As Christmas approaches, it is a good time to reflect on the year we have had and what the future holds in 2014.

We have just proposed, after our recent public consultation, a council tax increase of two per cent for next year. We have frozen council tax for three years, but an increase is unavoidable given the severity of the financial situation and the increasing demands on our services. We have kept the increase below inflation by pledging to make a further £60m of savings on top of the £85m already delivered. At the same time, we are one of the few councils to be maintaining our grants to the important voluntary and community sector.

Investing in our roads and railways is also essential. Over the past three years, we have spent approximately £50m on beginning the job of restoring roads. In the current financial situation, we can’t keep up this level of expenditure but I will be recommending that we continue to spend some £43m over the next four years to continue the progress already made. Importantly, we are also investing in the planned East-West Rail service to provide better links to Milton Keynes, Reading, Oxford and Bedford, as well as London.

I am committed to helping to build strong local business and jobs growth. When I visit the more deprived parts of our major towns, I meet young people struggling to find their first job. We are also bringing ultra-fast broadband, particularly to villages and rural areas, with some going live from early 2014.

I am delighted that an economic upturn has started for many Bucks businesses during the last few months. But I am not complacent; some businesses have yet to see growth. I am determined that your county council will be there to support those who most need help.

An issue that has increased during 2013 and which we have prioritised for 2014 is that of child sexual exploitation. Across the country, cases have emerged of young people being ‘groomed’ by gangs of men and abused. We are establishing a multi-agency safeguarding hub in Buckinghamshire, which will bring together professionals who have contact with vulnerable people to help keep them safe.

This will be one of a network of hubs which Thames Valley Police are working with councils to achieve. We will also continue to fund a significant number of Buckinghamshire’s Police and Community Support Officers.

I remain determined to protect Buckinghamshire’s unique and beautiful environment. As the Government plans to push ahead with spending some £50billion on its HS2 project, we will be working with local communities, and town and parish councils to mitigate the worst effects, should it go ahead. We have produced ‘The Bucks Blueprint’ for mitigation and will be actively engaged with MPs and the Hybrid Bill Committee to lobby for local changes to protect the environment.

Finally, I should comment on the subject of rationalising down to a single council for Buckinghamshire. I have always been clear that I support a single combined council for the county, in partnership with a high degree of devolution to parish and town councils on local matters. I believe this could save significant amounts of money. I remain willing to examine all the options for reducing the costs of local government in our county; indeed the county council is planning discussions with Wycombe District Council, and others if they will join us, to evaluate all options for unitary government in Buckinghamshire. But whatever the form of future governance, I will fight to safeguard the integrity of the historic county.

Next year, so I can meet more people who live and work in Buckinghamshire, I’m planning public sessions around the county, to answer questions and listen to any concerns.

I am really optimistic about Buckinghamshire in 2014. We should see our economy continue to turn the corner and I want the county council, in partnership with our colleagues in other local councils and community organisations, to play its part in driving jobs and growth while still delivering vital services for all Buckinghamshire residents.

I hope that you all have a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Martin Tett, Leader, Buckinghamshire County Council