We have received the following update from the Buckinghamshire County Council HS2 team:
(Note: previous Updates can be found on the Campaigns part of this web site at https://www.amershamsociety.org/topics/hs2/)
This E-update looks at the County Council’s last minute appearance in front of the HS2 Select Committee, AVDCs appearance and the timetable for the Select Committees final report.
Select Committee Appearance and Agreements 3 February 2016
The County Council appeared in front of the Select Committee on the 3 February 2016 to set out its concerns about local authority costs impacting on the £1 million set out in an assurance for the Calvert/ Steeple Claydon area. This was the main remaining issue following further negotiations held in the corridor outside the Committee Room.
The transcript from this appearance is at http://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-committees/hs2/oral-evidence/2015-16/03_02_16_Uncorrected_Afternoon.pdf (from page 39).
Aylesbury Vale District Council Appearance
On the 2 February 2016 Aylesbury Vale District Council appeared on both the Chetwode Green Tunnel and the Wendover noise barriers in front of the Select Committee. This formed part of AVDCs AP4 and AP5 appearances. The full transcript from this appearance can be found at http://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-committees/hs2/oral-evidence/2015-16/02_02_16_Uncorrected_Afternoon.pdf.
Select Committee schedule
The Select Committee has now completed its hearings and rose on the 4 February 2016. The Committee has announced that it will be holding a short public session on the 22 February to agree together the final report.
This report will then be submitted to the House of Commons. The press release with further information on this event is at http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/high-speed-rail-london-west-midlands-bill-select-committee-commons/news-parliament-20151/what-happens-next/
The outcomes from the report will be assessed by the County Council and the major items set out within the next update.
HS2 Ltd to recruit community engagement specialists
HS2 have announced that they will be recruiting community engagement specialists. The eleven specialist roles will be based in regions along the proposed route for Phase One of HS2, between London and the West Midlands. Their primary role will be to ensure that HS2 is both talking and listening to all those who are affected by the project in their area. More information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hs2-ltd-to-recruit-community-engagement-specialists-to-listen-to-local-concerns
Buckinghamshire County Council HS2 Summit
The County Council will be holding a HS2 Summit on 24 March 2016 from (9.30 to 12.30) at Green Park, Aston Clinton, HP22 5NE. There are 150 places available at this event on a first come first served basis. Please email HS2Blueprint@buckscc.gov.uk to reserve your place.
Community events
We are also organising some dates for 5 events in April to share our House of Lords petitioning matters with you and to check that community priorities are included. We will be sending out invitations very shortly.
Buckinghamshire Compensation and Mitigation Panel (BCMP)
A meeting of the BCMP took place on Wednesday 27 January. At this meeting members discussed the recent Select Committee hearings (including Buckinghamshire County Council’s appearance of the 20 January) and the package of mitigation secured by the Council. The date for the next meeting is Tuesday 1 March 2016, 9.30-11.30.
Each CFA area has a community representative on the panel who should be feeding back discussions had at the BCMP. If you would like to know who your representative is or you are not receiving feedback from these meetings, it is important that you let us know. Local County Councillors are also invited.
Buckinghamshire County Council HS2 team:
Jackie Copcutt jcopcutt@buckscc.gov.ukTel: 01296 383793
Darl Sweetland dsweetland@buckscc.gov.uk Tel: 01296 383463
HS2 Blueprint Mailbox HS2Blueprint@buckscc.gov.uk
BCC HS2 Webpages: http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/environment/hs2/