Meeting documents

Apologies were received from Rima Scot (Foscote Parish Meeting), Councillor Tim Mills (AVDC), Terry Cavender (Akeley Parish Council), Mike Mortimer (Akeley Parish Council), Councillor David Rowlands (Bucks County Council), and Turweston Parish Council.

To declare any personal or prejudicial interests

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm the notes of the meeting held on 4 December 2008.

The action notes of the meeting held on 4 December 2008 were confirmed as a correct record.

None received

There were no petitions.

The Chairman explained to Members that no decision has yet been made regarding the Energy from Waste proposal.  He went on to say that in the present economic climate, a number of the tenders for the work have had to be reviewed.

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.

East Claydon – Section 106 Funds

Whaddon – Winter Maintenance issues (gritting) – this will be dealt with under transportation update (item 10).

Question from Padbury Parish Council

"What is happening with the speed limit review through Padbury?"

Response

Ann-Marie Davies, Transport Local Area Co-ordinator said she would respond to Padbury Parish Council after the meeting.

Action: Ann-Marie Davies

Question from East Claydon

"In terms of section 106 funding - How much say does the local community have in the use of funds arising from developments in their own parish?  Is this enough?"

Response

The Chairman introduced Sue Polhill, Aylesbury Vale District Councillor, who took Members through Section 106 (s.106) arrangements.  She explained that s.106 arrangements were originally set-up as a way of giving something back to the Community.  The grant can only be used to provide, or enhance, leisure facilities for a community where more than 4 houses have been built.  Sue explained that the District Council acts like a bank and holds the money on behalf of the parish/town and once the project has been approved then the money can be held for up to 10 years.  Sue said that all parish and town clerks should have received a leaflet with further information about s.106 arrangements and how to apply for funding.  She asked Members to contact her if they wanted further copies of the leaflet.

Sue’s email address is spolhill@aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk.

During discussion, the following questions were asked.

A Member asked why the funding was only available where four or more houses have been built.  Sue replied that four houses would require more leisure facilities than just one house so it is based around the needs of more than one house.

A Member asked why the money could only be used to provide leisure facilities and not used to introduce traffic control measures, for example.  Sue explained that s.106 funding is part of the national framework and this is what Central Government have considered necessary and there is no deviation in terms of what it can be used for.

The Chairman thanked Sue for her presentation and then introduced James Fox.

James Fox, the s.106 activity co-ordinator for Bucks County Council, explained that his role is to be the focal point for developers and the public to ensure that applications do not get overlooked.  He went on to explain that there is a two-tier system and the District and County Councils share responsibility in terms of planning.  The Districts are responsible for affordable housing and the County Council is responsible for education, highways and libraries.  There are rules and tests which have to be met and there needs to be a geographical link between the development and the need for the service.

A Member asked about the Mount Pleasant development in Buckingham in terms of the traffic calming.  The Chairman asked the Member to email him the details and he would forward them to the relevant person.

Action: Derrick Isham/David Polhill

James went on to explain that the economic downturn has meant that the number of 106 applications has started to drop away as housing development has  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Pat Ward, Group Manager, Economy and Enterprise, to report.

The Chairman introduced Pat Ward who is the Group Manager for Economy and Enterprise.  She started by explaining that a number of retailers in market towns are coming under pressure and small industrial estates are also suffering in the economic downturn.  She said that there are a number of initiatives around to help businesses through difficult times, including a Food Group which supports and encourages locally grown foods.  There is also a Leader Programme which supports growers and foresters.

Pat said that there are a number of events taking place around the County to support people including an event on 2 April at Beales Hotel in Buckingham which is focussing on re-skills for people.  There is also an event on 28 April at the Civic Centre in Aylesbury which is entitled "Fresh Start" and this will focus on how to overcome the difficulties faced by redundancy.  On 12 May, local developers will be meeting at Beales Hotel to hold a roundtable discussion about the most pressing issues they are currently facing.

A Member asked whether anything was being done to assist retailers with their business rates.  For example, monthly rather than quarterly rates.  Pat responded that this is a matter for the District Councils to consider but she explained that it is difficult to offer incentives.  The Chairman went on to say that the business rates are set by Central Government so the issue would need to be lobbied upwards to them.

Pat concluded her presentation by asking Members to contact her should they require further information on any of the initiatives currently underway.

Her email address is pat.ward@buckscc.gov.uk

The deadline for submitting applications was 31 December 2008.  Members will need to decide how to allocate the budget.  Simon Dudley will lead this session.

Simon Dudley reiterated that the delegated budget for the Buckingham Local Area Forum is £21,000.  He took Members through the bids which they had received and explained how each bid had been accessed and an estimated cost attached to each bid.  The proposed schemes were circulated to Members to consider.

It was agreed that the following schemes should be undertaken in 2009-2010.  These were:

• To provide salt bins in the Hillesden area (£1,350).
• To provide an extension to the existing footway in Nash High Street (£19,000).

The first meeting of the Flood Group took place on Tuesday 20 January 2009.  Feedback from this meeting will be provided to Members.

Derrick Isham provided Members with an update on the Flood Group meeting which took place at the Winslow Centre on 20 January.  He explained that Terry Cavender’s idea about clearing out the canal and redirecting the  flood water was discussed but the view of the Environment Agency was that it would not work.  He went on to say that there had been two further meetings with Buckingham Town Council and the meeting on 24 February was attended by Gary Dawson, the Emergency Planner Officer at Aylesbury Vale District Council.  Gary Dawson explained that a bid had been submitted to DEFRA although it was recognised that there were limitations to the proposal – it relies upon the goodwill of neighbours to  plug in the drainage system if the main landowner is not in residence.

Derrick concluded by saying that Members must still keep the pressure on the Environment Agency.

Attached is the Buckingham Flooding Newsletter which was produced by Gary Dawson.  His contact telephone number is 01296 585370.

The update will include a response to the questions sent in by Middle Claydon:

·         Breakdown of Road C35 signs thrown in hedge

·         Where are the Verney Junction Road Signs (3rd time this question has been asked)

·         Various Road Edges - U406-C39

·         What is the procedure for Road Condition Inspection (Routing)?

Simon Dudley, Area Manager in Transportation, answered Members questions relating to transportation issues.

Ivy Cakebread from Stowe Parish Council asked for an update on the Speed Limit Review for Dadford.  Simon explained that the review is due for implementation at the end of 2010.  She then asked about the missing road signs (particularly the ones at Stowe crossroads) as this was her third time of asking.  Simon said that David Kearney has been redesigning the signs and they should be ready at the end of May 2009.  Simon will speak to David to confirm this.

Action: Simon Dudley

Ivy Cakebread also asked for an update on the repair of roads and potholes in and around Stowe.  Simon explained that they have put a gully in place and transportation has acknowledged that there is a need to repair the road surface.  He went on to say that the budgets have not been confirmed for this year.

John Riches and Mark Linton from Middle Claydon Parish Council asked for an update on the road signs at Verney Junction.  Simon said that the signs are with David Kearney and will be ready at the end of May 2009.  Again, Simon said he would follow-up with David after the meeting.

Action: Simon Dudley

Representatives from Middle Claydon then went on to ask about the procedure for road condition inspecting.  Simon explained that inspections are carried out within three months.

A Member said that the community gang had visited Gawcott a number of times recently but the jobs which had been requested in that area had not been done.  The Member wanted to know why the job list is not adhered to.  Simon apologised for this and explained that the system is still relatively new and there are a number of improvements being made to the system so, in future, the service should improve.

A Member explained that a number of faxes and emails had not been acknowledged.  Again, Simon apologised for this and explained that communications will improve in future as this has been acknowledged as an area for improvement.

Water Stratford Parish Council asked about the Speed Limit Review for Area 14.  Simon responded by saying that the consultation period will be taking place in early 2010 and it will be implemented at the end of 2010.  The Member also asked about general road resurfacing in their parish.  Simon explained that there are budget constraints to consider and all jobs are being prioritised.

Simon told Members that the Salting programme will be reviewed extensively over the Summer.  He emphasised that there can’t be major changes to the programme due to resource limitations but he asked Members to let him know of any roads which they felt should be considered.

Simon went on to explain to Members about the changes occurring within Transportation.   Certain roles, including Simon’s, have been transferred over to Ringwood Jacobs who will be delivering a number of services across the County.  Simon explained that this should result in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

This will include an update regarding the "Event for Young People" to be held on Saturday 25 April 2009 at the Winslow Centre.

Wendy Taylor provided Members with an update on the Youth Event which is taking place at the Winslow Centre on Saturday 25 April.  She said that publicity posters are currently being printed and will be available shortly and she reported that over 60 companies/organisations are involved in the event, including Sports 2012, Aylesbury College, Extended Services, the Voluntary sector and the local Youth Centres.  She encouraged everyone to get involved and to spread the word amongst their local parishes.  Wendy said that she is developing a "Tool kit" which contains all the contact details for the event so that other areas can run similar events in future.

Wendy also updated Members on the priority areas for the Police and NAGs.  These are as follows:

• Speeding
• Anti-Social Behaviour
• Farm theft.

To include short presentations from Lynne Kuschel, Bucks 50+ co-ordinator and Liz Smith from the Families Information Service.

Karen Adamson, from Adult Social Care, reported to Members that over 260 people had been referred to the "In-Touch" service as a result of the surgeries held across the County.  The next surgery is due to take place on 7 April at the Buckingham Community Centre.  Karen then introduced Steven Goldensmith, who is a Voluntary Services Manager within Adult Social Care.  Steven explained that his main aim is to increase the contact his team has with vulnerable people and to help everyone access services for elderly people.

Steven’s email address is sgoldensmith@buckscc.gov.uk and his telephone number is 01296 383148.

The Chairman introduced Lynne Kuschel who is the Bucks 50+ co-ordinator.  She explained that they are a not-for-profit organisation and they meet regularly to discuss service providers and, where appropriate, to challenge service providers.  For example, Post Office closures, transport to and from hospital and proposed A&E closures.  If anyone is interested in knowing more about the organisation, please contact Lynne Kuschel at sugarchick@btopenworld.com.

Liz Smith from the Families Information Service provided an overview of the new Buckinghamshire Family Information Service which is being set-up by Bucks County Council.  The main aim of the new service is to provide all families with a source of up-to-date information and advice.  Liz explained that the Government decided in April last year to provide this information service for families and the Bucks service is due to launch in September 2009 in line with the national programme.  Liz said that the service will be available via a telephone helpline as well as a web presence.

There is a consultation period at present where all families are being asked for their feedback on the new service.  Liz asked all Members to actively encourage the new service within their parishes.

Attached is a copy of the questionnaire which everyone is being encouraged to complete.  If anyone would like to know more about the new service, please contact Liz Smith on 01296 383870.

The next meeting will take place on Thursday 25 June 2009 at Buckingham Community Centre.  There will be a drop-in session between 5.45-6.45pm for members of the LAF and members of the public to raise transportation issues.

Future dates:

17 September 2009

3 December 2009 (provisional date)

The next meeting will take place on Thursday 25 June 2009 at the Buckingham Community Centre.  There will be a drop-in session between 5.45-6.45pm for the members of the LAF and members of the public to raise transportation issues.

Future dates:

17 September 2009

3 December 2009 (provisional date).

The chairman thanked everyone for attending and asked Members to encourage more parishes to attend the next meeting.