Meeting documents

See above for apologies.

The Chairman thanked Chris Brown for providing refreshments.

The Chairman asked that the best wishes of the Local Area Forum be sent to Ann-Marie Davies (Transport for Buckinghamshire), who was on sick leave. The Chairman welcomed Tim Fowler (Transport for Buckinghamshire) to the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm the notes of the meeting held on 23 January 2013

The Minutes of the meeting held on 23 January 2013 were agreed and signed as a correct record, with the following amendment:

·         Page 3, item 7 – title of Ashley Green Parish Council to be added above the second paragraph

Matters arising

Page 1, Actions for Zoe Dixon – these would be chased (responses are attached to Minutes).

Page 1, Carrying budgets forward – Christine Gardner (Localities and Communities Manager – Chiltern) reported that a reserve fund had been put together for any projects which had unforeseen delays. This fund was not for cases in which a Local Area Forum had not taken funding decisions soon enough. It was also not for use as a collection of underspends on various projects. Funds could be reserved over two years (e.g. for a large project) but the funding in the second year was not guaranteed.

Page 2, Bank Holiday parking restrictions – The Chairman had written to the Cabinet Member for Planning and Transport about parking restrictions on Bank Holidays. The Cabinet Member had said that parking attendants should be checking only major shopping areas and the routes to them on Bank Holidays.

Page 2, Hivings Hill - Nigel Spencer to be contacted – Action: HW

Page 3, Latimer Road – there had not been any progress on the vehicle activated sign (VAS). Latimer Parish Council had committed £1000 towards this, and Chenies Parish Council had done the same. Tim Fowler apologised on behalf of Transport for Buckinghamshire (TfB), and said that he would take this back as an issue. The Chairman said that he was very concerned about the lack of progress and said that this had been chased several times. A member of Latimer Parish Council noted that the original decision had been in regard to two VAS, and asked that TfB contact them to let them know what progress was being made – Action: TF

Page 3, Gritting of pavements – the Chairman said that this needed to be sorted out as most schools in the local areas were at the top of hills. Action: TF

Page 3, Snow clearing by farmers – Simon Dudley had responded to Chris Brown directly about the use of farmers for snow clearing (email attached to Minutes).

Tim Fowler told members that TfB carried out a review after every winter season. In some other areas of the County, Parish Councils carried out devolved services and this included gritting of pavements. Areas which were especially icy included Chartridge Lane, White Hill and the pavements around Heritage House. A member said that Nalders Road was also very icy. Members asked that the issues of gritting of pavements and use of farmers to clear the roads should be taken back. The TfB gritters did a great job but there were many minor roads which farmers could help to clear of snow. – Action: TF

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 receive a full answer on the day of the meeting.  Questions sent in advance will be dealt with first, followed by verbal questions.  Please contact Helen Wailling on 01296 383614 or hwailling@buckscc.gov.uk to submit your question.

The Little Theatre

Mr Mike O’Toole and Mr Morgan were welcomed to the meeting. Mr O’Toole told members that he had been trying to get the name of the Theatre on signage in Chesham, and that 2013 was the 30^th anniversary year of the Little Theatre. Chesham Town Council had been discussing signage but it had not been identified as a priority.

Tim Fowler (Transport for Buckinghamshire) said that he would be responding to Mr O’Toole directly by email. Use of signs on the highway was strictly regulated.

Martin Parkes (Chesham Chamber of Commerce) said that tourist signage was high on their agenda and that he would like to discuss this with Mr O’Toole.

Fred Wilson said that signage was now a priority for the Town Council.

Footpath spur

Mr Johnny Longbottom was welcomed to the meeting. Mr Longbottom said that there was a small spur of footpath (about 50 yards) which crossed across the back of his property, onto Waterside. A series of stone steps led up to the footpath. The path offered a slight shortcut but was very rarely used. The path had a six-foot stone wall on one side and also fencing, trees and bushes, and was very secluded. The path was being used by groups of people who went there to drink alcohol and smoke drugs. The debris from this ended up in Mr Longbottom’s garden.

Mr Longbottom asked if the footpath spur could be closed. He said that he had spoken to Thames Valley Police and that they supported this suggestion.

The Chairman said that the footpath spur was an historical piece of footpath which no longer served a purpose.

Tim Fowler (Transport for Buckinghamshire) said that he would look into the suggestion. First there would need to be confirmation that the footpath formed part of the public highway, and was therefore the responsibility of Buckinghamshire County Council (BCC). There would be legal costs, and there would need to be a consultation process.

Mr Longbottom said that he already had confirmation from BCC that it was a public footpath that fell under the responsibility of BCC.

The Chairman noted that the steps on the footpath were crumbling, and said that the footpath could be diverted down Hospital Hill.

Patricia Birchley said that she supported the suggestion to close the footpath and that it would save maintenance costs in the long-term.

Chris Brown recommended that any proposed closure of a footpath should be discussed with the Chiltern Society, the Chesham Society and the Ramblers’ Association. David Gardner said that he could assist Mr Longbottom in contacting community organisations.

A member also suggested that there was a health and safety reason for closing the footpath, as the steps were crumbling.

There were no petitions.

Tim Fowler, Customer Service Manager, Transport for Buckinghamshire

Members received the report from Transport for Buckinghamshire (TfB).

Winter Maintenance

Tim Fowler said that the winter period ended in mid-April, and that it had been a very busy period. There had been 78 precautionary gritting runs, and 10 000 tons of salt had been used (12 500 tons were kept in storage every year).

Tim Fowler said that he appreciated the comments members had made about gritting. TfB had tried to improve their communications, using twitter feeds and blogs. Members of the public could also follow and track the gritters on the TfB webpage.

Tim Fowler also said that the priority roads agreed for capital works in the local area were available on the web:

http://www.transportforbucks.net/Were-working-on-it.aspx

Chris Brown said that he was pleased to see that the system of prioritising roads for maintenance was now working better. Chris Brown asked what order the five roads would be taken in. Tim Fowler said that his understanding was that the roads would be taken in order of priority (one to five), depending on cost.

Jonathan Dickens (Local Area Technician) said that if two sites were next to each other but had different priorities, they would still be done together, to save money / time.

Drainage and gullies

The Chairman said that drainage was an issue. There was supposed to be an annual programme of gully-emptying, but no work on this had been observed for two years. A member noted that Chesham had its own Flood Plan.

Tim Fowler said that the aim was to empty each gully once per year, but that some gullies needed more than this and some less.  TfB concentrated on gully emptying on A, B and C roads and in flooding hot spots. A new programme was due to start within the next month. Tim Fowler said that he would find out how the Flood Plan fitted into this – Action: TF

Patricia Birchley said that other roads needed gullies to be emptied, including Hivings Hill, Oak Lane and Red Lion Hill. She also said that three residents in Hyde Heath had reported seeing tarmac being put in gully holes.

Alan Bacon said that residential road gullies needed to be emptied, but that parked cars were a problem. However even when cars were cleared, BCC did not empty some drains.

Tim Fowler said that some roads needed special measures and lane closures. The programme had been redesigned to give scope to deal with roads needing special measures.

The Chairman said that in the Flood Plan, it reported that water coming down from the hills was a problem.

Chris Brown said that Ann-Marie Davies had encouraged Parish and Town Councils to think about taking responsibility for things like gully clearance, and asked if this was still an option. Tim Fowler said that the option for devolved functions was still there, but that the agreements which were currently in place had used up all the current funding available.

Street Lighting

Martin Parkes said that street lighting in Chesham High  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Up to 5 mins each

This item was taken out of order due to timing at the meeting.

The Lee Parish Council

Elizabeth Stacey reported that 18-23 trees had been planted in the corner of the allotments.

The ford had been repaired, using LAF funding of £600.

The Lee Parish Council opposed High Speed 2, and either wanted it to be cancelled, or for more tunnelling to be incorporated into the proposed line.

10 mins each plus discussion

·         Work of the Community Links Officer – Simonetta Juniper, Community Links Officer, Buckinghamshire County Council

Community Links Officers (CLOs)

Simonetta Juniper, Community Links Officer (CLO), was welcomed to the meeting.

Simonetta Juniper took members through some slides (attached).

Patricia Birchley said that ‘Prevention Matters’ was a very important project for the County Council and that £4m would be invested over the next three years.

Prevention Matters was aimed at people on the ‘cusp’ of social care services.

Simonetta Juniper said that she had a background in prevention, and working with vulnerable, isolated people. Isolation could occur for a number of reasons, such as bereavement.

The Chairman said that there was now a Community Practice Worker (CPW) attached to a GP surgery in Chesham. The Chairman also said that there was a new GP surgery which would be renting out rooms at no cost.

Chris Brown said that as Cholesbury was on the edge of the Chiltern District, residents often looked to Hertfordshire for their healthcare and other services. Chris Brown asked how the CLO would pick up on people who lived in rural areas. Simonetta Juniper said that it was hoped that they could communicate with services in Hertfordshire. CLOs worked on health boundaries (Clinical Commissioning Group boundaries), and were funded by health funding.

Chris Brown asked how brokers could link in with ‘Prevention Matters.’ Simonetta Juniper said that brokers worked with a different group of people. Brokers supported people who were eligible for social care services. CLOs worked with people not yet eligible for social care services.

Patricia Birchley said that the Chesham Community Wellbeing Project fitted well with ‘Prevention Matters.’

Simonetta Juniper said that referral to the CPW was currently done through GPs. It was hoped that the referral system could be widened.

Contact details for Simonetta Juniper:

sijuniper@buckscc.gov.uk

Mobile number: 07876257406

Landline: 01296 383849

(works at Chiltern District Council Wednesday and Thursday).

Christine Gardner, Localities and Communities Manager – Chiltern

Members received the report of Phil Dart, Service Director for Localities and Safer Communities.

Christine Gardner, Localities and Communities Manager, took members through the report and said the following:

·         This was an annual report, describing the arrangements for delegated funding in 2013-14.

·         The amount allocated to the Chesham and Chiltern Villages Local Area Forum (LAF) was the same as the total amount allocated in the previous year (£54 584).

·         The criteria for funding applications were described on page 50.

·         Proposals with match-funding would be prioritised. Proposals also needed to meet at least one of the LAF’s agreed priorities.

·         LAF funding could not be used to fund activities which were the primary responsibility of another body.

·         Projects must finish within the financial year.

·         Allocation of budgets should be done as early in the financial year as possible, to give a longer time for implementation.

·         Invoice and receipts would be needed before money was paid out.

·         If a project timescale was slipping, the funding could be used elsewhere in the local area if the slippage was reported early on.

·         Page 53 showed the list of applications which had been agreed in the previous financial year under the Local Priorities Budget. 

·         Every October the Service Director (in consultation with the LAF Chairman) would take a view on the likelihood of unallocated and unspent monies being spent within the financial year.

·         Parish and Town Councils could appoint an external contractor for delivery of transport schemes.  However TfB approval was required for any scheme on the public highway.

Christine Gardner, Localities and Communities Manager – Chiltern

Tim Fowler, Customer Service Manager, Transport for Buckinghamshire

Members received the report of Phil Dart, Head of Localities and Safer Communities.

Christine Gardner took members through the report, and said the following:

·         The report outlined all the applications received for 2013-14.

·         Due to some projects already having been funded in the current financial year, there was £49 084 funding remaining to be allocated.

·         A separate document was circulated showing the costings for transport / highways proposals.

The Chairman said that it was unfortunate that the transport / highways costings had been submitted at such a late stage.

Martin Parkes said that a representative from Chesham Town Council was needed for the Chesham Community Hub project. Chiltern District Council was supporting this. The Elgiva Board was also providing funding. The Chesham Community Hub project had significant links with the ‘U Project.’

Christine Gardner said that the Chesham Youth Summer Project would target young people in deprived areas.

Christine Gardner said that the Cricket Project in Cholesbury had attendance from young people from the wider area, including young people from Chesham.

Chris Brown referred to the Community Transport Project (Dial-a-ride) and said that there were 5000 residents in the LAF area who were aged over 65. Helen Petty was working to revitalise Dial-a-ride services, and her work included this Community Transport Project.  Dial-a-ride would be piloting a new specially-adapted vehicle. They also aimed to link with local businesses.

Chris Brown said that Martin Parkes was very supportive of the Community Transport Project. The proposal for funding was coming to the LAF so that local Parish / Town needs could be identified. Qualitative data was needed from individuals both before and after the Project.

Funding received would also be used to train drivers. Martin Parkes added that Dial-a-ride drivers were allowed to drop people off in the High Street in Chesham.

Old Sax Lane - a member noted that resurfacing was a function of Transport for Buckinghamshire, and that therefore the Local Area Forum should not be funding this. The Chairman agreed that in the future these types of schemes should not be allowed.

Patricia Birchley noted that the resurfacing in Buslins Lane was critical as an ambulance had refused to use the road recently, when a very ill man needed assistance. However the Lane had not been listed as a priority for resurfacing by members.

Moveable VAS - following discussion it was agreed that the application from Chesham Town Council be amended to be on behalf of all members of the LAF. Chesham Town Council would make the purchase and be the "custodian" for the MVAS which would be made available to all Parishes within the LAF area. The cost of the MVAS would be covered by reducing the allocations to two of the other projects discussed at the meeting.

·         Young People – more activities and facilities – Noel Brown

·         Revitalisation of town centre and villages – Fred Wilson

·         Strengthening links with Asian communities – Noel Brown

·         Older / vulnerable people – Chris Brown

·         Highways – Transport for Buckinghamshire rep

Fred Wilson said that he would provide an update on Visitor Economy at the next meeting.

10 July 2013, 7:30pm, venue tbc

10 July 2013, 7:30pm, venue tbc

AOB

Thanks

The Chairman thanked all the members of the Local Area Forum (LAF) and the officers involved in moving the LAF forwards (Christine Gardner and Helen Wailling). The Chairman also thanked Jonathan Dickens for his work and support, as well as thanking Tim Fowler.

Chris Brown said that the LAF had become more productive and that this was down to the Chairman and his team.

CHAP (Chesham Action Partnership) Evening

Martin Parkes said that CHAP would be holding a networking evening on 23 April at 6pm for local voluntary groups. The meeting would be held in Chesham Town Hall and refreshments would be provided. Martin Parkes encouraged people to attend this.