High Wycombe is being “systematically choked”, a councillor has said - as he shared his “deepening worries” about the town.

Cllr Sebert Graham gave a heartfelt speech to the Labour Bucks Forum in which he expressed his fears for the future of “our beloved town” - which he says has not improved in the past decade.

He said: “Our architecture is ageing, our streets dirty and the BFP regularly updates us on the air pollution which is well above the average of UK.

“There is no will to stop the deterioration or to reverse this. On the doorsteps I hear peoples’ genuine complaints about potholes, state of our streets, about seeing homelessness people in the open and a lack of care for those in real need.

“I can see and feel this is hurting the decent folks of our town.”

He highlighted an “undeniable” increase in flytipping, adding that he has seen an increase in his Castlefield and Oakridge ward.

He said: “I ask, why has the Wycombe Conservative leadership has allowed this state of affairs to arise?

“We know there is no shortage on funding; we have been informed there are ‘substantial uncommitted cash reserves’’ of £25 million. Why not use this money immediately?

“I very much fear it is down to a witting or unwitting lack of care. Since the Bucks unitary authority will inevitable be made up of the same councillors, there is no prospect of our town being allowed to improve.”

He urged support for a new High Wycombe town council, which he says will give “proper local representation”.

In a statement, Wycombe District Council said: “A community governance review is currently being undertaken.

“An eight week public consultation will start in early August and run to the end of September during which time members of the public, local councillors and businesses will be able to give their views about future arrangements for the local governance of High Wycombe.

“The council is continuing to invest in the Wycombe district for the benefit of residents.”