Aylesbury Vale District Council's final meeting cancelled due to coronavirus

The county's four district councils and the county council will be forming one unitary council from 1 April 2020.

In the light of the recent Government announcements relating to limiting large gatherings to reduce the spread of coronavirus, the Leader of the Council, Councillor Angela Macpherson, in discussion with the Chairman of the Council, Councillor Judy Brandis, and the Buckinghamshire Director of Public Health, Dr Jane O’Grady, has concluded that the final meeting of AVDC, scheduled for Wednesday 25 March, should be cancelled.

Councillor Judy Brandis said: “It is incredibly disappointing to come to this decision, but these are unprecedented times and we are working hard to protect ourselves and others.

“We had invited a number of past Chairmen and Honorary Aldermen to attend the meeting but many are elderly and some have underlying health conditions – putting them in the high risk category if they contract coronavirus.”

Among those attending would have been the first ever AVDC Chairman, former Councillor Anthony Mogford, who is now 92.

Aylesbury Vale District Council (AVDC) formally came into being on 1 April 1974. AVDC was created as a result of local government restructuring that saw the merger of the boroughs of Aylesbury and Buckingham, Aylesbury Rural District, Buckingham Rural District, Wing Rural District and part of Winslow Rural District.

As with the current restructuring, that will see AVDC, the three other district councils in the county and Buckinghamshire County Council replaced by the new Buckinghamshire Council, there was a period prior to the establishment of the new Council when members met to plan their new future – and the first meeting of Aylesbury Vale District Council took place on 19 June 1973, following elections that had taken place on 7 June 1973.

Councillor Angela Macpherson said: “AVDC has a lot to be proud of and will leave a strong legacy for the new Buckinghamshire Council to inherit. I would like to pay tribute to councillors past and present and to the staff of the council who have worked so hard and diligently to deliver services to local residents”.

Councillor Judy Brandis had a special word of thanks for Bill Ashton, Democratic Services Manager, who will be retiring at the end of the month after 50 years in local government service and 46 years at AVDC. “Bill was here from the very start of the new district council and in recent years has provided members with highly professional insights – keeping us all on track and fully aware of what we can and can’t do as councillors,” said Councillor Brandis, “and he has provided me with excellent support and advice during my year as Chairman.”