SUPPORT THE PETITION TO BE SENT TO BUCKINGHAMSHIRE COUNCIL LEADER AND STANDARDS AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE REQUESTING THEY AGREE TO GIVE HIGH WYCOMBE A TOWN COUNCIL 

Background

Over 5000 signatures were submitted to WDC in 2019 before it was dissolved calling for a Community Governance Review (CGR) for all the unparished wards in High Wycombe with the aim of creating a Town Council
On the 7 January 2020, the Shadow Authority for Buckinghamshire considered a Community Governance Review for High Wycombe and decided to defer the decision until the establishment of the new Unitary authority.
It was further delayed until after the Boundary commission review.

On 24th August the decision will be made by Buckinghamshire Council Standards & General Purposes Committee as to whether we get a town council or not .
The committee is made up of councillors from areas that already have the benefits of Town or parish councils. It would be remiss of them to not accept, understand and offer the same level of local democracy to High Wycombe as they have from their local town and parish councils

Background
This petition for a CGR was initially set in motion by the Bucks Free Press, Past Mayors of High Wycombe Frances Alexander, Nigel Vickery, Trevor Snaith, Khalil Ahmed, and several individuals who passionately care about our town.
Many groups helped with the petition. Including Community groups, Mosques, church groups, schools, supermarkets, and Wycombe Sound. Also, the Council Officers of BALC, BCC and WDC and the 5000 plus High Wycombe Town residents that signed the petition.
There were many who wanted to sign but could not. People from Downley, West Wycombe, Hazlemere, Marlow, Aylesbury, and Princes Risborough. People who realise the benefits a town council can bring.
Nationally there are government moves to create more town councils. Town councils have a crucial role to play, having both a democratically accountable voice and a structure for taking community action.
In addition, there has been research that found that High Wycombe has a democratic deficit
There are other groups that also support need for creation of town councils
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) urged the government to abolish all charter trustee bodies which have not become local (parish and town) councils by the end of the next parliament.

Why High Wycombe needs a Town Council
From 01.04.1974 to May 2003 there were 24 Cllrs for the town area., reduced to 23 from 2003 to 2021 and then increased again to 24 from the elections in May 2021
With the move to Unitary BC there are plans to reduce overall BC Cllr numbers. In High Wycombe this will reduce Cllrs to 13. This will create a massive shortfall in councillors to represent High Wycombe
All towns have the benefits of an additional town councillors. Marlow has 12 and Aylesbury has 24. High Wycombe will have none without the formation of a Town Council
A High Wycombe Town Council would achieve so much more for its residents in this time of financial instability and pressure on people's finances. It would be nimble and and able to reactive to local needs quickly.
Town councils are hyperlocal and can swiftly react to the many needs of local communities and organisations
A Town Council gives the opportunity for the people of High Wycombe to decide on the future of their town. This means that High Wycombe can have a directly elected Town Council with the same powers as Marlow, Princes Risborough, and Aylesbury. It also protects and continues the proud tradition of a Town Mayor which we have had since 1285 - some 738 years?

A town council offers …
• Equality with all other parishes and towns in the Area
• Local representation by local opinion and local people
• Greater support to local organisations
• Consultation on issues that matter
• Maintaining and enhancement of Civic traditions - Mayoralty
• Protection of assets and heritage of town
• Provision of local facilities
• Setting budgets and plans
• An opportunity to return key assets and funds to the Town
• CIL and new homes bonuses to be spent how we want across the Town
It is possible for a High Wycombe Town Council to make more efficient use of the funds previously managed by WDC and now BC on behalf of the Town Committee. A Town Council could deliver more than the current HWTC/CT/BC arrangements.
Plus, incremental funding streams currently not available to HWTC from grants. loans and CIL.
If the Town Council have a Neighbourhood plan additional CIL funds can be accessed
Up to now these funds have been used by WDC and now BC… not always on things this town needs!

So, in conclusion
This CGR review and delivery of a High Wycombe Town Council is long overdue.
The BC Standards & General Purposes Committee is made up of councillors from areas that already have the benefits of Town or parish councils. It would be remiss of them to not accept, understand and offer the same level of local democracy to High Wycombe as they have from their local town and parish councils
It’s time to give High Wycombe a Town Council and put local democracy and pride back into High Wycombe