Meeting documents

RESOLVED

That County Councillor David Polhill be appointed Chairman of the Local Area Forum for the ensuing year.

Mr Polhill in the Chair

RESOLVED

That District Councillor Derrick Isham be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Local Area Forum for the ensuing year.

Mr Isham as Vice-Chairman

Please see apologies mentioned above.  Apologies were also received from Mary Hilliard, Clerk to Lillingstone Lovell Parish Meeting and Anne Wilson, Town Clerk, Buckingham Town Council.

The Chairman welcomed Mark Grindall as the new Area Co-ordinator for the Buckingham Area.  He thanked Ian Reed for all his support and wished him luck with his new Areas.  The Chairman also welcomed Ann Kiceluk who is the officer representative from Aylesbury Vale District Council.  Her role at AVDC is Head of Human Resources.

To declare any personal or prejudicial interests

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm the notes of the meeting held on 26 March 2009.

The action notes of the meeting held on 26 March 2009 were agreed.

The Chairman asked Members whether they felt it would be a good idea to increase the scope of representation at the Local Area Forum.  He felt that there were some organisations that are not represented as yet, for example, the voluntary sector.  The Chairman explained that the representatives would be Associate Members (with no voting rights).

It was AGREED to investigate increasing the representation of the Local Area Forum by inviting local voluntary organisations to future meetings.

Action: David Polhill/Mark Grindall

The Chairman reminded Members that there is a "drop-in session" prior to the meeting which provides Members with an opportunity to discuss specific transportation and adult social care issues.

Question Time can be for up to a period of 30 minutes.  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 written questions.

A Member asked whether the hedgerows are only cut in 30mph areas and not the 40mph as there are some very overgrown hedgerows which need cutting which fall within 40mph areas.  Safety is a real issue on these roads as it can be difficult to see around corners.  Aylesbury Vale District Council is responsible for this.  It was agreed to look into this issue further and report back at the next meeting.

Action: David Polhill/Mark Grindall

A Member asked for clarification regarding the speed limit review process.  Simon Dudley responded by saying that there is a consultation process prior to a draft of the area which is circulated for approval.  He explained that the whole process takes around six months to complete.

A Member asked whether it is possible to put a proposal to the parish council with regards to social housing.  The Member went on to explain that in their particular village there were 68 houses with 200 people living in it and they are keen to explore ways to encourage people back to the village.  Derrick Isham mentioned the rural exception scheme and suggested contacting John Bryne at Aylesbury Vale District Council.

None received

There were no petitions.

A member of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Ambulance Trust will present to Members on the role of a Community First Responder.

The Chairman introduced Suzi Solera from the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Ambulance Trust.  Suzi explained that her area covers Aylesbury to North Bucks.  The idea of Community First Responders (CFRs) originated in the United States and its primary role is about saving lives.   CFRs are recruited from within the community and they are provided with life saving equipment to allow them to be the first at the scene of an emergency.  A CFR would be paged at the same time as an ambulance is despatched and they are often the first at the scene and can really make a difference.

Suzi said that there are currently people being trained as CFRs around Buckingham but the aim is to have a CFR in every village.  There is a minimum age limit of 18 but no upper age limit.  No medical experience is required as training is provided and the CFR is insured by the NHS.  The training is over a weekend (2 days in total) – although it does depend on the current level of experience so it can be less.

The equipment costs £3,000 which includes a defibrillator and is kept within the village regardless of whether there is a change in the person carrying out the role of CFR.  All disposable items are replenished by the NHS.   Various charities have provided the funds for the equipment, including Rotary clubs and League of Friends.

Suzi asked Members to publicise the idea of CFRs within their parishes and to include articles in their parish newsletters.  Suzi to email Mark Grindall with an electronic version of the publicity poster.

Action: Suzi Solera/Mark Grindall

If you are interested in knowing more about how to join or you would like to donate, please email cfr@scas.nhs.uk or call 0800 587 0207.

See item 8 of the Action Notes.

Simon Dudley explained to Members that the salt bins in the Hillesden area have been ordered and they are awaiting delivery.  He went on to update Members on the other agreed project, the extension to the existing footway in Nash High Street.  Due to a number of factors, the original scheme can no longer be undertaken and the remaining delegated budget can now be assigned to a different project.  Simon said he would send the existing project sheet to Members (and copy in Mark Grindall and Liz Wheaton) before the next meeting.

Action: Simon Dudley

Please see attached report which also includes the Positive Activities for Young People (PAYP) application form.

Simon Billenness, Senior Practioner for Community and Youth Engagement, explained to Members that there is a "Positive Activities for Young People" grant of £5,000 for the Buckingham area.  Established youth schemes can apply for the grant and there needs to be evidence that young people have been consulted.  The deadline for receiving applications is 30 September 2009.  Members should send their completed application forms to Simon Billenness (sbillenness@buckscc.gov.uk).  Parishes can make joint applications.

Ian Reed then explained that there is an Early Years grant of £5,000 which can be used to fund local nursery provision.  There is a different set of criteria for this grant and the accountable officer is the Divisional Director, Commissioning and Business Improvement.

Ian then went on to explain that there is a Local Priorities grant of £8,000 for Buckingham which can be used for any purpose which supports local community priorities.  Amanda Brooke-Webb and Mark Grindall will evaluate the proposals and make recommendations in due course as to how this budget can be spent in 2009/10.  If a Member would like to discuss this further, please contact Mark Grindall on 01296 387542 or email Mark at mgrindall@buckscc.gov.uk.

Action: All Members

A Member asked for clarity in terms of the basis upon which the calculation of the devolved budgets is made.  Simon Dudley said that he would speak to Tim Fowler and report back to the Committee at the next meeting.

Action: Simon Dudley

Simon Dudley provided Members with an update on various transportation issues.  He mentioned that there had been a few problems with grass cutting – it had taken longer than anticipated to get the contractors on board which had resulted in a 3-4 weeks delay between cuts.  Some very kind farmers stepped in and mowed the grass but once the processes are in place this will not happen again.

A Member asked whether it was possible to be informed in advance of any grass cutting so that they could notify local residents and ask them to move their cars.  Simon said he would speak to Neil Passmore at AVDC.

Action: Simon Dudley

Simon told Members that the extra re-surfacing is due to commence in Mid-September time and the team will be marking out the areas over the coming weeks’.  Simon asked Members to contact either himself or Ann-Marie to discuss this further.

Action: All Members

The Core Strategy has been published for public comment.  The period for comment runs from 10 June 2009 to 22 July 2009.  The Forum may wish to discuss whether to make any comments to the Core Strategy.

If you wish to see the series of consultation documents relating to the Core Strategy, please access the Aylesbury Vale District Council website (www.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk).

Marcus Rogers, Planning and Development Service Manager, explained that the Aylesbury Vale District Council Core Strategy is currently out for public consultation.  The deadline for submitting comments is 5.15pm on 22 July 2009.  He said that there is a form available on the AVDC website.  He went on to explain that transportation is an integrated part of the Core Strategy and is not a standalone issue.  Marcus said that the Planning team are aware of the Buckingham plan which may/may not form part of the final strategy document.

A Member asked for confirmation as to whether WRG had submitted a planning application.  Marcus Rogers explained that he was unaware of an application from WRG and he confirmed that any planning applications received within this area would result in consultation with the parishes.  The Chairman concluded that "Energy from Waste" would be discussed at a future meeting as there has been no final decision as yet.

Marcus concluded by saying that although the responsibilities for District Council and County Council activities are very clear, they both work very closely together.

A Member asked when the next transport strategy was to be published (the third report).  Marcus responded by saying that it will be in place and enforced by April 2011.  He said that it will be discussed at a future meeting.

Terry Cavender to report back to Members.  Report attached.

Terry Cavender provided Members with an update on the work of the Buckingham Canal Society.  He explained that volunteers are being used for digital mapping.  It was agreed to include a poster with the action notes (Terry Cavender to send it to Liz Wheaton).

Action: Terry Cavender/Liz Wheaton

The Chairman reported that Wendy Taylor, the PCSO for the Buckingham area, had been subjected to a nasty attack in her own home.  It was agreed that the Chairman would send the Members’ best wishes to Wendy for a speedy recovery.

Action: David Polhill

Please see attached the news release from the Buckinghamshire Primary Care Trust about the temporary suspension of the services of the Minor Injuries Unit at Buckingham Hospital.

This issue is going to be discussed at a public meeting of the Public Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (PHOSC) on Friday 3 July starting at 10am in Mezzanine Room 1, County Offices, Walton Street, Aylesbury.  The Chairman of the Committee is aware of the concerns of the community in Buckingham and would welcome representatives of the Local Area Forum to attend this meeting.  Any questions raised at the LAF meeting will be reported to the PHOSC prior to the 3 July meeting and representatives of the PCT will be invited to respond to the questions.

If you have any questions regarding the meeting, please contact Liz Wheaton (ewheaton@buckscc.gov.uk).

The "Hospital" direction highways signs located in and around Buckingham were provided less than 18 months ago at a cost of approximately £42,000.  The part of the sign relating to the Minor Injuries Unit will be covered up.

Members were made aware of the Public Health Overview and Scrutiny meeting being held on Friday 3 July 2009 at 10am in Mezzanine 1, County Hall, Aylesbury at which the temporary suspension of the Minor Injuries Unit in Buckingham will be discussed.

John Riches from Middle Claydon Parish Council agreed to attend the meeting to represent the views of the Local Area Forum.

The Chairman encouraged Members to submit questions for the Primary Care Trust before the meeting.  All questions should be emailed to Liz Wheaton who will forward them to the Chairman of the Public Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Action: All Members/Liz Wheaton

During discussion the following points were made:

• Members were disappointed that the PCT did not take the issue to the LAF for discussion in the first instance.
• The PCT did not inform Bucks County Council about the closure and the County Council has spent around £40,000 on signage around Buckingham.
• Simon Dudley will look into the temporary blacking out of signs and find a suitable solution.  A Member asked whether the current signage could be used to direct people to the new coach parking provision.  Simon said he would look into this.

Action: Simon Dudley

• Access to essential services (Health Car Scheme).  Malcolm Godwin, Market Town Co-ordinator, will update the LAF on this exciting new project which is being launched in the Aylesbury Vale area.

• The following questions have been received in advance of the meeting.  Apart from question one, the rest of the questions will be dealt with at the meeting.

1.      Buckinghamshire Transport Strategy - how does it relate to AVDC Core Strategy? Submitted by Warren Whyte, Buckingham South Ward (Town Council).

Transport for Buckinghamshire has prepared the 'Aylesbury Vale Rest of District Transport Strategy' which forms part of the AVDC LDF Evidence Base.  Attached is a response from TfB to respond to the recent Buckingham Town Council press release on this matter.

TfB would point out that the strategy does not contain anything new, and it is simply pulling together existing proposals from Local Transport Plan 2 (LTP).  LTP3 will advance our strategy for Buckingham further, and taking consideration of the distribution of Local Development Framework growth in the town, when this is known.  A response is attached.

2.      Flood Group update - errors in the Buckingham EA/Core Strategy Flood Map.  Submitted by Warren Whyte, Buckingham South Ward (Town Council)

3.   The LTP 2 Transport Strategy evidence presented in the AVDC Strategy documents.  Submitted by John Riches and Marc Linton, Middle Claydon

4.   Some form of communication updating Parish Councils on the progress on Road Repairs.  Submitted by John Riches and Marc Linton, Middle Claydon

5.   Indifferent performance on achieving progress on previous issues raised in LAF meetings.  Submitted by John Riches and Marc Linton, Middle Claydon

Malcolm Godwin, Market Town Co-ordinator, explained to Members that Buckinghamshire Community Action has secured funding from the South East of England Development Agency for a number of significant projects.  He explained that for people without their own transport, keeping an appointment at a distant hospital can be very difficult so funding has been made available to provide people-carrier type vehicles to be based with the Dial-a-Rides and driven by volunteers.  This service will first become available in the middle of the year in Milton Keynes and Aylesbury Vale.  The second project relates to Wheels to Work/Learning (W2W) which aims to provide a short-term solution for people until a long-term transport solution can be found.  This scheme is being targeted at Job Centre Plus and Connections and is hoped will make a significant difference, especially in rural areas.

The Chairman took Members through the action points from previous meetings and noted that John Bryne will be invited to a future meeting.  Amanda Brooke-Webb also told Members that there is a working group consisting of Ann-Marie Davies, Mark Grindall and herself who are looking at developing a page on the website for parishes to use to track the work in progress of the Community Gangs.  Amanda said she would report back on progress at the next meeting.

Action: Amanda Brooke-Webb

Ann Kiceluck reported that Gary Dawson, the Emergency planner at AVDC, had successfully been awarded a grant of £320,000 by DEFRA to protect 57 homes in Buckingham in terms of flood relief.  It was agreed that the Chairman would send an email to Gary to congratulate and thank him.

Action: David Polhill

John Riches asked where the road signs for Middle Claydon are as they had been promised by the end of May.  He also expressed concern that a number of larger potholes in the area had not been marked out on the roads and wanted reassurance that they would be repaired.

Action: Simon Dudley/Mark Grindall

In the absence of a newsletter this month, see the following information items.

• 1940s Day

On Friday 5th June Buckingham Library was transported back to the 1940s. Customers found themselves being served by a land girl, a 1940s housewife and even an evacuee. We had a very enjoyable day chatting and reminiscing with our customers while they enjoyed our tea and cakes .The cakes were made by staff and friends to wartime recopies.The staff also raided their attics for items from the era. Many interesting items were unearthed including photos newspapers and even a RAF uniform.

In the afternoon, following their wartime menu lunch, the evacuees (clients) from the local Red Cross centre were given their name tags and evacuated to the library. A pleasant hour was spent with them while they tucked into our tea and cakes.

• Adult Social Care forthcoming events

• Opportunities for external funding of schemes

(See attached report).

• Buckinghamshire Network Hierarchy – A Reference Document Consultation

(See attached a copy of a consultation letter which includes links to the reference document and executive summary).

Members were asked to note the information items.

Karen Adamson from Adult Social Care reported to Members that she is approaching GP surgeries to try and link in with their flu clinics.

The next meeting will take place on Thursday 17 September 2009 at the Villiers Hotel in Buckingham from 7pm.

Future date(s):

3 December (provisional date)

The next meeting will take place on Thursday 17 September at the Villiers Hotel in Buckingham.

Future meetings:

Thursday 3 December (venue to be confirmed)