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On 1^st May elections will be held for Padbury parish council. The council can consist of up to seven councillors, although at the moment there are six. Many of the existing councillors have decided, for various and understandable reasons, not to stand for re-election. So the village needs you!

To be nominated for election you must be:

· at least 18 years old

· a British citizen

· on the parish electoral roll, or in the last 12 months lived or worked in the village or live within three miles of the parish boundary

and you need the support of two other Padbury residents.

An election is only held if there are more than seven nominations. Otherwise those who have put their names forward are elected without the formality of an election. There has not been an election in Padbury for many years as just enough residents have stepped up. If there are less than seven names, the councillors can co-opt others to bring the number up to seven.

There is no need for any particular knowledge of how a parish council works as training can be provided. The parish clerk, Carol Swannell, although new to her role, is there to help councillors.Also the retiring councillors have agreed to be on hand (or at least at the end of an email or telephone call) to give assistance if needed, contact is via the parish clerk.

If you would like an informal chat with a current councillor, please contact the parish clerk to arrange.

It would help, but is not a requirement, if you have other skills that would assist in the council’s work. For example, someone with a legal background, or knowledge of planning matters, would be a great help. We have a website that needs looking after. It is not that difficult although a computer background would help. Do you have experience in land management or similar as the council is responsible for the millennium wood and other green matters around the village.

Without being ageist, most of the current councillors are of a certain age and younger people would be most welcome. There is also an imbalance in the male/female ratio, levelling this would be good.

The council meets six times a year (at the Padbury pavilion). In between there may be email exchanges or WhatsApp calls to consider matters that do not fall into the meeting cycle. So being a councillor need not take up too much of your time. There is also a possible change in the law that would allow virtual meetings, so possibly no need to move from your armchair.

The nomination form

The nomination form looks daunting but it is only really asking for your name and address and the names of your proposer and seconder (called ‘subscribers’) who can also witness some of the forms that need to be completed.

To download the nomination form see under 'additional documents' below. It comes with instructions on its completion and there is other guidance (also see below). Our polling district is MBD and the elector number can be obtained by calling 01296 798141.

If you cannot access the internet, please contact the parish clerk who can provide a copy of the nomination form.

Buckinghamshire Council has a page devoted to the election, which you can view by clicking here.

What you need to do

Complete the nomination form and hand deliver to:

Deputy Returning Office, The Gateway, Gatehouse Road, Aylesbury HP19 8FF

The nomination form can by delivered from Tuesday 18^th March, on a weekday, between 10am and 4pm. On Wednesday 19^th and 26th March forms will be accepted until 8pm.

The final deadline for delivery is 4pm, Wednesday 2^nd April.

The first meeting of the new council will be on 13 May. Be there!

Planning application: 22/03695/AOP for the Land North of the A413 - for up to 79 dwellings

A planning inspector held a hearing into the appeal on 4th March 2025. On 24 March he announced his decision which was to REFUSE the appeal.

Thank you to all those who made their views known and to the one resident and three councillors who attended the appeal.

If you want to read the inspector's decision, see the additional documents section below.

We are pleased to announce that the work to the Main Street Play Area is now complete. A new cableway and spring mobile have been installed.  

We would like to thank the Winslow & Villages Community Board for their match funding, the Youth Club (unfortunately now closed) who donated their remaining funds (which paid for the spring mobile) and those of you who purchased a copy of the Padbury Through the Years book. 

FLOOD INFORMATION

Buckinghamshire Council have launched a new website, Buckinghamshire Be Flood Ready, which has lots of information on how residents can make their homes more flood resilient, prepare a flood plan, find out what to do after a flood, get advice on insurance and who to contact.

They also recommend that residents:

· Check if the area they live in is at risk of flooding

· Sign up for flood warnings

· Check what to do during a flood

Buckinghamshire Council have a limited stock of sandbags intended for use on highways and during times of emergency and will try to assist residents by delivering these to properties at imminent risk of flooding, but this depends on the availability of crews to transport them. To request sandbags – in an emergency only – view our emergency contact details.

It is a property owner’s responsibility to take appropriate action to protect their own property from flooding, and to look after their property if it does flood.

Therefore, it is important that people are aware of their flood risk and take measures to better protect themselves, where appropriate. Local authorities and other agencies may assist depending on resources. Property owners within a flood warning area can receive warnings direct to their home or work through the Environment Agency’s Floodline Warning Direct System.

If your property is at risk of flooding you should sign up to the Environment Agency free Flood Warning system (rivers) and also the Met Office or similar for severe weather warnings (surface water flooding) so that you can take steps to secure your property or business if heavy rains or river flooding is expected Check the long term flood risk for an area in England - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) & Sign up for flood warnings - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Other useful information:

• Homeowners who have already suffered damage from flooding can also ask their home insurers about the ’Build Back Better’ scheme. If their home insurance includes this scheme as part of the policy, the insurer should work with them to assess if additional flood resilience or resistance measures could benefit their home in the future. The scheme covers the cost of installing such measures up to the value of £10,000, over and above work to repair damage and loss caused by a flood.
• The National Flood Forum is a charity who helps, supports and represents people at risk of flooding. They have guidance on Protecting Your Property, which provides advice on how property owners can make their own property more resilient to flooding. In particular, the Property Protection Advisor tool allows you to enter details of your property and will suggest suitable measures and indicative product costs for your property. It is free to use and has no ongoing obligations. For further information on how to go about protecting your property, please see the useful links on the Buckinghamshire Council website.
• The National Flood Forum has a helpline that provides general support before, during and after a flood on issues including insurance, home re-instatement and home resilience. Contact the National Flood Forum charity: 01299 403 055 or see: https://nationalfloodforum.org.uk
• Flood Mary is another good source of information: https://floodmary.com
• Advice on steps to take after your home has been flooded, either immediately after a flood or for long term recovery, can be found on the Buckinghamshire Council Be Flood Ready website.

Please also see Buckinghamshire Councils flood advice at:

Flooding and flood risk management | Buckinghamshire Council

Flood defences

There are several different types of flood defences you could invest in, from flood doors and barriers that stop water from coming in through your door to air brick protection. You could also consider investing in a portable pump. If you aren’t sure where to start - Property Protection Advisor – National Flood Forum can give you an idea of the kind of defences you could buy and how much they might cost. Although some of these options might seem expensive they can be really effective, and much more useful than sandbags.

If a flood warning is received:

· Move vehicles to higher ground if it’s safe to do so

· Move family and pets to safety

· Move important items upstairs or to a safe place in your property, starting with cherished items and valuables, then furniture and furnishings

· Turn off gas, electricity and water supplies if it’s safe to do so; never touch an electrical switch if you’re standing in water

· If you have property protection products such as flood barriers, or air brick covers, use them now

· Keep track of the latest situation

Useful Contacts

Buckinghamshire Council - 0300 131 6000

National Flood Forum – 01299 403055

Buckingham Citizen’s Advice – 01280 816787 / Bucks Adviceline on 0808 278 7938

Anglian Water - 03457 145 145

Environment Agency - 03708 506 506 (general enquiries)

FLOODLINE on: 0345 988 1188

Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

• Find out what flood warning service is available where you live.

• Get practical advice on what to do before, during and after flooding.

• Get a Quick dial number for easy access to information on flooding in your area.

Flooding on the public highway – Buckinghamshire Highways

In office hours - Telephone: 01296 382 416

Out of office hours - Telephone: 01296 486 630

Or online via:

Report a blocked drain or flooding | Buckinghamshire Council

Overgrown hedges & trees / gravel on paths

Please take the opportunity to check your property boundary this Autumn as hedges and vegetation will have grown over the past two seasons. Do you have an overgrown hedge or vegetation that restricts the use of the road or pavement?

Hedges and vegetation should not obstruct the highway or pavements. The responsibility for maintaining these lies with the property owner.

Also, if you have a drive that is made of stones, gravel or similar please sweep back any that has migrated to the public footpath or road. As well as retaining your drive you are removing a hazard. As well as causing possible damage to the footpath, a stone could be flicked up and hit a passing pedestrian or vehicle. You could be liable for any damage or harm caused.

Thank you for your co-operation.

The results are in for this years best kept village competition. Padbury was entered into the Morris Cup and scored 183 out of a possible 200. Cuddington won with a score of 190.

The judges marks and notes are attached (see additional documents below).

Thank you to the residents who continue to maintain our verges and keep our village looking attractive

Traffic Calming Measures

The Parish Council has recently had a meeting with Buckinghamshire Highways to discuss possible traffic calming measures at the lower end of Main Street. They have suggested some additional road markings with an approximate cost of £10,000. An initial application for funding has been made via the HS2 Road Safety Fund whilst we look for additional funding sources.

Buckinghamshire Council appointed a new contractor from April 2023 and they have now produced a new guide to problem solving and support for highways and road safety.

See link: Buckinghamshire Highways Guidance Document

Contact Information / EWR Spring 2024 Newsletter:

EWR: Tel: 24/7 helpline 03457 114141 or email - publicinformation@ewralliance.co.uk

HS2: Tel: 24/7 helpdesk 08081 434434 (Freephone) or email - hs2enquiries@hs2.org.uk

EWR website address is eastwestrail.co.uk. In addition, they publish newsletters which can be viewed at eastwestrail.co.uk/library/newsletters. It is possible to receive your own copy by signing up at the same page. A copy of the Spring 2024 Newsletter is attached (see below).

Please follow the link below which will take you to Buckinghamshire Councils website and shows all the road works / diversions. You can also report any issues via this website:

https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/transport-and-roads/road-maintenance-and-repairs/planned-roadworks-and-diversions/

EWR route update can be found via this link: https://eastwestrail.co.uk/routeupdate  

· Do you have a couple of spare hours a month?

· Would you like to help tackle the problem of speeding within Padbury?

If you have answered YES to the above, then please get in touch and join the existing volunteers of the Padbury Community Speedwatch Group.

Please contact Carol (Parish Clerk) via: Tel: 07961 827302 or

Email: parish.clerk@padburyparishcouncil.com

THANK YOU

All volunteers will need to complete online training, followed by a test which in total takes approximately 40 minutes. There is then some further onsite training in the use of the equipment. A minimum of three volunteers is required per group to operate a handheld device. 

If you would like to volunteer to help with jobs around the village, please get in touch:-
Email: parish.clerk@padburyparishcouncil.com or Telephone: 07961 827302
THANK YOU

Please continue to report all damage to the highway, pavements and fly tipping online at

https://fixmystreet.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/

Please use the above website address