Meeting documents

To confirm the appointment of the Chairman of the Wendover Local Area Forum. 

RESOLVED

That Bill Chapple OBE be appointed Chairman for the ensuing year.

The Vice –Chairman to be a District Councillor.

RESOLVED

That Carole Paternoster be appointed Vice-Chairman for the ensuing year.

Apologies were received from David Thompson, Chris Richards, Kevin McPartland, Richard Birchley Aylesbury Vale District Council, Meryl Noades  Drayton Beauchamp Parish Council and Julie Bunker, BCC (Colin Perrottet was substituting for this meeting only).

To declare any personal or prejudicial interests.

There were none.

To note the report that was agreed at County Council on 10 July 2008.

The Chairman advised the Forum that the report agreed at County Council on 10 July 2008 had been distributed for background information. Members were asked to consider the 11 resolutions passed by Council.  A discussion took place on the membership on the Local Area Forum (LAF) and the Chairman noted that members of the Wendover Local Area Forum (the Forum) comprises of representatives of the County, District and Parish Councils and the key partner representatives include Wing Commander Andy Eccleston from the RAF, Thames Valley Police, the Fire and Rescue Service and the Primary Care Trust.  Members were advised that the Forum will decide whether they should invite other local organisations to join. 

The Chairman explained that the Haddenham and Long Crendon and Wendover Local Area Forums were regarded by the County Council as examples of good practice.  When all the LAFs are in operation there will be 19 across the county.  Members were invited to raise questions and the following points were made:

·         The membership of Stoke Mandeville was questioned.  The member noted that Stoke Mandeville was also a member of Greater Aylesbury Local Area Forum.  The Chairman replied that the development planned for Aylesbury includes Stoke Mandeville and in his opinion Stoke Mandeville should be included in both the Greater Aylesbury and Wendover Local Area Forums.

·         A member queried item 7.5 on page 27 relating to Parish Council representatives.  The Chairman replied that in the Wendover Local Area Forum all parishes should have their own representatives and that in the small parishes in the North of Aylesbury Vale there was a danger of there being too many parish representatives to make the meetings manageable and effective.  This was noted.

·         A member queried about the membership of local interest groups.  The Chairman replied that organisations such as CHASE were welcome to attend Forum meetings on occasion to give reports on their activities, and that other significant local organisations could be invited to be members either on a temporary or permanent basis.

·         it was recognised that CHASE was recognised as part of the Forum.

·         The member asked how special interest groups obtain access to address the meetings.  The Chairman replied that the meetings are open to the public and that as the meetings will be advertised in advance interest groups should notify the officers in advance. 

·         In response to the concern that the power of Parish councils was being diminished the Chairman replied that the aim of Local Area Forums was for them to be open and transparent and he reminded members that all parishes were invited to send members to the Forum.    

·         A member asked how Parishes could add items to the agenda.  Madeleine Howe replied that a contact list will be circulated and she suggested that Parishes contact either herself mphowe@buckscc.gov.uk or Karen Jones kljones@buckscc.gov.uk

·         A member asked about the expectation that Parishes should assist in sharing the cost of Forums referred to in paragraph 22 on page 47.  The Chairman replied that it was anticipated that partners  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider the terms of reference and membership issues.

This item was covered under the Terms of Reference.

To confirm the notes of the Wendover Local Area Forum held on 10 July 2008.

The Notes of the Wendover Local Area Forum held on 10 July 2008 were approved after Michael Foote’s apologies were amended to reflect that he is a member of Weston Turville Parish Council.

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

Parking Matters

Colin Perrottet reported that the issues with roadside memorials had been brought to the attention of the Police Liaison Officer.  It was noted that the accident at World’s End was almost a year ago and that in Oxfordshire the procedure is that a roadside memorial is removed after 3 months.  The Chairman suggested that this could be extended to 6 months.  During a discussion members acknowledged the sensitivity surrounding road traffic accidents which often involved young people.  It was suggested that in the interests of safety a small plaque would be a more appropriate memorial and that any changes are communicated to the funeral directors who liaise with the families when making funeral arrangements.  Terry Ridgley suggested that Keith Wheeler could participate to any proposals.

The Chairman concluded the discussion by inviting Colin Perrottet to prepare a draft of proposals for the next meeting (to be adopted throughout Buckinghamshire rather than confined to the Wendover area.

Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service  

Terry Ridgeley, from Bucks Fire and Rescue gave a presentation to the meeting in which he made the following points:

• He explained that community safety includes smoke alarm fittings, arson issues and home safety checks.
• Several high profile sites such as Waddesdon Manor and Chequers are being reviewed to identify potential risks.
• Part of community engagement includes the desire to help people by making homes and workplaces safer. 
• The Fire and Rescue Service is involved in Local Area Agreements and in community safety prevention at county and district level. 
• Currently there are occasions when fire engines have difficulty in accessing fires due to parked vehicles blocking the road.
• Targets include reducing primary fires, reducing deaths on the road, improving access to vulnerable groups, providing home safety checks and involvement in the Safer Schools Programme.
• Members were asked to notify the Fire Service if there is a local priority and if there is a risk to ask for it to be assessed.

The Chairman thanked Terry for his presentation and he acknowledged the impact of inconsiderate parking.  Ann-Marie Davies reported that all the Local Area Technicians will carry small posters in their vans to display on vehicles parked inappropriately advising them of the potential consequences of their actions for the Fire and Rescue Service.

Members were asked to refer any queries to Claire Childs cchilds@bucksfire.gov.uk

The Chairman thanked Terry for a very informative presentation.

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 facilitate a full answer on the day of the meeting.  Questions sent in advance will be dealt with first and verbal questions after.

A member of the public raised the following question:  ‘When can we expect proposals for the cycle route from the Princess Mary Hospital site to Wendover town centre and to the schools?’

Marion Clayton explained that she had contacted the officers who were in the process of identifying an option.  Improvements are continuing and the cycle route is on track.  Members were advised that the £170k payment will only be made when the 50^th house is occupied.  Following a discussion it was suggested and agreed that John Rippon be invited to attend the next meeting.  Action:  Madeleine Howe

A member requested that a representative of the Ambulance Service is invited to the next meeting.

None received.

There were none.

Previous issues discussed by the Forum have been:-

Accessibility

Youth 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.  Issues identified so far are:-

Parking - John Charlton will be present.

Youth café at St Mary’s Church in Wendover – Maxine Saving

Social care open surgeries  - Paulette Hunn

John Charlton, Parking Services Manager explained that civil enforcement was now the responsibility of Aylesbury Vale District Council.  John addressed the meeting on the following parking issues raised at the previous meeting:

Stoke Mandeville Station – a consultation is currently taking place ending on 24 September.  Members were advised that there had been some confusion about the proposals.  A report will be presented to Val Letheren, Cabinet Member for Transportation and it is hoped that arrangements will be in place in October.  John explained that a Traffic Regulation Order takes approximately 40 weeks to enforce.

Wendover Parking Review - officers will look at a holistic view of the streets causing concern.  The estimated cost of imposing a Traffic Regulation Order is £60 - £80,000.  John Charlton reported that he will look at inconsiderate parking on Hale Road and will revise the yellow lines.

Stoke Mandeville Hospital – members were advised that there had been no parking problems near Stoke Mandeville hospital when he visited the area in 2005.  He acknowledged that there had been an increase in cars parking in Kynaston Avenue and that this will be included in the next SPA.

Tescos/Tring RoadWendover – members were advised that the double yellow lines were not effective because of the observation time required.  This was noted.  

Middle Field, Weston Turville – JohnCharlton reported that the parking was in a private area and had not been considered priority in 2005.  The area remained on the list of areas to be considered.

Members responded with the following points:

• Marion Clayton expressed concern about the delay to the parking review in Wendover.  She requested that a meeting takes place between herself and Kevin McPartland and the officers from both the District and County Councils to discuss parking provisions in Wendover.  Action: John Charlton.
• In her opinion yellow lines was not the solution for Tescos and she suggested that a discussion takes place with the shop owners about proving safer parking near the courtyard.  She emphasised the importance of enabling people to park safely.
• John Charlton explained that a parking review will be taking place although any action would be constrained by the lack of finance available.  This was noted. 
• The Chairman of Stoke Mandeville Parish Council reported that the consultation had been delayed for 2 years.  She acknowledged that there was much confusion from residents who did not understand the consultation.  The issues in Winterton Drive were ongoing and it was noted that 45 parked cars had been observed in 2007.  Members were advised to contact Steve Kenton or John Summers Director of Facilities and Estates, Stoke Mandeville Hospital about these parking problems.  It was also noted that people were parking on Elm Farm Road and walking under the railway bridge to the hospital.    
• A member from Weston Turville Parish Council explained that he considered that there was insufficient parking at the hospital and that the parking problems had been exacerbated since charging had been introduced.
• Madeleine Howe  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

Lucy Pike will be attending the meeting.

Updates were as follows:

• Maxine Saving, Extended Services Coordinator reported that the Youth Cafe at St Mary’s Church in Wendover was an initiative suggested by Paul Hammett.  The aim was to provide a facility to meet the needs of the schools and the community.  Research into this initiative is still ongoing.
• Lucy Pike introduced Susan Rivett who has been in post since 1 September as Senior Practitioner for the Community and Youth Engagement service for the Wing and Wendover areas. 
• Paulette Hunn reported that a Social Care open surgery will be held in Wendover on 26 September and Colin Perrottet added that a Local Area Technician will be in attendance.  Local PCSOs will also attend.

6 November 2008 at a venue to be arranged.

The Forum is asked to set dates for 2009.

• 6 November 2008 at Aston Clinton School, Twitchell Lane at 7.30pm

2009

5 February

30 April

9 July

8 October

2010

15 January