Meeting documents

Peter Cartwright was appointed Chairman for the year at the Chepping Wye Valley Local Area Forum meeting held on 14 May 2008.

Peter Cartwright was appointed Chairman for the year at the Chepping Wye Valley Local Area Forum held on 14 May 2008.

The Vice Chairman to be a District Councillor.

RESOLVED

Ron Gaffney was appointed as Vice Chairman of Chepping Wye Valley Local Community Partnership for the remainder of the council year.

Apologies were received from David Cox, Margaret Marshall, David Poole, Jean Johnson and Simon Fowke.

To declare any personal or prejudicial interests.

There were none.

Ian Reed reported that the County Council resolved on 10 July 2008 to approve a revised GC2C Strategy.  In the Wycombe District area the meetings will be known as Local Community Partnerships (LCP) to reflect the pilot work of the Pathfinder Programme.  Under the Pathfinder Pilot the LCP is a Level 2 meeting, the work of Level 1 meetings is being tested in pilots in Downley/Disraeli and Stokenchurch, Radnage and West Wycombe.  Following a discussion it was suggested and agreed that in future references to Level 1 be removed as this was confusing.

In response to a question members were advised that level 1 comprises of residents, district councillors, representatives from grassroots organisations and the police.  Level 2 meetings are organised by Buckinghamshire County Council and has responsibility for the delegated budget scheme.  The Chepping Wye Valley allocation for the year 2008/09 is £28,099.58.  Level 3 meetings are attended by representatives of the strategic partnership including businesses, education and health services.  It was suggested that an explanation of the different levels of meetings is provided in a future Newsletter.  Action:  Ian Reed

A member asked why Chiltern and South Bucks District Councils had deferred replacing Local Committees with Local Area Forums.  Ian Reed replied that discussions were ongoing for the adoption of Local Area Forums in future.

The Constitutional/ Operational Issues were discussed and the following points were made:

• Frequency of Meetings –Members agreed that meetings are held on a quarterly basis commencing at 7pm.
• Venues – The following venues were suggested for each area – the cricket pavilion in Little Marlow, Bourne End Community centre, St Peter’s Church in Loudwater and Cedar Barn in Hazlemere.
• Publicity – In response to the proposal that meetings be advertised it was agreed unanimously that there was a preference to spend the money on promoting local issues rather than advertising in local newspapers.  It was suggested that meetings could be publicised on Parish noticeboards and Parish magazines.  It was agreed that it is important to be clear about the function and powers of meetings and that suitable wording be prepared jointly by Peter Cartwright, Ron Gaffney and Ian Reed for publication in Parish magazines.  Action Ian Reed to organise.
• Membership -The Chairman explained that all County and District councillors in the local community area will be invited to attend meetings of the LCP.  Ian Reed reported that the following number of representatives were entitled to vote for each parish area:

Chepping Wycombe Parish Council                   3 representatives

Little Marlow Parish Council                                  1 representative

Hedsor Parish Meeting                                           1 representative

Wooburn & Bourne End Parish Council             3 representatives

Hazlemere                                                                2 representatives

It was suggested and agreed that attendance of Parish representatives at LCPs could be on a rotational basis.

• Delegated Budgets – Eric Meek reported that the delegated budget for Wycombe Local Committee had been £125,000.  The allocation for Chepping Wye Valley was £28,099.58 for 2009/10.  A list of schemes will be presented to the January meeting for consideration.  A reference was made  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To confirm the notes of the Chepping Wye Valley Local Area Forum meeting held on 14 May 2008.

The Action Points from the meeting held on 14 May 2008 were approved.  

To consider the list of items outstanding from the last meeting.

The following points were made;

• Litter Picking – it was agreed that this was no longer an issue and members commended the Litter Picking team at Wycombe District Council for providing a first class service.
• VAS – Eric Meek reported that they are permanent units and this was the intention for Blind Lane and Town Lane.  It was noted that the impact diminishes after 6 – 9 months and that the cost of installation is approximately £6,000.
• SIDs– they are mobile units and cannot be operated unless a PC or a PCSO is in attendance.  The cost of hire for a 2 week period is £100.
• Public transport – members were advised that the service 4 had been reinstated and that Red Line buses would be operating the late evening service. 
• Bus Shelter – it was suggested that a disused bus shelter, in Holywell Gardens could be moved to Loudwater.
• School Crossing – there was no update available.

There will be a 20 minute period for public questions.  Residents of the area are encouraged to submit their questions in advance of the meeting to facilitate a full answer in the day of the meeting.  Questions sent in advance will be dealt with first and verbal answers after.  One supplementary question is allowed to be submitted by the member of the public from whom the question originated.

David Onslow from Flackwell Heath Residents Association was invited to speak to the meeting.  He explained that there was frustration about the lack of progress following the presentation to the Local Committee and to the last meeting of the Chepping Wye Valley LCP at which it had been agreed that no further action was necessary. 

Mike Appleyard reported that he had agreed to pursue the elements regarding child safety and that the other matters would be considered separately.  David Onslow asked for advice on what will happen given that speeding had been identified as a priority and that in his opinion it should not take a fatality before any action is taken.  Mike Appleyard agreed to prepare a presentation for a future meeting.  (Action: Mike Appleyard)

The representatives from Penn and Tylers Green explained that the area was part of both Chepping Wye Valley and Amersham.  It was suggested that Penn Parish Council submits a bid to Chiltern Local Committee.

Previous issues discussed by the Forum have been:-

• Environment

Graffiti Removal

Street Cleaning

Litter Picking

Grass Cutting

• Transportation

Temporary Speed Indicators

Speed Limit Review

Community Speedwatch

School Crossings

Pothole Repairs

Traffic Schemes

• Policing/Community Issues

Anti-Social Behaviour

NAGs

Adult Social Care Issues

A Forward Plan of issues is currently being developed and Members are asked to let the Chairman know of any issues they wish to be included for future meetings.

Ian Reed invited member to suggest items to be considered at future meetings and the following points were made:

• It was suggested that a presentation is made to the LCP on School Place Planning before this is sent out to consultation.
• Anti Social Behaviour and provision of Youth Workers were suggested as items for discussion at a future meeting.  It was noted that there were difficulties in recruiting staff to work as outreach workers.  Activities for young people were also considered for discussion.
• Gipsy and Traveller Sites – members requested that a presentation is made on this issue.

To receive any Petitions that have been submitted to the Local Area Forum.

None received.

There were none.

Presentation.

The Chairman welcomed Jeremy Williams for Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service to the meeting.  Jeremy gave a presentation during which the following points were made:

The vision of the Bucks Fire and Rescue Service is to create safer homes, safer workplaces, safer roads and safer communities.  The goal is that the neighbourhood plans reflect these priorities and work has taken place with other partners such as Thames Valley Police to try and identify vulnerable groups.  Bucks Fire and Rescue plans are aimed at meeting the community plans and officers will attend meetings when appropriate in order to achieve this.

The impact of population growth in the area and the increased risk to vulnerable groups was acknowledged.  A review of resources has taken place and areas more than 10 minutes from a resource will be targeted.  This will also apply to the risk in rural areas.  Work has recently taken place with Berkshire Fire Service.  The target is to reduce primary fires, road traffic collision deaths and injuries and targeting and reaching the most vulnerable groups  

A consultation will be taking place running for 12 weeks from 26 October 2008 until 21 January 2009.  This will look at local priorities and determine if additional local information is necessary in order to establish if improvement scan be made in order to deliver effective services. 

The Vice Chairman thanked Jeremy for his presentation and asked how much influence the Fire Service had on the M40.  Jeremy replied that work was taking place with the Highways Authority and that accidents on the M40 skew the general good safety record and that tiredness and visibility levels are contributory factors to the accident levels.  Members were advised that attendance by the Fire & Rescue Service was higher on rural roads and junctions. 

To agree the date of the next meeting and to agree future dates in 2009.

14 January 2009

22 April 2009

15 July 2009

21 October 2009