Annual Report 2023 to 2024

Reflecting on our accomplishments for 2023/24, we can be proud of all that we have achieved in an incredibly challenging operating environment. We know, however, that a difficult road still lies ahead. Buckinghamshire is not immune to the uncertainty and volatility of the global financial climate, and the risks and challenges arising from increased inflation and rising costs remain. Over the next year, we will focus on balancing the demands and needs of our residents and communities while maintaining the financial sustainability of the council. We will review our budget planning, revenue generation, and expenditure allocation to ensure we deliver a significant programme of savings and income and effectively use our resources.

As the demand for adult social care, children’s services, homelessness support, and home-to-school transport continues to grow, we are committed to working closely with our key partners to address these pressures. Our local strategic partnerships enable us to coordinate a strong response. This partnership working is one of our key strengths, allowing us to adapt and respond quickly and effectively to a wide range of situations.

Building on the foundations laid in 2023/24, we remain committed to delivering on the aims of our ‘Opportunity Bucks – Succeeding for All’ programme. This local partnership approach aims to tackle disparity and improve outcomes for those experiencing the most hardship across the county. The programme is making a real difference in some of the most disadvantaged areas and will be key to reducing future demand for services.

We will continue to promote local economic growth through our place-based approach. In August 2023, the Government confirmed its decision to transfer current LEP functions into local government. As a result, we have now integrated the functions of the Buckinghamshire LEP into the council, ensuring a strategic approach to economic prosperity across the county. The Buckinghamshire Growth Board and its sub-boards will be critical to the governance of economic development, supporting local leadership, joined-up delivery, efficiency, and clarity for the business community. Furthermore, with the adoption of the Buckinghamshire Regeneration Framework and strategies for Aylesbury, Chesham, and High Wycombe, we are taking concrete steps towards regenerating these key towns.

As a large unitary authority, we cannot ignore national events expected to take place in the year ahead, not least the anticipated General Election. Now more than ever, councils need sufficient and sustainable funding, and greater flexibility and autonomy. Our commitment to residents will be a determining factor in how we evaluate national policy developments and will continue to shape our ambitions for greater local devolution and levelling up to the benefit of our communities.

Recent international events, including political unrest and conflicts, have had a global impact that is expected to persist. Displaced people, including refugees and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, will continue to arrive in Buckinghamshire. We will respond positively by providing a warm welcome and targeted wraparound support to help them start a new life in our county.

While nationally many councils are struggling financially and the government has introduced additional approaches to monitor local government, such as the establishment of the Office for Local Government, we remain a financially strong and well-managed council. Our commitment to efficient, transparent, and accountable operations gives us confidence that we will maintain this position.

The outlook for the next 12 months remains challenging. However, using our resources wisely, we will continue to embrace new technology and work in collaboration with our partners to effectively manage our resources and ensure value for money to shape our services around people and communities. We want to ensure that all Buckinghamshire residents have the opportunity to succeed in life, to play their part, and share in the success of the county. Together with our partners, we continue to deliver our ambitions and priorities to make Buckinghamshire the best place in which to live, raise a family, work, and do business.