Annual Report (2022 to 2023)

This year, as we mark our third anniversary as Buckinghamshire Council, I continue to marvel at how much we have achieved since becoming a unitary authority. We are continually improving our systems and services, supporting and empowering our communities, and responding to external conditions in a way that inspires hope and creates opportunity for all.

It remains an extraordinarily difficult time for local government as well as for the many differing and diverse communities, businesses, and sectors we serve. Cost-of-living and inflationary pressures alongside new and increasing demands on council services have dominated the past year, at a time when recovery from the covid-19 pandemic remains a priority.

As you’ll read throughout this annual report, we are a council focused on progress and improvement, yet we have demonstrated the ability to adapt to local and national challenges while harnessing opportunity as it arises. It means we can be a resilient, agile, and responsive council but still lay the foundations for future proposals that centre on building a county of which everyone can be proud.

In looking ahead to the future, we have taken a long view, beyond covid-19, to a regenerated county with jobs, vibrant communities in healthy, green spaces, local economic growth, fair distribution of opportunity and access, and public services fit to meet the challenges of the future. We have launched our Opportunity Bucks programme, developed place-based regeneration strategies, signed a new highways contract and undertaken key policy reviews. Our Corporate Plan and Buckinghamshire’s Strategic Vision for 2050 continue to be our roadmap to a thriving, resilient, successful, connected, healthier, and inclusive Buckinghamshire.

As a Council, all Members have played a key role in the delivery of our achievements over the last year and we’re delighted that this year, as a finalist for the prestigious LGC Council of the Year Award, these achievements have been recognised nationally.

I am pleased to be able to reflect in this report how we continue to develop and grow as a Council, how we continue to support our residents and how responsive we are, adapting to and embracing often difficult external factors – thanks to all the work we’ve done over the last twelve months, we can look forward to a stable and ambitious future.

Martin Tett
Leader, Buckinghamshire Council