Annual Report (2022 to 2023)

Buckinghamshire is a prosperous county and a successful place to do business, contributing £18 billion to the UK economy and ranked as the fourth most productive area in England.

The county has low unemployment, higher than average household incomes, and boasts world-leading sectors. From Pinewood Studios in the south to Silverstone in the north, Buckinghamshire is a great success story.

We are also well placed to take advantage of emerging opportunities because of our proximity to London and Heathrow, and our location in the middle of a leading economic area with global strengths in science, technology, and high-value manufacturing.

However, the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted this and the national trend shows that high levels of productivity and growth are beginning to slow, and levels of unemployment are rising. Our high streets have been badly affected and are still facing challenges, including the change in retail habits with increased online demand and falling footfall in town centres. Action is needed now to ensure our economy remains fit for the future.

162 businesses registered with Bucks & Surrey Trading Standards (B&STS) as primary authority, making it the largest regulatory provider of Primary Authority services.

Bucks & Surrey Trading Standards won two categories at the Regulatory Excellence Awards 2022 Service Excellence Leadership in Regulatory Services (for a member of the team).

Established a Place Based Growth Board to ensure an agreed vision for future economic growth and development in Buckinghamshire.

An estimated additional £3.7 million spent with local businesses in Bucks through location filming on council-owned/managed land handled through the new Buckinghamshire Film Office.

Over £1.2 million secured in grants for local culture facilities and activities by the council and our culture partners.

90.6% of schools are rated good or outstanding by Ofsted compared to 87.8% nationally (March 2023).

98% of early years providers are also rated good or outstanding, compared to 97% nationally.

Key Stage 4 (GCSE and equivalent) results continue to be above national average compared to other local authority areas.

In 2022, the Attainment 8 score in Buckinghamshire was 57.3 compared to the national figure of 48.8.

Buckinghamshire Council recruited 45 young people on 6-month contracts as part of the Government Kickstart scheme. 17 kickstarters have secured permanent roles.

We hosted over 40 targeted council recruitment events in collaboration with hiring managers including:

• Try Before You Apply
• Care Leavers Event
• HM Prison events
• Homes for Ukraine

156 employees on apprenticeship programmes across council services and maintained schools.

We attended 15 external place-based recruitment events alongside other local employers attracting over 4,000 attendees.

Secured £5.5 million from the Shared Prosperity Fund which will support a range of local priorities including support local business, communities and place and people and skills.

Allocated £1.5 million of funding through the Rural England Prosperity Fund for grants to rural businesses.

We have run two projects funded by the Community Renewal Fund through 2022 which invested almost £500,000 in the local community.

Buckinghamshire Council secured £20.6 million of section 106 contributions from new development and £6.5 million in Community Infrastructure Levy.

The Council have spent £22.5 million of S106 funds on infrastructure to mitigate the impacts of new developments.

Delivered Cycleway schemes including Platinum Way, Berryfields to Buckingham Park and Wendover.