Five parishes in the Risborough area have been given more control over local maintenance tasks after signing a deal with Bucks County Council.

The Princes Risborough consortium, consisting of the Town Council and parish councils of Bledlow-cum-Saunderton, Bradenham, Lacey Green, and Longwick-cum-Ilmer, became the first group to formally sign the deal on March 25.

Town Council Chairman Alan Turner, Councillor Matthew Walsh and County Councillor Bill Bendyshe-Brown signed the deal alongside Martin Phillips, the cabinet member for Community Engagement.

The devolution deal means that parishes can take more responsibility for tasks like grass cutting, road sign cleaning, hedge trimming, weeding footways, illegal sign removal and maintaining and repairing bollards, signs and village gates.

The Risborough area consortium has been given £28,282 of Bucks County Council's £908,894 urban transport budget to cover the cost of the tasks.

Town Councillor Matthew Walsh said: “The devolution arrangement makes us much lighter on our feet. For example, if a village wants the grass cut just before its grand fete, it can be done more easily. It's about allowing parishes to do what suits them, when it suits them.”  

Neil Gibson, managing director of Bucks County Council Transport, Economy and Environment praised the decision.

He said: “At a time when all our budgets are under extreme pressure they're playing a crucial role in doing things more efficiently and more economically at neighbourhood level.”

From April 1, parishes across the county can also take on highways tasks locally and 27 other parishes have already signed up to the scheme.