Meeting documents

Apologies were received from John Chilver (AVDC), Terry Cavender (Akeley), Mrs Pallister (Beachampton), Morag Collins (Tingewick), Geoffrey Purefoy (Shalstone), David Newman (Lillingstone Dayrell), Derrick Isham (AVDC), John Cartwright (Bucks County Council), Lady Scott (Foscote), Sir Beville Stanier (AVDC), Jennifer Beckett (Radclive-cum-Checkmore) and Hugh Carey (Turweston).

There were no changes in membership.

To declare any personal or prejudicial interests

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm the notes of the meeting held on 25 September 2008.

The Chairman made one minor amendment to the action notes.  On page 1, item 5, it should read 36 parishes in the Buckingham Local Area not 38.

Action notes of the meeting held on 25 September were confirmed as a correct record subject to amendment as stated above.

The Chairman updated members on the following issues:

• By February 2009, the decision will have been taken on the location of an Energy from Waste (EfW) site.  This item will be on the agenda for the March meeting.  Page 2 of the Buckingham Area newsletter provides an EfW update.
• Schools Place Consultation – there is currently a three-month consultation during which local people can provide their views and influence the final version of the plan.  The consultation ends on 6 February 2009.
• Delegated budget – the deadline for receiving bid applications is 31 December 2008.  The LAF meeting in March will discuss the bids and agree the budget allocation to be submitted to the Cabinet Member for Transportation.
• Planning Applications – there can sometimes be confusion surrounding why certain applications fail.  The Chairman suggested inviting a representative of AVDC to attend a future meeting to speak to the Forum.

A member commented that John Byrne at AVDC has spoken about planning issues to parishes in the past and has a "Rules" leaflet which assists people when making applications.  The Chairman said he would speak to John and invite him to the June meeting.

Action: David Polhill

A member said that there is a planning portal which is a piece of software which can be used to view plans.  The member felt that parishes have limited resources and the software is expensive to purchase.  It was agreed to discuss this with John Byrne at a future meeting.

There will be a 20 minute period for public questions.  Members of the public are encouraged to submit their questions in advance of the meeting to facilitate a full answer on the day of the meeting.  Questions sent in advance will be dealt with first and verbal questions after.

There were no public questions.

At the last meeting, it was agreed to set-up a Flood Group to respond to the Environment Agency’s Flood Plan for the Buckingham area.  There is a Flood meeting taking place on 27 November and it expected that the Group will report back on what was discussed.

The Chairman reported that the Flood group were due to meet with the Environment Agency and the Internal Drainage Board to discuss an idea proposed by Terry Cavender.  The first meeting is due to take place on Tuesday 20 January at 3pm at the Winslow Centre.

It was agreed that there needs to be a discussion around finding solutions to alleviate the flood problems in Buckingham.  The use of the disused canal for water storage is being discussed.  There needs to be further work done to identify areas which could be used.  There was a proposal last year to direct the water upstream to Water Stratford but the Environment Agency said it was too expensive.  A member expressed concern that it is expensive when one home gets flooded.  He went on to say that there are still 2 properties in Buckingham which are still not inhabited since the floods last year.

The Chairman asked members to write down how much damage was caused as a result of the flooding in their area and bring it with them to the meeting in January.  Mike Smith agreed to speak to Derrick Isham to obtain first hand experience as one of the Councillors lives in Wells Street which was flooded last year.

Action: Mike Smith/ All members

None received

There were no petitions.

Ann-Marie Davies will report back on the bids received to date.

The deadline for submitting a bid application is 31 December 2008.  Applications should be sent to Ann-Marie Davies, Transportation Co-ordinator.  There is a budget of £21k and the forum will need to decide how to allocate the budget when it meets in March.  So far, Ann-Marie has received 2 bids.

To include an update on the Winter maintenance programme.

Simon Dudley provided members with a transportation update.

• Plane and patch sites for 2009/10

Simon explained that maintenance have been guaranteed funding (£4 million) for the next 2 years to carry out the above work which will include footpath work this time.  He went on to say that as of 1 April 2009, there will be a new tendering and procurement process in place so he stressed the importance of getting the programme up and running before this date.

He asked members to let the Chairman know by the end of January of any work which needs to be included in the programme for 2009/2010.

• Winter salting routes for Winter 2009

Simon said that the salting routes remain the same this year which fits in with the Fire Authorities strategy.  He provided members with copies of the "Safer Winter Driving" leaflet and explained that each parish should receive a few copies of the leaflet.  He asked members to share the information with their parishes.  The budget has remained the same this year, therefore the routes will not be reviewed again until next year.

• Parish Gang Sheets

Simon explained that the Gang will undertake work such as repairing signs and cutting back over hanging branches.  There is the money and resource available to do work around the County.  He asked members to contact Ann-Marie if they needed more gang sheets.  The second round of work will commence in August.

• Speed Limit Review

Simon reported that Areas 13 and 14 will be reviewed in the Spring and Summer of next year which is a year earlier than expected.

A member expressed concern about work carried out in conservation areas, in particular Hunter Street.  Simon Dudley explained that the Strategic Maintenance team put a slurry finish down which will last for around 5 years.  It was agreed that, in future, any work carried out in conservation areas will be discussed with the Town Council beforehand.

The Chairman asked members to let either Simon or Ann-Marie know if there were any overgrown hedgerows which needed cutting back.

A member asked whether feedback was requested after a job had been completed.  Simon explained that the community gangs have around 400 worksheets a day so it is not possible to gain feedback on each job.  He said that he would see whether it was possible to put the information on the website.  He also said that he would provide an update on what work has been completed in each parish before the next meeting.

Action: Simon Dudley

A member asked how long you should wait before a job is completed.  Simon said that if a job is not completed within 3 months, then they should go back to the community gang.

An opportunity for Members of the Local Area Forum to discuss items which are not covered on the agenda.

PC Becky Jones and PCSO Denise Grayburn from Thames Valley Police provided members with an update.

During discussion the following issues and questions were raised.

• Burglaries have increased and therefore the police are undertaking more evening patrols, including local farms.
• The police undertook drugs operations in 8 local pubs recently but they did not find anything.
• Members were asked to complete feedback forms which provide an opportunity to list the top 3 areas of concern for local residents.
• A member expressed concern about the lack of police presence in Westbury, especially during daylight hours.  Another member agreed that there was a lack of police presence in some of the rural areas.  Becky explained that there is a resourcing issue and the police officers can not be everywhere.  The PCSOs are more visible.
• There is an event specifically for young people in the Buckingham and Winslow areas on 25 April 2009 from 11am-6pm at the Winslow Centre.  Further details will be available at the next meeting.
• On page 6 of the Buckingham Area newsletter, it refers to an event on 12 January and 9 February at Steeple Claydon.  A member asked whether there had been any publicity surrounding the event as he was not aware of the event and was concerned about the insurance matters surrounding the event.  The Chairman agreed to speak to David Thompson from AVDC’s Leisure team to find out more about the events planned for 2009.

Action: David Polhill

• A member asked how the maintenance budget is planned as he wanted to understand how the budget could be overspent already.  Simon explained that they plan to spend two-thirds of the budget between April and the end of October due to the weather conditions.  The budget is overspent in 2 particular areas at present as the team have undertaken more footpath work over recent months.

• Simon asked members to let him know what their priorities are for the forthcoming year.  A member asked who then decides what the priorities should be.  Simon explained that his team are responsible for setting the priorities and they are set in-line with the Council’s strategy.

• Biddlesdon Road will be closed in January time.  A member asked whether it would be possible to sort out the island first before the road is closed.  A member also expressed concern about the leaks along this stretch of road.  Simon said he would chase Anglican water again (there are 11 leaks).

Action: Simon Dudley

• Hillesden – a member expressed concern about the potholes in this area and asked when they are likely to be filled.  Ann-Marie explained that she has been to see the area with Ruth Millard and Ken Horne and it is on the list.

Suggested dates for future meetings in 2009:

• 26 March
• 25 June
• 17 September.

If any parish or town council is able to host a future meeting, please could you let either Ian Reed (ireed@buckscc.gov.uk) or Liz Wheaton (ewheaton@buckscc.gov.uk) know.

The next meeting will take place on Thursday 26 March at 7pm at Thornton College.

Future dates:

• 25 June
• 17 September.