Meeting documents

Apologies were received from Elaine Bedford, Geoffrey Bowles, John Cartwright, Joanne Loftus, Margaret Morgan-Owen, Jackie Phipps, Peter Stray and David Vick.

To declare any personal or prejudicial interests

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm the notes of the meeting held on

The notes from the meeting on 24 September 2008 were confirmed.

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 Madeleine Howe by email on mphowe@buckscc.gov.uk or telephone 01296 383406 to facilitate a full answer on the day of the meeting.  Questions sent in advance will be dealt with first and verbal questions after.

Michael Rand from Ashendon Parish Council submitted a written question regarding the weight limit on C66.

Ann-Marie Davies said that a formal response was ready however a last minute incorrect interpretation of the figures was noticed. The formal response will be emailed to members and attached to the minutes.

A member enquired about the Waddesdon newsletter, asking who sends it out, who receives it and when will the next issue be available.

The member was advised that All Parish Councils receive a copy and that copies are also available on the mobile library.

The representative for Ludgershall PC said that two signs had been put up to say that the Railway Bridge in Ludgershall is now subject to a 7.5 ton weight limit. The Member enquired where the vehicles will turn and where will they be re - directed to go.

David Smith, Local Area Technician advised that he hasn’t seen the designated route but said he assumes the idea is that vehicles will use the A41 instead of the villages.

The Member asked if forewarning signs would be put up on the A41 informing drivers of the weight restriction.

David Smith said he assumes they will be put up. He advised the Forum that he will ensure the views of the Forum are feedback.

None received

There were no petitions.

Police Sergeant Bryn Scott and PSCO Antony Hurd from the Neighbourhood Policing Team attended the meeting and provided an update.

The main points were as follows:

• The Police patrol has been increased in relation to the speed offences in Station Road, Quainton.
• Communication with the school in Quainton has been ongoing and there have been no complaints made regarding parking.
• SID’s are currently being used.
• PCSOs are using graffiti kits to remove graffiti at Quainton Skate Park and the football pavilion in Waddesdon.

A member commented that the idea of the Skate Park was to be a fun place for young people and that young people were permitted to write on the Skate wall. The  Officers informed members that graffiti which is offensive such as use of bad language will be removed.

The Officers were asked whether there would be any merit in the Local Area technician attending the Police surgeries which have been set up. They said that the technician would be welcome to attend but highlighted that the surgeries are held on Sundays.

A representative for Westcott asked the Officers where the graffiti was in Westcott, as this was discussed at the Westcott Parish Council meeting and the Parish Councillors believed the description of the graffiti to be overstated. The Officers said they would discuss with Gareth Morley to confirm.

Presentation from Lynne Kuschel, Bucks 50+ Co-ordinator.

A presentation was given by Lynne Kuschel MBE for the Bucks 50+ Forum and covered the following issues:

• The Bucks 50+ Forum (BFPF) is the coordinating body of Action Groups around the county of Buckinghamshire.
• BFPF aims to ensure that the voices of older people are heard and that they influence the way in which services are planned and delivered.
• BFPF have got involved in discussions regarding transport links and post office closures.
• There is a wide range of people who get involved with Action groups.
• The size of the membership of the groups vary. Some have 5/6 whilst others have 60-80.

Members asked the following questions:

Is there support to set a group up?

Lynne Kuschel advised that she offers support to people wanting to start a group andwould like to hear from interested individuals who would like to be included on the BFPF mailing list.

If an Action Group is set up for a particular purpose, is funding available?

Organisations such as The Buckinghamshire Community Foundation may be able to provide grants to small groups and Lynne Kuschel commented that she would like these grants to be accessed more.

How did you agree the starting age of 50 for the Forum.

The Forum was previously named The Buckinghamshire Older Peoples Forum, but members disliked the name and agreed to the name change.

They agreed that Bucks 50+ Forum was more indicative of their membership.

Presentation from Nic Brennan, Extended Services Co-ordinator.

Nic Brennan, the Extended Services Co-ordinator for Buckingham gave a presentation on Extended Services in Buckinghamshire.

Nic Brennan explained that he covers the Buckingham, Winslow and Waddesdon areas and he has been in the post since the beginning of September and he is initially in post for 1year.  He said that he has visited 26 schools since he started and had some concerns about what he found.  He explained that the development of Extended Services in Schools is the key driver in the government’s "Every Child Matters" initiative.  The core offering is as follows:

• Quality childcare and a varied menu of activities
• Parenting Support
• Swift and Easy Access
• Community Access.

The role of the co-ordinator is to oversee the development of Extended Services in their area and to facilitate the partnership working of schools, external agencies and partners in undertaking community consultation and needs analysis before supporting the implementation of projects and activities.

Nic Brennan explained that his role involves liaising with schools, encouraging them to ensure they are making best use of their resources and supporting schools to achieve their key outcomes. The key outcomes for the primary sector include providing wrap around care for 40 weeks of the year and for Secondary schools 50 weeks including breakfast clubs where appropriate.

He highlighted that childcare is a major issue which is linked to transport.  He said that if adequate transport is not provided, the children will not be able to take part in activities provided.  One of the major challenges will be to ensure that extended services are accessible to all.

He explained that there is a budget of £1 million, which has been ring-fenced, to develop activities for all ages.  Sustainability of the activity will be key when the applications are reviewed and asked members to email him with any ideas they may have for Extending Services.

Members asked the following questions:

Extended Services do not appear popular with teaching staff without receiving extra funding – how can you tackle this?

Nic Brennan advised that part of the process is about bringing in other people and organisations to deliver the services. He informed members that he is currently looking to develop a cluster model. This would mean one school would provide a breakfast club whilst another would provide afternoon activities. However transport issues remain a challenge to this proposed model.

Is 1 million pounds for Capital Expenditure?

That funding is for operating costs across the County.

Is it a requirement of Government to provide Extended Services?

Yes.

Would it be possible to look at case studies and for you to share some of your examples?

Nic Brennan advised that he would send some web links to Madeleine Howe/Katy Macdonald to include in the minutes.

Is it just school buildings which are being looked at to provide services?

All Community buildings/provisions should be explored.

Is there any current obligation on schools?

There is no obligation at present, but it is part of OFSTED and may form part of schools  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

An overview including Vehicle activated signs and village gateways – Ann Marie Davies.

(suggested by Ludgershall PC)

Ann-Marie Davies provided an overview of Traffic Calming Measures including Vehicle activated signs and village gateways.

The main points were as follows:

• Every form of traffic calming will have associated pros and cons that need to be considered before a measure is agreed.
• When considering a scheme it is important to determine the purpose for which a scheme is intended before any choice of measure is made.
• Each request is considered on its own merits.
• BCC Policy on Traffic calming measures. These are usually considered where there is either:-
  • A demonstrable safety problem with a record of personal injury collisions and inappropriate speed.
  • A perceived safety problem where people feel threatened by speed, volume and/or type of traffic
  • The area concerned is considered unsuitable for the type/volume of traffic passing through it.
  • Vehicle domination of street space, which can significantly diminish the quality of life for residents, shoppers and traders.

• Guidance for all potential schemes should include traffic data, number of accesses, properties and junctions. Role of the road e.g. normal load, emergency or bus route.
• Traffic calming schemes are required by law to be consulted upon.
• Consultees would include Emergency Services, parishes and the public.
• Potential knock on effects of traffic calming include:
  • Lighting – If measure changes layout of road, adequate lighting is required.
  • Utilities – If measure requires work below ground level, utility companies are contacted for plans showing cables/pipelines.
  • Safety Audits – all schemes which affect public highway should be should be considered for safety audit.
  • Post Monitoring – this includes impacts on the environment and post-monitoring of crashes or speed.

• Traffic Calming measures include: Temporary Speed Indicator Devices, Permanent signs and removal of signs, road markings, Dragons teeth and gates, different road surfacing, mini-roundabouts, waiting restrictions, vehicle activated signs, road narrowings, islands, road humps and community speedwatch.
• Gateways

o       Generally used in rural to more popular areas

o       Gateway designs must be collapsible in the event of a collision.

o       Typical cost £1100 per gateway

o       Increases driver awareness

o       Defines village boundary

·                                                                                                         Vehicle Activated Signs

o       Signs are advisory

o       Typical cost £4500- £7500 per unit

o       High Demand

A member asked if Parish Councils would be able to design their own gates. David Smith said PCs are allowed to design their own gates but this would have to comply with BCC Policy such as to be collapsible on impact. Local installation however is not permitted.

A discussion then ensued about salting the roads. A member asked if BCC would re-consider the roads which are salted as there had been a recent incident with a school bus going into a ditch and requested that the A41 from Brill through the High Street be salted. David Smith advised that the criterion used in deciding which roads are salted includes: Speed of vehicles, gradient of road, whether any school buses use the road, any previous collisions and the sharpness of bends. He said that the winter maintenance review team had recently carried out a review in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

Ann-Marie Davis advised Members that the Delegated Budget for Waddesdon was for £13,500 and that to date she had received four bids. Members were asked to note that the closing date for bids is the end of December. Ann-Marie Davies said that she would let all Parishes know who had made a bid and for what purpose. She will bring the bids to the next LAF meeting for Members to decide what bids would be successful.

Action: Ann-Marie Davies to inform Parishes of bids made.

A Member asked what the mechanism was for making an application. Ann-Marie Davis advised that an email to her explaining what the bid was for and how much money was needed would be suffice.

Consultation on proposed traffic calming in Edgcott

Consultation on school place planning 'Aylesbury Area Plan' - item for information

Review of Buckinghamshire and Aylesbury Vale Sustainable Community Strategies http://www.bmgsystems.co.uk/bucksccp/UploadedFiles/bsp_2026_4pp.pdf and http://www.bmgsystems.co.uk/bucksccp/UploadedFiles/bsp%20aylesbury2026%20insert.pdf

Members were invited to note the Items of interest and informed that links to websites were provided for those who required more detailed information.

NOTED by Members

Members were invited to note that Joanne Loftus, Customer Relations Manager for Vale of Aylesbury Housing Trust will be doing a walkabout in Waddesdon on January 8 2009 between 10am – 2pm and if anyone from the Forum would like to attend they would be most welcome.

NOTED by Members

Madeleine Howe informed Members that a local Social Care Surgery will be held at Quainton Memorial Hall on 20 January 2009 between 11am and 12.30pm. The Surgery will enable residents of the local area to ‘drop in’ for advice and guidance on services provided by Adult Social Care and the local voluntary organisations. The Surgeries are also working in close partnership with Thames Valley Police and a local PCSO will also be attending to provide crime prevention and reduction advice. The Local Area Technician from the Highways department will also be available to discuss issues relating to the roads in the local area.

NOTED by Members

The next meeting of the LAF will take place on 18 March 2009 at 7pm at Ludgershall Village Hall.

17 June, Waddesdon Primary School

16 Sept, Quainton Village Hall

16 Dec, Grendon Underwood Combined School

The meeting dates for Waddesdon LAF need to be rescheduled.

18 March Cancelled – new proposed date 19 March venue tbc

17 June Cancelled – new proposed date 18 June venue tbc

16 Sept Cancelled – new proposed dates of 23/24 Sept venue tbc

16 December, Grendon Underwood Combined School – dates remains unchanged.