Bedfordshire site proposed for new incinerator

Bucks County Council have just announced that the Stewartby site in Bedfordshire has been selected for the new Energy from Waste incinerator.

This is great news, as it removes the threat from the site at Edgcott near Calvert which was the alternative location.

Congratulations to SAVI and all who campaigned so hard against the Edgcott proposal.

Both Steeple Claydon and East Claydon parish councils passed resolutions opposing the incinerator.

Martin Tett of Bucks County Council has written:

 
I am writing to advise you that the county council’s Cabinet today selected Covanta Energy as the preferred bidder to treat the county’s residual waste for the next 25 years. The American-owned company proposes to build and operate an energy from waste (EfW) and materials recovery facility at Rookery South Pit near Stewartby, Bedfordshire. Covanta already operates 40 EfW plants in the United States.
As you may recall from earlier correspondence about the project, two final bidders were being considered: Covanta Energy and Waste Recycling Group (WRG). Both bids were of high quality and in terms of overall technology relatively similar – modern incineration using moving grate technology.
Following evaluation against pre-agreed weighted criteria, Covanta was selected on a first-past-the-post, points basis, having achieved a score 6.05% higher than WRG. The decision means WRG with its proposed Calvert site has been deselected. WRG will continue to operate the Calvert landfill site.
Initially, Covanta’s proposed facility will convert some 390,000 tonnes of waste a year into energy. Ultimately, the company proposes to treat 585,000 tonnes of waste a year, producing enough green electricity to power around 82,500 homes and the potential to supply surplus heat to nearby developments. Buckinghamshire’s household waste contract will represent around a quarter of the waste the final facility will treat. Importantly, the amount will reduce steadily as stretching recycling and composting targets are achieved. We currently recycle 43% of waste and are aiming for 60% by 2025.
Driving the need for change are EU and UK targets to cut greenhouse gases by reducing our dependence on landfill, a major producer of such gases. To achieve this objective, like all county councils, Buckinghamshire faces landfill tax rises year on year and potential fines. Last year (2008/09) landfill taxes cost the county £4.5 million.
Due to the proposed plant’s power-generating capacity, Covanta’s planning application will be decided by Government under Section 36 of the Electricity Act in consultation with regulatory authorities and the local community. The application is expected to be made later this year and the facility is expected to be running by 2014 subject to consent being obtained.

AVDC's plan for economic growth

Ten Point Plan for the economic growth of Aylesbury Vale

AVDC's plan for economic growth has recently led to a refresh of the economic development strategy for the Vale. A ten point plan for action in this year includes :


- The opening of the Aylesbury Enterprise and Innovation Centre. The centre will provide incubation space to start-up and embryonic businesses with an in-house business advisory support service.

- Support for the development of the National Enterprise Academy in the Vale
Activity and promotion to help attract more new larger businesses to invest in the Vale

- Launching the Angels for Bucks private equity finance scheme and

- Preparing a plan for improvements to Broadband services

We are also working with the sixty businesses that have been awarded an AVDC business grant to create a networking club. This will allow the opportunity for them to meet one another, discuss how they can develop and grow their businesses and identify any further areas of support. The first of these events will be held in the Autumn.

Over the next few months, AVDC will be engaging further with businesses in order to provide support and involve them in the future of Aylesbury Vale's economy.

For further information on the support provided by AVDC to businesses, or for any other queries please contact the economic development team on 01296 585657, email economicdevelopment@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk or visit the website www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/business/economic-development-service/economic-development-strategy-key-priorities

AVDC ladder safety initiative

Council backs ladder safety campaign

Aylesbury Vale District Council is backing a national campaign which gives companies the opportunity to part-exchange broken, damaged or bent ladders for new ones.

The council is working in partnership with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to highlight the potential dangers of using a substandard ladder.
Falls from height continue to be the main cause of death in the workplace and one of the main causes of serious injury. Around a third are as a result of a fall from a ladder with the main causes being ladders breaking, the user slipping from the ladder or the ladder wobbling.

A ladder exchange has been organised in Buckinghamshire where old ladders can be traded in for a discount on a new set of ladders. Any business wanting to exchange their ladder can take it into the local branches of HSS Hire and Speedy Hire.

The initiative runs from 1 September until the end of December. There are some other companies participating and their details can be found at www.hse.gov.uk

Councillor Sir Beville Stanier, Cabinet Member for Environment and Health at AVDC, said: “All too often, ladder safety is taken for granted and that’s when accidents happen. Our message is that by taking simple precautions, accidents with ladders can be avoided.
“I would urge any local businesses to take advantage of this ladder exchange and make sure the equipment they use is safe, after all someone’s life could depend on it.”
For health and safety at work advice contact the environmental health team on 01296 585065 or email envhealth@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk

Winslow's New Farmers' Market

Winslow’s new Farmers Market was officially opened on Sunday 6th September.

Located in Winslow’s historic Market Square the market will feature produce grown or made within a thirty-mile radius, including rare breed meat, locally grown vegetables, home-made preserves and local honey.

It will run regularly on the 1st Sunday of the month between 11am and 2pm,
with free car parking a short walk from the Market Square.

The market is a joint venture between Winslow Town Council and Winslow Chamber of Trade and has benefited from a substantial grant from LEADER programme run by The Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) and funded by Defra and the EU.

Support Winslow Market and support your local farmers.

Road resurfacing in Buckingham Road and Sandholme

I am delighted to see that Bucks County Council has resurfaced the worst bits of Buckingham Road and Sandholme. In the summer Angelina and I spent an evening marking out on a map where all the potholes were together with other committed members of the Parish Council, and subsequently I have been particularly pestering Bucks Highways about the state of the road surface in Sandholme, which was appalling.
I am glad that this persistence seems to have paid off.

I am also glad to see that the road sign to Verney Junction on the road between Sandhill and the Kingsbridge crossroads has also been replaced after several months of waiting.

Calvert Incinerator decision 14th September

The decision on the location of the new Energy from Waste incinerator will be made by Bucks County Council cabinet on 14th September.
Last week Steeple Claydon Parish Council passed a motion opposing its location in the site at Edgcott near the existing Calvert landfill site.
I have signed the online petition against the incinerator which has been organised by SAVI - Stop Aylesbury Vale Incineration.

Latest news from our excellent local PCSO Wendy Taylor

Speeding

Due to the holiday season not a lot of enforcement work has been carried out in
Buckingham South. However, work using Speedwatch continues, thanks to dedicated
members of your communities being out there, supporting your concerns and doing something about them. The more who help the easier it becomes so please offer to help them.

Countryside Crime

We do encourage any farmers whose sheep are being mauled/killed to report it. We cannot do anything to help if we do not know about it. Incidents have been raised at
the NAG meeting which has highlighted the fact that such incidents are not being reported.

Flytipping

We would also like to know whether you have been on the receiving end of flytipping. The NAG is looking at this element of Countryside Crime. Please continue deal with it
in the usual way but please call PCSO Wendy Taylor as well so we can establish the extent of the problem.

Local crime analysis

The crime figures for Winslow year on year to August 2009 make good reading.
Total crime for July-Aug 2009 against July-Aug 2008 is down 29%. Public Order, Burglary/Theft, and Criminal Damage are all down but sadly Vehicle Crime is up slightly. This category includes theft of, from and damage to vehicles. However, when I put the actual numbers against the percentages for total crime, the incidents for the two months in 2008 amounted to 49 and for the same period in 2009 was 35.
Buckingham South therefore continues to be a low crime area.

Contact details

If you need support from TVP regardingany aspect of security, ring 0845 8
505505 and ask for anyone in your neighbourhood team.

New Winslow Police Office

There will be a Winslow Police Office! The dotted line has been signed and there
will be a police office in the centre of Winslow. All things being equal we hope to
move into the premises in October 2009. This co-incides with the news that the
Dispersal Order will not be extended.
However, with the Neighbourhood Policing Team now resident in the town we are
confident that we will be able to sort out anti-social issues very quickly.

More Good News

Newton Longville has finally got its own dedicated PCSO. Lucy Andrews commenced work in the area on 17 August 2009 and is currently working with PCSO Wendy Taylor to
understand their issues. 50% of her time will be spent in Newton Longville and Gt Horwood, Little Horwood, Nash and Whaddon will share the rest of her time.

Engagement with young people

The Neighbourhood Action Group (NAG) are establishing a Youth NAG to run
alongside the main NAG. This is to help us really understand what it is the young
people of the area really want and have a method by which ideas can be put into
actions. The Bucks South NAG are working with Extended Services, Community and
Young Engagement Services, and Connexions to ensure we reach all young people.
PCSO Wendy Taylor is working with Christian Fellowship, Extended Services and
AVYFC to start a Youth Café in Winslow. It is envisaged that this will be free to
all young people and will provide a weekly place to meet. Watch this space for
details.

Congratulations to Wendy and all her hard working team of PCSOs.