Annual Report 2025 to 2026

I am pleased to introduce the Annual Report for 2025/26, which reflects the progress we have made during the first year of this new council term. The local elections in May 2025, held under new ward boundaries, reduced the number of councillors from 147 to 97. In this first year as Leader of Buckinghamshire Council, I have been heartened by how Members across all political groups have worked together in support of our residents. This collaboration has strengthened our focus on delivering positive outcomes for communities across the county.

At the heart of this report is the difference our services make to people’s everyday lives. Every resident has a stake in the county with a council that is on their side, and it is important that we shine a light on the breadth of support we provide to individuals, families, communities, and businesses across Buckinghamshire. Much of what we do is not always visible, but it keeps our county moving forward and ensures people can rely on the services they need. I want to recognise the dedication of our staff and partners who deliver this vital work every day.

We continue to operate in an extremely challenging national environment. The demand for public services is rising rapidly, placing intense pressure on councils across the country. At the same time, long-standing funding challenges remain, including reduced funding for Buckinghamshire to redirect resources to other parts of the country. This makes our focus on value for money and a strong commercial approach more important than ever, reflected this year in the creation of our new commissioning and procurement hub.

Despite these pressures, we have delivered achievements that make a real impact for residents. Our Corporate Peer Challenge in October, led by the Local Government Association, resulted in positive feedback on how we are serving our communities, and the improvement actions identified are already being taken forward.

In July, the Care Quality Commission rated our adult social care services as ‘good’, recognising the knowledge, skill and compassion of our workforce and the strong partnerships supporting residents who rely on these services.

We also launched our Economic Growth Plan, which will help bring new opportunities, investment, and jobs to Buckinghamshire, ensuring that residents benefit from a thriving local economy. And in November, the Council invested an additional £3 million to address the exponential rise in requests for Education, Health and Care Plans, helping to reduce waiting times and strengthen support for children and young people. Ofsted acknowledged this work positively during the Local Area Partnership SEND inspection.

Significant progress has also been made on improving the county’s infrastructure and places. The first phase of the South East Aylesbury Link Road opened this year, easing congestion for local residents and supporting future development. We also delivered the first phase of the Pavilion Quarter regeneration in Aylesbury, with further improvements completed in High Wycombe and Chesham to support vibrant, welcoming town centres.

Alongside this, we have continued to support and expand programmes such as Horizons and Skills Bootcamps, helping residents to access employment, develop new skills and build a stronger future—both within the council and across our wider communities.

This report sets out the progress we have made over the past year and highlights the work taking place across the council to support our residents and communities. I hope it offers a clear and accessible overview of our achievements and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to working for every resident of Buckinghamshire.

Steven Broadbent

Leader, Buckinghamshire Council