Meeting documents

Apologies were received from Carol Gibson, Alan Oxley, Derek Adlam, Ian Skeldon, Julian Wilson, Ravi Gidar, Malcolm Bradford and Marion Dunstall

To declare any personal or prejudicial interests

None

To confirm the notes of the meeting held on 30 June 2010.

The Action Notes for the meeting held on 30 June 2010 were agreed, subject to the following:

Item 5 Question Time

Geoff Spring expressed concern that the minute did not reflect his comments in relation to the funding request of the ICC project, especially the timescale for making funds available.  He made the point that they should go through a number of stages from application, to report, to committee approval, and that the LAF should have a formal way of dealing with any funding requests.

Attached, for information, is a letter from the Head of Legal and Democratic Services

Members received, for information, the response from the Head of Legal and Democratic Service in relation to confirmation of Vice Chairman for the Local Area Forum.

There will be a 20 minute period for public questions, and each speaker will have a maximum of three minutes to speak.

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.

Mr Andre Syson expressed concern about drivers spending only the stretch of road from Coronation Avenue to Middle Green Road.  His main concern was for people exiting onto the road, particularly from the park.

Mr Syson asked whether there was anything that could be done to impede speeding drivers, even through a 30mph speed limit was in place and there were road markings.  He suggested that a mobile speed camera could be used on part of the road.

It was agreed that Wendy Matthews would discuss the issue with Mr Syson, in relation to use of the community speedwatch camera.  The Chairman considered that this issue should also be brought to the attention of the Police in the hope that their presence may slow down drivers.  Mark Averill said that speedwatch could provide data for the Police to ascertain the seriousness of the situation.  Use of a vehicle activated sign was also discussed but it was noted that the sign could not be modified to indicate concealed entrances.

Tiny Toes Nursery

Sarah Meere, Director of Iver Community Child Care informed members that the Tiny Toes Nursery in Iver Heath will be closing next year because the current staff were unable to continue.  Sarah stated she was happy to take over the running of the nursery but that she would need funding to cover legal and regulatory expenses to support the transition period. Sarah suggested the cost to register the nursery, including legal expenses, would be approximately £5,000.  This would be a one off payment.  There was also an issue in relation to after school provision and a public meeting had been held in this connection to look at whether an after school club could be included.  Sarah also stated that any staff would be taken over under TUPE regulations and she would ensure the new facility would be more streamlined.  It was noted that the County Council was unable to help with funding.

The current nursery facility caters for 24 children, which is in line with expectations for the area.  Currently parents pay for provision by the hour but this would be revisited if the provision was taken over by Iver Community Child Care.

In answer to a member’s question about annual income, Sarah stated she did not have the figures to hand.  However, there had been one early years grant and the figures for last year showed that the facility broke even in relation to running costs.  The Chairman suggested that no decision could be made on whether to provide funding until a full business plan had been submitted which should include income and expenditure for past years as well as a projected forecast for the future.

Bill Lidgate stated that there had been nursery provision at the Village Hall for many years but when the founder retired, the staff struggled to keep it running.  The local school was informed of the situation and confirmed that there was a need for this provision in the area.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

None.

Members will receive feedback on the £6,000 for activities for children and young people over the summer break, which members agreed to provide to Sarah Meere, Director of Iver Community Care.

An update will be provided in relation to the work of the Good Neighbour Scheme through Age Concern.

The LAF will also receive feedback on Positive Activities for Young People projects commissioned through the LAF chairman to facilitate summer activities in Wexham and Iver.

Stephen Young presented his report.

Members were reminded that the LAF provisionally agreed to allocate £6,000 from its 2010/11 local priorities budget, to the Iver Community Childcare for a programme of summer activities.  The final decision was delegated to the Chairman in consultation with the Local Area Co-ordinator and the relevant head of service.  A detailed programme of activities which were held during the summer was circulated to the Forum.

Activities were held during four weeks of the summer holidays and the following was noted:

• The costs for activities were approximately £15 per child per day and the age range was 3-5 years, 5-7 years and 8-11 years. All the funding was spent and there was a slight loss of £180.  Work will be undertaken on a fund raising strategy for provision for next summer.  Stephen Young offered support in identifying funding streams and help with completing applications. Eighty eight children were catered for.
• 50% of children came from Iver, 15% from Richings Park, 5% from George Green and the rest from Hillingdon and Fulmer.
• A copy of the business plan is available for members to see if they wish.
• A youth survey and consultation was carried out, detailing what was provided and what young people felt they wanted.  This will be collated and brought back to a future meeting.
• The Chairman expressed disappointment that none of the members of the Forum had been invited to see the activities.

Further activities were sanctioned for the Wexham area and discussions took place with the South Bucks Arts officer, which resulted in workshops being carried out with Gina Martin, a local artist, working with young people in George Green.  Eighteen young people participated in the workshops at a cost of £1,200.  In addition to the creative workshops, to support the launch of the BMX track in Iver, safety equipment, coaching and initial running costs were approved by the Chairman as specified in the report attached to the agenda.

Report from James Fowler, Detached Youth Worker and update from Lauren Swift, Iver Youth Representative

The Chairman welcomed to the meeting James Fowler, Countywide Detached Youth Worker, and Lauryn Swift a volunteer with the Iver Education Trust.  A copy of the report given by James is attached to the minutes. 

James stated he was asked to come to George Green to consult with young people to find out what they felt about their area and the existing facilities.  This was done during a six week period through informal discussion and a questionnaire.

Preliminary issues included the fact that George Green is small compared to surrounding areas.  It is a rural area and young people find it difficult to get around.  Transport is a key issue here and in South Bucks as a whole.  The dual carriageway is restricting and separates George Green from other areas.  James considered that better use could be made of the open spaces and suggested that a multi use games area (MUGA) would be a useful facility.

With regard to the age range consulted it was noted that 18 13-19 year olds and 12 young people under 13 were consulted.  James said he would like to meet the same groups again to provide consistency of feedback.

Feedback from the groups was as follows:

13+ age group

• A new shelter similar to the one at Iver Heath
• Permanent graffiti wall
• BMX track in the park
• More transport to get to facilities
• Football club and a proper pitch

9-12 age group

• More activities
• Youth Club (the 13+ age group did not consider this a priority)
• Seating in the park
• Party providers, including use of the hall
• Sports Centre

James stated that what George Green needed was a sense of community.  His immediate thoughts on what was needed were as follows:

• There is space in the park to install youth friendly amenities
• With regard to provision of a BMX track, James suggested that transport to the track in Iver would be more positive.
• A Youth Bus.
• For the 9-12 age group, somewhere for the young people to go, such as a youth club.

James said he would be willing to continue the consultation exercise and try to find a user group of some 10 young people to present what they want.  Even if it was just a youth shelter, this would be a positive way forward. It was suggested that links could be made with the Slough Young People’s Centre.

Geoff Spring stated that his Parish Council may be able to provide some funding, but they do not have a large precept and have recently spent £20,000 on new play and fitness equipment.  The Youth Shelter is on the Parish Council list, but its siting would be critical. 

Geoff expressed surprise that James Fowler did not take into account where George Green and Wexham children went to school when making contact with them.  Most children are bussed out to their schools and therefore after school activities do not take place in the local area.  Even though the senior school is now a sports college,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

Update from Mark Averill.

Mark Averill updated members. 

There had been three reviews of winter maintenance as a result of the problems encountered during last winter. 

• TfB Review
• County Council Overview and Scrutiny Review
• National Resilience Review

Last year there were problems across the UK with salt delivery.  The Authority was looking at ways to conserve and spread salt effectively.  Currently there are 10,000tonnes of salt in the County stock.  Ringway Jacobs has another 2,500 tonnes in reserve.  In a standard year 6,000 tonnes are used, the majority of which are stored in depots across the county.  Overseas suppliers will be sought if Salt Union cannot provide extra supplies. Pre-wetting will take place to reduce salt spread and this method of spreading also ensures that the salt stays where it is spread.

During heavy snow events a snow network will be introduced in order to clear the main core network first and then allow resource to drop back to cover other roads as necessary.  The snow network has been increased to allow coverage of roads that access major waste sites, major communities, bus depots, railways, household waste recycling centres and emergency services facilities.  As a priority, A and B roads will be looked at first and the rest of the network will be risk assessed as in previous years.  Not all school bus routes will be undertaken because of the random nature of the routes.  Work will be undertaken with Amey to make them aware of what needs to be done.  Key facilities will also be treated.

Whilst collision data has been used in the past to identify which roads should be salted, it has been suggested that this be removed from the criteria because the data skewed the findings for this year.  Secondary routes will be gritted as in previous winters.

If supply becomes an issue as the season progresses then in some cases a mix of salt and grit will be used to prolong supplies.

Culs de sac will be treated as a priority 3 category.  However, with regard to footpaths and cycleways, those where the service is not devolved will be treated in accordance with policy.

Work will be undertaken with the District Councils to ensure their contractors can help clear snow in busy areas.  It must be remembered that the District Councils’ first priority will be to ensure that their services are delivered as soon as practically possible.

Salt heaps and bins are important.  These will be filled in a timely and more structured way.  Salt may be sold to parish and town councils if they have a need, at £60 per bag.  This ensures that they get supplies at the best possible price because of bulk buying by the County Council.  If town or parish councils wish to reserve any stock they should do so now, before demand increases.

More engagement will be undertaken with farmers with regard to snow ploughing and this is being done through the National Farmers’ Union (NFU). 

Information on public liability relating to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

Report from Chris Schwier.  Members will be asked to decide on which schemes to take forward.

Members noted the report and the fact that the schemes had been agreed earlier in the year.

Report from Chris Schwier on schemes that have been put forward for next year.

Members noted the schemes which have been presented for 2011/12.  Decisions on which schemes to take forward will be discussed at the February meeting.

Update from Stephen Young.

Members will be asked for further proposals for delegated budget expenditure they wish to consider for commissioning for 2010/11 and agree which ones to pursue.

Stephen Young reported that of the £20,000 Local Priorities Budget only £6,500 has been spent, and of the £5,000 for Positive Activities for Young People, £2,600 remains to be spent.  Members noted that this must be spent before the end of the financial year Stephen suggested the following could be considered for funding:

• Activities for young people in Wexham.
• Further potential funding for Age Concern for the Good Neighbour Scheme.
• Funding re Iver Youth Provision
• The Tiny Toes initiative
• Iver Heath Race Issue and work with South Bucks District Council.

Members discussed above suggestions, including the potential for further funding in relation to the Tiny Toes initiative.  It was agreed that further clarity was needed in relation to this project including a sound business plan and sight of the accounts.

Members agreed to hold an extra meeting as soon as possible in order to discuss how the Local Area Forum budgets should be spent.

Action:  Clerk to arrange extra meeting before Christmas to discuss the Local Area Forum Budget

Update from Stephen Young.

This was discussed under item 12.

• The Bucks Debate – Outcome on such issues as Rights of Way
• Government Spending Review
• The Big Society
• Bucks Draft Freight Strategy – to remain on the Forward Plan as a reminder for the time being

• The Bucks Debate – Outcome on such issues as Rights of Way
• Government Spending Review
• The Big Society
• Bucks Draft Freight Strategy – to remain on the Forward Plan as a reminder for the time being

The next meeting of the Wexham and Ivers Local Area Forum will be held on Wednesday 23 February 2011 at 7.30pm.

Dates of Future Meetings:

(Addendum:  subsequent to the meeting, a further meeting was arranged for Wednesday 8 December at 7.00pm at St Leonards Hall, St Leonards Walk (off Richings Way), Richings Park, Bucks, SL0 9DD

Dates of Future Meetings:

Documents will be circulated on the night, giving details of the course offered by Bucks Fire and Rescue for young people, in conjunction with Thames Valley Police and St John’s Ambulance Service.

The Fire and Service will be invited to the next meeting to give a presentation.

Members were presented with information on the Emergency Services Course for young people and asked to consider whether they wished to see a similar course for young people in the Wexham and Ivers area.

Report, for information, from the Head of Transport for Buckinghamshire

Members received and noted the report from the Head of Transport for Buckinghamshire.

Report for Information from Ed Gurney, Strategic Client Officer

Members received and noted the Report.

Attached, for information, is a copy of a letter from Jim Stevens, Head of Transport for Buckinghamshire

Members noted the contents of the letter from the Head of Transport for Buckinghamshire.