Wycombe Liberal Democrats

Parliamentary Spokesman Steve Guy and Wycombe Chair Wendy are representing Wycombe Liberal Democrats at the Spring Conference in Liverpool. Steve caught up with Lynne Featherstone MP after the important debate on Ballistic Missile Defence, hear Lynne’s update by clicking on the video clip on the right.

Later, Vince Cable took the Conference by storm. He promised to get tough on the super rich and said that non-domiciled foreign nationals avoiding UK tax was unacceptable - and that Tory and Conservative plans did not go far enough. He also announced plans to drop VAT on fruit juice from current 17.5% to just 5% - funded by rasing more tax on drinks with a high alcohol content. He made a savage assesment of the failures of Gordon Brown since coming to power - listing failures which included the handling of Northern Rock, where the government belatedly took Cable’s advice to nationalise the ailing bank.

Check back soon for a full update on all of the news from Liverpool.

Response to the Rye Management Plan Consultation Document

I have had a number of residents complain that the consultation document did not purport to be a management plan for the future, just a description of the area, with summary of current actions. This is useful as a base for consultation, but confusing to people who wish to comment.

Holywell Mead Swimming Pool
Concerns have been raised that Holywell Mead Swimming Pool is not seen as part of the Rye plan. It costs a considerable sum to keep it open three months or so of the year. The facility lies dormant for far too long, and consideration should be given to some form of year round use before the Rye Management Plan is finalised. Otherwise, Wycombe District Council could find that enormous changes have to be made rendering much of the plan obsolete.

Based on key learning’s and resident feedback -
• The Pool must remain in Current ownership - not a profit/private club!
• It needs refitting including improved showers with dual use for the park and pool (in which case the ugly changing rooms could be removed)
• An addition of spa pools, sauna and steam room would be an attraction
• Heated pool with roof, ideally capable of pulling back would ensure use in summer and winter.
• It would complements fully the outdoor activities and we would then have all year use leisure pool.

Signage around the whole area needs reassessing and upgrading.

Holywell Mead south
Could well be enhanced ecologically, especially habitat creation or restoration. I believe The Environment Centre has made recommendations for
• a marshy area at the zone below the waterfall, complemented by a reed bed
• moving the “stepping stones” in the pool below the waterfall to make a line
• a deeper pool below the waterfall
• a gentler mowing regime, especially at the margins and in areas little used by the public to enable the development of ‘field margin’ habitats and an area of wildflower meadow
• a wildflower meadow between the line of the former Carrington estate and the Back Stream.

The Dyke and Wendover Way
When is something going to be done about the swans on the Dyke? There always used to be just a pair, which would nest every year. Since the public have been overfeeding them, there have been more than 50, which is killing the plants and fish. They are also aggressive and could be dangerous to small children. The vast amount of bread thrown to the swans and ducks contributes to the number of rats in the area. The rat catcher‘s sterling work is thwarted by this overfeeding.

Parking in Wycombe Marsh is becoming a nightmare!

There are serious parking issues in Wycombe Marsh - parking provision must be improved.

Lib Dems say YES! Tories say NO!

At a recent Development Control Committee meeting the new St James development was approved by the Tory controlled committee. The required parking provision level was passed with “minimum”. parking provision for the estate. An area set aside for affordable homes will be faced with a “first come first served” fight for parking.The rest of the estate could see dispersed parking onto the roads around the Marsh and surrounding areas.

Your local Lib Dem councillors presented the case to show that lack of adequate on road, off road public and resident parking in the area was a growing problem.

The new St James housing development design does not deliver adequate public on road or off road parking. The Development meets minimium standards but really needs to offer more space for residents/public/visitors /local workers to park - perhaps an all day public car park is the answer within the Marsh area? Ideally it should be across from Fitness First close to the existing flats.

Cllrs Farmer and Snaith have shown there are serious traffic and parking problems in this area. The new St James development will increase the traffic problems through Abbey Barn Road/Wrights Meadow access, London Road retail park access and London Road/Curry’s access

The issues we face may appear to be as a result of St James making. It isnt the developers at fault.They are working with local groups to minimise issues. The truth is the developers are simply delivering what our District and County councils are allowing.

The underlying issue remains that District and County councils are not putting in place the necessary services for the local community. Crucial services to meet the increased density of the homes, increased traffic and parking needs are not being met.

Your local Liberal Democrat councillors are challenging the Tory controlled councils to improve local on street and off street parking provision in Wycombe and also increase the number of parking spaces provided for new homes and developments.

Sharon Bowles, Liberal Democrat South East MEP, has come out in support of the insurance industry following the ABI’s warning that without tougher planning controls many future homes will be uninsurable.

As one third of the Government’s plan for 3 million new homes by 2010 are to be built on floodplains Sharon Bowles said, “It is about time the UK Government stopped burying its head in the sand and listened to the warnings of both the insurance industry and the Environment Agency. After the horrendous floods last year, that left thousands homeless, it is blatantly clear that we mustn’t let households go uninsured.

“Poor planning applications are slipping through despite Environment Agency warnings of flooding risk. Insurers want to continue offering insurance to householders but they will be unable to do so at an affordable price if such a large of much of building on floodplains continues. Even when flood protection measures are included in new builds, that can just mean the excess surface water is diverted elsewhere as we saw last year.

In December 2007, Sharon Bowles criticised the Government for failing to commit the proper funding needed to invest flood prevention in its Comprehensive Spending Review. Sharon Bowles went on to say “This is not the first time. The Government must take this seriously and replace its token, half-hearted gestures with proper action.”

Association of British Insurers www.abi.org.uk

We have some great news for Ryemead residents. Spotlight has agreed to extend coverage to the whole of Ryemead.

The editor of Spotlight says –”Spotlight is a community magazine run by local residents which has been covering the communities of Micklefield and the Wycombe Marsh - part of Ryemead - since 2002. From March this year a new publication, Spotlight East Wycombe is expanding to cover Micklefield, Totteridge, Bowerdean and the whole of Ryemead.
See www.spotlightmagazine.org.uk

Frances Alexander will be coordinating the Ryemead submissions to the Editor. Send stories to Frances - Frances5Walex@aol.com

We have a number of residents who will deliver in Ryemead - we are seeking more - would you deliver the magazine to your street? Please let us know! Contact: trevor_snaith@wycombe.gov.uk or Raymond_farmer@wycombe.gov.uk

Councillors Ray Farmer and Trevor Snaith wish “Spotlight East Wycombe” all the best for the future!