Meeting documents

County Councillor Richard Pushman in the Chair.

It was agreed that the Chairmanship would be shared on a meeting by meeting basis by the three County Councillors.

Richard Pushman in the Chair for this meeting.

The Vice Chairman to be a District Councillor.

It was agreed that John Gibbs from Wycombe District Council be Vice Chairman for the ensuing year.

Apologies were received from Dennis Green, John Hughes, Miv Hughes, David Devine and Bill Bendyshe-Brown.

To declare any personal or prejudicial interests.

There were none.

(i)         To receive report (a) County Council Resolution reported on 10 July           2008

(ii)        To receive report (b) on the Terms of Reference

Members received the report, the purpose of which was to inform the LCP of the County Council Resolution made on 10 July 2008 regarding the reviewed GC2C Strategy.  The Terms of Reference for the Local Area Forums and Local Community Partnerships were agreed at County Council on 10 July and a summary sheet was circulated at the LCP meeting.

Wycombe Local Committee ceased meeting in July 2008 and a community engagement pilot is currently being undertaken, where there will be two levels of meetings.  Downley, Disraeli, West Wycombe and Stokenchurch are piloting the Level 1 meetings which will be based on NAG areas.  The Level 2 meetings are where the County Council will deliver its services in the future. and will consist of County, District, Town and Parish Councils.

With regard to the terms of reference for the LCP, the following was agreed:

·         The LCP will meet quarterly, meetings to commence at 7.00pm

·         Where possible, the Parish Councils will host the meetings and provide refreshments.  However, it was noted that not all Parish Councils run the village halls.  Other facilities were offered by the RAF representative and Fire and Rescue representative. 

·         on the size of population and the make-up of the parish areas it was agreed that Hughenden Parish Council may send up to three representatives to the meeting and Princes Risborough Town Council may send up to three representatives.  There will be one nominated representative from each of the other Parish Councils, although any number of members may attend the meetings.  This could be reviewed in the future if necessary.

·         Community Groups will attend as members of the public.

·         Meetings will be advertised through posters, parish council newsletters and the press.  It was agreed that a press release should be issued advertising the first meeting.

·         Joint forum meetings can be held if a number of LCPs wished to work together on a particular issue.

The LCP meetings will identify local issues and contribute towards any decision-making.  It was important to take into account parish plans when discussing issues.

The delegated budget for highway maintenance will continue.  Previously, each Local Committee received £125,000 to carry out environmental improvement schemes.  This will now be split between the LCP areas.  PR LCP will receive £30,368.99.  An assessment matrix will be used to score schemes which are submitted.  These will then be brought to the LCP for consideration.

Members noted that the full budget could be used for a particular project if the LCP considered it was necessary. The District and Parish Councils could also add money to any scheme if they wished.  However, in the case of parish council money, it could only be spent within their own parishes. Council Members may also wish to use their Community Leaders Funding.  In time, it was expected that other services will work with LAF/LCPs in the same way as Transportation, both in terms of funding and devolved services.  However, there was some uncertainty about whether the devolved funding would increase in future years,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider the notes of the Princes Risborough LAF held on 25 June 2008.

The action notes from the meeting held on 25 June 2008 were AGREED

To consider the list of items outstanding from the last two meetings.

Members noted the responses to the actions from the last two meetings.

Other points of note:

·         With regard to the ‘Think!’ signs, concern was expressed that not all the signs had been removed.  However, it was noted that those signs that could be removed, had been.  Members were informed that the County Council has a working party on street clutter.  (Addendum:  Subsequent to the meeting further information was obtained on this item.  The County Council does not have a working party on street clutter.  However, a Consultant has been asked to work on a Signing and Lining Policy.  This will work as a prevention tool for the future to ensure extra signage is not erected.  If there are concerns about signs in the Princes Risborough LCP Area and if 20 roads can be identified as being affected, then officers will investigate the situation and report back at a future LCP meeting.)

·         In order to try and stop lorries going through Hughenden, traffic from High Wycombe was being given notification of unsuitable roads and roads where weight restrictions are in place.  Sat Nav continues to be a problem in directing lorries through unsuitable areas.  Marsh was another area of concern regarding signage and this was also being investigated.

·         It was agreed that HGV Issues should be put on the Forward Plan. 

Action:  Ian Reed re Forward Plan

·         Karen Adamson from Adult Social Care reported that the Surgery held on 16 July in Princes Risborough had been successful.  The local PCSO had also attended and given advice on crime prevention.  Joint working will also be taking place with the LATs and the Fire and Rescue Service in the future.  The next Surgery will be held on 4 December between 10.00am and 1.00pm and posters advertising the Surgery will be sent to the Parish Clerks.  The Fire Safety vehicle and the Mobile Library will be used to hold surgeries in rural areas.

In future there will be a 20 minute period for public questions at the meeting.  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.  One supplementary question is allowed to be submitted by the member of the public from whom the question originated.

A member reported on concern from residents regarding the NATS (National Air Traffic Services) consultation.  The Chairman reported that the County Council had made representations and the Aylesbury Vale Local Area Committee had also held a special meeting where representatives from the London-Luton Airport Consultative Committee and the Civil Aircraft Authority had been invited.  The Chilterns Conservation Board had also responded to the consultation. 

Many members considered that aircraft were already flying at lower altitudes and it was suggested that members could look at monitoring aircraft noise and report back to a future meeting.

Action:  Ian Reed re Forward Plan

Previous issues discussed by the forum are contained in the report attached to this item.

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.

Members noted the previous issues which had been discussed at meetings of the Forum and were asked to send any other items to Ian Reed or Maureen Keyworth.

Items noted from the meeting:

·         HGV Issues

·         NATS Consultation

·         Speed Limit Review

Chris Garcia gave an update on the Princes Risborough One Way System proposal.  The Town Council was happy to wait for the outcome of the Civil Enforcement Area study before progressing any further. 

A paper on Area 5 Speed Limit Review was circulated to members.

To receive any Petitions that have been submitted to the LCP (none received this time).

There were none.

To receive a presentation

Members received a presentation from Jo Oliver from the Fire and Rescue Service which can be located via the following link:

http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/moderngov/Published/C00000622/M00003303/AI00006293/FirePresentation.pdf

and covered the following issues:-

• Vision
• Organisation
• Understanding community risks
• Pressures and realities
• Proposed objectives
• Potential prevention schemes
• Integrated Risk Management Plan (IRMP)
• Summary and contacts

Their website can be found at www.bucksfire.gov.uk

During discussion the following points were highlighted:-

·         There was a leaflet on home fire safety checks and smoke alarms, which are provided free of charge.

·         The poster on inconsiderate parking shows how some fire engines find it difficult to reach their destination because of poor car parking along narrow roads. The Fire Service had no enforcement powers and had to rely on the goodwill of the public. Parking over footways is also a problem.  Although it is illegal to park on the pavement, parking on the road can block roads and the Police tend to assess the situation before taking any action.  Jo will also provide A4 size leaflets for the Parish Councils.

Action: Parish Councils/Fire Service Partnership Manager

·         The consultation on the IRMP was highlighted.

·         The Police and Fire and Rescue Service have close working relationships particularly when working with young people

·         A leaflet has been produced on rural safety and fire checks are being extended

The Chairman thanked Jo Oliver for her presentation.

A report was circulated, for information.

Members noted that there was no further information other than what was contained in the Information Sheet.  There was frustration that the official notices were difficult to understand and very ‘legalistic’.  The Parish Councils did not appear to have received the maps and it was agreed that these should be sent out.

Action: Pat Francis to send out the maps

Feedback from the Conference held on 12 June 2008.

Members received an update on the Princes Risborough Service Excellence Event which, it was agreed, may help identify items for future discussion.

The next meeting of the Local Community Partnership will take place on 17 December 2008 at 7.00pm.

Suggested dates of Future Meetings:

2009

18 February

24 June

23 September

16 December

The next meeting of the Princes Risborough Local Community Partnership will be held on Wednesday 17 December 2008 at 7.00pm at a venue to be advised.  Dates of future meetings

2009

18 February

24 June

23 September

16 December (Addendum:  subsequent to the meeting this date was changed to 25 November)