7 July 2022
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Next Tuesday, Hughenden Parish Council will consider a report on streetlights in Widmer End. I blogged about this issue on 4 December 2021 (look for the picture of the snakes and ladders).
The report recommends, in brief, that HPC turns off all the streetlights in Widmer End, about 80 of them, without consulting residents.
The report also recommends that the Windmill Estate Management Company (WEMC) should be asked to contribute to the costs of decommissioning the streetlights which are largely in the Windmill Estate but also include lights on Windmill Lane, Primrose Hill and Brimmers Hill.
The full resolution which Council is asked to approve is below.
The report has been prepared by HPC’s Streetlighting Working Group which consists of Cllrs Jones and Cllr Renshaw.
I have to make it clear that the first time I saw this paper was yesterday and, although I have done much of the background research, I had not been consulted on the conclusions.
My firm view is that, whatever decision Council takes about the streetlights, it consults the residents fully and then makes its decisions in the light of that consultation.
I resigned from the Streetlights Working Group on 3 June for this and other reasons.
The agenda and papers for the Council meeting are not yet on HPC’s website. I have sent copies to Widmer End Residents Association and the Windmill Estate Management Company and am happy to provide copies to others on request. Alternatively, you might like to write to the Clerk@hughenden-pc.gov.uk for copies.
If residents wish to comment, they can do so to the Clerk or at the meeting. The meeting is on 12 July is at 7.30 at North Dean Village Hall.
“Resolution
With respect to all the 80 streetlights described in the Streetlights Working Group Report to Council dated July 6:
1. The Clerk is instructed to confirm with HPC’s electricity provider that HPC is funding the power to the 80 streetlights identified and no others.
2. The Clerk is instructed to obtain an indicative quote to decommission a) all 80 lights, and b) the 25 lights not in the Windmill Estate. This quote to be shared with the Streetlights Working Group and subsequently the full council meeting in September in order for any implications to be considered.
3. As at 31 March 2023, in line with its financial year end, Council terminates its contract(s) to provide electricity for these lights and subsequently decommissions the streetlights, subject to the following actions:
a. The Clerk contacts Buckinghamshire Council to request that they take over the provision of these streetlights. This includes all relevant contracts including the provision of the power and maintenance without further charges applied to HPC or adjustment in the HPC precept or devolved services. The Clerk will also propose that Bucks Council contributes to the decommissioning costs of the streetlights if it declines to take over responsibility for the lights and so does Windmill Estate Management Company (WEMC) – see below.
b. In parallel with item 3 (a), the Clerk contacts WEMC and advises them as to HPC’s intentions and the logic for its decision, in order to give WEMC the opportunity to take over the provision of the 55 footlights on their estate if Bucks Council declines to take over full provision. This includes all relevant contracts including the provision of the power and maintenance. HPC will not subsidise the costs. If WEMC seeks to accept the provision of these lights then HPC will be terminating its contract(s) to provide electricity and decommissioning the remaining 25 streetlights, with a financial contribution sought from Bucks Council.
4. The Clerk communicates this decision and explains the logic behind the decision to residents across the Parish as appropriate, taking advice from HPC Communications Working Group and relevant Ward Councillors, including
a. Communications to Widmer Ends Residents Association (WERA). Taking advice from WERA, WERA will be asked to put an article in their newsletter and an item on their Facebook page.
b. a statement on HPC’s website.”