Annual Report 2025 to 2026

Buckinghamshire is often viewed as a prosperous county and a successful place to do business, with low unemployment figures, higher-than-average household incomes, and a number of world-leading businesses including Pinewood Studios, Silverstone, and the space companies at Westcott Venture Park. However, we recognise that this prosperity is not felt equally across all communities, and some areas continue to face real challenges.

We are well placed to take advantage of emerging opportunities because of our proximity to London and Heathrow, and our location in one of the UK’s leading economic areas with global strengths in science, technology and high-value manufacturing. As such, we believe we have an important role in helping to deliver growth, investment and transformation through our Economic Growth Plan and town centre regeneration programmes.

Our corporate plan set out our aspirations to ensure:

• We encourage sustainable economic growth, working with our partners to maximise opportunities and boost productivity.
• We continue to attract high quality jobs and investment in skills, innovation, and connectivity, keeping Buckinghamshire one of the best places to do business.
• We support residents to develop new skills to meet local workforce needs, ensuring they can access meaningful work opportunities, supporting economic growth.
• Our growth to benefit both new and existing communities, preserving the character of our environment while delivering everything we need to prosper.

• Supported 85 UK Shared Prosperity Fund businesses as part of the growth programme
• Supported 60 new businesses and continued support for the 200 previously signed up
• Hosted a Retail Showcase Event at the Gateway in March 2026, attended by circa 100 retailers across 14 Buckinghamshire market towns
• Delivered a customer service competition in Q1 2026, with winners unveiled at the March showcase event
• UK Shared Prosperity Fund Building Futures programme enabled employment support for 101 individuals
• Engagement with all top 100 businesses, all invited to the Economic Summit and Showcase opening of the Skylark Conference Centre
• Delivered 7,760sqm new floorspace at Westcott Enterprise Zone site
• Claimed £47.6m of HIF funding in financial year 25-26 to forward fund infrastructure, meeting anticipated target
• Registered 897 new food businesses
• 165 businesses signed into a Primary Authority Agreement with Trading Standards
• An estimated £9.84m was spent with local businesses in Buckinghamshire through location filming, supported by the Buckinghamshire Film Office
• As part of the One Million Mentors programme, provided 120 mentoring hours to St Michael’s GCSE students via 23 volunteers
• Buckinghamshire Lottery raised £70k for 396 good causes, supported by 1,507 players purchasing 163,128 tickets and producing 351 winners
• Supported 158 new apprenticeship starts within the council and maintained schools
• Funded 29 new apprenticeship starts in external organisations through the Levy Transfer protocol
• Delivered 844 Skills Bootcamps with 709 learner starts and 84% completing training
• Supported local businesses and partners through prompt payment with 97.60% of payments in line with invoice terms
• Delivered 90% of the council’s £174m capital programme for 25-26
• Achieved a collection rate of 98.1% for council tax and 98.8% for business rates
• Hosted 38 internal events with over 550 attendees (excluding external events)
• Artisan Markets ran monthly from May-November 2025 in both High Wycombe and Aylesbury
• Weekly collaboration increased trader numbers to an average of 5 stalls per week and delivery of a weekly community stall
• Completed White Hart Street public realm works in High Wycombe, tackling anti-social behaviour and strengthening independent businesses
• Added improved festoon style lighting and a large-scale mural on the Red Lion Walk in High Wycombe using Future High Street Funding
• Redeveloped the former Gala Bingo site in Aylesbury to improve connectivity between the High Street and Exchange development as the first phase of regeneration for the Pavilion Quarter, with circa £2.4m capital improvements
• Delivered a £690k capital Town Centre Improvement Programme including:
  • Upgraded Aylesbury Market Square lighting
  • Enhanced safety
  • Deterred anti-social behaviour
  • Celebrated heritage features
• Completed Cambridge Street public realm improvements in Aylesbury, supporting independent businesses with al fresco space
• Upgraded Aylesbury Market Square power infrastructure, enabling growth of the market offering and bespoke town centre events
• Delivered full roof restoration on a large unit at Aylesbury Vale Retail Park, attracting B&M
• Progressed redevelopment of the Old County Offices into 46 new flats