Today the County Council has decided to award its Energy From Waste contract to WRG who have already submitted a planning application to the County Council to build a new incinerator at Greatmoor Farm near Calvert.
The County Council website states:
'On 29th November 2010, the County Council’s Cabinet chose to award Preferred Bidder status to Waste Recycling Group (WRG) to treat our household waste, left over after recycling and composting. The company proposes to build an energy from waste (EfW) plant at Greatmoor, near Calvert, north Buckinghamshire.
Although the Council had agreed to appoint Covanta Energy as its Preferred Bidder in September last year, whilst clarifying the terms of their appointment, the company made the Council aware of a commercial matter, which impacted on aspects of their bid. As this might have affected the evaluation of the final bids the Council were legally required to re-open discussions with both Covanta Energy and WRG.
Since March of this year, the project team have been working with both bidders to ensure the proposals they put forward were going to provide the best solution for the county. In September the final bids were received and evaluated by our technical, legal and financial experts and project team against pre-agreed criteria. WRG were the highest scoring bidder, which means Covanta Energy, with their facility at Stewartby, Bedfordshire has not been selected.'
This is a very disappointing decision. Since 60% of the county's waste is generated in the south of the county (Wycombe, Marlow, Chesham, Amersham, Beaconsfield, Gerrards Cross etc etc) there will be hundreds of lorries travelling hundreds of miles across the county to bring all the waste to Calvert. On the proximity principle the incinerator should have been located in South Bucks where the waste is generated.
However, the decision has been made (subject to call in) and we have to live with the consequences. One of the conditions of the contract is that all waste lorries to the plant will have to enter via a new spur road from the A41. We will be very concerned to ensure that this is strictly controlled, and that waste lorries are kept out of our beautiful villages.
Congratulations to SAVI for all their hard work in trying to stop this sad decision.
Claydon House
Claydon House Gardens
Monday, 29 November 2010
Friday, 12 November 2010
Theatre in the Villages comes to Steeple Claydon
Theatre in the Villages brings professional performances to the villages of Buckinghamshire, co-funded by Aylesbury Vale, South Bucks and Wycombe District Councils. On Saturday 27th November there will be the following performance in
Steeple Claydon Village Hall:
Multi Story Theatre Company
The Twelve Wild Ducks
A magical story-telling theatre version of the traditional Norwegian folk tale.
Be very careful what you wish for. That’s what the Queen discovers when, after having 12 sons, she wishes for a daughter. For at the moment her beautiful daughter is born, her sons are transformed into wild ducks.
Having discovered her brothers’ fate, the Princess sets out to try to release them from their enchantment. She must weave and sew 12 shirts from nettles and as if that isn’t hard enough, for three years she must stay silent and neither smile nor weep.
This Norwegian tale is full to the brim with cliff-hanging moments and is also a fabulous fable of determination in the face of great adversity.
Multi Story create their customary magic with a judicious blend of live music, magical word-weaving and the engaging physicality that has become their hallmark.
Suitable for ages 5 – 95.
Saturday 27 November 4pm
Steeple Claydon Village Hall, MK18 2PY
Tickets £8 (£6/£5)
from Edi Smockum 01296 738568
Steeple Claydon Village Hall:
Multi Story Theatre Company
The Twelve Wild Ducks
A magical story-telling theatre version of the traditional Norwegian folk tale.
Be very careful what you wish for. That’s what the Queen discovers when, after having 12 sons, she wishes for a daughter. For at the moment her beautiful daughter is born, her sons are transformed into wild ducks.
Having discovered her brothers’ fate, the Princess sets out to try to release them from their enchantment. She must weave and sew 12 shirts from nettles and as if that isn’t hard enough, for three years she must stay silent and neither smile nor weep.
This Norwegian tale is full to the brim with cliff-hanging moments and is also a fabulous fable of determination in the face of great adversity.
Multi Story create their customary magic with a judicious blend of live music, magical word-weaving and the engaging physicality that has become their hallmark.
Suitable for ages 5 – 95.
Saturday 27 November 4pm
Steeple Claydon Village Hall, MK18 2PY
Tickets £8 (£6/£5)
from Edi Smockum 01296 738568
AVDC to improve Aqua Vale
The Aqua Vale Swimming and Fitness Centre in Aylesbury is in line for a major upgrade after an improvement plan was approved by councillors.
Aylesbury Vale District Council’s cabinet has recommended to proceed with a multi-million pound scheme that will greatly enhance the popular centre and provide top-class facilities for residents and visitors.
The makeover will include an improved cafe, a new on-site health care facility, new dry changing rooms, a new gym, increased parking spaces and a new roof to cover the outdoor pool.
A second water slide will also be added to the swimming pool and a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) unit will be installed to reduce energy bills and carbon emissions.
The centre attracts 500,000 visitors each year and the improvements will cost around £5.8 million.
The scheme will pay for itself because customers will have access to a wider range of facilities and services.
A final decision on funding for the project will need to be made by the full council at its next meeting in December. It is hoped that the revamped centre could be delivered in 2012 ahead of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Aqua Vale upgrade is part of AVDC’s planned redevelopment programme for Aylesbury. A Waitrose food store, Travelodge hotel and National Enterprise Academy on the south side of Exchange Street and a new retail development in the town centre are also in the pipeline.
Latest update: these plans were unanimously agreed by AVDC at the Council Meeting on 1st December. It was also agreed that the Swan Pool at Buckingham should also be enhanced when funds permit.
Aylesbury Vale District Council’s cabinet has recommended to proceed with a multi-million pound scheme that will greatly enhance the popular centre and provide top-class facilities for residents and visitors.
The makeover will include an improved cafe, a new on-site health care facility, new dry changing rooms, a new gym, increased parking spaces and a new roof to cover the outdoor pool.
A second water slide will also be added to the swimming pool and a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) unit will be installed to reduce energy bills and carbon emissions.
The centre attracts 500,000 visitors each year and the improvements will cost around £5.8 million.
The scheme will pay for itself because customers will have access to a wider range of facilities and services.
A final decision on funding for the project will need to be made by the full council at its next meeting in December. It is hoped that the revamped centre could be delivered in 2012 ahead of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The Aqua Vale upgrade is part of AVDC’s planned redevelopment programme for Aylesbury. A Waitrose food store, Travelodge hotel and National Enterprise Academy on the south side of Exchange Street and a new retail development in the town centre are also in the pipeline.
Latest update: these plans were unanimously agreed by AVDC at the Council Meeting on 1st December. It was also agreed that the Swan Pool at Buckingham should also be enhanced when funds permit.
AVDC plans to freeze Council Tax in 2011/12
Aylesbury Vale District Council has set out proposals to help save the authority more than £1 million in 2011/12 and deliver a freeze on council tax.
AVDC is unlikely to know its budget settlement for 2011/12 until December but has estimated that it will be cut by up to 25 per cent over the next four years. This equates to at least £1 million per year, and has set out savings proposals based on this estimate.
The council also has to deal with other budget pressures that will increase costs, such as inflation increases in fixed-term contracts and higher business rates on its buildings.
AVDC is setting out its plans to achieve a balanced budget earlier than normal this year. This will put the council in a much better position to tackle the financial challenges which currently lie ahead and allow more time for consultation with stakeholders.
Savings of £1.2 million for 2011/12 will be achieved while protecting frontline services by doing things more efficiently. Significant savings will be made through productivity gains arising from the restructuring of some council services and changes to the structure of the council’s senior management team.
As well as the proposed savings, the council is working towards a freeze in council tax in 2011/12.
It is hoped this will be part-funded by the government, who have promised to provide extra funding if AVDC can keep its proposed council tax rise to 2.5 per cent - effectively wiping out the increase to taxpayers.
Councillor Neil Blake, Cabinet Member for Resources, said: “All public services are facing hard choices on how to reduce costs and save money. We want to make sure Aylesbury Vale residents get the most efficient and effective local services, but we expect a big reduction from the government in how much we can spend over the next few years. This means looking at all the services we provide and what things are most important.
“With all the proposed savings we have endeavoured to be fair to our staff and to the people who use our services. We have tried to ensure that frontline services are protected and, wherever possible, to avoid redundancies.
“The government has said it will work with councils to freeze bills this year and we intend to take advantage of that. The council is also continuing to examine how we can transform working practises to reduce costs so that we can maintain a high standard of service to the public with fewer resources in the future and it is aiming to achieve further ongoing savings over the next few years through its business transformation programme.”
AVDC is unlikely to know its budget settlement for 2011/12 until December but has estimated that it will be cut by up to 25 per cent over the next four years. This equates to at least £1 million per year, and has set out savings proposals based on this estimate.
The council also has to deal with other budget pressures that will increase costs, such as inflation increases in fixed-term contracts and higher business rates on its buildings.
AVDC is setting out its plans to achieve a balanced budget earlier than normal this year. This will put the council in a much better position to tackle the financial challenges which currently lie ahead and allow more time for consultation with stakeholders.
Savings of £1.2 million for 2011/12 will be achieved while protecting frontline services by doing things more efficiently. Significant savings will be made through productivity gains arising from the restructuring of some council services and changes to the structure of the council’s senior management team.
As well as the proposed savings, the council is working towards a freeze in council tax in 2011/12.
It is hoped this will be part-funded by the government, who have promised to provide extra funding if AVDC can keep its proposed council tax rise to 2.5 per cent - effectively wiping out the increase to taxpayers.
Councillor Neil Blake, Cabinet Member for Resources, said: “All public services are facing hard choices on how to reduce costs and save money. We want to make sure Aylesbury Vale residents get the most efficient and effective local services, but we expect a big reduction from the government in how much we can spend over the next few years. This means looking at all the services we provide and what things are most important.
“With all the proposed savings we have endeavoured to be fair to our staff and to the people who use our services. We have tried to ensure that frontline services are protected and, wherever possible, to avoid redundancies.
“The government has said it will work with councils to freeze bills this year and we intend to take advantage of that. The council is also continuing to examine how we can transform working practises to reduce costs so that we can maintain a high standard of service to the public with fewer resources in the future and it is aiming to achieve further ongoing savings over the next few years through its business transformation programme.”
Parishes to decide on housing growth in future
Aylesbury Vale communities will be given the chance to have their say on how many new homes and jobs should come to their area.
At a meeting of Aylesbury Vale District Council’s cabinet on 9 November, councillors agreed an approach to developing a new planning policy for the district following the withdrawal of the core strategy. The new document will be known as ‘The Vale of Aylesbury Plan’.
The views of local people, community groups, parish and town councils and other organisations will be sought to help shape future growth in the Vale during the coming years.
Previously, housing numbers for Aylesbury Vale had been dictated by a document called the South East Plan. The district’s target was set at 26,890 new homes between 2006 to 2026.
The new coalition government, though, recently removed such nationally and regionally-imposed house building targets. This means that the council is going back to the drawing board to look again at what is the right figure for the number of new homes and jobs to be provided.
Meetings will be held with parish and town councils in the Vale before the end of the year to explain what their role will be in helping to shape future housing numbers and to discuss their initial views regarding how their areas should grow in coming years.
The next stage will be working on a one to one basis with those parishes where future growth could happen and further information is needed. Parishes will be asked to consult with their communities on matters such as what services and infrastructure that they feel are missing, or the issues they see facing their area in the future.
Look out for opportunities to have your say on the issues that affect you in your village.
At a meeting of Aylesbury Vale District Council’s cabinet on 9 November, councillors agreed an approach to developing a new planning policy for the district following the withdrawal of the core strategy. The new document will be known as ‘The Vale of Aylesbury Plan’.
The views of local people, community groups, parish and town councils and other organisations will be sought to help shape future growth in the Vale during the coming years.
Previously, housing numbers for Aylesbury Vale had been dictated by a document called the South East Plan. The district’s target was set at 26,890 new homes between 2006 to 2026.
The new coalition government, though, recently removed such nationally and regionally-imposed house building targets. This means that the council is going back to the drawing board to look again at what is the right figure for the number of new homes and jobs to be provided.
Meetings will be held with parish and town councils in the Vale before the end of the year to explain what their role will be in helping to shape future housing numbers and to discuss their initial views regarding how their areas should grow in coming years.
The next stage will be working on a one to one basis with those parishes where future growth could happen and further information is needed. Parishes will be asked to consult with their communities on matters such as what services and infrastructure that they feel are missing, or the issues they see facing their area in the future.
Look out for opportunities to have your say on the issues that affect you in your village.
Free Parking for Christmas Shopping from AVDC
Aylesbury Vale District Council has given town centre shoppers and retailers an early Christmas present.
The council has decided to allow free parking in its pay-and-display car parks in Aylesbury, Buckingham, Wendover and Winslow on every Saturday throughout December.
What’s more, there will be free parking for late night shopping during specific times in the build-up to Christmas.
And as the council does not charge on bank holidays, there will also be free parking across the board on Monday 27 December, Tuesday 28 December and Monday 3 January.
There will be free parking for late night shopping from the following dates:
• Aylesbury: free parking after 4pm, every Thursday starting on 18 November until Christmas
• Buckingham: free parking after 4pm, every Tuesday from 16 November until Christmas
• Wendover: free parking after 4pm, every Thursday, starting on 18 November until Christmas
• Winslow: free parking after 4pm, every Thursday and Friday, starting on 18 and 19 November
The council has decided to allow free parking in its pay-and-display car parks in Aylesbury, Buckingham, Wendover and Winslow on every Saturday throughout December.
What’s more, there will be free parking for late night shopping during specific times in the build-up to Christmas.
And as the council does not charge on bank holidays, there will also be free parking across the board on Monday 27 December, Tuesday 28 December and Monday 3 January.
There will be free parking for late night shopping from the following dates:
• Aylesbury: free parking after 4pm, every Thursday starting on 18 November until Christmas
• Buckingham: free parking after 4pm, every Tuesday from 16 November until Christmas
• Wendover: free parking after 4pm, every Thursday, starting on 18 November until Christmas
• Winslow: free parking after 4pm, every Thursday and Friday, starting on 18 and 19 November
Sunday, 7 November 2010
WRG submits planning application for Calvert incinerator
The Waste Recycling Group has submitted its planning application for an Energy From Waste plant near Lower Greatmoor Farm, Edgcott, to Bucks County Council.
Details of this proposed development as given on the WRG website are:
'Buckinghamshire Energy from Waste Facility, Greatmoor Farm
WRG is proposing to submit a planning application which will include:
The construction of a 300,000 tonnes per annum Energy from Waste (EfW) plant at Lower Greatmoor Farm, to the south of Calvert landfill site
A new access road which will follow the route of a disused railway line to link this directly to the A41 via a new roundabout
The creation of a monocell within the existing permitted landfill for the safe disposal of Air Pollution Control Residues (fly ash) from the plant
An updated landfill restoration scheme for the site and the surrender of the consent for mineral extraction/waste disposal over much of the unworked part of the site'
The application has not yet appeared on either the Bucks County Council or the WRG
websites, as it has not yet been registered by the County Council.
Meanwhile the County Council is due to announce its decision on whether to grant the contract to WRG or Covanta (who are proposing a site in Bedfordshire) on November
29th.
There will be a further meeting of the Calvert Consultation group, which has been established by WRG to share its plans with local parish and council representatives, in December once the County Council's tendering decision is known.
Details of this proposed development as given on the WRG website are:
'Buckinghamshire Energy from Waste Facility, Greatmoor Farm
WRG is proposing to submit a planning application which will include:
The construction of a 300,000 tonnes per annum Energy from Waste (EfW) plant at Lower Greatmoor Farm, to the south of Calvert landfill site
A new access road which will follow the route of a disused railway line to link this directly to the A41 via a new roundabout
The creation of a monocell within the existing permitted landfill for the safe disposal of Air Pollution Control Residues (fly ash) from the plant
An updated landfill restoration scheme for the site and the surrender of the consent for mineral extraction/waste disposal over much of the unworked part of the site'
The application has not yet appeared on either the Bucks County Council or the WRG
websites, as it has not yet been registered by the County Council.
Meanwhile the County Council is due to announce its decision on whether to grant the contract to WRG or Covanta (who are proposing a site in Bedfordshire) on November
29th.
There will be a further meeting of the Calvert Consultation group, which has been established by WRG to share its plans with local parish and council representatives, in December once the County Council's tendering decision is known.
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Steeple Claydon spire seen through oak trees
Map of Claydon Station
Meeting our local PCSO
Supporting our local businesses
With anti HS2 campaigners in Calvert