A series of recent decisions set to shape the future of High Wycombe have been made in Aylesbury, prompting questions about why they are being taken outside the town.

Among the most notable are the sale of the council’s offices on Queen Victoria Road to Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust and a decision to close and demolish the Easton Street car park, both taken at cabinet meetings held at Buckinghamshire Council’s headquarters in Aylesbury.

With the town located around 40 minutes away from Wycombe, some residents have raised concerns about the distance and visibility of decision-making, with calls for more decisions affecting the town to be made in High Wycombe itself.

The Free Press asked Buckinghamshire Council why decisions affecting Wycombe are made in Aylesbury, and whether it would consider holding decision-making meetings within the town.

In response, council leader Steven Broadbent said Aylesbury was chosen as the authority’s headquarters when it was formed in 2020, as it was deemed the most appropriate location.

He said the location of the council’s offices has “no bearing on the decisions that are made” about different areas of the county.

However, the council did not comment on whether the authority would consider holding cabinet meetings in High Wycombe when decisions affecting the town are being made.

Mr Broadbent said: “Aylesbury is the county town of Buckinghamshire and was determined to be the most appropriate choice to become Buckinghamshire Council’s administrative headquarters back when the council was formed.

“The location of the main council offices has no bearing on the decisions that are made about areas of the county, however the council retains several other council access points, including in High Wycombe, to ensure that services provided by the council can be accessed more locally.

“Elected ward members from different geographical parts of the county, including High Wycombe, also sit on various committees within the council representing the voice of their local communities.”

He added that the single-tier unitary council, like Bucks Council, provides residents with a clear structure and accountability.

Mr Broadbent continued: “Our Councillors are elected in each ward as ward members, irrespective of where council offices are located, just like MPs being elected in a specific constituency, before conducting Parliamentary business in Westminster.

“All decisions made by Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet and council are done so in the best interests of all our residents across the whole county, including those living in towns, villages and rural areas.

“Additionally in High Wycombe, the Town Committee was expressly set up to provide commentary and advice to the council’s decision-making bodies including cabinet on matters related to the town, to ensure locally elected voices for High Wycombe are heard.”

Some decisions are made in High Wycombe. For example, a decision to grant planning permission for 544 homes in the Gomm Valley was taken at the former Wycombe District Council offices on Queen Victoria Road.

Some residents who spoke to the Local Democracy Reporting Service suggested meetings could be held in the town, such as at the Guildhall, following the sale of the QVR offices.

Buckinghamshire Council is a single level of local government, created through the amalgamation of Buckinghamshire County Council, Wycombe District Council, Aylesbury Vale District Council, Chiltern District Council and South Bucks District Council in 2020.

Calls have been made in recent years to create a town council for High Wycombe, but these have so far been unsuccessful, leaving it in the unusual position of being without one, unlike towns such as Aylesbury and Marlow.