Section 106 agreements and ongoing work with partners through the Homelessness Forum were also detailed. Updates were provided on the Registration Service, Coroner's Service, Crematoria and Cemetery Service, and unauthorised encampments. Licensing enforcement activities, including taxi and private hire operations and checks on late-night takeaways, were reported, alongside a review of the Licensing Act 2003. Animal licensing, including a new primate licensing regime, and the surrender of a sex establishment licence were mentioned. Trading Standards reported on successful prosecutions for home improvement fraud and seizures of illegal vapes. Environmental Health and Housing services were preparing for the implementation of the Renters Rights Act 2025.
• Planning, Councillor Peter Strachan, provided an update on Development Management recruitment and efforts to address the validation backlog. The Enforcement Team's performance in 2025 was detailed, along with progress on the Local Plan, which was moving towards final consultation. A response to the draft NPPF consultation was submitted, and plans for consulting on a draft Charging Schedule for the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) were outlined. The sixth annual Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS) for 2024/25 was published.
• Transport, Councillor Thomas Broom, detailed the Summer Resurfacing and Capital Programme, alongside winter service and road repair efforts. An update on the Marlow Bridge Restoration was provided, highlighting progress on structural works. The success of the Sustainable Travel to School initiatives, with Buckinghamshire Council being the top large local authority on the Modeshift Stars Scheme, was noted. Updates on the Home to School Transport Policy consultation and contract retendering were given, as was progress on Local Transport Plan 5. The e-scooter trial in Aylesbury and High Wycombe was extended, and an update on the Winslow Station A413 Crossing was provided.
• Environment, Climate Change & Waste, Councillor Ade Osibogun, reported on fly-tipping, littering enforcement, and prosecutions. Feasibility studies for Property Flood Resilience (PFR) in Sands and West Marlow, and a PFR Strategic Study were detailed. Natural Flood Management Projects, including the Bucks Great Ouse NFM Feasibility Study and the Blue Lagoon NFM Project, were outlined. Community Flood Resilience Support Services and the Bucks Tree Mission were also discussed. Energy Doctor visits and the Domestic Building Envelope Energy Efficiency (DBEEE) Grant were reported on, alongside the Climate Change & Air Quality Strategy 2024-25 Progress Report.
• Communities, Councillor Steve Bowles, provided updates from Community Boards, highlighting live priorities and recent meetings. Community safety initiatives, including the securing of Criminal Behaviour Orders, were detailed. The Council convened a county-wide volunteering workshop to discuss the future of volunteering in Buckinghamshire. Support with the Cost of Living, including the new Crisis and Resilience Fund, was discussed, and the Resilience Service's work on business continuity plans and a workshop for local schools were mentioned. Parking Services had awarded a new contract for civil parking enforcement. Updates on Afghan Resettlement, Homes for Ukraine, and support for asylum seekers were provided. The Buckinghamshire Faiths Forum marked Holocaust Memorial Day, and the Opportunity Bucks programme was continuing its targeted initiatives. The Hughenden Boulevard project, a Chesham Digital Inclusion Session, and Community Activity Days were highlighted, with a reminder about the Proud of Bucks Awards.
• Resources, Councillor Robert Carington, reported on the consolidation of data onto single systems, including the migration to a single Uniform system for Planning, Building Control, Environmental Health, and Land Charges, and the Abavus CRM for Customer Service. Updates on the Shopmobility service in Aylesbury and the annual billing process for Council Tax and Business Rates were provided, including the introduction of the new Income Banded Council Tax Reduction Scheme. The launch of a new Contract Management Handbook and Toolkit was announced. Property and Assets updates included the opening of Tesco at Denmark Street and the appointment of Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust as the preferred bidder for the Queen Victoria Road site. Progress on the Hampden Fields Primary School, Kingsbrook Secondary School Expansion, and Orchard View Primary Academy were also detailed.
• Education and Children's Services, Councillor Carl Jackson, presented Buckinghamshire's Best Start in Life Plan 2026–2029, focusing on improving outcomes for children from pregnancy to age five. The Council's shortlisting for the LGC Awards in the Children's Services category for its 'Residential Transformation Programme – Strong Foundations' was highlighted. Updates from Newlands, Lawrence Lodge, and Coach House children's homes were provided, alongside the opening of Oakview supported living provision. The Corporate Parenting Strategy 2025–2030 and the My Home, My Future: Placement & Homes Strategy 2026–2030 were published. The SEND Inspection of Buckinghamshire Local Area Partnership recognised meaningful progress. The Schools White Paper and SEND Reforms were noted, and the Connect to Work programme was launched. The fourth annual Bucks Youth Summit was held, and support for young carers in Buckinghamshire was detailed. The Fostering Friendly initiative encouraging businesses to support foster carers was also mentioned.

Notices of Motion

Several Notices of Motion were scheduled for discussion:

• (i) Enhanced Use of the Business Rate Hardship Fund: This motion proposed endorsing the enhanced use of the existing Hardship Relief Scheme to support Buckinghamshire businesses disproportionately affected by 2026/27 Business Rates increases, proactively signposting businesses to the scheme, strengthening governance, and reviewing its effectiveness. It also called on central government to provide additional national support and reconsider business rate changes.
• (ii) Rooftop Solar and Batteries: This motion recommended that Cabinet ensure the opportunity to install solar panels and complimentary battery storage on all new buildings in Buckinghamshire is fully considered during the preparation of the final Buckinghamshire Local Plan.
• (iii) Tree Protection: This motion asked Cabinet to adopt a retain or relocate principle for trees on Council-owned land or Council-led projects, ensure strong tree protection policies in the Local Plan, increase awareness among planning officers of tree moving opportunities, and lead by example in considering tree moving over felling.
• (iv) Supporting a New Special Free School for Buckinghamshire: This motion recognised the essential need for a new SEMH Special Free School, requested the Leader to write to the Secretary of State for Education and Buckinghamshire MPs to honour the promised funding, and asked Cabinet to carry out a full impact assessment of any decision to cancel the school.
• (v) Community Land Trusts Buckinghamshire: This motion recommended that Cabinet ensure the means to support the development of Community Land Trusts are fully considered during the preparation of the Local Plan and explore options to include them within Section 106 or CIL requirements for affordable homes.

Leader Decisions Taken

A list of decisions taken by the Leader since the last full Council agenda was also presented for information, covering various traffic regulation orders, modern slavery statements, capital budget releases, admission arrangements, annual fee uplifts, and housing infrastructure fund variations.